Olam and Lake of Fire Mystery in the Book of 1Enoch
Last Updated: 14 June 2020
Olam and Lake of Fire Mystery in the Book of 1Enoch
This Topic is discussed from Page 1519 in free downloadable e-book in link below:
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0) Translation Source – Each quote from the Book of 1Enoch is from link below unless stated otherwise
http://wesley.nnu.edu/index.php?id=2126
1) Aidiois vs Olam = Aeon = Age-during for 10,000 years Possibility
Olam – Aeon for Punishment of Some Fallen Angels as 10,000 years?
This next Verse may indicate that the Punishment of the fallen angels to the “ages of Ages” (Revelation 20:10) may be Equal to ‘ten thousand years’ = ‘for ever’ (a translation whose original word often refers to “Olam” in Hebrew or “Aeon” in Greek or “Age-during” literally in English) indicating hope that punishments may not be ‘forever’ as the original meaning of the word could mean ’10 thousand years in the case of these fallen angels’:
“… And beyond that abyss I saw a place which had no firmament of the heaven above, and no firmly founded earth beneath it: there was no water upon it, and no 13 birds, but it was a waste and horrible place. I saw there seven stars like great burning mountains, 14 and to me, when I inquired regarding them, The angel said: ‘This place is the end of heaven and earth: this has become a prison for the stars and the host of heaven. And the stars which roll over the fire are they which have transgressed the commandment of the Lord in the beginning of 16 their rising, because they did not come forth at their appointed times. And He was wroth with them, and bound them till the time when their guilt should be consummated (even) for ten thousand years.’ …” – Book of 1Enoch (Chapter 18, Verses 12 – 16)
or
“… 1,2 And I proceeded to where things were chaotic. And I saw there something horrible: I saw neither 3 a heaven above nor a firmly founded earth, but a place chaotic and horrible. And there I saw 4 seven stars of the heaven bound together in it, like great mountains and burning with fire. Then 5 I said: ‘For what sin are they bound, and on what account have they been cast in hither’ Then said Uriel, one of the holy angels, who was with me, and was chief over them, and said: ‘Enoch, why 6 dost thou ask, and why art thou eager for the truth These are of the number of the stars of heaven, which have transgressed the commandment of the Lord, and are bound here till ten thousand years, 7 the time entailed by their sins, are consummated.’ And from thence I went to another place, which was still more horrible than the former, and I saw a horrible thing: a great fire there which burnt and blazed, and the place was cleft as far as the abyss, being full of great descending columns of 8 fire: neither its extent or magnitude could I see, nor could I conjecture. Then I said: ‘How 9 fearful is the place and how terrible to look upon!’ Then Uriel answered me, one of the holy angels who was with me, and said unto me: ‘Enoch, why hast thou such fear and affright’ And 10 I answered: ‘Because of this fearful place, and because of the spectacle of the pain.’ And he said unto me: ‘This place is the prison of the angels, and here they will be imprisoned for ever.’ …” – Book of 1Enoch (Chapter 2, Verses 1 – 10)
A common view: The ‘10,000 years refer to the angels being kept now till the Day of Judgment’.
Reply: If that is so, it’s saying that the Day of Judgment is 10,000 years into the future from around Blessed Enoch’s time. It is more likely that Enoch was taken to see the ‘future Prophecy’ as this Book of 1Enoch attests and he is seeing the Punishment Sentence ‘after Judgment Day sometimes’. No one can say for sure. The Bible Verse below by apostle Jude who quoted the Book of 1Enoch seems to talk about these chains of which the word translated as ‘Eternal’ here refers to ‘Aidiois’ (Koine Greek) which is a ‘stronger word usually meant as eternity’ than even ‘Olam/Aeon’:
“And angels who did not keep their own domain, but abandoned their proper abode, He has kept in eternal [Aidiois] bonds under darkness for the judgment of the great day,” (Jude 1:14, NASB)
What I’m saying is that if what you say is true, then
“… eternal [Aidiois] bonds under darkness for the judgment of the great day, …” (Jude 1:14) = The ‘10,000 years refer to the angels being kept now till the Day of Judgment’ = “… bound them till the time when their guilt should be consummated (even) for ten thousand years.’ …” – Book of 1Enoch (Chapter 18) = “… These are of the number of the stars of heaven, which have transgressed the commandment of the Lord, and are bound here till ten thousand years, …” – Book of 1Enoch (Chapter 21) = “… This place is the prison of the angels, and here they will be imprisoned for ever [Olam/Aeon?].’ …” – Book of 1Enoch (Chapter 21)
Causes the implication
eternal [Aidiois] bonds = Prison/Chained for 10,000 years, not forever?
So, the word [Aidiois] which is stronger than [Aeon/Olam[ itself is not forever?
Only God Alone Decides whether this is “for ever” (Olam/Aeon/Age-during) indicating “10,000 years as per this passage” or more. An Interesting passage indeed.
2) An Example quote suggesting that “Olam/Aeonian” may not be forever but age-during only?
“… And he instructed mankind in writing with ink and paper, and thereby many sinned from eternity to 10 eternity and until this day. …” – Book of 1Enoch (Chapter 69, Verse 9 – 10)
Reason: Sin did not ‘exist’ from ‘Eternity’ and hence the phrase above is certainly “Olam to Olam” or “Age to Age” or “Aeon to Aeon” as it occurs even in Psalm 90:2.
3) What if Olam/Aeon refers to long but limited time because it signifies “annihilation” especially for some devils?
“… 1 And Uriel said to me: ‘Here shall stand the angels who have connected themselves with women, and their spirits assuming many different forms are defiling mankind and shall lead them astray into sacrificing to demons as gods, (here shall they stand,) till the day of the great judgement in 2 which they shall be judged till they are made an end of. And the women also of the angels who 3 went astray shall become sirens.’ And I, Enoch, alone saw the vision, the ends of all things: and no man shall see as I have seen. …” – Book of 1Enoch (Chapter 19, Verses 1 – 3)
Focus phrase proving possible annihilation: “… judged till they are made an end of. …”.
Comment: It can also mean they’re re-made into something new thereafter but it is ‘not’ Written here and thus remains a speculation.
4) Prayers for Men
Nothing wrong in praying for the Children of Men (1 Timothy 2:1) who are not in heaven as the righteous do it in the Heavenly places too:
“… 4 And there I saw another vision, the dwelling-places of the holy, And the resting-places of the righteous. 5 Here mine eyes saw their dwellings with His righteous angels, And their resting-places with the holy. And they petitioned and interceded and prayed for the children of men, And righteousness flowed before them as water, And mercy like dew upon the earth: Thus it is amongst them for ever and ever. 6a And in that place mine eyes saw the Elect One of righteousness and of faith, 7a And I saw his dwelling-place under the wings of the Lord of Spirits. 6b And righteousness shall prevail in his days, And the righteous and elect shall be without number before Him for ever and ever. 7b And all the righteous and elect before Him shall be strong as fiery lights, And their mouth shall be full of blessing, And their lips extol the name of the Lord of Spirits, And righteousness before Him shall never fail, [And uprightness shall never fail before Him.] 8 There I wished to dwell, And my spirit longed for that dwelling-place: …” – Book of 1Enoch (Chapter 39, Verses 4 – 8)
Just like even the Apocalypse of Peter reveals further that the righteous pray for the damned of which it seems that it is ‘not’ wrong, but let God Alone Decide even in “that Day” (post-Judgment Day perhaps) as John 16:23 – 24 Reveals too.
Conclusion – Judgment Day Mystery – Who are the Elect, Righteous and Sinners?
I’m not saying that this is the meaning 100% but this is how I see it thus:
- Elect
The Elect are Christians who believe in Him who have both “Faith and Works”.
“… 1 And this is the second Parable concerning those who deny the name of the dwelling of the holy ones and the Lord of Spirits. 2 And into the heaven they shall not ascend, And on the earth they shall not come: Such shall be the lot of the sinners Who have denied the name of the Lord of Spirits, Who are thus preserved for the day of suffering and tribulation. 3 On that day Mine Elect One shall sit on the throne of glory And shall try their works, And their places of rest shall be innumerable. And their souls shall grow strong within them when they see Mine Elect Ones, And those who have called upon My glorious name: 4 Then will I cause Mine Elect One to dwell among them. And I will transform the heaven and make it an eternal blessing and light 5 And I will transform the earth and make it a blessing: And I will cause Mine elect ones to dwell upon it: But the sinners and evil-doers shall not set foot thereon. …” – Book of 1Enoch (Chapter 45, Verses 1 – 5)
These Participate in the First Resurrection (1 Thessalonians 4:16, Luke 20:35 – 36, Matthew 25:1 – 13, John 5:25’s ‘hour now is’) which has Rapture after the Tribulation too (1 Thessalonians 4:13 – 18).
How to be a Christian is discussed is Pages 1388 – 1420 & 1437 – 1441, Atonement Mystery in Pages 1493 – 1518 & 1291 – 1331, and The Rapture Theory is discussed in Pages 1421 – 1436, 1442 – 1467 and Preterism & Prophecy on Pages 1474 – 1492 in this Book.
- Righteous
“5But the rest of the dead did not live again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection … [Second Resurrection Described Next] … 11Then I saw a great white throne and Him who sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away. And there was found no place for them. 12And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God, and books were opened. And another book was opened, which is the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to their works, by the things which were written in the books. 13The sea gave up the dead who were in it, and Death and Hades delivered up the dead who were in them. And they were judged, each one according to his works. 14Then Death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. 15And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire.” (Revelation 20:5, 11 – 15, NKJV)
Compare:
“…. [Chapter 51] 1 And in those days shall the earth also give back that which has been entrusted to it, And Sheol also shall give back that which it has received, And hell shall give back that which it owes. 5a For in those days the Elect One shall arise, 2 And he shall choose the righteous and holy from among them: For the day has drawn nigh that they should be saved. 3 And the Elect One shall in those days sit on My throne, And his mouth shall pour forth all the secrets of wisdom and counsel: For the Lord of Spirits hath given (them) to him and hath glorified him. 4 And in those days shall the mountains leap like rams, And the hills also shall skip like lambs satisfied with milk, And the faces of [all] the angels in heaven shall be lighted up with joy. 5b And the earth shall rejoice, c And the righteous shall dwell upon it, d And the elect shall walk thereon. …” – Book of 1Enoch (Chapter 51, All Verses 1 – 5)
Please notice carefully that the ‘First Badge of Righteous’ containing ‘All Christians’ or ‘the Elect’ have already been Resurrected 1000 years earlier (Revelation 20:5) which was discussed in Chapter 50 of Book of 1Enoch prior. It is clear that Chapter 51 in Book of 1Enoch above is quoting the ‘Judgment Day Scenario’ as its Words are parallel to what is found in Revelation 20:11 – 15 too. Popular Christianity today claims that only the Wicked are raised after the 1000 years (Revelation 20:5) to be thrown into the Lake of Fire. However, Revelation 20:11 – 15 alludes to possibly some may be Saved on this Day even as they are judged according to their “works” only (Revelation 20:13).
The phrase above from the Book of 1Enoch (Chapter 51) above stating “… And hell shall give back that which it owes. 5a For in those days the Elect One shall arise, 2 And He shall choose the righteous and holy from among them: For the day has drawn nigh that they should be saved. …” seems to refer to ‘some’ of those from “Hell” (Sheol/Hades, compare with Revelation 20:13), are ‘going to be Saved’ and these are ‘righteous and holy’. Ehem ehem. How can a group of ‘righteous and holy’ be found in “Hell” unless it is as per the Original Meaning referring to ‘Hades/Sheol’ referring to the non-Christian righteous abodes as the Vision of Blessed Sadhu Sundar Singh & even Emmanuel Swedenborg for that matter has testified?
Christ’s Own Most Blessed Words Testify to a badge of ‘righteous and wicked’ being raised simultaneously and hence it cannot refer to the First Resurrection when viewed literally and it is pointed out clearly that these are Saved based on the “Good” or “Good Works” they did (not that the Works itself saves anyone but that the Order of Mercy of God is Implied thus by works) agreeing to all this in Verses below agreeing to the Chiliasm Perspective Perfectly again:
“And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, Some to everlasting life, Some to shame and everlasting contempt.” (Daniel 12:2, NKJV)
“And these will go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.” – Most Blessed Lord Jesus Christ (Matthew 25:46, NKJV)
“27and has given Him authority to execute judgment also, because He is the Son of Man. 28Do not marvel at this; for the hour is coming in which all who are in the graves will hear His voice 29and come forth—those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of condemnation. ” – Most Blessed Lord Jesus Christ (John 5:25, 27 – 28, NKJV)
I repeat, that as Chiliasm Doctrine Taught in First Christianity, e.g. St. Justin Martyr said that ‘all those who believed in Christ’ and ‘those of thirty, sixty and hundredfold fruit’ (Matthew 13:8) get Saved during the First Resurrection itself as St. Irenaeous of Lyons and St. Papias together with all direct disciples of the Apostles themselves have taught (as discussed in Pages 1314 – 1315, 1186 – 1188, 1118 – 1132) in free ebook in link below:
This means that this ‘Second Badge’ of Righteous who are Saved on Judgment Day must refer to non-Christian righteous who are Saved to inherit the “earth” (i.e.’near’ but ‘outside’ the Kingdom of Heavens Dwelling of Christians of the New Jerusalem City, Paradise and Heavens) as the Book of 1Enoch’s phrase implies here “… the earth shall rejoice, c And the righteous shall dwell upon it, d And the elect shall walk thereon. …”. Notice that the “Elect” (or Christians) walk only on the Earth because their abode is Way Higher as demonstrated inside the ‘Kingdom of the Heavens regions’.
They could be the Saved ones on Judgment Day whose name are in the Most Blessed Lamb’s Book of Life who get to visit the lowest abode of the ‘Kingdom of Heavens’, namely certain regions of the ‘New Jerusalem City’ (Revelation 21:2) which are open for them to ‘Visit’ as they pass through the Gates of the City in allowed common grounds from their dwelling on “earth” to Give Honour to God as these Verses may Describe:
” 24And the nations of those who are saved shall walk in its light, and the kings of the earth bring their glory and honor into it. 25Its gates shall not be shut at all by day (there shall be no night there). 26And they shall bring the glory and the honor of the nations into it. 27But there shall by no means enter it anything that defiles, or causes an abomination or a lie, but only those who are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life.” (Revelation 21:24 – 27, NKJV)
The New Jerusalem City Connects the New Earth to the Heavens :
“1Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also there was no more sea. 2Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.” (Revelation 21:1 – 2, NKJV)
The Righteous are those who have “Works” especially ‘works of Mercy’ (Luke 10:25 – 37 example of the Good Samaritan) which was discussed in Pages 1353 – 1359 or 1367 and in the ‘Non-Elect Salvation last chapter’ on page 1225 onward in this book or in posts below too:
https://web.facebook.com/jonathan.ramachandran/posts/10159472747592784
or
https://web.facebook.com/jonathan.ramachandran/posts/10159438606357784
These example quotes from the Book of 1Enoch agrees too for such a definition of ‘righteous’:
- a) The righteous who are Saved on the Day of Judgment’s Second Resurrection are those who lived ‘without physical or internal violence’ of hating other men, i.e. those who ‘loved their neighbor as themselves’ (Compare Luke 10:25 – 27’s What to do to Inherit Eternal Life Answer Given by Christ)
“… 4 Fear ye not, ye souls of the righteous, And be hopeful ye that have died in righteousness. 5 And grieve not if your soul into Sheol has descended in grief, And that in your life your body fared not according to your goodness, But wait for the day of the judgement of sinners And for the day of cursing and chastisement. … 9 I tell you, ye sinners, ye are content to eat and drink, and rob and sin, and strip men naked, and 10 acquire wealth and see good days. Have ye seen the righteous how their end falls out, that no manner 11 of violence is found in them till their death ” Nevertheless they perished and became as though they had not been, and their spirits descended into Sheol in tribulation.” …” – Book of 1Enoch (Chapter 102, Verses 4 – 5, 9 – 11)
- b) Judgment of Men based on Works by ‘Weighng in Balance’
“… 1 And after that I saw all the secrets of the heavens, and how the kingdom is divided, and how the 2 actions of men are weighed in the balance. …” – Book of 1Enoch (Chapter 41, Verse 1)
Compare:
“… And the who did not completely acquire perfection but have acquired both sins and good works, come into the court of judgment; there, they are scorched as by a fire by the comparison of their good and evil deeds, and if, in fact, the scale of the good deeds weighs downwards, they are cleansed of punishment …” – Blessed St. Maximus the Confessor, Christian monk, theologian, and scholar, who was a civil servant, and an aide to the Byzantine Emperor Heraclius before he gave up this life in the political sphere to enter into the monastic life, who is venerated in both the Eastern Orthodox and Roman Catholic churches. He was eventually persecuted for his Christological positions; following a trial, his tongue and right hand were mutilated. (c. 580 AD – c. 662 AD)
Source:
https://www.patheos.com/blogs/henrykarlson/2020/01/st-maximos-and-universal-salvation/
iii. Sinners
“… [Chapter 50] 1 And in those days a change shall take place for the holy and elect, And the light of days shall abide upon them, And glory and honour shall turn to the holy, 2 On the day of affliction on which evil shall have been treasured up against the sinners. And the righteous shall be victorious in the name of the Lord of Spirits: And He will cause the others to witness (this) That they may repent And forgo the works of their hands. 3 They shall have no honour through the name of the Lord of Spirits, Yet through His name shall they be saved, And the Lord of Spirits will have compassion on them, For His compassion is great. 4 And He is righteous also in His judgement, And in the presence of His glory unrighteousness also shall not maintain itself: At His judgement the unrepentant shall perish before Him. 5 And from henceforth I will have no mercy on them, saith the Lord of Spirits. …” – Book of 1Enoch (Chapter 50, All Verses 1 – 5)
Hope for the Sinners/Wicked?
Focus Phrase from the above: “… And He will cause the others [the sinners and/or Wicked] to witness (this) That they may repent And forgo the works of their hands. 3 They shall have NO HONOUR through the NAME of the LORD of SPIRITS, Yet THROUGH HIS NAME [John 14:6] SHALL THEY BE SAVED [Joel 2:32, Romans 10:13, Matthew 12:21], And the Lord of Spirits will have compassion on them …” – Book of Enoch.
Compare:
Probably by quoting Books such as Enoch did Blessed Ambrosiaster has a similar prophecy echoed toward “unsaved sinners” on “Judgment Day” Repentance and “Non-Elect Salvation” (most likely during or after the Judgment in the Final Gehenna or Lake of Fire), to quote:
Verses: Joel 2:32, Romans 10:13, Isaiah 45:22.
“Look to Me, and be saved, All you ends of the earth! For I am God, and there is no other.” (Isaiah 45:22, NKJV)
” … QUESTION 126. FROM THE ONE WHO RECEIVED THE FAITH OF JESUS CHRIST. … In fact, the knowledge of God must inspire the fear of the just judge, in whose court he teaches us that the faithful will receive the reward of their righteousness, and the ungodly, that is to say the unbelievers, the just punishment of their infidelity. It is of all justice, indeed, that the good ones be filled with joy in the future life in which Jesus Christ must reign with his chosen ones. They have been exposed to scorn, outrages in this world where the devil reigns, they will appear surrounded by glory in the kingdom of Jesus Christ for which they have borne the contempt of the worldly. SINNERS, on the contrary, who seemed to shine here below a false brilliance, opposing falsehood to truth, have to wait for tribulation and an imaginary glory to succeed for them a contempt, a humiliation too real. The righteous will rejoice in having believed, when they witness the chastisements of the unbelieving, and THE UNFAITHFUL WILL REPENT of THEIR UNBELIEF ONLY when THEY SEE BOTH THEIR OWN CHASTISEMENT and the glory of those WHOSE FAITH THEY HAD REGARDED as an ACT of MADNESS, which was only worthy of their contempt. …” – Blessed Ambrosiaster (literally in Latin: “would-be Ambrose”), Roman Clergy active at Rome during the reign of Pope Damasus (c.366 AD – c. 384 AD)
Source:
Christ Centered Universalism Hope may actually be Real for All Men even via the Testimony of this ‘Book of 1Enoch’ too. Some Modern Bible Scholars know that even if the Book of 1Enoch is not Canonical for them, its Content especially “Prophecy” (as quoted in Jude 1:14 in the Bible ‘word for word’) would most likely be True. Fascinating Indeed.
P/S 1: Who wrote the Book of Enoch and is there a Blessing for keeping it?
“… 1 And now, my son Methuselah, all these things I am recounting to thee and writing down for thee! and I have revealed to thee everything, and given thee books concerning all these: so preserve, my son Methuselah, the books from thy father’s hand, and (see) that thou deliver them to the generations of the world. 2 I have given Wisdom to thee and to thy children, [And thy children that shall be to thee], That they may give it to their children for generations, This wisdom (namely) that passeth their thought. 3 And those who understand it shall not sleep, But shall listen with the ear that they may learn this wisdom, And it shall please those that eat thereof better than good food. …” – Book of 1Enoch (Chapter 82, Verses 1 – 3)
Example of First Christians who kept it?
- Epistle of Jude
Jude 14 quotes Enoch who as “the seventh from Adam, prophesied,” indicating that the book is true and was written by Enoch himself, and thus its composition was of great antiquity. The citation has been taken by some to mean that Jude accepts it as Scripture.
- Epistle of Barnabas
The Epistle of Barnabas (ca 30 AD – 70 AD), a primer used for teaching new Christian converts in the early church, names and quotes Enoch as “Scripture” and elsewhere cites it as Scripture with the formula “it is written.”[11]
iii. Justin Martyr
Justin Martyr (110 AD – 165 AD) accepts Enoch as Scripture and in his Second Apology discusses Enoch in depth and uses it to establish doctrine on fallen angels and the origin of demons from angels’ adulteration with women.[12] (In his Dialogue with Trypho, Justin charges that some were removing passages of Scripture that prophetically identified Jesus as the Messiah, from Jeremiah and Isaiah.)[13]
- Athenagoras
Athenagoras (133 AD – 190 AD) in his Plea for the Christians uses Enoch to establish doctrine about Genesis 6:1-4, grouping it as one of the books of Prophets of the Old Testament: “you know that we say nothing without witnesses, but state the things which have been declared by the prophets.”[14]
- Irenaeus
Irenaeus (d. 202 AD), the famous apologist, accepts Enoch as Scripture and, in Against Heresies, discusses the doctrine that Enoch was God’s legate to fallen angels, which is unique to Enoch,[15] and that a group of fallen angels devised methods of sorcery to adulterate with women.[16] Also in Against Heresies, Book III, 21.2, Irenaeus treats the books of Chronicles and Ezra as a single book written by Ezra. That would reduce the tally of books in the canon from 22 to 21 unless Enoch was included as part of the canon, as Irenaeus does.
vi.Clement of Alexandria
Clement of Alexandria (ca 150 AD – ca 215 AD) accepts Enoch as Scripture and writes that both Daniel and Enoch taught the same thing regarding the blessing of the faithful (Eclogue 2.1) and that the fallen angels were the source of the black arts (53.4).[17] . See also Clement’s Homilies XI–XVI for great detail used from Enoch.
vii. Tertullian
Tertullian (155 AD – 222 AD), the founder of Western theological scholarship, in On the Apparel of Women (Book I), names and cites Enoch as “Scripture,” part of “the canon” and “divinely inspired.” He names Enoch as its genuine, human author. He states that its quotation in Jude 14 is an attestation in the New Testament to its authenticity and that “some” had removed it . from the closed canon.[18] In Book II, Tertullian uses Enoch to establish doctrine against the excessive ornamentation of women, attributing its origin to demons who cohabitated with them before the Great Flood.[19] Within his Apologetic, in On Idolatry, he uses Enoch to establish the doctrine that idolatry and astrology originated from demons[20] and that demons are the supernatural issue of fallen angels adulterating with women.[21]
viii. Commodianus
Commodianus (ca 240) accepts Enoch as Scripture and, in his Instructions, uses information unique to Enoch to establish doctrine on the origin of demons from angels adulterating with women and on the wicked arts they taught. Thus, he shows that heathen gods were actually the same demons.[22]
- Origen
Origen (185 AD – 254 AD), in De Principiis, names and quotes Enoch as “Holy Scripture” and notes that the church did not accept the several other books called “Enoch” were at all “divine” (Against Celsus). (However, Enoch is missing in the quotation of a canonical list from Eusebius’s Church History attributed to Origen.)[23]
- Anatolius
Anatolius (early 3rd c AD – July 3, 283 AD) cites Enoch to interpret the ancient Jewish calendar (in a reference to Enoch, Book of Starlight).[24]
- Cassiodorus
Cassiodorus (ca 485 AD – ca 585 AD), authenticates Enoch as Scripture by quoting Jude 14 (“In these words he (Jude) verifies the prophecy”) and that Enoch was inspired and was integral to the Old Testament. In the same Latin translation of comments on the First Epistle of Peter attributed to Clement of Alexandria (ca.150 – 211/216), Cassiodorus also uses Enoch to establish doctrine that fallen angels are apostates from God.[25]
Source for this list:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reception_of_Enoch_in_antiquity
P/S 2: Canonicity of the Book of 1Enoch
Note: “… The Book of 1Enoch was considered as scripture in the Epistle of Barnabas (16:4)[26] and by many of the early Church Fathers, such as Athenagoras,[27] Clement of Alexandria,[28] Irenaeus[29] and Tertullian,[30] who wrote c. 200 that the Book of Enoch had been rejected by the Jews because it contained prophecies pertaining to Christ.[31] However, later Fathers denied the canonicity of the book, and some even considered the Epistle of Jude uncanonical because it refers to an “apocryphal” work …”
Source: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Book_of_Enoch
The Bible’s Jude 14 is a direct quote by Apostle Jude to this Book of 1Enoch as it is word to word to this only and not even the midrash which has different words.
“12“And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work. 13I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, the First and the Last.” – Most Blessed Lord Jesus Christ (Revelation 22:12, NKJV)
Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus! The Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.
Peace to you
The Greatest Heresy – Promise of His Kingdom without Obedience
Possibly the Greatest Heresy of All is Highlighted in Image.
Heresy = Faith is not obedience
Truth = Faith is Obedience to God because there is no Love even where there is no obedience to God’s Word (John 14:15).
Why?
0) Deeds of “Lawlessness” (Galatians 5:20 – 22) and sin can cause a Christian even to “not enter His Kingdom of the Heavens” (Matthew 7:20 – 23) and “not inherit the Kingdom of the Heavens” (1 Corinthians 6:9 – 10).
Kingdom of the Heavens Definition based on First Christianity via Blessed St. Papias, St. Irenaeous of Lyons who testifies that this Definition was taught by Christ as attested by all the prebysters who were direct disciples of the Blessed Apostles of Christ themselves as follows:
Kingdom of Heavens = New Jerusalem City + Paradise + Heavens
Reward-Asssociated Definition:
Kingdom of Heavens = New Jerusalem City (Thirtyfold) + Paradise (Sixtyfold) + Heavens (Hundredfold)
Note: In the Entire Gospels, Christ never once equated ‘believe in Me’ to get ‘hundredfold’ but rather only to be “Saved” where He Himself Declared these three types of ‘Fruit’ hence reward level among the Good Soil to be either yielding “Thirtyfold, Sixtyfold or Hundredfold” according to one’s life which is lived as per the Parable of the Sower (Matthew 13:8).
1) We need to “Do His Will” to not be rejected by Him on the Day He Returns (Matthew 7:20 – 23) which is closely tied to Matthew 5:20’s “unless your righteousness exceeds that of the Pharisees” regarding His Law, thus “obedience” in Matthew 5:18 – 19, without which one does not get ‘Saved’ to “enter His Kingdom of the Heavens”. Gentile believers need only to obey what God “Commanded” in “Writing” via Blessed St. Paul (1 Corinthians 11:1), the Apostle of the Gentiles (1 Corinthians 14:37) failing to do so may cause such a Christian to be “unrecognized” (1 Corinthians 14:38). Other Examples of this is Acts 21:24 (Jewish believers can follow the Law on some parts) but “Gentile believers” need ‘not’ to follow any such Torah-practices (Acts 21:25), as discussed in Acts 15 too (whole chapter).
If someone says that ‘not all in the early Church had apostle Paul’s letters’, then how about them? Romans 2:14 – 16 applies in principle as ‘your conscience’ will be your judge. However, that does “not” apply to any modern church today because ‘every proper Bible’ in Christianity today contains all of Blessed Apostle Paul’s letters and hence this case does not apply to us. We will be judged by what’s Written in the Gospel (Romans 2:16) Content delivered to Apostle Paul as Verse below Declares:
” 14for when Gentiles, who do not have the law, by nature do the things in the law, these, although not having the law, are a law to themselves, 15who show the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and between themselves their thoughts accusing or else excusing them) 16in the day when God will judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ, according to my gospel.” (Romans 2:14 – 16, NKJV)
In fact any ‘Spirit-Led’ Christians will be able to know that these “Commandments” of God are not only to the Corinthian Church and it applies to all Churches everywhere as these “Bible Verses” Teach as confirmed by First Christianity obeying these Verses too from antiquity:
“For this reason I have sent Timothy to you, who is my beloved and faithful son in the Lord, who will remind you of my ways in Christ, as I teach everywhere in EVERY CHURCH.” (1 Corinthians 4:17, NKJV)
“33for God is not a God of confusion but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints. … 36Was it from you that the word of God first went forth? Or has it come to you only? 37If anyone thinks he is a prophet or spiritual, let him recognize that the things which I write to you are the Lord’s commandment. 38But if anyone does NOT RECOGNIZE THIS, he is NOT RECOGNIZED.” (1 Corinthians 14:33, 36 – 38, NASB)
“IMITATE ME, just as I also IMITATE CHRIST. … But if anyone seems to be contentious, we have no such custom, nor do the churches of God.” (1 Corinthians 11:1, 16, NKJV)
Doesn’t the phrase ” if anyone does NOT RECOGNIZE THIS, he is NOT RECOGNIZED.” in 1 Corinthians 14:38 by Blessed Apostle Paul regarding the Most Blessed Lord’s Commands which he “Wrote” (which became most of the New Testament today, referring to 1 Corinthians 14:37) sound eerily similar to the Infamous “… I never knew you …” Great Denial mentioned in Matthew 7:23, Luke 13:27 and Matthew 25:12 too?
The “Different Gospel” Blessed Apostle St. Paul warned of “Anathema” even in Galatians 1:6 – 10 is in the Context of ‘re-introducing Judaism practices into Gentile Believers’ (Galatians 1:13 – 17) as apostle Paul even corrected apostle Peter in this (Galatians 2:14).
2) A Substantial amount of wealth must be shared / given to the poor or needy or charity (Luke 12:33 – 34, Luke 14:33) for ‘Eternal Life Salvation’ inside His Kingdom even, the “oil” of “works” as First Christianity has taught (Matthew 25:1 – 13, James 2:14 – 17, James 2:24).
3) Acts of Mercy to the poor or needy or charity for ‘Eternal Life Salvation’ “near” (but outside) His Kingdom even, possibly on earth as the Book of 1Enoch seem to point (Luke 10:25 – 37, Matthew 25:31 – 46, John 5:28 – 29, Daniel 12:2, Galatians 5:14).
4) How much of actual “Love of God” we have is based on especially ‘how much of our money/possessions’ we “share/give away” for the need of others throughout our life (Acts 2:44 – 46, Acts 4:32 – 34, 1 John 3:16 – 18, James 2:14 – 18) even toward “Charity” too obtaining “treasures in heaven” (Luke 12:30 – 34) where those who do it Perfectly by “selling all and giving” (Matthew 19:21) or leaving something significant for Christ’s Kingdom Sake (any one or more of the things mentioned in His List in Matthew 19:27 – 30) obtains the highest “Hundredfold Fruit Inheritance Level in His Kingdom” (Matthew 19:29) falling short of which we may still attain to a ‘Thirtyfold or Sixtyfold Level inheritance of Heavens toward believers/Christians only as per Matthew 13:8’.
5) More is given, more is required (Luke 12:48) and since God Counts in Percentage-measure and ‘willing/voluntary’ suffering incurred, let’s understand that our giving/works may not be that great at all if say given instead into the hands of a certain poor widow with 2 coins as Christ Revealed (in Luke 21:1 – 4).
6) We are not Saved by Works but our Works Determine the Order of Mercy (regarding our Judgment of Sins) and/or our Reward Level as discussed extensively in previous posts with “Bible Verses” and “First Christianity Quotes”. May God Help us be the Best that we can by His Mercy and Grace.
7) Prosperity Gospel Danger
“1Come now, you rich, weep and howl for your miseries that are coming upon you! 2Your riches are corrupted, and your garments are moth-eaten. 3Your gold and silver are corroded, and their corrosion will be a witness against you and will eat your flesh like fire. You have heaped up treasure in the last days.” (James 5:1 – 3, NKJV)
The Verse above is highlighting the ‘sin of hoarding for oneself to live prosperously’ (which Christ Warned in Luke 12:21) and is independent of ‘other sins of the rich’ as Blessed Apostle St. James writes in James 5:4 – 5 meaning that doing this itself is enough to merit the “eat your flesh like fire” Judgment. Please don’t let it be too late when you realize this Truth in the afterlife following after false hope given by prosperity Gospel preachers against this Bible Verse. They don’t care about you as they only want your money. Stop giving your money there but to say an orphanage and see whether they will be interested in you still?
A Haunting Question:
Also, if you can be Saved into the ‘Christian Salvation’ without having to worry about each of these Verses, then why should these Verses be Written in the New Testament if they do not affect your Salvation in any way? The phrase “eat your flesh like fire” as judgment for “You have heaped up treasure in the last days” doesn’t sound like just a loss of reward but judgment in the Lake of Fire or Hades now, right? You decide what it means. If you need to Hoard, “Communal Hoarding” may be okay where it benefits other believers or if it supports any form of missionary work as that’s “sharing” as Acts 2:44 – 46 or Acts 4:32 – 34 can mean too.
Please read each Bible Verse listed here and let us be wise concerning what is Written in it.
“Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap.” (Galatians 6:7, NKJV)
“And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work.” – Most Blessed Lord Jesus Christ (Revelation 22:12, NKJV)
Sounds like “difficult” work?
It’s exactly why it is Written in Verse below that this Way to Life (First Resurrection, Highest Salvation in His Kingdom of the Heavens, Revelation 20:4 – 6, 1 Thessalonians 4 :13 – 18) is both a “narrow” and “difficult” way which only a “few” will find it; If a Christianity is about prosperity or too easy, please be especially careful of it (Luke 12:21, Luke 14:33, James 5:5, Luke 16:25):
“14Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.” – Most Blessed Lord Jesus Christ (Matthew 7:14, NKJV)
Someone said: In Christ’s New Covenant Commands that we hate, our favourite sin is revealed.
Peace to you
False Prophets – Can you really identify them?
The first question I often ask myself (to check myself is): ‘… Am I following any false prophets …?’
For Example: When I contemplate the Christ Centered Universalism Hope, I realize that I’m emulating say Blessed St. Hilary of Poitiers or even Blessed Sadhu Sundar Singh or more recently as this Hope seems to be even evident to some degree in the Book of 1Enoch itself (obeying Hebrews 13:7) as was discussed in a recent post in link below:
https://web.facebook.com/jonathan.ramachandran/posts/10159489970167784
Contemplating a Hope does not make anyone a false prophet because regardless of even a Judgment Sentence (be it ‘Eternal’ as conditional to ‘no repentance’ even), God can Revoke it by His Choice Alone and thus as a son to the Almighty Father, this is not a heresy but a petition before God.
So, are Blessed St. Hilary of Poitiers, Blessed Sadhu Sundar Singh or Book of 1Enoch false prophets?
What is a False Prophet then?
I prefer not to judge anyone to escape he equivalent judgment back as per Matthew 7:1 – 2. However, as usual, I will quote “First Christianity” View of a “False Prophet” next based on the Didache and let each Christian be Wise enough to decide for themselves.
Comment: Both Christ Centered Universalism and Eternal Hell Beief have existed when the Didache was Written but the Didache itself does NOT point to either of these as a ‘false teaching’ meaning that this Topic is not relevant to determining a ‘false prophet’ at all. However, the Didache is very clear about certain practices which are said to be certain of a ‘false prophet’ and I for one would one to avoid that as we shall discuss next.
1) What is the Didache and how reliable is it?
“… The Didache (lit. “Teaching”),[1] also known as The Lord’s Teaching Through the Twelve Apostles to the Nations, is a brief anonymous early Christian treatise written in Koine Greek, dated by most modern scholars to the first century.[2] The first line of this treatise is “The teaching of the Lord to the Gentiles (or Nations) by the twelve apostles” … The Didache is considered part of the group of second-generation Christian writings known as the Apostolic Fathers. The work was considered by some Church Fathers to be a part of the New Testament,[6][7][8] while being rejected by others as spurious or non-canonical,[9][10][11] In the end, it was not accepted into the New Testament canon. However, the Ethiopian Orthodox Church “broader canon” includes the Didascalia, a work which draws on the Didache. Lost for centuries, a Greek manuscript of the Didache was rediscovered in 1873 by Philotheos Bryennios, Metropolitan of Nicomedia, in the Codex Hierosolymitanus. A Latin version of the first five chapters was discovered in 1900 by J. Schlecht …”
Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Didache
Did you notice that it was ‘lost for centuries’ despite many ancient references point to its existence in First Christianity as “Scripture” (Canonical Level) in some earliest Churches? And so, I won’t be taking its content lightly. Perhaps the reason why some reject it may be seen in its ‘strict’ teaching of which those who practice it may not like it.
2) Which early Church leaders may have used this?
“… Athanasius (367) and Rufinus (c. 380) list the Didache among apocrypha. (Rufinus gives the curious alternative title Judicium Petri, “Judgment of Peter”.) It is rejected by Nicephorus (c. 810), Pseudo-Anastasius, and Pseudo-Athanasius in Synopsis and the 60 Books canon. It is accepted by the Apostolic Constitutions Canon 85, John of Damascus and the Ethiopian Orthodox Church. The Adversus Aleatores by an imitator of Cyprian quotes it by name. Unacknowledged citations are very common, if less certain. The section Two Ways shares the same language with the Epistle of Barnabas, chapters 18–20, sometimes word for word, sometimes added to, dislocated, or abridged, and Barnabas iv, 9 either derives from Didache, 16, 2–3, or vice versa. There can also be seen many similarities to the Epistles of both Polycarp and Ignatius of Antioch. The Shepherd of Hermas seems to reflect it, and Irenaeus, Clement of Alexandria,[b] and Origen of Alexandria also seem to use the work, and so in the West do Optatus and the “Gesta apud Zenophilum.”[c] The Didascalia Apostolorum are founded upon the Didache. The Apostolic Church-Ordinances has used a part, the Apostolic Constitutions have embodied the Didascalia. There are echoes in Justin Martyr, Tatian, Theophilus of Antioch, Cyprian, and Lactantius. …”
Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Didache
Comment: The Didache does Teach of ‘afterlife Salvation’ (or what I call as ‘non-Elect Salvation’) till the “last penny” (Matthew 5:26) as Christ Referred to as “Gehenna/Lake of Fire/Hell” Context in Matthew 5:22, to quote:
“… Give to every one who asks you, and ask it not back; for the Father wills that to all should be given of our own blessings (free gifts). Happy is he who gives according to the commandment, for he is guiltless. WOE to HIM WHO RECEIVES; for if one receives who has need, he is guiltless; but he who RECEIVES NOT having NEED shall PAY the PENALTY, why he received and for what. And coming into CONFINEMENT, he shall be EXAMINED concerning the THINGS which he HAS DONE, and he shall NOT ESCAPE from THERE until he PAYS back the LAST PENNY. And also concerning this, it has been said, Let your alms sweat in your hands, until you know to whom you should give…” – The Didache, The Lord’s Teaching Through the Twelve Apostles to the Nations. (1st Century, Chapter 1. The Two Ways and the First Commandment)
Source:
http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/text/didache-roberts.html
Another note: The Didache does teach even the ‘Alms atone for the Judgment of your sins concept’
“… If you have anything, through your hands you shall give ransom for your sins. …” – The Didache (Chapter 4, in same source above)
3) Translations of the Didache
Example:
https://christianhistoryinstitute.org/study/module/didache
However, in our discussion next regarding ‘Identifying False Prophets’, we will use the translation given in link below unless stated otherwise:
http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/text/didache-roberts.html
4) Identification of the Traits of False Prophets
- i) False Apostles stay for 3 days or more at a place
“… But concerning the apostles and prophets, act according to the decree of the Gospel. Let every apostle who comes to you be received as the Lord. But he shall not remain more than one day; or two days, if there’s a need. But if he remains three days, he is a false prophet. …” – The Didache (Chapter 11)
- ii) False Apostles ask for money
“… And when the apostle goes away, let him take nothing but bread until he lodges. If he asks for money, he is a false prophet. …” – The Didache (Chapter 11)
Compare with these Bible Verses:
“And He said to them, “Take nothing for the journey, neither staffs nor bag nor bread nor money; and do not have two tunics apiece.” (Luke 9:3. NKJV)
“and He instructed them that they should take nothing for their journey, except a mere staff– no bread, no bag, no money in their belt–” (Mark 6:8, NKJV)
iii) Do not comment on a Spirit inside a person lest you may accidentally Commit the Blasphemy of the Holy Spirit
“… And every prophet who speaks in the Spirit you shall neither try nor judge; for every sin shall be forgiven, but this sin shall not be forgiven. But not every one who speaks in the Spirit is a prophet; but only if he holds the ways of the Lord. Therefore from their ways shall the false prophet and the prophet be known. …” – The Didache (Chapter 11)
Compare:
“28“Assuredly, I say to you, all sins will be forgiven the sons of men, and whatever blasphemies they may utter; 29but he who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit never has forgiveness, but is subject to eternal condemnation”— 30because they said, “He has an unclean spirit.” (Mark 3:28 – 30, NKJV)
Note: Especially protestants need to be careful of this as many of their believers / leaders / pastors ‘easily’ throw words such as that toward those who don’t believe the same as them.
- iv) False Prophets do not Practice what they Preach
“… And every prophet who orders a meal in the Spirit does not eat it, unless he is indeed a false prophet. And every prophet who teaches the truth, but does not do what he teaches, is a false prophet. And every prophet, proved true, working unto the mystery of the Church in the world, yet not teaching others to do what he himself does, shall not be judged among you, for with God he has his judgment; for so did also the ancient prophets. …” – The Didache (Chapter 11)
- v) False Prophets Collect Money/Things for their use while True Prophets may ask you to Give to Charity / Poor / Needy only
“… But whoever says in the Spirit, Give me money, or something else, you shall not listen to him. But if he tells you to give for others’ sake who are in need, let no one judge him. …” – The Didache (Chapter 11)
- vi) Tithes can “only” be collected by a Prophet who lives by the Rules Written above and not by ‘any pastor’ (ehem, ehem) or alternately, one can give “Tithes directly to the poor”
“… But every true prophet who wants to live among you is worthy of his support. So also a true teacher is himself worthy, as the workman, of his support. Every first-fruit, therefore, of the products of wine-press and threshing-floor, of oxen and of sheep, you shall take and give to the prophets, for they are your high priests. But if you have no prophet, give it to the poor. …”- The Didache (Chapter 11)
Note: Please notice carefully that ‘tithes’ is not mentioned to be ‘given to the church’ as many churches practice today.
vii) True Prophets do NOT teach any ‘pre-tribulation rapture’ but ‘only one Second Coming of the Lord’ which is ‘after the Great Tribulation’ of which those of faith must go through it too and endure to be Saved
“… Watch for your life’s sake. Let not your lamps be quenched, nor your loins unloosed; but be ready, for you know not the hour in which our Lord will come. But come together often, seeking the things which are befitting to your souls: for the whole time of your faith will not profit you, if you are not made perfect in the last time. For in the last days false prophets and corrupters shall be multiplied, and the sheep shall be turned into wolves, and love shall be turned into hate; for when lawlessness increases, they shall hate and persecute and betray one another, and then shall appear the world-deceiver as Son of God, and shall do signs and wonders, and the earth shall be delivered into his hands, and he shall do iniquitous things which have never yet come to pass since the beginning. Then shall the creation of men come into the fire of trial, and many shall be made to stumble and shall perish; but those who endure in their faith shall be saved from under the curse itself. And then shall appear the signs of the truth: first, the sign of an outspreading in heaven, then the sign of the sound of the trumpet. And third, the resurrection of the dead — yet not of all, but as it is said: “The Lord shall come and all His saints with Him.” Then shall the world see the Lord coming upon the clouds of heaven. …” – The Didache (Chapter 11)
The Didache clearly Teaches the “First Resurrection” not of all but Christians only (Revelation 20:4 – 6, 1 Thessalonians 4:16) which happens before ‘rapture’ for those who are alive (1 Thessalonians 4:15, 17) as per the ‘Chiliasm’ Doctrine.
For those over-confident modern Christians: Is God Going to Say “… I never knew you …” based on these Teachings of the Didache to us who disobey it or to the First Christians who obeyed all these?
Note:
How to be a Christian is discussed is Pages 1388 – 1420 & 1437 – 1441, Atonement Mystery in Pages 1493 – 1518 & 1291 – 1331, and The Rapture Theory is discussed in Pages 1421 – 1436, 1442 – 1467 and Preterism & Prophecy on Pages 1474 – 1492 in free downloadable ebook in link below:
Click the button above to Download as PDFClick the button above to Download as in Google Book App
Chiliasm Doctrine Taught in First Christianity, e.g. St. Justin Martyr said that ‘all those who believed in Christ’ and ‘those of thirty, sixty and hundredfold fruit’ (Matthew 13:8) get Saved during the First Resurrection itself as St. Irenaeous of Lyons and St. Papias together with all direct disciples of the Apostles themselves have taught (as discussed in Pages 1314 – 1315, 1186 – 1188, 1118 – 1132) in free ebook in link above too.
Who is the False Prophet then?
“… 22MANY will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not PROPHESIED in Your name, … 23And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’ …” – Most Blessed Lord Jesus Christ (Matthew 7:22 – 23, NKJV)
Please note the word “Many” carefully in last Verses above too.
Peace to you
A Wrong Marriage could cause you your Salvation
Question
If my wife is complaining that I’m not providing enough, what do I answer her?
Reply
Firstly I believe that a pastor of any church needs to teach any potential Christian couple so that they understand that a True Godly Marriage is about “obeying” each of these Bible Verses (listed next in each point).
- If you are not providing for your family/household such a faith is worse than an unbeliever (this Truth needs to be taught first to any man who wishes to marry).
“8But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.” (1 Timothy 5:8, NKJV)
So, here too we see that ‘faith alone’ saves no one if not accompanied by the right Biblical Works as in the Context of Marriage.
- If you’re working and that’s all you can afford, you’re already fulfilling your role sir.
- The Bible has no Verses regarding fulfilling increasing wants or ‘changing needs’ but rather it Teaches one to be content with whatever Salary they have:
“And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content.” (1 Timothy 6:8, NKJV)
Technically according to the Verse above, if you have “food” and “clothing” (not even house), we are to be content. I understand that it’s easier said than done. That is why we should think about all these before marrying.
- A Biblical Prudent Wife
A Biblical prudent wife will not complain of her husband’s lack of providence to meet ‘her earthly standards’ (not Bible Verse standards) and instead will also “work voluntarily” to fulfill household monetary needs instead as per Verses below which defines ‘the True Women of God’:
“… 13She seeks wool and flax, And willingly works with her hands. … 16She considers a field and buys it; From her profits she plants a vineyard. 17She girds herself with strength, And strengthens her arms. … 24She makes linen garments and sells them, And supplies sashes for the merchants. … 30Charm is deceitful and beauty is passing, But a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised. …” (Proverbs 31:13, 16 – 17, 24, 30, NKJV)
- No authority over husbands
The Verse below clearly does NOT give any authority to a woman over her husband even if he is wrong as the phrase “without a word” means:
“In the same way, you wives, be submissive to your own husbands so that even if any of them are disobedient to the word, they may be won without a word by the behavior of their wives, 2as they observe your chaste and respectful behavior.” (1 Peter 3:1 – 2, NASB)
The same way people say ‘let God Judge pastors as it is not our role to do so’, similarly ‘let God judge the husbands as it is not the role of any wife to correct them’ likewise as per the Verse above.
- Good Parents Biblically
Whose responsibility is it to Save money?
“… for children are not responsible to save up for their parents, but parents for their children.” (2 Corinthians 12:14, NASB)
That’s why the Bible calls those parents who do so in a ‘rightly earned money’ as ‘good people’, to quote – How much a parent is required to save up for their children? Till it lasts for their “children’s children”:
“A good man leaveth an inheritance to his children’s children: …” (Proverbs 13:22, KJV)
So are we ‘good parents’ according to the Bible?
“A good person leaves an inheritance for their children’s children, …” (Proverbs 13:22, NIV)
That’s why it’s best as God’s Will not to marry if we cannot fulfill all these “God’s Perfect Will for responsible marriage”, Verse:
“38So then both he who gives his own virgin daughter in marriage does well, and he who does not give her in marriage will do better.” (1 Corinthians 7:38, NASB)
Also
“Houses and riches are an inheritance from fathers, But a prudent wife is from the LORD.” (Proverbs 19:14, NKJV)
Since we never “obeyed God’s Will” by fulfilling the “Houses and riches are an inheritance from fathers,” part, then why blame God for children dying in hunger and praise that mother or society or culture which brought that child to suffer in this world in the first place?
My point is simple: We cannot blame God unless if we fulfilled His Word and then still calamities happen and also if we should blame somebody, we should blame our “own selfish desires” (to have ‘family’ or ‘for our kids to make us rich or take care of us when old without providing any riches for them to do so first’, etc. as per the Bible Verse quoted etc. etc). Yes, that’s how such classic atheistic arguments hold no water when analyzed “rationally”.
This post is not to blame parents or to cause fights but rather to demonstrate how we as human beings create our own problems by our own selfish ways without obedience to God which could have easily solved the problem. Truly,
“obedience is better than sacrifice” (1 Samuel 15:22) even in this Verse in Proverbs 19:14 above.
If anyone fails in these, sadly the Verse below (in image too) can imply a loss of Salvation :
“But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.” (1 Timothy 5:8, NKJV)
Peace to you
Prosperity Gospel – Head on Earth and not the Tail
Question
Didn’t God Promise to make true believers the head and not the tail as per Deuteronomy 28:13? (Verse in image too)
Reply
This is one of the greatest misunderstood set of Verses which false teachers have exploited for their gain and to kind of ‘show proof’ that they are chosen by God by flashing some of ‘your money’. I say, “your money” because they got it from collecting in the Name of God from people like you instead of like Abraham and Job who worked as farmers and earned it.
In this life (i.e. ‘under the sun’) there is no such guarantee as God has put “time and chance” to determine our fortunes as per the Verse below:
“I returned and saw under the sun that— The race is not to the swift, Nor the battle to the strong, Nor bread to the wise, Nor riches to men of understanding, Nor favor to men of skill; But time and chance happen to them all.” (Ecclesiastes 9:11, NKJV)
Truth is, Deuteronomy 28:13 has nothing to do with a Promise in this life but is a Promise of Inheritance in the “Age to Come” (‘Olam Ha’ba’), that is in the Messianic Kingdom of Christ after the First Resurrection onward (Revelation 20:4 – 6). To earn a place there, one has to be super kind, super sharing etc. (Luke 12:21, Luke 14:33, Matthew 19:21, Luke 12:33 – 34, Matthew 19:27 – 30, Acts 2:44 – 46, Acts 4:32 – 34). The Logic is that to ‘Gain there, you must let go of as much of your earthly life / money here’ (Matthew 6:19, Luke 12:34, Matthew 16:25, Luke 12:21).
Please take note that I’m not stating ‘my opinion’ but just obeying what these Great First Christianity “true” Men of God taught likewise:
1) Times of the Kingdom = First Resurrection & the 1000 years Millennial Reign of Christ (Revelation 20:4 – 6)
“… 1. For this reason, when about to undergo His sufferings, that He might declare to Abraham and those with him the glad tidings of the inheritance being thrown open, [Christ], after He had given thanks while holding the cup, and had drunk of it, and given it to the disciples, said to them: “Drink ye all of it: this is My blood of the new covenant, which shall be shed for many for the remission of sins. But I say unto you, I will not drink henceforth of the fruit of this vine, until that day when I will drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom.” Thus, then, He will Himself renew the inheritance of the earth, and will re-organize the mystery of the glory of [His] sons; as David says, “He who hath renewed the face of the earth.” He promised to drink of the fruit of the vine with His disciples, thus indicating both these points: the inheritance of the earth in which the new fruit of the vine is drunk, and the resurrection of His disciples in the flesh. For the new flesh which rises again is the same which also received the new cup. And He cannot by any means be understood as drinking of the fruit of the vine when settled down with his [disciples] above in a super-celestial place; nor, again, are they who drink it devoid of flesh, for to drink of that which flows from the vine pertains to flesh, and not spirit.
- And for this reason the Lord declared, “When thou makest a dinner or a supper, do not call thy friends, nor thy neighbours, nor thy kinsfolk, lest they ask thee in return, and so repay thee. But call the lame, the blind, and the poor, and thou shall be blessed, since they cannot recompense thee, but a recompense shall be made thee at the resurrection of the just.” And again He says, “Whosoever shall have left lands, or houses, or parents, or brethren, or children because of Me, he shall receive in this world an hundred-fold, and in that to come he shall inherit eternal life.” For what are the hundred-fold [rewards] in this word, the entertainments given to the poor, and the suppers for which a return is made? These are [to take place] in the times of the kingdom, that is, upon the seventh day, which has been sanctified, in which God rested from all the works which He created, which is the true Sabbath of the righteous, which they shall not be engaged in any earthly occupation; but shall have a table at hand prepared for them by God, supplying them with all sorts of dishes.
- The blessing of Isaac with which he blessed his younger son Jacob has the same meaning, when he says, “Behold, the smell of my son is as the smell of a full field which the Lord has blessed.” But “the field is the world.” And therefore he added, “God give to thee of the dew of heaven, and of the fatness of the earth, plenty of corn and wine. And let the nations serve thee, and kings bow down to thee; and be thou lord over thy brother, and thy father’s sons shall bow down to thee: cursed shall be he who shall curse thee, and blessed shall be he who shall bless thee.” If any one, then, does not accept these things as referring to the appointed kingdom, he must fall into much contradiction and contrariety, as is the case with the Jews, who are involved in absolute perplexity. For not only did not the nations in this life serve this Jacob; but even after he had received the blessing, he himself going forth [from his home], served his uncle Laban the Syrian for twenty years; and not only was he not made lord of his brother, but he did himself bow down before his brother Esau, upon his return from Mesopotamia to his father, and offered many gifts to him. Moreover, in what way did he inherit much corn and wine here, he who emigrated to Egypt because of the famine which possessed the land in which he was dwelling, and became Subject to Pharaoh, who was then ruling over Egypt? The predicted blessing, therefore, belongs unquestionably to the times of the kingdom, when the righteous shall bear rule upon their rising from the dead; when also the creation, having been renovated and set free, shall fructify with an abundance of all kinds of food, from the dew of heaven, and from the fertility of the earth: as the elders who saw John, the disciple of the Lord, related that they had heard from him how the Lord used to teach in regard to these times, and say: The days will come, in which vines shall grow, each having ten thousand branches, and in each branch ten thousand twigs, and in each true twig ten thousand shoots, and in each one of the shoots ten thousand dusters, and on every one of the clusters ten thousand grapes, and every grape when pressed will give five and twenty metretes of wine. And when any one of the saints shall lay hold of a cluster, another shall cry out, “I am a better cluster, take me; bless the Lord through me.” In like manner [the Lord declared] that a grain of wheat would produce ten thousand ears, and that every ear should have ten thousand grains, and every grain would yield ten pounds (quinque bilibres) of clear, pure, fine flour; and that all other fruit-bearing trees, and seeds and grass, would produce in similar proportions (secundum congruentiam iis consequentem); and that all animals feeding [only] on the productions of the earth, should [in those days] become peaceful and harmonious among each other, and be in perfect subjection to man.
- And these things are bone witness to in writing by Papias, the hearer of John, and a companion of Polycarp, in his fourth book; for there were five books compiled (suntetagme/na) by him. And he says in addition, “Now these things are credible to believers.” And he says that, “when the traitor Judas did not give credit to them, and put the question, `How then can things about to bring forth so abundantly be wrought by the Lord? ‘the Lord declared, `They who shall come to these [times] shall see.'” When prophesying of these times, therefore, Esaias says: “The wolf also shall feed with the lamb, and the leopard shall take his rest with the kid; the calf also, and the bull, and the lion shall eat together; and a little boy shall lead them. The ox and the bear shall feed together, and their young ones shall agree together; and the lion shall eat straw as well as the ox. And the infant boy shall thrust his hand into the asp’s den, into the nest also of the adder’s brood; and they shall do no harm, nor have power to hurt anything in my holy mountain.” And again he says, in recapitulation, “Wolves and lambs shall then browse together, and the lion shall eat straw like the ox, and the serpent earth as if it were bread; and they shall neither hurt nor annoy anything in my holy mountain, saith the Lord.” I am quite aware that some persons endeavour to refer these words to the case of savage men, both of different nations and various habits, who come to believe, and when they have believed, act in harmony with the righteous. But although this is [true] now with regard to some men coming from various nations to the harmony of the faith, nevertheless in the resurrection of the just [the words shall also apply] to those animals mentioned. For God is non in all things. And it is right that when the creation is restored, all the animals should obey and be in subjection to man, and revert to the food originally given by God (for they had been originally subjected in obedience to Adam), that is, the productions of the earth. But some other occasion, and not the present, is [to be sought] for showing that the lion shall [then] feed on straw. And this indicates the large size and rich quality of the fruits. For if that animal, the lion, feeds upon straw [at that period], of what a quality must the wheat itself be whose straw shall serve as suitable food for lions? …” – Blessed St. Irenaeous of Lyons, a Hearer of Blessed St. Polycarp who is an Apostolic Father being the Disciple of Blessed St. John who wrote the Book of Revelation (c. 130 AD – c. 202 AD, ‘Against Heresies’, Book 5, Chapter XXXIII, Points 1 – 4)
Source: http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/text/irenaeus-book5.html
Example Focus Quote from the above [and please note the phrase “times of the kingdom” or “appointed kingdom” as Blessed St. Irenaeous refers to the Chiliast position of the Millennial Reign when he mentions these]:
“… cursed shall be he who shall curse thee, and blessed shall be he who shall bless thee.” If any one, then, does not accept these things as referring to the appointed kingdom, he must fall into much contradiction and contrariety, as is the case with the Jews, who are involved in absolute perplexity. For not only did not the nations in this life serve this Jacob; but even after he had received the blessing, he himself going forth [from his home], served his uncle Laban the Syrian for twenty years; and not only was he not made lord of his brother, but he did himself bow down before his brother Esau, upon his return from Mesopotamia to his father, and offered many gifts to him. …” – Blessed St. Irenaeous of Lyons
Who doubted that this is a right interpretation of these Abrahamic Promises?
“… 4. And these things are bone witness to in writing by Papias, the hearer of John, and a companion of Polycarp, in his fourth book; for there were five books compiled (suntetagme/na) by him. And he says in addition, “Now these things are credible to believers.” And he says that, “when the traitor Judas did not give credit to them, and put the question, `How then can things about to bring forth so abundantly be wrought by the Lord? ‘the Lord declared, `They who shall come to these [times] shall see.'” …” – Blessed St. Irenaeous of Lyons
So, let us not have the ‘faith of Judas’ in denying these things, can you see it?
2) Book of 1Enoch agrees Perfectly
- i) The Wicked usually Prosper on Earth now
“… 5 Woe to you, ye sinners, when ye have died, If ye die in the wealth of your sins, And those who are like you say regarding you: ‘ Blessed are the sinners: they have seen all their days. 6 And how they have died in prosperity and in wealth, And have not seen tribulation or murder in their life; And they have died in honour, And judgement has not been executed on them during their life.” 7 Know ye, that their souls will be made to descend into Sheol And they shall be wretched in their great tribulation. 8 And into darkness and chains and a burning flame where there is grievous judgement shall your spirits enter; And the great judgement shall be for all the generations of the world. Woe to you, for ye shall have no peace. …” – Book of 1Enoch (Chapter 103, Verses 5 – 8)
Source: http://wesley.nnu.edu/index.php?id=2126
Compare:
“3For I was envious of the boastful, When I saw the prosperity of the wicked. 4For there are no pangs in their death, But their strength is firm. 5They are not in trouble as other men, Nor are they plagued like other men. … 7Their eyes bulge with abundance; They have more than heart could wish. … 12Behold, these are the ungodly, Who are always at ease; They increase in riches. … 16When I thought how to understand this, It was too painful for me— 17Until I went into the sanctuary of God; Then I understood their end. 18Surely You set them in slippery places;
You cast them down to destruction. 19Oh, how they are brought to desolation, as in a moment! They are utterly consumed with terrors. …” (Psalm 73:3 – 5, 7, 12, 16 – 19, NKJV)
- ii) The Righteous usually Perish on Earth now
“… [Chapter 103] … 9 Say not in regard to the righteous and good who are in life: ” In our troubled days we have toiled laboriously and experienced every trouble, And met with much evil and been consumed, And have become few and our spirit small. 10 And we have been destroyed and have not found any to help us even with a word: We have been tortured [and destroyed], and not hoped to see life from day to day. 11 We hoped to be the head and have become the tail: We have toiled laboriously and had no satisfaction in our toil; And we have become the food of the sinners and the unrighteous, And they have laid their yoke heavily upon us. 12 They have had dominion over us that hated us and smote us; And to those that hated us we have bowed our necks But they pitied us not. 13 We desired to get away from them that we might escape and be at rest, But found no place whereunto we should flee and be safe from them. 14 And are complained to the rulers in our tribulation, And cried out against those who devoured us, But they did not attend to our cries And would not hearken to our voice. 15 And they helped those who robbed us and devoured us and those who made us few; and they concealed their oppression, and they did not remove from us the yoke of those that devoured us and dispersed us and murdered us, and they concealed their murder, and remembered not that they had lifted up their hands against us. [Chapter 104] 1 I swear unto you, that in heaven the angels remember you for good before the glory of the Great 2 One: and your names are written before the glory of the Great One. Be hopeful; for aforetime ye were put to shame through ill and affliction; but now ye shall shine as the lights of heaven, 3 ye shall shine and ye shall be seen, and the portals of heaven shall be opened to you. …” – Book of 1Enoch (Chapter 103 Verses 9 – 15, Chapter 104 Verse 1)
Source: http://wesley.nnu.edu/index.php?id=2126
Peace to you
Blessed Florence Nightingale – The Lady with the Lamp
She was born on 12 May.
1) Ever wondered who is the Founder of Modern Nursing? (it’s not a man)
“… Florence Nightingale /ˈnaɪtɪnɡeɪl/, OM, RRC, DStJ (12 May 1820 – 13 August 1910) was a British social reformer and statistician, and the founder of modern nursing. …”
Source: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Florence_Nightingale
Note: Each subsequent quote about her is from this same Wikipedia Source unless specified otherwise.
2) Why is she called the “Lady with the Lamp”?
“… She gave nursing a favourable reputation and became an icon of Victorian culture, especially in the persona of “The Lady with the Lamp” making rounds of wounded soldiers at night …”
3) Did she hear from God to become her nurse? Yes, she admitted it:
“… Nightingale underwent the first of several experiences that she believed were calls from God in February 1837 while at Embley Park, prompting a strong desire to devote her life to the service of others. In her youth she was respectful of her family’s opposition to her working as a nurse, only announcing her decision to enter the field in 1844. Despite the intense anger and distress of her mother and sister, she rebelled against the expected role for a woman of her status to become a wife and mother. Nightingale worked hard to educate herself in the art and science of nursing, in the face of opposition from her family and the restrictive social code for affluent young English women …”
And
“… At Thebes, she wrote of being “called to God”, while a week later near Cairo she wrote in her diary (as distinct from her far longer letters that her elder sister Parthenope was to print after her return): “God called me in the morning and asked me would I do good for him alone without reputation.”[16] Later in 1850, she visited the Lutheran religious community at Kaiserswerth-am-Rhein in Germany, where she observed Pastor Theodor Fliedner and the deaconesses working for the sick and the deprived. …”
4) Did she give up marriage for Service?
“… As a young woman, Nightingale was described as attractive, slender and graceful. While her demeanour was often severe, she was said to be very charming and to possess a radiant smile. Her most persistent suitor was the politician and poet Richard Monckton Milnes, but after a nine-year courtship she rejected him, convinced that marriage would interfere with her ability to follow her calling to nursing. …”
5) How did she Finance her life of service to others for free without being employed?
“… Her father had given her an annual income of £500 (roughly £40,000/US$65,000 in present terms), which allowed her to live comfortably and to pursue her career. …”
6) How did she die?
“… Florence Nightingale died peacefully in her sleep in her room at 10 South Street, Mayfair, London, on 13 August 1910, at the age of 90 …”
7) Was she a Math Genius too?
“… Florence Nightingale exhibited a gift for mathematics from an early age and excelled in the subject under the tutelage of her father.[d] Later, Nightingale became a pioneer in the visual presentation of information and statistical graphics.[64] She used methods such as the pie chart, which had first been developed by William Playfair in 1801. While taken for granted now, it was at the time a relatively novel method of presenting data.[65] Indeed, Nightingale is described as “a true pioneer in the graphical representation of statistics”, and is credited with developing a form of the pie chart now known as the polar area diagram,[65](p107) or occasionally the Nightingale rose diagram, equivalent to a modern circular histogram, to illustrate seasonal sources of patient mortality in the military field hospital she managed. …”
Conclusion – Was she a Christian?
Yes, a believer in the Hope of “Christ Centered Universalism”:
“… Despite being named as a Unitarian in several older sources, Nightingale’s own rare references to conventional Unitarianism are mildly negative. She remained in the Church of England throughout her life, albeit with unorthodox views. Influenced from an early age by the Wesleyan tradition,[f] Nightingale felt that genuine religion should manifest in active care and love for others.[g] She wrote a work of theology: Suggestions for Thought, her own theodicy, which develops her heterodox ideas. Nightingale questioned the goodness of a God who would condemn souls to hell, and was a believer in universal reconciliation – the concept that even those who die without being saved will eventually make it to Heaven.[h] She would sometimes comfort those in her care with this view. For example, a dying young prostitute being tended by Nightingale was concerned she was going to hell, and said to her “Pray God, that you may never be in the despair I am in at this time”. The nurse replied “Oh, my girl, are you not now more merciful than the God you think you are going to? Yet the real God is far more merciful than any human creature ever was or can ever imagine.” …”
If I had to put a phrase to her life and legacy:
‘… Heroes don’t die, they live on with Most Blessed Lord Jesus Christ … ‘
Peace to you
Heart – Atonement for Judgment and Heavenly Treasures Mystery
Self Analysis – What did Christ Himself Say about where our Heart is?
” 31But seek the kingdom of God, and all these things shall be added to you. 32“Do not fear, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom. 33Sell what you have and give alms; provide yourselves money bags which do not grow old, a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches nor moth destroys. 34For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” – Most Blessed Lord Jesus Christ (Luke 12:31 – 34, NKJV)
“19“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; 20but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” – Most Blessed Lord Jesus Christ (Matthew 6:19 – 21, NKJV)
Conclusion
I do not see anywhere is Scripture itself where the phrase “… where your treasure is, there your heart will be also …” is found and curiously, both these cases are linked to either ‘hoarding money on earth for oneself’ (Luke 12:21) vs ‘… 33Sell what you have and give alms (charity) …’ (Luke 12:33). Perhaps there are only two kinds of people based on ‘… where our heart is …’ and Christ Himself “only” Speaks of the ‘Money Aspect’ to Determine that.
“No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.” – Most Blessed Lord Jesus Christ (Matthew 6:24, NKJV)
It’s not a misinterpretation of these Verses as Christ Himself proves this Context in Verses below regarding the Truth that ‘the way we spend our money on earth’ (crudely put) determines whether or not we ‘Serve God or Mammon’ and that’s the only factor God Tests for “faithfulness” to eventually “commit to your trust the true riches” of His Kingdom as Verses below clearly demonstrate too (please read ‘carefully’):
” 11Therefore if you have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches? 12And if you have not been faithful in what is another man’s, who will give you what is your own? 13“No servant can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.” – Most Blessed Lord Jesus Christ (Luke 12:11 – 13, NKJV)
I guess these out of Bible quotes may ring true based on these Verses:
‘ …. People can fake anything except fake loving money or not …’
‘… Where we spend our money speaks exactly what is most Important to us …’
‘… You can only know a true character of a person not when he has no money but when he has a lot of money …’ -Mr. Alvin Raj
Real Life Example: Blessed Florence Nightingale
“… Her father had given her an annual income of £500 (roughly £40,000/US$65,000 in present terms), which allowed her to live comfortably and to pursue her career. …”
Source: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Florence_Nightingale
Here is something to think about based on the above:
So, though she didn’t give away all her wealth to the poor, she used it to finance herself to do ‘free’ nursing service toward mankind in her locality earning the title ‘Founder of Modern Nursing’ eventually. She was not interested in titles nor recognition but the work of serving only as she wrote “… “God called me in the morning and asked me would I do good for Him alone without reputation.” …” (quote from same source above).
Different people serve God in different ways but I like her way. Why? Because she only used the wealth from her father (which is duly hers too in time) and did not take donation money (which is a good way too) hence this is ‘way better’ & as First Christianity has taught (e.g. Verses below), as the reward of her using her money wisely like this does not just affect her but also her deceased father/mother or even possibly brothers/sisters as each have a claim on such a ‘common inheritance’ proving her as a ‘Perfect Daughter’ yet again in this aspect too:
“41All men therefore praising the Lord, the righteous Judge, who had opened the things that were hid, 42Betook themselves unto prayer, and besought him that the sin committed might wholly be put out of remembrance. Besides, that noble Judas [Maccabees] exhorted the people to keep themselves from sin, forsomuch as they saw before their eyes the things that came to pass for the sins of those that were slain. 43And when he had made a gathering throughout the company to the sum of two thousand drachms of silver, he sent it to Jerusalem to offer a sin offering, doing therein very well and honestly, in that he was mindful of the resurrection: 44For if he had not hoped that they that were slain should have risen again, it had been superfluous and vain to pray for the dead. 45And also in that he perceived that there was great favour laid up for those that died godly, it was an holy and good thought. Whereupon he made a reconciliation for the dead, that they might be delivered from sin.” (2 Maccabees 12:41 – 45, the Original King James Bible)
Source: https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/2-Maccabees-Chapter-12/
Note: In Verses above, Blessed Maccabees does the ‘charity works of money’ [ “… sum of two thousand drachms of silver, he sent it to Jerusalem to offer a sin offering, …”] on behalf of ‘the dead’ [“… he perceived that there was great favour laid up for those that died godly, …”]. Such an Atonement on behalf of ‘Judgment of Sins’ toward others was done even by the Blessed Patriarch Job himself as he did ‘on behalf of the sins of his children’ (Verses next) and is discussed further in post in link below:
https://web.facebook.com/jonathan.ramachandran/posts/10159475188882784:0
or Pages 1493 – 1598 in free downloadable ebook in link below:
Click the button above to Download as PDFClick the button above to Download as in Google Book App
- i) Blessed Patriarch Job offers Sacrifice against the ‘Judgment of Sin by his Children’
“So it was, when the days of feasting had run their course, that Job would send and sanctify them, and he would rise early in the morning and offer burnt offerings according to the number of them all. For Job said, “It may be that my sons have sinned and cursed God in their hearts.” Thus Job did regularly.” (Job 1:5, NKJV)
- ii) Blessed Patriarch Job offers Sacrifice against the ‘Judgment of Sin by his friends’ [where ‘ God Himself Institutes this Practice of “on behalf” ‘]
“Now therefore, take for yourselves seven bulls and seven rams, go to My servant Job, and offer up for yourselves a burnt offering; and My servant Job shall pray for you. For I will accept him, lest I deal with you according to your folly; because you have not spoken of Me what is right, as My servant Job has.” (Job 42:8, NKJV)
Hence this is certainly greater than spending it for ‘herself and those who love her only (like potential future family which is the usual alternate path) of which Christ Says there’s possibly little or ‘no reward’ as Verses below Mysteriously Echoes:
“32“But if you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. 33And if you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. … 35But love your enemies, do good, and lend, hoping for nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High. For He is kind to the unthankful and evil.” – Most Blessed Lord Jesus Christ (Luke 6:32 – 33, 35, NKJV)
Please notice that the highest credit seems to be when our efforts serves ‘our enemies’ too and when we ‘hope for nothing in return’ (on Earth, e.g. against the usual Prosperity Gospel error of ‘give so God will over abundantly give to you on earth till you cannot bear it’ etc.) as Christ Nullifies such ‘Old Testament’ Verses such as “Test Me in this…” (Malachi 3:10) Verse seems to Imply.
Serving one’s own family or same religion or same race or same creed or same status level etc. may not be the greatest serving as these involve serving ‘those who love us back’ as Christ’s Beautiful Question in Luke 6:33 Resounds as follows: ‘… 33And if you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? …’.
Christ Replaces that ‘earthly blessing’ (e.g. previously of Malachi 3:10 by cancelling it first since He Says ‘hope nothing on earth’ in Luke 6:35) with a ‘heavenly one’ as the previous Verses show (Matthew 6:19 – 21, Luke 12:33 -34). Interesting indeed. Last but not least, if someone says that he is not interested in Heaven or Heavenly Treasures but is just truly hoping “Zero” for all the good he does, tell him that may his wish be fulfilled on that Day where if he does NOT get into Heaven NOR get any Heavenly Treasures, he cannot complain because ‘that’s what he asked & thus must be true to his claim unless he is just putting a false righteousness so that he looks great’. God cannot be Deceived.
Peace to you
Saved vs Kingdom of the Heavens Mystery
- Non-Elect Salvation
This Topic is discussed for example with the “Book of 1Enoch” from Page 1519 in free downloadable e-book in link below:
Click the button above to Download as PDFClick the button above to Download as in Google Book App
- How can there be a non-Elect Salvation toward those without faith in Christ?
“14for when Gentiles, who do not have the law, by nature do the things in the law, these, although not having the law, are a law to themselves, 15who show the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and between themselves their thoughts accusing or else excusing them) 16in the day when God will judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ, according to my gospel.” (Romans 2:14 – 16, NKJV)
Please note ‘carefully’ that Romans 2:14 – 16 clearly proves that ‘those who did not have the Gospel of Christ’ but ‘lived in a certain Way according to their conscience’ may be “Saved” on Judgment Day. If no one is ever Saved without believing in Christ, the Verses in Romans 2:14 – 16 need not be written, right? (please think ‘carefully’ about this – thus it implies that there must be different orders of Salvation according to one’s faith and works but Christ’s Faith Alone is sufficient to Save anyone but in different times):
“1I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for ALL MEN; … 4Who will have ALL MEN to be SAVED, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. … 6Who gave himself a RANSOM for ALL, to be testified in DUE TIME[s]. 7Whereunto I am ordained a preacher, and an apostle, (I speak the truth in Christ, and lie not;) a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and verity.” (1 Timothy 2:1, 4, 6 – 7, KJV)
If we take the ‘all men’ in these Verses to include the ones in Romans 2:14 – 16, there are no contradictions and thus the ‘all men’ can truly mean ‘all men’ in these Verses literally.
So, these are ‘saved without ever believing in Christ’ meaning that the “Imputation of His Righteousness freely” by “His Faith, i.e. the Faith of Jesus Christ Alone” which makes this non-Elect Salvation Type possible as it is discussed in page 1306 onward in the free book in link above. In the same manner, the other types of non-Elect Salvation may obtain a Salvation in an appropriate region/state according to their works as discussed on page 1225 onward in that same book.
Based on this, we can infer that being Saved does not necessarily mean an Entrance into His Kingdom of the Heavens as the Example Verse below seems to indicate that they are those saved whose abode is on the new earth (as the ‘new earth’ is outside the Kingdom of the Heavens’):
“Blessed are the meek, For they shall inherit the earth.” (Matthew 5:5, NKJV)
The definition of the Kingdom of the Heavens may be more complex than casually understood as per the quote below:
“A fragment from the early 2nd century of one of the lost volumes of Papias, a Christian bishop, expounds that “heaven” was separated into three distinct layers. He referred to the first as just “heaven”, the second as “paradise”, and the third as “the city”. Papias taught that “there is this distinction between the habitation of those who produce a hundredfold, and that of those who produce sixty-fold, and that of those who produce thirty-fold”. In the 2nd century AD, Irenaeus (a Greek bishop) wrote that not all who are saved would merit an abode in heaven itself.”
Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heaven_in_Christianity
Kingdom of the Heavens = New Jerusalem City (thirtyfold fruit) + Paradise (sixtyfold fruit) + Heavens (hundredfold fruit)
- Kingdom of Heaven – Internal
Kingdom of Heaven within you “now” is true. True believers experience the Kingdom of Heaven within them now on earth itself being spiritually connected to it:
“20Now when He was asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, He answered them and said, “The kingdom of God does not come with observation; 21nor will they say, ‘See here!’ or ‘See there!’ For indeed, the kingdom of God is within you.” (Matthew 7:20 – 21, NKJV)
Note: The answer that ” the kingdom of God is within you” is given to the question of “when” and hence it means that one can begin to experience the kingdom of God within them spiritually already if they believe.
- Kingdom of Heaven – External
However the Kingdom of Heaven being external on that “Day” is also true as Matthew 7:20 – 23 talks about ‘entering it’ which relates to the ‘Messianic Reign of Christ for 1000 years first’ (Revelation 20:4 – 6) of which many will ‘not enter’ (Matthew 8:11 – 12).
“10When Jesus heard it, He marveled, and said to those who followed, “Assuredly, I say to you, I have not found such great faith, not even in Israel! 11And I say to you that many will come from east and west, and sit down with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven. 12But the sons of the kingdom will be cast out into outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” (Matthew 8:10 – 12, NKJV)
To attain to the ‘Kingdom of Heavens’ Salvation, one has to be a believer in Christ and this is discussed further in link below with Bible Verses and First Christianity quotes:
https://www.anonymouschristian.org/blog/kingdom-of-god-mystery/amp
- What to do to ‘Enter Heaven’ beyond believing in Him calling Him “Lord, Lord” (Luke 6:46)?
- Beyond keeping away from ‘lawlessness’ one needs to Keep His Sayings too
“14Because narrow is the gate and [d]difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it. … 21“Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. 22Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ 23And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’ 24“Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock: ” (Matthew 7:14, 21 – 24, NKJV)
“37If anyone thinks he is a prophet or spiritual, let him recognize that the things which I write to you are the Lord’s commandment. 38But if anyone does not recognize this, he is not recognized.” (1 Corinthians 14:37 – 38, NASB)
- Entering the Kingdom of Heaven is closely related to how one spends one’s Money too
“23Then Jesus said to His disciples, “Assuredly, I say to you that it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. 24And again I say to you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.” (Matthew 19:23 – 24, NKJV)
If ‘entering the Kingdom of Heaven’ has nothing to do with the “work” of ‘what you do with your riches/money’, then the Verse above has no meaning. In fact, please notice the word “hard” and if God Says it’s “hard” but possible, I would take an extra attention to ‘money related Verses and what Christ Himself Commanded to Do’ (e.g. Luke 12:21, Matthew 6:19 – 21, Luke 12:33 – 34, Jame 5:5, Luke 16:25, Matthew 19:21, Matthew 19:27 – 30, Acts 2:44 – 46, Acts 4:32 – 34, Galatians 6:2) – can you see it?
iii. A Christian’s righteousness (as Christ Says “your righteousness” not His) must exceed a certain level of observance of His Commands as the Context in Verses below is ‘all Law and Prophets’ inclusive of believing in Him first
“17“Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill. 18For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one ot or one [c]tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled. 19Whoever therefore breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. 20For I say to you, that unless your righteousness exceeds the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 5:17 – 20, NKJV)
Example: The Gentile believers do not need to observe all the Law of Moses to be Saved (Acts 15:1, Acts 15:5) but still this First Apostolic Council in Jerusalem did approve some “works” of the Law as a must for Salvation such as “… 28For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things: 29that you abstain from things offered to idols, from blood, from things strangled, and from sexual immorality. If you keep yourselves from these, you will do well. …” (Acts 15:28 – 29, NKJV) – Can you see it?
Indeed, an Ancient Church was having ” love, service, faith, and your patience; and as for your works, the last are more than the first. etc.” (please read the Verses below ‘carefully’) but still some among them were “unsaved” due to disobeying the essential Command in Acts 15:28 – 29 above & Christ Doesn’t Add further for ‘Salvation’ as His Phrase “… I will put on you no other burden …” means in the end as it is Described as follows (in full):
“19“I know your works, love, service, faith, and your patience; and as for your works, the last are more than the first. 20Nevertheless I have a few things against you, because you allow that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess, [m]to teach and seduce My servants to commit sexual immorality and eat things sacrificed to idols. 21And I gave her time to repent of her sexual immorality, and she did not repent. 22Indeed I will cast her into a sickbed, and those who commit adultery with her into great tribulation, unless they repent of their deeds. 23I will kill her children with death, and all the churches shall know that I am He who searches the minds and hearts. And I will give to each one of you according to your works. 24“Now to you I say, and to the rest in Thyatira, as many as do not have this doctrine, who have not known the depths of Satan, as they say, I will put on you no other burden.” – Most Blessed Lord Jesus Christ (Revelation 2:19 – 23, NKJV)
Comment: Please note that apart from 1 Corinthians 14:37 – 38, each of the Verses here all contain the phrase “enter the Kingdom of Heaven” (Context) and are by our “Most Blessed Lord Jesus Christ Himself” and so please don’t be deceived by men who claim otherwise against ‘what these Verses Say’.
Conclusion
Please note carefully that only those who “Do His Commandments” (beyond believing) enter into the ‘New Jerusalem City’ onward, Verses:
“12“And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work. 13I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, the First and the Last.” 14Blessed are those who do His commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter through the gates into the city. 15But outside are dogs and sorcerers and sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters, and whoever loves and practices a lie. 16“I, Jesus, have sent My angel to testify to you these things in the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, the Bright and Morning Star.” (Revelation 22:12 – 16, NKJV)
Please believe in Christ and Obey His Commands Found in the Bible Verses to not ‘miss’ heaven!
Peace to you
Tales in First Christianity – Origen’s Convert and Friend – St. Ambrose of Alexandria
To Quote:
“… Ambrose of Alexandria (before 212 AD – c. 250 AD) was a friend of the Christian theologian Origen. Ambrose was attracted by Origen’s fame as a teacher, and visited the Catechetical School of Alexandria in 212. At first a gnostic Valentinian and Marcionist, Ambrose, through Origen’s teaching, eventually rejected this theology and became Origen’s constant companion,[1] and was ordained deacon.[2][3] He plied Origen with questions, and urged him to write his Commentaries (ἐργοδιώκτης) on the books of the Bible, and, as a wealthy nobleman and courtier,[4] he provided his teacher with books for his studies and secretaries to lighten the labor of composition.[5] He suffered during the persecution under the Roman emperor Maximinus Thrax in 235.[6] He was later released and died a confessor.[7] The last mention of Ambrose in the historical record is in Origen’s Contra Celsum, which the latter wrote at the solicitation of Ambrose. Origen often speaks of Ambrose in affectionately as a man of education with excellent literary and scholarly tastes. All of Origen’s works written after 218 are dedicated to Ambrose, including his On Martyrdom, Contra Celsum, Commentary on St. John’s Gospel, and On Prayer.[4] Ambrose’s letters to Origen (praised by Jerome) are lost, although part of one exists….” – Wikipedia
Source:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ambrose_of_Alexandria
Note: He is not the infamous great saint Blessed Archbishop St. Ambrose of Milan though both share the same name.
He is Venerated in “Eastern Orthodox Churches, Oriental Orthodox Churches, Catholic Church” (Same ‘Wikipedia Source above’).
Origen converted many great names of Early Christianity and influenced many more as this little example shows. It is also stated in the above that ‘Ambrose of Alexandria’ was a “Confessor”. Now, what does this mean?
“… Its oldest use is to indicate a saint who has suffered persecution and torture for the faith but not to the point of death.[1] The term is still used that way in the East. In Latin Christianity it has come to signify any saint, as well as those who have been declared blessed, who cannot be categorized by another title: martyr, apostle, evangelist, or virgin. As Christianity emerged as the dominant religion in Europe, persecutions became rare, and the title was given to saints who lived a holy life and died in peace. A notable example of this usage is the English king St. Edward the Confessor. …”
Source:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Confessor
Peace to you
Universalism is Condemned by later Church Councils?
Now, to Quote from the article:
“In the sixth century, there was a big ecumenical council where leaders from across the Church got together and decided on various issues… there is an appendix with a list of curses against those who believe in Apocatastasis… The reason this is important—particularly if you’re a Catholic or Orthodox Christian—is if an ecumenical council declared universalism to be a heresy, then it is a heresy and that’s that.”—Robin Parry
https://reforminghell.com/2020/01/11/is-universalism-heresy-robin-parry/
Note: Later Councils only Condemned certain forms of Universalism but also note that these later councils also endorsed ‘prayers to Mary’ too.
Please also remember that even St. Augustine did not call those who believe in Christ Centered Universalism as ‘heretics’ but as ‘those who do not deny Holy Scripture’ (hence still Christians even in his authoritative view), to quote:
“… It is quite in vain, then, that some–indeed very many–yield to merely human feelings and deplore the notion of the eternal punishment of the damned and their interminable and perpetual misery. They do not believe that such things will be. Not that they would go counter to divine Scripture–but, yielding to their own human feelings, they soften what seems harsh and give a milder emphasis to statements they believe are meant more to terrify than to express the literal truth. “God will not forget,” they say, “to show mercy, nor in his anger will he shut up his mercy.” …” – Blessed St. Augustine of Hippo, Doctor of the Church, who influenced virtually all of subsequent Western philosophy and Catholic theology, as well as a significant amount of Protestant theology (c. 354 AD – c. 430 AD, Point 112, Enchidrion).
Source:
http://www.tertullian.org/fathers/augustine_enchiridion_02_trans.htm
P/S: Even St. Augustine ‘Prayed to Mary’ and so they think that this Practice was passed on from ancient times, example in link below:
https://www.christian-faith.com/did-saint-augustine-pray-to-mary/
Here’s something interesting: Neither Blessed St. Clement of Alexandria nor the Great Exegete Origen (whom they declare as heretic) despite his numerous works has ‘any prayer to Mary’. Both of them only state that those in heaven pray with us and NOT that ‘we pray to saints’ (please read ‘carefully’ in example link below), to quote:
“In this way is he [the true Christian] always pure for prayer. He also prays in the society of angels, as being already of angelic rank, and he is never out of their holy keeping; and though he pray alone, he has the choir of the saints standing with him [in prayer]” (Miscellanies 7:12 [A.D. 208]). – Blessed St. Clement of Alexandria, Head of the Cathecathical School At Alexandria (c. 150 AD – c. 215 AD)
“But not the high priest [Christ] alone prays for those who pray sincerely, but also the angels . . . as also the souls of the saints who have already fallen asleep” (Prayer 11 [A.D. 233]).” – Blessed Origen of Alexandria, the Great but surprisingly Modest Exegete of the Eastern Church, “Nicknamed: Admantius or Man of Steel”, Tortured and Martyred for Christ (c. 184 AD – c. 253 AD)
Source:
https://www.ewtn.com/catholicism/teachings/praying-to-mary-and-the-saints-166
Great Last Contests in Faith – How Close to God do we Aim to be in His Kingdom?
Here are some First Christianity Quotes to Consider for Edification:
1) The Choked Seed
“Now he who received seed among the thorns is he who hears the word, and the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and he becomes unfruitful.” – The Highest, Lord Jesus Christ (Matthew 13:22, NKJV)
So there are two Types of People based on ‘earthly work concerns/attitude of being busy’ with this life to earn more money ( as some won’t work as hard if they were doing it for ‘free’).
Hence the “Bible Verse” below explains this Condition (Psalm 127:2 in a few translations below):
New International Version
In vain you rise early and stay up late, toiling for food to eat– for he grants sleep to those he loves.
New Living Translation
It is useless for you to work so hard from early morning until late at night, anxiously working for food to eat; for God gives rest to his loved ones.
Berean Study Bible
In vain you rise early and stay up late, toiling for bread to eat—for He gives sleep to His beloved.
New King James Version
It is vain for you to rise up early, To sit up late, To eat the bread of sorrows; For so He gives His beloved sleep.
King James Bible
It is vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late, to eat the bread of sorrows: for so he giveth his beloved sleep.
Christian Standard Bible
In vain you get up early and stay up late, working hard to have enough food– yes, he gives sleep to the one he loves.
2) Let’s not be Like the 5 Foolish Virgins who did not store up ‘enough oil’ (Matthew 25:1 – 13)
“… Or, The “oil” denotes joy, according to that, “God hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness.” [Ps 45:7] He then whose joy springs not from this that he is inwardly pleasing to God, has no oil with him; for they have no gladness in their continent lives, [p. 846] save in the praises of men. “But the wise took oil with their lamps,” that is, the gladness of good works, “in their vessels,” that is, they stored it in their heart and conscience, as the Apostle speaks, “Let every man prove himself, and then shall he have rejoicing in himself, and not in another.” [Gal 6:4] …” Blessed St. Augustine of Hippo, Doctor of the Church, who influenced virtually all of subsequent Western philosophy and Catholic theology, as well as a significant amount of Protestant theology (c. 354 AD – c. 430 AD)
or
“… Or, The “oil” denotes charity, alms, and every aid rendered to the needy; the lamps denote the gifts of virginity; and He calls them “foolish,” because after having gone through the greater toil, they lost all for the sake of a less; for it is greater labour to overcome the desires of the flesh than of money….” – Blessed St. John Chrysostom, Doctor of the Church, Archbishop of Constantinople (c. 349 AD – c. 407 AD)
Source for both Quotes above:
3) Contest of Kings in His Kingdom – Examples from First Christianity after the Time of the Apostles themselves
- Blessed St. Paul of Thebes (c. 226 AD – c. 341 AD)
“… Paul of Thebes, commonly known as Paul, the First Hermit or Paul the Anchorite, or in Egyptian Arabic as Anba Bola, Coptic: Ⲁⲃⲃⲁ Ⲡⲁⲩⲗⲉ; (c. 226/7-c. 341) is regarded as the first Christian hermit, who was claimed to have lived alone in the desert from the age of sixteen to one hundred thirteen years of his age … Paul and his married sister lost their parents. In order to obtain Paul’s inheritance, his brother-in-law sought to betray him to the persecutors.[5] According to Jerome’s Vitae Patrum (Vita Pauli primi eremitae[7]), Paul fled to the Theban desert as a young man during the persecution of Decius and Valerianus around AD 250.[8] He lived in the mountains of this desert in a cave near a clear spring and a palm tree, the leaves of which provided him with clothing and the fruit of which provided him with his only source of food until he was 43 years old, when a raven started bringing him half a loaf of bread daily. He would remain in that cave for the rest of his life, almost a hundred years. … Paul of Thebes is known to posterity because around the year 342, Anthony the Great was told in a dream about the older hermit’s existence, and went to find him.[9] Jerome related that Anthony the Great and Paul met when the latter was aged 113. They conversed with each other for one day and one night. The Synaxarium shows each saint inviting the other to bless and break the bread, as a token of honor. Paul held one side, putting the other side into the hands of Father Anthony, and soon the bread broke through the middle and each took his part. When Anthony next visited him, Paul was dead. Anthony clothed him in a tunic which was a present from Athanasius of Alexandria and buried him, with two lions helping to dig the grave …”
Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_of_Thebes
- Blessed St. Anthony the Great (c. 251 AD – c. 356 AD)
“… Saint Anthony or Antony (Greek: Ἀντώνιος Antṓnios; Latin: Antonius; Coptic: Ⲁⲃⲃⲁ Ⲁⲛⲧⲱⲛⲓ; c. 12 January 251 – 17 January 356), was a Christian monk from Egypt … For his importance among the Desert Fathers and to all later Christian monasticism, he is also known as the Father of All Monks. … The biography of Anthony’s life by Athanasius of Alexandria helped to spread the concept of Christian monasticism, particularly in Western Europe via its Latin translations. He is often erroneously considered the first Christian monk, but as his biography and other sources make clear, there were many ascetics before him. … Anthony was born in Coma in Lower Egypt to wealthy landowner parents. When he was about 20 years old, his parents died and left him with the care of his unmarried sister. Shortly thereafter, he decided to follow the gospel exhortation in Matthew 19: 21, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasures in heaven.” Anthony gave away some of his family’s lands to his neighbors, sold the remaining property, and donated the funds to the poor.[12] He then left to live an ascetic life,[12] placing his sister with a group of Christian virgins. … Anthony maintained a very strict ascetic diet. He ate only bread, salt and water and never meat or wine.[18] He ate at most only once a day and sometimes fasted through two or four days.[19][20] According to Athanasius, the devil fought Anthony by afflicting him with boredom, laziness, and the phantoms of women, which he overcame by the power of prayer, providing a theme for Christian art. After that, he moved to one of the tombs near his native village. There it was that the Life records those strange conflicts with demons in the shape of wild beasts, who inflicted blows upon him, and sometimes left him nearly dead. … Saint Anthony was on a journey in the desert to find Saint Paul of Thebes, who according to his dream was a better Hermit than he.[29] Saint Anthony had been under the impression that he was the first person to ever dwell in the desert; however, due to the dream, Saint Anthony was called into the desert to find his “better”, Saint Paul. On his way there, he ran into two creatures in the forms of a centaur and a satyr. … [Jerome Records that, inVitae Patrum, Book 1a- Collected from Jerome. Ch. VI ] Saint Anthony found next the satyr, a “a manikin with hooked snout, horned forehead, and extremities like goats’s feet.” This creature was peaceful and offered him fruits, and when Saint Anthony asked who he was, the satyr replied, “I’m a mortal being and one of those inhabitants of the desert whom the Gentiles deluded by various forms of error worship under the names of Fauns, Satyrs, and Incubi. I am sent to represent my tribe. We pray you in our behalf to entreat the favor of your Lord and ours, who, we have learnt, came once to save the world, and ‘whose sound has gone forth into all the earth.'” Upon hearing this, Saint Anthony was overjoyed and rejoiced over the glory of Christ. He condemned the city of Alexandria for worshipping monsters instead of God while beasts like the satyr spoke about Christ … [Athanasius the Great records this next story also] Once, Saint Anthony tried hiding in a cave to escape the demons that plagued him. There were so many little demons in the cave though that Saint Anthony’s servant had to carry him out because they had beaten him to death. When the hermits were gathered to Saint Anthony’s corpse to mourn his death, Saint Anthony was revived. He demanded that his servants take him back to that cave where the demons had beaten him. When he got there he called out to the demons, and they came back as wild beasts to rip him to shreds. All of a sudden a bright light flashed, and the demons ran away. Saint Anthony knew that the light must have come from God, and he asked God where was he before when the demons attacked him. God replied, “I was here but I would see and abide to see thy battle, and because thou hast mainly fought and well maintained thy battle, I shall make thy name to be spread through all the world. …”
Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anthony_the_Great
iii. Blessed St. Athanasius the Great (c. 296 AD – c. 373 AD)
“… Athanasius of Alexandria (/ˌæθəˈneɪʃəs/; Greek: Ἀθανάσιος Ἀλεξανδρείας, Athanásios Alexandrías; Coptic: ⲡⲓⲁⲅⲓⲟⲥ ⲁⲑⲁⲛⲁⲥⲓⲟⲩ ⲡⲓⲁⲡⲟⲥⲧⲟⲗⲓⲕⲟⲥ or Ⲡⲁⲡⲁ ⲁⲑⲁⲛⲁⲥⲓⲟⲩ ⲁ̅;[3] c. 296–298 – 2 May 373), also called Athanasius the Great, Athanasius the Confessor or, primarily in the Coptic Orthodox Church, Athanasius the Apostolic, was the 20th bishop of Alexandria (as Athanasius I). His intermittent episcopacy spanned 45 years (c. 8 June 328 – 2 May 373), of which over 17 encompassed five exiles, when he was replaced on the order of four different Roman emperors. Athanasius was a Christian theologian, a Church Father, the chief defender of Trinitarianism against Arianism, and a noted Egyptian leader of the fourth century. … Alexandria was the most important trade center in the whole empire during Athanasius’s boyhood. Intellectually, morally, and politically—it epitomized the ethnically diverse Graeco-Roman world, even more than Rome or Constantinople, Antioch or Marseilles.[10] Its famous catechetical school, while sacrificing none of its famous passion for orthodoxy since the days of Pantaenus, Clement of Alexandria, Origen of Alexandria, Dionysius and Theognostus, had begun to take on an almost secular character in the comprehensiveness of its interests, and had counted influential pagans among its serious auditors. … Peter of Alexandria, the 17th archbishop of Alexandria, was martyred in 311 in the closing days of the persecution, and may have been one of those teachers. His successor as bishop of Alexandria was Alexander of Alexandria (312–328). According to Sozomen; “the Bishop Alexander ‘invited Athanasius to be his commensal and secretary. He had been well educated, and was versed in grammar and rhetoric, and had already, while still a young man, and before reaching the episcopate, given proof to those who dwelt with him of his wisdom and acumen’ “.(Soz., II, xvii) … While still a deacon under Alexander’s care (or early in his patriarchate as discussed below) Athanasius may have also become acquainted with some of the solitaries of the Egyptian desert, and in particular Anthony the Great, whose life he is said to have written. … After returning to Alexandria in early 366, Athanasius spent his final years repairing all the damage done during the earlier years of violence, dissent, and exile. He resumed writing and preaching undisturbed, and characteristically re-emphasized the view of the Incarnation which had been defined at Nicaea. On 2 May 373, having consecrated Peter II, one of his presbyters as his successor, Athanasius died peacefully in his own bed, surrounded by his clergy and faithful supporters. … Nonetheless, within a few years after his death, Gregory of Nazianzus called him the “Pillar of the Church”. His writings were well regarded by all following Church fathers in the West and the East, who noted their rich devotion to the Word-become-man, great pastoral concern and profound interest in monasticism. Athanasius is counted as one of the four great Eastern Doctors of the Church in the Catholic Church.[5] In the Eastern Orthodox Church, he is labeled as the “Father of Orthodoxy”. Athanasius is the first person to identify the same 27 books of the New Testament that are in use today. … Gregory of Nazianzus (330–390) begins Or. 21 with: “When I praise Athanasius, virtue itself is my theme: for I name every virtue as often as I mention him who was possessed of all virtues. He was the true pillar of the church. His life and conduct were the rule of bishops, and his doctrine the rule of the orthodox faith.”[10] . Cyril of Alexandria (370–444) in the first letter says: “Athanasius is one who can be trusted: he would not say anything that is not in accord with sacred scripture.” (Ep 1). … The greater majority of Church leaders and the emperors fell into support for Arianism, so much so that Jerome, 340–420, wrote of the period: “The whole world groaned and was amazed to find itself Arian”.[6] He, Athanasius, even suffered an unjust excommunication from Pope Liberius (352–366) who was exiled and leant towards compromise, until he was allowed back to the See of Rome. Athanasius stood virtually alone against the world. …”
Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Athanasius_of_Alexandria
- Blessed St. Ambrose of Milan (c. 340 AD – c. 397 AD)
“… Aurelius Ambrosius[a] (c. 340–397), better known in English as Ambrose (/ˈæmbroʊz/), was an Archbishop of Milan who became one of the most influential ecclesiastical figures of the 4th century. He was the Roman governor of Liguria and Emilia, headquartered in Milan, before being made bishop of Milan by popular acclamation in 374. Ambrose was a staunch opponent of Arianism. Ambrose was one of the four original Doctors of the Church, and is the patron saint of Milan. He is notable for his influence on Augustine of Hippo. … ”
Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ambrose
and
“… In the late 4th century there was a deep conflict in the diocese of Milan between the Catholics and Arians. In 374 the bishop of Milan, Auxentius, an Arian, died, and the Arians challenged the succession. Ambrose went to the church where the election was to take place, to prevent an uproar, which was probable in this crisis. His address was interrupted by a call “Ambrose, bishop!”, which was taken up by the whole assembly. Ambrose was known to be Catholic in belief, but also acceptable to Arians due to the charity shown in theological matters in this regard. At first he energetically refused the office, for which he was in no way prepared: Ambrose was neither baptized nor formally trained in theology.
Upon his appointment, Ambrose fled to a colleague’s home seeking to hide. Upon receiving a letter from the Emperor Gratian praising the appropriateness of Rome appointing individuals evidently worthy of holy positions, Ambrose’s host gave him up. Within a week, he was baptized, ordained and duly consecrated bishop of Milan. As bishop, he immediately adopted an ascetic lifestyle, apportioned his money to the poor, donating all of his land, making only provision for his sister Marcellina (who later became a nun), and committed the care of his family to his brother. Ambrose also wrote a treatise by the name of “The Goodness of Death”. …”
Source: http://www.religionfacts.com/ambrose-of-milan
and
“… Long after his death, Ambrose would be named a “doctor of the church” in the Catholic Church along with others such as Augustine, Pope Gregory, and Jerome. … Ambrose is also credited with introducing the concept of congregational singing, which at the time was somewhat controversial. By all accounts, Ambrose was an excellent preacher. One of his sermon quotes has entered modern parlance as an idiom: “When you are at Rome, live in the Roman style,” usually quoted as “When in Rome, do as the Romans do.” In his sermons, Ambrose of Milan greatly emphasized the role of the Holy Spirit in the life of each believer, along with a rejection of legalism and a clear support for personal faith. Interestingly, while he opposed excessive legalism, Ambrose encouraged asceticism—an austere, self-denying lifestyle. His work attracted the attention of a young Christian named Augustine, who would later be baptized by Ambrose and surpass him as a great figure in early Christian history. …”
Source: https://www.gotquestions.org/Ambrose-of-Milan.html
- Blessed Sadhu Sundar Singh (1889 AD – 1929 AD)
“… Sadhu Sundar Singh (1889 – 1929), born in Patiala State, India, became an Indian Christian missionary whose life and message had a far ranging impact. … Before dawn, he wakened his father to announce that he had seen Jesus Christ in a vision and heard his voice. Henceforth, he would follow Christ forever, he declared. Still only fifteen, he utterly committed himself to Christ and for the next twenty-five years of his life he witness extensively to Jesus Christ. His father pleaded and demanded that he give up his conviction. When he refused, Sher Singh gave a farewell feast for his son, then denounced him and expelled him from the family. Several hours later, Sundar realized that his food had been poisoned. A nearby Christian community helped him, saving his life … Sundar’s impact went far and wide, influencing important spiritual leaders, such as Mahatma Ghandi and C.S. Lewis. He is believed to have died in the foothills of the Himalayas in 1929, although his body was never found. …”
Source: https://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Sadhu_Sundar_Singh
Such ones like apostle Paul who go the ‘higher way’ of ministry as Described often Gain some Spiritual Gifts above the Rest, to quote in the remarkable life of the following recent Christian who also underwent his ministry also likewise along the lines of these Commands of Perfection by Lord Jesus Christ (“Verses” quoted above), to quote:
“… “When suffering from hunger and thirst, I used to complain, and to ask why the Lord did not provide. He had told me not to take any money with me. If I had taken money I could have bought what I needed… Again before the fast, I was sometimes tempted to give up the life of a sadhu with its hardships, to go back to the luxury of my father’s house, to get married and live in comfort. Could I not be a good Christian and live a life of communion with God there also? But then I saw that, though it was no sin for others to live in comfort and have money and home, God’s call for me was different; and the gift of Ecstasy which he had given me is better than any home. Here I find wonderful joys which transcend all others. My real marriage is with Christ. I do not say that marriage is not good for others. If I am already bound to Christ, how can I marry another?” … ” – the Blessed Sadhu Sundar Singh (Pages 23 – 24, Chapter I: The Man and His Making, ‘The Message of Sundar Singh’, 1921)
Source:
https://archive.org/stream/themessageofsadh00streuoft/themessageofsadh00streuoft_djvu.txt
Personally, I may never reach anywhere close to such Spiritual Perfections. Hence, I admire these Saints of Christ together with such ones from First Christianity (those saints whom I often quote) as the Best Imitators of our Most Perfect Master Himself, the God-Incarnate in Flesh, Lord Jesus Christ.
3) Other Early Authoritative Christian Quotes
To quote:
Instead of the tithes which the law commanded, the Lord said to divide everything we have with the poor. And he said to love not only our neighbors but also our enemies, and to be givers and sharers not only with the good but also to be liberal givers toward those who take away our possessions.
Irenaeus, 130-200 AD
The rich are in possession of the goods of the poor, even if they have acquired them honestly or inherited them legally.
John Chrysostom, 347-407
Share everything with your brother. Do not say, “It is private property.” If you share what is everlasting, you should be that much more willing to share things which do not last.
The Didache
Let the strong take care of the weak; let the weak respect the strong. Let the rich man minister to the poor man; let the poor man give thanks to God that he gave him one through whom his need might be satisfied.
Clement of Rome, 1st Century
You are not making a gift of your possession to the poor person. You are handing over to him what is his. Ambrose of Milan, 340-397.
The property of the wealthy holds them in chains . . . which shackle their courage and choke their faith and hamper their judgment and throttle their souls. They think of themselves as owners, whereas it is they rather who are owned: enslaved as they are to their own property, they are not the masters of their money but its slaves.
Cyprian, 300 A.D.
The bread in your cupboard belongs to the hungry man; the coat hanging in your closet belongs to the man who needs it; the shoes rotting in your closet belong to the man who has no shoes; the money which you put into the bank belongs to the poor. You do wrong to everyone you could help but fail to help.
Basil of Caesarea, 330-370 A.D.
Not to enable the poor to share in our goods is to steal from them and deprive them of life. The goods we possess are not ours but theirs.
John Chrysostom, 347-407 AD
Source:
bramboniusinenglish.wordpress.com/2012/08/31/teachings-of-the-early-church-fathers-on-poverty-wealth/amp/
4) What Type of Persons will Oppose the Doctrine of Voluntary Poverty for Christ especially toward ‘Christian Leaders’?
“… Because therefore the Pharisees, it says, were LOVERS OF MONEY, they DERIDED [LORD] JESUS,” for directing them by His SALUTARY DOCTRINES to a praiseworthy course of conduct, and rendering them desirous of SAINTLY GLORIES. For it was THEIR DUTY, He tells them, to SELL THEIR POSSESSIONS, and make DISTRIBUTION to the POOR; so would they possess in heaven a treasure that could not be plundered, and purses that could not be harmed, and wealth that would not have to be abandoned. And why then did they deride Him? For certainly the doctrine was salutary, a pathway of hope in things to come, and a door leading unto the life incorruptible: for they were being taught by Him the manners of true prosperity, … He said therefore, “You are they which justify yourselves before men; but God knows your hearts: for that which is high among men, is an abomination before God.” This He is found also in another place saying unto them; “HOW CAN YOU BELIEVE, who receive honour one of another, and SEEK NOT the HONOUR that comes from the ONE GOD.” For the God of all crowns with praises unto righteousness those who are truly good: but those who love not virtue, but are hypocrites, steal perchance by their own votes solely the reputation of being honourable …” – Blessed St. Cyril, Patriarch of Alexandria, Titles: The Pillar of Faith; Seal of all the Fathers; Bishop, Confessor, and Doctor of the Church (c. 376 AD – c. 444 AD, ‘Commentary on Luke’, Sermon CX on Luke 16:14 – 17)
Source:
https://sites.google.com/site/aquinasstudybible/home/luke-commentary/cyril-on-luke-16
And
“St. Cyril received an important recognition of his preachings by the Second Council of Constantinople (553 d.C.) which declared: St. Cyril who announced the right faith of Christians” (Anathematism XIV, Denzinger et Schoenmetzer 437).”
Source: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cyril_of_Alexandria
Context Verses St. Cyril is referring to:
“Now the Pharisees, who were LOVERS OF MONEY, also heard all these things, and they derided Him. And He said to them, “You are those who justify yourselves before men, but God knows YOUR HEARTS. For what is HIGHLY ESTEEMED among MEN is an ABOMINATION in the SIGHT of GOD.” – The Perfect Lord Jesus Christ (Luke 16:14 – 15, NKJV)
Also, First Christianity’s Forgotten Warning – What type of Pastor or Church to Avoid?
Verse:
“Do not be deceived: “Bad company corrupts good morals.”.” – Blessed and Holy St. Paul the Apostle (1 Corinthians 15:33, NASB)
Example of a First Christianity Context of that Verse in regards to a Pastor/Leader/Church-False-Teaching to avoid:
” … For if he hold to something beside the Lord, the Lord will not be his portion. Suppose, for instance, that he holds to gold or silver, or possessions or inlaid furniture; with such portions as these the Lord will not deign to be his portion. I, if I am the portion of the Lord, and the line of His heritage, receive no portion among the remaining tribes; but, like the Priest and the Levite, I live on the tithe, and serving the altar, am supported by its offerings. Having food and raiment, I shall be content with these, and as a disciple of the Cross shall share its poverty. I beseech you, therefore, and Again and yet again admonish you, do not look to your military experience for a standard of clerical obligation. Under Christ’s banner seek for no worldly gain, lest having more than when you first became a clergyman, you hear men say, to your shame, “Their portion shall not profit them.” Welcome poor men and strangers to your homely board, that with them Christ may be your guest. A clergyman who engages in business, and who rises from poverty to wealth, and from obscurity to a high position, avoid as you would the plague. … Many build churches nowadays; their walls and pillars of glowing marble, their ceilings glittering with gold, their altars studded with jewels. Yet to the choice of Christ’s ministers no heed is paid, And let no one allege against me the wealth of the temple in Judaea, its table, its lamps, its censers, its dishes, its cups, its spoons,1363 and the rest of its golden vessels. If these were approved by the Lord it was at a time when the priests had to offer victims and when the blood of sheep was the redemption of sins. They were figures typifying things still future and were “written for our admonition upon whom the ends of the world are come.” But now our Lord by His poverty has consecrated the poverty of His house. Let us, therefore, think of His cross and count riches to be but dirt. Why do we admire what Christ calls “the mammon of unrighteousness”? Why do we cherish and love what it is Peter’s boast not to possess? Or if we insist on keeping to the letter and find the mention of gold and wealth so pleasing, let us keep to everything else as well as the gold. … It is the glory of a bishop to make provision for the wants of the poor; but it is the shame of all priests to amass private fortunes. …” – Blessed St. Jerome of the Vulgate, Doctor of the Church who did the First Official Translation of the Bible out of Its Original Languages into Latin (c. 347 AD – c. 420 AD, ‘Letter LII. To Nepotian’, Points 4, 5, 6, 10 in some order)
Source:
http://www.tertullian.org/fathers2/NPNF2-06/Npnf2-06-03.htm#P1872_458890
If Christian leaders don’t practice this, as Blessed St. Jerome says in the above,
“… avoid [them] as you would the plague …”
5) What if we Give up something which is only a little in Value?
So, the ‘Voluntary Poverty’ Contest of Faith is Fair and available all believers (to quote from the ‘other St Cyril’):
“… Consider, I pray, of each nation, Bishops, Presbyters, Deacons, Solitaries, Virgins, and laity besides; and then behold their great Protector, and the Dispenser of their gifts;—how throughout the world He gives to one chastity, to another perpetual virginity, to another almsgiving, to another VOLUNTARY POVERTY to another power of repelling hostile spirits…” – Blessed St. Cyril, ArchBishop of Jerusalem, Doctor of the Church (c. 313 AD – c. 386 AD, Points 21, 22, Lecture XVI.On the Article, And in One Holy Ghost, the Comforter, Which Spake in the Prophets, via Philip Schaff)
Source: https://ccel.org/ccel/schaff/npnf207/npnf207.ii.xx.html
Yes, as even the Blessed Apostle St. Peter himself only gave away ‘little possessions’ which they had as ‘poor fishermen’ (and they were not rich business owning fishermen as ‘prosperity gospel preachers assert with no proof from Christian Antiquity’s Greatest’), to quote:
“… Peter had heard the word of Christ when He said, “If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell all that thou hast.” Then he observed that the young man had departed sorrowful, and considered the difficulty of riches entering into the kingdom of heaven; and thereupon he put this question confidently as one who had achieved no easy matter. For though what he [Peter] with his brother HAD LEFT BEHIND them were but LITTLE THINGS, yet were they NOT ESTEEMED AS LITTLE WITH GOD, who considered that out of the fulness of their love they had so forsaken those LEAST THINGS, as they would have forsaken the GREATEST THINGS IF THEY HAD HAD THEM. So Peter, thinking RATHER of HIS WILL THAN of the INTRINSIC VALUE of the SACRIFICE, asked Him confidently [p. 672] “Behold, we have LEFT ALL … It may be said, In all things which the Father revealed to Peter that the Son was, righteousness, sanctification, and the like, in all we have followed Thee. Therefore as a victorious athlete, he now asks what are the prizes of his contest.” …” – Blessed Origen of Alexandria, the Great but surprisingly Modest Exegete of the Eastern Church, “Nicknamed: Admantius or Man of Steel”, Tortured and Martyred for Christ (c. 184 AD – c. 253 AD)
Source:
“… Or, it is given to him who had gained five talents, that we may understand that though the Lord’s joy over the labour of each be equal, of him who doubled the five as of him who doubled the two, yet is a greater reward due to him who laboured more in the Lord’s money. The servant who of five talents had made ten, and he who of two had made four, are received with equal favour by the Master of the household, who looks NOT to the LARGENESS of THEIR PROFIT, but to the DISPOSITION of THEIR WILL ….” – Blessed St. Jerome of the Vulgate (c. 347 AD – c. 420 AD)
Source:
“… Our Lord next declares, that though a man has kept the old covenant, he is not perfect, since he lacks to follow Christ. You yet lack one thing, Sell all that you have, &c. As if He says, you ask how to possess eternal life; scatter your goods among the poor, and you shall obtain it. A LITTLE THING is that you SPEND, you RECEIVE GREAT THINGS….” – Blessed Titus, Bishop of Bostra whom St. Jerome of the Vulgate himself names Titus among writers whose secular erudition is as marvellous as their knowledge of Scripture; (died c. 378 AD)
Source:
“… But the LITTLE FLOCK, our Lord signifies those who are willing to become His disciples, or because in this world the Saints seem LITTLE because of their VOLUNTARY POVERTY, or because they are outnumbered by the multitude of Angels, who incomparably exceed all that we can boast of. The name LITTLE our Lord gives to the company of the ELECT, either from comparison with the greater number of the reprobate, or rather because of their devout humility. …” – Blessed Theophylact, Byzantine Archbishop of Ohrid (c. 1050 AD – c. 1107 AD)
Source:
“… The rich man who has despised many things will naturally expect a reward, but he who POSSESSING LITTLE resigns what he has, may fairly ask what there is in store for him; as it follows, Then Peter said, lo, we have left all. Matthew adds, What shall we have therefore? This then we say, that he who gives up all worldly and carnal things will gain for himself far greater, inasmuch as the APOSTLES, AFTER LEAVING A FEW THINGS, obtained the manifold gifts of grace, and were ACCOUNTED GREAT EVERY WHERE. We then shall be like to them. Now perhaps this command is irksome to the rich, yet to those who are of a sound mind, it is not unprofitable, for their treasure is the kingdom of heaven. Hence it follows, Provide for yourselves bags which wax not old, &c. ….” – Blessed St. Cyril, Patriarch of Alexandria, Doctor of the Church, Titles: Pillar of Faith and Seal of all the Fathers (c. 376 AD – c. 444 AD)
Source :
Conclusion – are we a Thirty, Sixty or Hundredfold Christian regarding this Context?
The Hundredfold is Promised for Certain toward those who give up “all” as Christ Himself Said it & so the early leaders of the Church Teach the ‘same’ walking in His Truth (Hebrews 13:7, Hebrews 6:12):
“And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands, for My name’s sake, shall receive a HUNDREDFOLD, and inherit eternal life.” – King of kings, Lord of lords Jesus Christ , The Rewarder of Each Man according to his work (Matthew 19:29, NKJV)
Please note that the above is what is ACTUALLY WRITTEN in the BIBLE by Christ’s Own Most Blessed Words regarding a certain reward of the HUNDREDFOLD MYSTERY. Do we dare to Preach against It or Differently?
Indeed, we are to follow Christ (if we wish to, Voluntarily) toward these Greatest Heights and Imitate those who have done it (to obtain the best rewards, 1 Corinthians 9:27, 2 Timothy 2:5), to quote:
“Remember those who rule over you, who have spoken the word of God to you, whose faith follow, considering the outcome of their conduct. that you do not become sluggish, but imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.” – Anonymous (Hebrews 13:7, 6:12, NKJV)
or
“… so if a man were lord of all the earth and were to renounce it, that which he gives up is little, and he receives a HUNDREDFOLD. But if not even the whole earth is equal in value to the heavens, then he who has given up a few acres leaves as it were nothing; and even if he have given up a house or much gold he ought not to boast nor be low-spirited. Further, we should consider that even if we do not relinquish them for virtue’s sake, still afterwards when we die we shall leave them behind—very often, as the Preacher saith, to those to whom we do not wish…” – Blessed St. Athanasius the Great, the Father of Orthodoxy, Patriarch of Alexandria and Champion of Trinity, Doctor of the Church and Confessor (c. 296 AD – c. 373 AD, Point 17, Life of Antony via Philip Schaff, Page 423)
Source: http://www.documentacatholicaomnia.eu/03d/1819-1893,_Schaff._Philip,_3_Vol_04_Athanasius,_EN.pdf
or
Logic – FAQ: No matter how hard you work or save money, one chronic disease and still the money will finish and your life end. On the contrary, if we didn’t have money, we suffer and die in that same disease ‘even faster’, that’s all. If we (rich & poor) both didn’t have the disease, the poor Will be greater in heaven having not hoarded riches on earth (James 5:3, being more “obedient” & losing one’s life putting it at risk for Christ’s Command, Matthew 16:25) and even generally given more in percentages too (Luke 21:1 – 4), all other factors held constant fulfilling even Christ’s “Perfection” Command to some degree if not fully (Matthew 19:27 – 30). Now even if your saved money managed to secure the best medicine and prolong your life on earth, it’s still doesn’t amount to anything great in the ‘spiritual sense’ as ‘no Bible Verse Speaks of a Reward in His Kingdom for it’.
Yes, the “Logic above” must be Biblical as that’s exactly what Blessed Jerome himself says in Essence, to quote:
“… You must also avoid the sin of covetousness, and this not merely by refusing to seize upon what belongs to others, for that is punished by the laws of the state, but also by not keeping your own property, which has now become no longer yours. “If have not been faithful,” the Lord says, “in that which is another man’s, who shall give you that which is your own?”578 “That which is another man’s” is a quantity of gold or of silver, while “that which is our own” is the spiritual heritage of which it is elsewhere said: “The ransom of a man’s life is his riches.”579 “No man can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other; or else he will hold to the one and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and Mammon.”580 Riches, that is; for in the heathen tongue of the Syrians riches are called mammon. The “thorns” which choke our faith581 are the taking thought for our life.582 Care for the things which the Gentiles seek after583 is the root of covetousness. But you will say: “I am a girl delicately reared, and I cannot labor with my hands. Suppose that I live to old age and then fall sick, who will take pity on me?” Hear Jesus speaking to the apostles: “Take no thought what ye shall eat; nor yet for your body what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment? Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them.”584 Should clothing fail you, set the lilies before your eyes. Should hunger seize you, think of the words in which the poor and hungry are blessed. Should pain afflict you, read “Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities,” and “There was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure.”585 Rejoice in all God’s judgments; …” – Blessed St. Jerome of the Vulgate, Doctor of the Church who did the First Official Translation of the Bible out of Its Original Languages into Latin (c. 347 AD – c. 420 AD, ‘Letter XXII. To Eustochium.’, Points 31)
Source: http://www.tertullian.org/fathers2/NPNF2-06/Npnf2-06-03.htm#P1872_458890
“Your gold and silver are corroded, and their corrosion will be a witness against you and will eat your flesh like fire. You have heaped up treasure in the last days.” – Blessed St. James the Just, First Bishop of Jerusalem (James 5:3, NASB)
“But Samuel declared: “Does the LORD delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obedience to His voice? Behold, obedience is better than sacrifice, and attentiveness is better than the fat of rams.” – Legendary Prophet Samuel, the Anointer of Kings (1 Samuel 15:22, Berean Study Bible)
I repeat this Hard Truth ( yes, I struggle greatly with these “New Testament Commands” of ‘Choice toward Perfection or Unfathomable Great Rewards in His Kingdom too’ though it may not affect the lesser degrees of Salvation, Matthew 13:8, Matthew 5:19):
“… obedience [to His Word, “Verses”] is better than sacrifice, …” – Prophet Samuel
The First Church in First Christianity Practiced it Literally and Perfectly (Verses: Acts 2:44 – 46, Acts 4:32).
How much do we really Love Lord Jesus Christ?
“If you love Me, you will keep My commandments. “If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our abode with him.” – The Perfect Lord Jesus Christ (John 14:15, 23, NASB)
“… Who are those who love God? those who accept his law without trying to disguise or excuse their faults. …” – Blessed Ambrosiaster (literally in Latin: “would-be Ambrose”), Roman Clergy active at Rome during the reign of Pope Damasus (c.366 AD – c. 384 AD)
Source [QUESTION 112. ON PSALM FIFTY.]:
It’s hard to be a Christian monk / priest even in a place where the local church provides for them and even harder where the monk must provide for himself (Matthew 19:21, Luke 12:31 – 34). What is the definition of a Christian Monk? to quote:
” … The basic idea of monasticism in all its varieties is seclusion or withdrawal from the world or society. Monastic life is distinct from the “religious orders” such as the friars, canons regular, clerks regular, and the more recent religious congregations. The latter has essentially some special work or aim, such as preaching, teaching, liberating captives, etc., which occupies a large place in their activities. While monks have undertaken labors of the most varied character, in every case this work is extrinsic to the essence of the monastic state. … Both ways of living out the Christian life are regulated by the respective church law of those Christian denominations that recognize it (e.g., the Roman Catholic Church, the Eastern Orthodox Church, the Anglican Church, or the Lutheran Church). Christian monastic life does not always involve communal living with like-minded Christians. Christian monasticism has varied greatly in its external forms, but, broadly speaking, it has two main types (a) the eremitical or secluded, (b) the cenobitical or city life. St. Anthony the Abbot may be called the founder of the first and St. Pachomius of the second.[7] The monastic life is based on Jesus’s amen to “be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect” (Matthew 5:48). This ideal, also called the state of perfection, can be seen, for example, in the Philokalia, a book of monastic writings. Their manner of self-renunciation has three elements corresponding to the three evangelical counsels: poverty, chastity and obedience. … Early Christian monasticism drew its inspiration from the examples of the Prophet Elijah and John the Baptist, who both lived alone in the desert, and above all from the story of Jesus’ time in solitary struggle with Satan in the desert, before his public ministry. … Communities of virgins who had consecrated themselves to Christ are found at least as far back as the 2nd century. There were also individual ascetics, known as the “devout”, who usually lived not in the deserts but on the edge of inhabited places, still remaining in the world but practicing asceticism and striving for union with God. In ante-Nicene ascetics a man would lead a single life, practice long and frequent fasts, abstain from meat and wine, and support himself, if he were able, by some small handicraft, keeping of what he earned only so much as was absolutely necessary for his own sustenance, and giving the rest to the poor.[10] An early form of “proto-monasticism” appeared as well in the 3rd century among Syriac Christians through the “Sons of the covenant” movement. Eastern Orthodoxy looks to Basil of Caesarea as a founding monastic legislator, as well to as the example of the Desert Fathers. …”
Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christian_monasticism
Here’s an Interesting Comment: A simple Christian with such a lifestyle of ‘giving away what is not his need from his monthly salary to the poor’ can have the SAME REWARD LEVEL as even a Monk who has Renounced the World for Christ as the Ancient First Christianity Quote below Proves as this Comparison is only Possible via some Percentage Count:
“It was revealed to Abba Anthony* in his desert that there was one who was his equal in the city. He was a doctor by profession and whatever he had beyond his needs he gave to the poor, and every day he sang the Sanctus with the angels.”
*Abba Anthony = St. Anthony the Great in our Discussion.
The quote is from the Source below (retrospectively, they are called the ‘Sayings of the Desert Fathers’):
https://www.patristics.co/sayings/
The ‘unknown doctor’ was to be EQUAL to even the greatest Mega Church Pastor in his city (e.g. St. Anthony the Great) as this Founder of the Desert Father’s Order himself testifies in ‘his own words above’ agreeing in Perfect Context with Christ’s Most Blessed Words below making God Perfectly Fair toward anyone.
Yes,
“Jesus said to him, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.” (Matthew 19:21, NKJV)
Lord Jesus Christ Himself states that when ‘these things (the riches of this world) are added to you (Christians)’, we ought to ‘sell them and give to the poor/charity’ as His Art of Perfection means in Holy Scripture, to quote:
“But SEEK HIS KINGDOM, and THESE THINGS will be ADDED to you. “Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has chosen gladly to give you the kingdom. “SELL YOUR POSSESSIONS and GIVE TO CHARITY; make yourselves money belts which do not wear out, an unfailing treasure in heaven, where no thief comes near nor moth destroys. “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” – The Perfect Selfless One Lord Jesus Christ (Luke 12:31 – 34, NASB)
Remember, God doesn’t count by the Result or Amount of people you affected by the Giving but only the Disposition of your Will in your heart in Love (1 Corinthians 13:3) even as the Two Coins you give can be greater than all, hence a greater reward due to Percentage Count too (Fairness and Equality toward All in such a Divine Wisdom of God to Decide so), to quote “Bible Verses” agreeing to the Earlier First Christianity Quotes:
“1And He looked up and saw the rich putting their gifts into the treasury. 2And He saw a poor widow putting in two small copper coins. 3And He [Lord Jesus Christ Himself] said, “TRULY I say to you, this poor widow put in MORE than ALL of THEM; 4for they all out of THEIR SURPLUS put into the OFFERING; but she out of her POVERTY put in ALL that she had to LIVE ON.” (Luke 21:1 – 4, NASB)
” … there are some who, under the impression of the fear of God, despise the pleasures of the senses, flee the lavishness of life, do not turn away the eyes of the poor and the needy, and thus accumulate real treasures, …” – Blessed Ambrosiaster (literally in Latin: “would-be Ambrose”), Roman Clergy active at Rome during the reign of Pope Damasus (c.366 AD – c. 384 AD)
Source [QUESTION 34. HOW DOES THE SAME SOLOMON SAYS ON ONE SIDE: “GOD DID NOT KILL,” AND IN ANOTHER: “THE GOODS AND THE EVILS, THE LIFE AND THE DEATH, THE POVERTY AND THE LUXURY COME FROM GOD?” ]:
The Final Great Reward? (Matthew 5:19)
Great Differences in Bodily Glory between Saints in the Resurrection
“… If indeed our Lord is called the sun of righteousness, and the saints must be like him, to the testimony of the apostle St. John: “When he appears, we shall be like him.” (1 Jn. 3:2) The prophet is right in comparing the saints with the sun, but pointing out that the brightness of the sun is seven times greater than that of the moon. When he predicts that the light of the moon will have the same brightness as that of the sun, but that the sunlight will be seven times brighter, he wants us to understand that the light of the moon will become seven times brighter to match that of the sun, that is, the moon will be as bright as the sun is now. Although the application of this comparison of the stars to the SAINTS is in the opposite direction, yet it brings out in part the increase of their glory, that is to say, after the increase of the light of the sun and the moon, and the DISTANCE that will exist BETWEEN ONE SAINT and ANOTHER AFTER they have RECEIVED THEIR REWARD will be as GREAT as that which SEPARATES THEM in the PRESENT LIFE. …” – Blessed Ambrosiaster (literally in Latin: “would-be Ambrose”), Roman Clergy active at Rome during the reign of Pope Damasus (c.366 AD – c. 384 AD)
Source [QUESTION 105. HOW TO RECONCILE THE PROPHECIES WITH THE GOSPEL ON THE OBSCURATION OF THE SUN AND ON SOME OTHER POINTS?]:
‘… What Christ has Called Perfect Let no man call small …’ – Anonymous
Peace to you
Secrets of Biblical Perfection – Bible Verses and First Christianity Quotes for Each Claim
Fact 1: Even if we keep all the Old Testament Laws, we are still not Perfect. Says who? Christ Himself
“16Now behold, one came and said to Him, “Good[d] Teacher, what good thing shall I do that I may have eternal life?” 17So He said to him, [e]“Why do you call Me good? [f]No one is good but One, that is, God. But if you want to enter into life, keep the commandments.” 18He said to Him, “Which ones?” Jesus said, “‘You shall not murder,’ ‘You shall not commit adultery,’ ‘You shall not steal,’ ‘You shall not bear false witness,’ 19‘Honor your father and your mother,’ and, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ ” 20The young man said to Him, “All these things I have kept from my youth. What do I still lack?” .” – The Perfect One, Most Blessed Lord Jesus Christ (Matthew 19:16 – 20, NKJV)
“… Our Lord next declares, that though a man has kept the old covenant, he is not perfect, since he lacks to follow Christ. You yet lack one thing, Sell all that you have, &c. As if He says, you ask how to possess eternal life; scatter your goods among the poor, and you shall obtain it. A LITTLE THING is that you SPEND, you RECEIVE GREAT THINGS….” – Blessed Titus, Bishop of Bostra whom St. Jerome of the Vulgate himself names Titus among writers whose secular erudition is as marvellous as their knowledge of Scripture; (died c. 378 AD)
Source:
Fact 2: Absolute Perfection is Giving all away to the Poor
“21Jesus said to him, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.”22But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.” (Matthew 19:21 – 22, NKJV)
” The rich man who has despised many things will naturally expect a reward, but he who POSSESSING LITTLE resigns what he has, may fairly ask what there is in store for him; as it follows, Then Peter said, lo, we have left all. Matthew adds, What shall we have therefore? This then we say, that he who gives up all worldly and carnal things will gain for himself far greater, inasmuch as the APOSTLES, AFTER LEAVING A FEW THINGS, obtained the manifold gifts of grace, and were ACCOUNTED GREAT EVERY WHERE. We then shall be like to them. Now perhaps this command is irksome to the rich, yet to those who are of a sound mind, it is not unprofitable, for their treasure is the kingdom of heaven. Hence it follows, Provide for yourselves bags which wax not old, &c. ….” – Blessed St. Cyril, Patriarch of Alexandria, Doctor of the Church, Titles: Pillar of Faith and Seal of all the Fathers (c. 376 AD – c. 444 AD)
Source :
Fact 3: We can be Saved without being Perfect and there are Gradation in the Heavens based on how much we have Truly Given which is counted based on what we are given first
“… From everyone who has been given much, much will be required; and to whom they entrusted much, of him they will ask all the more.” – The Greatest Giver, The Perfect Lord Jesus Christ (Luke 12:48, NASB)
“Whoever therefore breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.” – The Perfect One, Most Blessed Lord Jesus Christ (Matthew 5:19, NKJV)
“27Then Peter answered and said to Him, “See, we have left all and followed You. Therefore what shall we have?”28So Jesus said to them, “Assuredly I say to you, that in the regeneration, when the Son of Man sits on the throne of His glory, you who have followed Me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. 29And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother [h]or wife or children or [i]lands, for My name’s sake, shall receive a hundredfold, and inherit eternal life. 30But many who are first will be last, and the last first.” (Matthew 19:27 – 30, NKJV)
“… Or, it is given to him who had gained five talents, that we may understand that though the Lord’s joy over the labour of each be equal, of him who doubled the five as of him who doubled the two, yet is a greater reward due to him who laboured more in the Lord’s money. The servant who of five talents had made ten, and he who of two had made four, are received with equal favour by the Master of the household, who looks NOT to the LARGENESS of THEIR PROFIT, but to the DISPOSITION of THEIR WILL ….” – Blessed St. Jerome of the Vulgate (c. 347 AD – c. 420 AD)
Source:
Fact 4: Giving is not measured by amount nor effect but just your heart’s love and percentage
“1And He looked up and saw the rich putting their gifts into the treasury. 2And He saw a poor widow putting in two small copper coins. 3And He [Lord Jesus Christ Himself] said, “TRULY I say to you, this poor widow put in MORE than ALL of THEM; 4for they all out of THEIR SURPLUS put into the OFFERING; but she out of her POVERTY put in ALL that she had to LIVE ON.” (Luke 21:1 – 4, NASB)
… She offered two oboli, which with the sweat of her brow she had earned for her daily living, or what she daily begs for at the hands of others she gives to God, showing that her poverty is fruitful to her. Therefore does she surpass the others, and by a just award receives a crown from God; as it follows, Of a truth I say to you, that this poor widow has cast in more,…” – Blessed St. Cyril, Patriarch of Alexandria, Doctor of the Church (c. 376 AD – c. 444 AD)
or
“… For God regarded not the scantiness of the offering, but the overflowing of the affection. Almsgiving is not the bestowing a few at things out of many, but it is that of the widow emptying herself of her whole substance. But if you cannot offer as much as the widow, at least give all that remains over….” – Blessed St. John Chrysostom, Archbishop of Constantinople (c. 349 AD – c. 407 AD)
or
“… For whatever we offer with an honest heart is well pleasing to God, who has respect to the heart, not the substance, nor does He weigh the amount of that which is given in sacrifice, but of that from which it is taken as it follows, For all these have cast in of their abundance, but she all that she had…” – St. Bede the Venerable, English Monk & Doctor of the Church (c. 673 AD – c. 735 AD)
Source for the last three Quotes above (‘Commentary on Luke 21:1 – 4’):
Fact5: Is any giving lost if someone cheats us or uses or giving for wrong reasons?
No, not at all. No Giving is lost especially if you give for ‘reasons / intentions to help , to love or to do good’ as the Verse in image by our Most Blessed Savior Reveals.
Is this a Correct Context?
Yes, according to the Shepherd of Hermas Scripture too in Verses below implying this same meaning, to quote:
“1[27]:4 But clothe thyself in reverence, wherein is no evil stumbling-block, but all things are smooth and gladsome. Work that which is good, and of thy labors, which God giveth thee, give to all that are in want freely, not questioning to whom thou shalt give, and to whom thou shalt not give. Give to all; for to all God desireth that there should be given of His own bounties. 1[27]:5 They then that receive shall render an account to God why they received it, and to what end; for they that receive in distress shall not be judged, but they that receive by false pretence shall pay the penalty. 1[27]:6 He then that giveth is guiltless; for as he received from the Lord the ministration to perform it, he hath performed it in sincerity, by making no distinction to whom to give or not to give. This ministration then, when sincerely performed, becomes glorious in the sight of God. He therefore that ministereth thus sincerely shall live unto God.” – Shepherd of Hermas (Mandate 2)
Source:
http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/text/shepherd-lightfoot.html
Summary
All Givers will get the reward for their giving on Reason of Love or Good Intention regardless some in this life or some in the afterlife or some in some proportion of both realms.
Fact 6: Until we have Given our best Gifts Freely, we have not Given much yet
No Inspired Author of the Word of God puts it better than the Selfless Anointed Apostle Paul regarding this Topic as he clearly Reveals the Truth of the ‘higher way’ (of doing Ministry for “Free” whilst working as he didn’t quit his secular job as a tentmaker claiming the full time excuse, Acts 18:3) vs the ‘lower way’ (of taking “wages/money as Salary” for preaching the Gospel or doing His Ministry Work). Please don’t be angry with me for Speaking this Truth as it is not my words nor my opinion but God’s Word in Verses below (so, please be careful of your vain words lest you find yourself Fighting God Himself), to quote:
“… 5Do we not have a right to take along a believing [sister-] wife, even as the rest of the apostles and the brothers of the Lord and Cephas? 6Or do only Barnabas and I not have a right to refrain from working? … 8I am not speaking these things according to human judgment, am I? Or does not the Law also say these things? … 11If we sowed spiritual things in you, is it too much if we reap material things from you? 12If others share the right over you, do we not more? Nevertheless, we did not use this right, but we endure all things so that we will cause no hindrance to the gospel of Christ… 14So also the Lord directed those who proclaim the gospel to get their living from the gospel.15But I have used none of these things. And I am not writing these things so that it will be done so in my case; for it would be better for me to die than have any man make my boast an empty one. 16For if I preach the gospel, I have nothing to boast of, for I am under compulsion; for woe is me if I do not preach the gospel. 17For if I do this voluntarily, I have a reward; but if against my will, I have a stewardship entrusted to me. 18What then is my reward? That, when I preach the gospel, I may offer the gospel without charge, so as not to make full use of my right in the gospel…” – The Blessed Apostle St. Paul to All the Gentiles (1 Corinthians 9:5 – 6, 8, 11 – 12, 14 – 18, NASB)
Conclusion
” … there are some who, under the impression of the fear of God, despise the pleasures of the senses, flee the lavishness of life, do not turn away the eyes of the poor and the needy, and thus accumulate real treasures, …” – Blessed Ambrosiaster (literally in Latin: “would-be Ambrose”), Roman Clergy active at Rome during the reign of Pope Damasus (c.366 AD – c. 384 AD)
Source [QUESTION 34. HOW DOES THE SAME SOLOMON SAYS ON ONE SIDE: “GOD DID NOT KILL,” AND IN ANOTHER: “THE GOODS AND THE EVILS, THE LIFE AND THE DEATH, THE POVERTY AND THE LUXURY COME FROM GOD?” ]:
Here’s Life’s “Haunting Question” or Life’s Real Question – What are we doing more than others?
Who Asks that? The Only Perfect One Himself, Bible Verses:
Now, I wonder in shame knowing that I hardly have done anything toward this Level of Perfection as it is Commanded by Lord Jesus Christ, to quote:
“42Give to him who asks you, and from him who wants to borrow from you do not turn away. 43“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and HATE YOUR ENEMY.’ 44But I say to you, LOVE YOUR ENEMIES, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, 45that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. 46For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? 47And if you greet your brethren only, WHAT DO YOU DO MORE THAN OTHERS? Do not even the tax collectors do so? 48Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect.” – The Wisest, Lord Jesus Christ (Matthew 5:42 – 48, NKJV)
Let’s be Prepared to Hear Our Lord and Savior Asking this to us on Judgment Day:
“… WHAT DO YOU DO MORE THAN OTHERS? …” – The Greatest, Lord Jesus Christ
So, nothing that great if we are doing those deeds to our family members, loved ones and our own church or race only. It is only Great if we do it to “our enemies too” as Christ’s Most Blessed Words Imply above as it is Echoed Likewise in the Ancient Most Authoritative First Christianity Quote below too:
“… But no thanks are due to one who saves what is his own; for this is to save himself. For he who saves a part himself, saves himself by his own means, lest he become defective in that part; and this is not the act of a good man. For not even when a man does good to his children and offspring, does one call him a good man; for even the most savage of the wild beasts do so, and indeed willingly endure death, if need be, for the sake of their cubs. But if a man were to perform the same acts in behalf of his slaves, that man would justly be called good. Wherefore the Saviour also taught us to love our enemies, since, says He, what thank have ye? So that He has shown us that it is a good work not only to love those that are begotten of Him, but also those that are without. And what He enjoins upon us, He Himself first of all does.” –Blessed St. Justin Martyr (100 AD – 165 AD, On the Resurrection, Chapter VIII)
Source:
http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/text/justinmartyr-resurrection.html
‘… What God has not called Great we don’t call great and Vice Versa. Yes, it may be Good but not Great till it reaches nearly the Perfection Levels He has Commanded …’
Peace to you
Tales in Christianity – Blessed Saint Perpetua
‘… All who die for Christ as a Martyr become Hundredfolds regardless if they are virgins or widowed or married (Revelation 20:4 – 6, Matthew 19:29) …’ – First Christianity Facts
1) What is that Early Christian Book about?
“… The Passion of Saint Perpetua, Saint Felicitas, and their Companions is one of the oldest and most notable early Christian texts. It survives in both Latin and Greek forms, and contains a first person prison diary of the young mother and martyr Perpetua. Scholars generally believe that it is authentic although in the form we have it may have been edited by others. The text also appears to contain, in his own words, the accounts of the visions of Saturus, another Christian martyred with Perpetua. …”
Source:
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Passion_of_Saint_Perpetua,_Saint_Felicitas,_and_their_Companions
2) Who was Saint Perpetua?
“… Perpetua and Felicity (believed to have died in 203 AD) were Christian martyrs of the 3rd century. Vibia Perpetua was a married noblewoman, said to have been 22 years old at the time of her death, and mother of an infant she was nursing. Felicity, a slave imprisoned with her and pregnant at the time, was martyred with her. They were put to death along with others at Carthage in the Roman province of Africa. …”
Source:
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Passion_of_Saint_Perpetua,_Saint_Felicitas,_and_their_Companions
3) As per the Shepherd of Hermas Scripture regarding Salvation in lower abodes possible for the unbaptized (discussed earlier), Saint Perpetua’s Vision proves that her unbaptized brother was Saved in the Spirit World
“… But Saint Perpetua, who was martyred in 202, believed herself to have been encouraged in a vision to pray for her brother, who had died in his eighth year, almost certainly unbaptized; and a later vision assured her that her prayer was answered and he had been translated from punishment. St. Augustine thought it needful to point out that the narrative was not canonical Scripture, and contended that the child had perhaps been baptized. …”
Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prayer_for_the_dead
Note: Her “Prayer for her dead brother” to be Saved in the Spirit World was granted because she was to be a “Hundredfold” for Christ in First Christianity itself.
4) Salvation of other Martyrs on that Day who were unbaptized too?
“… According to the passion narrative, a slave named Revocatus, his fellow slave Felicitas, the two free men Saturninus and Secundulus, and Perpetua, who were catechumens, that is, Christians being instructed in the faith but not yet baptized, were arrested and executed at the military games in celebration of the Emperor Septimius Severus’s birthday. To this group was added a man named Saturus, who voluntarily went before the magistrate and proclaimed himself a Christian. …”
Source:
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Passion_of_Saint_Perpetua,_Saint_Felicitas,_and_their_Companions
5) Description of her Great Martyrdom for Christ alongside others
“… On the day of the games, the martyrs are led into the amphitheatre (xviii). At the demand of the crowd they were first scourged before a line of gladiators; then a boar, a bear, and a leopard were set on the men, and a wild cow on the women (xix). Wounded by the wild animals, they gave each other the kiss of peace and were then put to the sword (xix). The text describes Perpetua’s death as follows; “But Perpetua, that she might have some taste of pain, was pierced between the bones and shrieked out; and when the swordsman’s hand wandered still (for he was a novice), herself set it upon her own neck. Perchance so great a woman could not else have been slain (being feared of the unclean spirit) had she not herself so willed it” (xix). The text ends as the editor extols the acts of the martyrs. …”
Source:
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Passion_of_Saint_Perpetua,_Saint_Felicitas,_and_their_Companions
Conclusion – in her own words
“… Stand fast in the faith, and love one another, all of you, and be not offended at my sufferings. …” – Blessed St. Perpetua (c. 182 AD – c. 203 AD)
(Last words of Saint Perpetua, as testified to by the eyewitness to her martyrdom, as preserved by Tertullian in The Passion of Saints Perpetua and Felicity.)
And
“… Neither can I call myself anything else than what I am, a Christian. …” – Blessed St. Perpetua (c. 182 AD – c. 203 AD)
(Saint Perpetua, as preserved by Tertullian in The Passion of Saints Perpetua and Felicity.)
Source for both quotes above:
https://www.goodreads.com/quotes/tag/perpetua
Peace to you
Tales in Christianity – Demetrias – Virginity – Why such a High Price to be a Hundredfold?
0) Why does such Knowledge from First Christianity matter?
The same way some people in this life are attracted to “monetary succes” (e. g. being a millionaire) or “educational achievements” (satisfaction in being appreciated and respected in knowledge) or even in “materialistic pursuits” (e. g. a sense of satisfaction of owning a Mercedes Benz /Ferari or a big house) or in “fleshy pursuits” (e. g. Wanting people to admire their beauty or finding it an achievement to marry the most good looking person that they can) etc. , the equivalent is true for those desiring the Greatest Spiritual Rewards in His Kingdom (Matthew 5:19) which includes Treasures in Heaven too (Matthew 6:19 – 20, Luke 12:30 – 33).
Also, the price of Martyrdom is very Great and Difficult (as we recently read of Blessed St. perpetua’s case in First Christianity), and so being a “Hundredfold” fruit like her (Revelation 20:4 – 6) or others without being a Martyr must thus require a Great Renouncing of All that we have in some way to become His Disciples (Luke 14:33) as only then it’s fair to all.
Please don’t get confused by Salvation which is a Free Gift of God by His Mercy which is not earned through works but our rewards and ranking in the heavens are surely based on our works (John 5:28 – 29, Matthew 5:19, Matthew 19:27 – 30, Luke 12:33) without which we cannot even be a Disciple of Christ (Luke 14:33, John 14:15).
1) Bible Verse – 1 Corinthians 7:38
New International Version
So then, he who marries the virgin does right, but he who does not marry her does better.
New American Standard Bible
So then both he who gives his own virgin daughter in marriage does well, and he who does not give her in marriage will do better.
New King James Version
So then he who gives her in marriage does well, but he who does not give her in marriage does better.
No matter the translation, the idea is the same namely that the “unmarried” (usually “virgins”) will do “better” (spiritually, implied).
2) First Christianity
We have discussed in great detail in previous posts as well as in the free downloadable pdf book below as to why such a gradation is there:
https://play.google.com/store/books/details?id=9lnIDwAAQBAJ
Example Quotes:
“… Some a hundred-fold. This difference of fruits is the difference of merit here, and of the rewards hereafter, according to the diversity of states, &c. St. Augustine, in his work, (de Virginitate, chap. xliv, and seq.) saith, that the hundred-fold agreeth with professed virgins; the sixty-fold with religious widows; the thirty-fold with married persons. This old heretic, Jovinian, and many of modern date, deny, affirming that there is no difference of merits or rewards. (St. Jerome, lib. ii. adv. Jovin. St. Ambrose, ep. lxxxii. St. Augustine, ep. lxxxii.) (Bristow) …” (Bible Commentaries, George Haydock’s Catholic Bible Commentary Matthew 13, Verse 8)
Source: https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/hcc/matthew-13.html
Or
“… For there are two ways in life, as touching these matters. The one the more moderate and ordinary, I mean marriage; the other angelic and unsurpassed, namely virginity. Now if a man choose the way of the world, namely marriage, he is not indeed to blame; yet he will not receive such great gifts as the other. For he will receive, since he too brings forth fruit, namely thirtyfold. But if a man embrace the holy and unearthly way, even though, as compared with the former, it be rugged and hard to accomplish, yet it has the more wonderful gifts: for it grows the perfect fruit, namely an hundredfold…” – St. Athanasius the Great, the Father of Orthodoxy, Patriarch of Alexandria and Champion of Trinity, Doctor of the Church and Confessor (c. 296 AD – c. 373 AD, Letter XLVIII.—Letter to Amun4583. Written before 354 AD via Philip Schaff, Pages 971 – 972)
Source: http://mb-soft.com/believe/txuc/athana49.htm
Conclusion – First Christianity Story of Blessed Demetrias
To quote:
1) Who was she?
“… Demetrias (fl. 413–440) was a Roman noblewoman, member of the powerful family of the Anicii and acquaintance of several churchmen. Anicia[1] Demetrias, born around 398,[2] was the daughter of Anicius Hermogenianus Olybrius,[3] consul in 395, and of Anicia Iuliana,[3][4] and thus member of the noble gentes Anicia and Amnia; she is described as the noblest and richest person in the Roman world in the 410s.[3] …”
Source:
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Demetrias_(daughter_of_Anicius_Hermogenianus_Olybrius)
2) She Renounced All for Christ including Marriage though she was so rich
“… While her mother and her grandmother lived in Carthage, they came into contact with Augustine of Hippo, who helped them to follow the path of a religious life. Demetrias, who was about fifteen years old in 413, was to be married, but she secretly followed an ascetical way of life, influenced by Augustine.[4] She did not tell her relatives about her choice, as she was worried about displeasing them. However, as her marriage was approaching, she decided to tell her mother Iuliana and her grandmother Proba about her intention to renounce to marry and to take the veil. Her relatives were very happy with her, and, in 413, Demetrias took the veil in a ceremony celebrated by Bishop Aurelius of Carthage. … Demetrias built a church devoted to Saint Stephen along the Via Latina (41°51′41.81″N 12°32′15.17″E ), three miles from Rome, on one of her properties.[7] She died during the pontificate of Pope Leo I. …”
Source:
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Demetrias_(daughter_of_Anicius_Hermogenianus_Olybrius)
Conclusion – Blessed St. Jerome of the Vulgate’s Personal Letter to her via St. Augustine I think
Interesting Quotes (10 Major Points presented here for your edification):
- New Testament Biblical Tradition for Great Rewards
“… . But what am I doing? Forgetful of my purpose and filled with admiration for this young man, I have spoken in terms of praise of mere worldly advantages; whereas I should rather have commended our virgin for having rejected all these, and for having determined to regard herself not as a wealthy or a high born lady, but simply as a woman like other women. Her strength of mind almost passes belief. Though she had silks and jewels freely at her disposal, and though she was surrounded by crowds of eunuchs and serving-women, a bustling household of flattering and attentive domestics, and though the daintiest feasts that the abundance of a large house could supply were daily set before her; she preferred to all these severe fasting, rough clothing, and frugal living. For she had read the words of the Lord: “they that wear soft clothing are in kings” houses.”3624 She was filled with admiration for the manner of life followed by Elijah and by John the Baptist; both of whom confined and mortified their loins with girdles of skin,3625 while the second of them is said to have come in the spirit and power of Elijah as the forerunner of the Lord.3626 As such he prophesied while still in his mother’s womb,3627 and before the day of judgment won the commendation of the Judge.3628 She admired also the zeal of Anna the daughter of Phanuel, who continued even to extreme old age to serve the Lord in the temple with prayers and fastings.3629 When she thought of the four virgins who were the daughters of Philip,3630 she longed to join their band and to be numbered with those who by their virginal purity have attained the grace of prophecy. …” (Point 4)
- Unselfishness – She Inspired many women to likewise be brave enough to be Virgins for Christ instead of bowing to the Cultural pressure of being married unless they wanted to (free will choice)
“… In the effort to explain the greatness of that joy past all belief, the flow of Tully’s eloquence would run dry and the bolts poised and hurled by Demosthenes would become spent and fall short. Whatever mind can conceive or speech can interpret of human gladness was seen then. Mother and child, grandmother and granddaughter kissed each other again and again. The two elder women wept copiously for joy, they raised the prostrate girl, they embraced her trembling form. In her purpose they recognized their own mind, and congratulated each other that now a virgin was to make a noble house more noble still by her virginity. She had found they said, a way to benefit her family and to lessen the calamity of the ruin of Rome Good Jesus! What exultation there was all through the house! Many virgins sprouted out at once as shoots from a fruitful stem, and the example set by their patroness and lady was followed by a host both of clients and servants. Virginity was warmly espoused in every house and although those who made profession of it were as regards the flesh of lower rank than Demetrias they sought one reward with her, the reward of chastity. My words are too weak. Every church in Africa danced for joy. The news reached not only the cities, towns, and villages but even the scattered huts. Every island between Africa and Italy was full of it, the glad tidings ran far and wide, disliked by none. Then Italy put off her mourning and the ruined walls of Rome resumed in part their olden splendour; for they believed the full conversion of their fosterchild to be a sign of God’s favour towards them. …” (Point 6)
iii. Only Unbelievers do not understand the Greatness of the Rewards in the Age to Come
“… The news penetrated to the coasts of the East, and this triumph of Christian glory was heard of in the remote cities of the interior. What Christian virgin was not proud to have Demetrias as a companion? What mother did not call Juliana’s womb blessed? Unbelievers may scoff at the doubtfulness of rewards to come. … ” (Point 6)
- 1 Corinthians 7:38’s Real life Gain and Spiritual Gains expounded Scripturally
“… Meantime, in becoming a virgin you have gained more than you have sacrificed. Had you become a man’s bride but one province would have known of you; while as a Christian virgin you are known to the whole world. Mothers who have but little faith in Christ are unhappily wont to dedicate to virginity only deformed and crippled daughters for whom they can find no suitable husbands. Glass beads, as the saying goes, are thought equal to pearls.3641 Men who pride themselves on their religion give to their virgin daughters sums scarcely sufficient for their maintenance, and bestow the bulk of their property upon sons and daughters living in the world. Quite recently in this city a rich presbyter left two of his daughters who were professed virgins with a mere pittance, while he provided his other children with ample means for self-indulgence and pleasure. The same thing has been done, I am sorry to say, by many women who have adopted the ascetic life. Would that such instances were rare, but unfortunately they are not. Yet the more frequent they are the more blessed are those who refuse to follow an example which is set them by so many. …” (Point 6)
- Virginity accompanied by the “Voluntary Poverty Doctrine” by Lord Jesus Christ – oh, sounds like a Double Hundredfold Reward! (Matthew 19:27 – 30, Luke 12:30 – 33, Matthew 6:19 – 20, James 5:3 – 5).
“… Who would believe it? That Proba, who of all persons of high rank and birth in the Roman world bears the most illustrious name, whose holy life and universal charity have won for her esteem even among the barbarians, who has made nothing of the regular consulships enjoyed by her three sons, Probinus, Olybrius, and Probus,- that Proba, I say, now that Rome has been taken and its contents burned or carried off, is said to be selling what property she has and to be making for herself friends of the mammon of unrighteousness, that these may receive her into everlasting habitations!3643 Well may the church’s ministers, whatever their degree, and those monks who are only monks in name, blush for shame that they are buying estates, when this noble lady is selling them. …” (Point 7)
- Mediate on Holy Scriptures in the Bible Daily to get Closer to God and for Spiritual Bread by which men ought to live too (Psalm 1)
“… Love to occupy your mind with the reading of scripture. Do not in the good ground of your breast gather only a crop of darnel and wild oats. Do not let an enemy sow tares among the wheat when the householder is asleep3663 (that is when the mind which ever cleaves to God is off its guard); but say always with the bride in the song of songs: “By night I sought him whom my soul loveth. Tell me where thou feedest, where thou makest thy flock to rest at noon;”3664 and with the psalmist: “my soul followeth hard after thee: thy right hand upholdeth me;”3665 and with Jeremiah: “I have not found it hard…. to follow thee,”3666 for “there is no grief in Jacob neither is there travail in Israel.”3667 When you were in the world you loved the things of the world. …” (Point 7)
Vii. Renounce All in some way (Luke 14:33)
“… “I renounce thee, O devil, and thy world and thy pomp and thy works.” Observe, therefore, the treaty that you have made, and keep terms with your adversary while you are in the way of this world. Otherwise he may some day deliver you to the judge and prove that you have taken what is his; and then the judge will deliver you to the officer-at once your foe and your avenger-and you will be cast into prison; into that outer darkness3669 which surrounds us with the greater horror as it severs us from Christ the one true light.3670 And you shall by no means come out thence till you have paid the uttermost farthing,3671 that is, till you have expiated your most trifling sins; for we shall give account of every idle word in the day of judgment …” (Point 7)
Viii. Be the Rare “Rose of Sharon” Mystery
“… When Jesus was crowned with thorns and bore our sins and suffered for us, it was to make the roses of virginity and the lilies of chastity grow for us out of the brambles and briers which have formed the lot of women since the day when it was said to Eve, “in sorrow thou shalt bring forth children; and thy desire shall be to thy husband and he shall rule over thee.”3676 We are told that the bridegroom feeds among the lilies,3677 that is, among those who have not defiled their garments, for they have remained virgins3678 and have hearkened to the precept of the Preacher: “let thy garments be always white.”3679 As the author and prince of virginity He says boldly of Himself: “I am the rose of Sharon and the lily of the valleys.”3680 “The rocks” then “are a refuge for the tonics” who when they are persecuted in one city flee into another3681 and have no fear that the prophetic words “refuge failed me”3682 will he fulfilled in their case. …” (Point 8)
- No Extreme Fasting nor Abnormal Abstinence from Food but Good (Charity) Works is a must with Worshiping God in songs (psalms) & reading the Word privately
“… . I do not, however, lay on you as an obligation any extreme fasting or abnormal abstinence from food. Such practices soon break down weak constitutions and cause bodily sickness before they lay the foundations of a holy life. It is a maxim of the philosophers that virtues are means, and that all extremes are of the nature of vice;3718 and it is in this sense that one of the seven wise men propounds the famous saw quoted in the comedy, “In nothing too much.”3719 You must not go on fasting until your heart begins to throb and your breath to fail and you have to be supported or carried by others. No; while curbing the desires of the flesh, you must keep sufficient strength to read scripture, to sing psalms, and to observe vigils. For fasting is not a complete virtue in itself but only a foundation on which other virtues may be built. The same may be said of sanctification and of that chastity without which no man shall see the Lord.3720 Each of these is a step on the upward way, yet none of them by itself will avail to win the virgin’s crown. The gospel teaches us this in the parable of the wise and foolish virgins; the former of whom enter into the bridechamber of the bridegroom, while the latter are shut out from it because not having the oil of good works3721 they allow their lamps to fail. …” (Point 11)
- Keep away from the “Prosperity Gospel Error” or risk losing Great Rewards or your Salvation itself if we are not careful and Work & Give out of your own hard earned money for the Highest Rewards in the Age to come
“… . I think it unnecessary to warn you against covetousness since it is the way of your family both to have riches and to despise them. The apostle too tells us that covetousness is idolatry,3734 and to one who asked the Lord the question: “Good Master what good thing shall I do that I may have eternal life?” He thus replied: “If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven; and come and follow me.”3735 Such is the climax of complete and apostolic virtue-to sell all that one has and to distribute to the poor,3736 and thus freed from all earthly encumbrance to fly up to the heavenly realms with Christ. To us, or I should rather say to you, a careful stewardship is entrusted, although in such matters full freedom of choice is left to every individual, whether old or young. Christ’s words are “if thou wilt be perfect.” I do not compel you, He seems to say, I do not command you, but I set the palm before you, I shew you the prize; it is for you to choose whether you will enter the arena and win the crown. Let us consider how wisely Wisdom has spoken. “Sell that thou hast.” To whom is the command given? Why, to him to whom it was said, “if thou wilt be perfect.” Sell not a part of thy goods but “all that thou hast.” And when you have sold them, what then? “Give to the poor.” Not to the rich, not to your kinsfolk, not to minister to self indulgence; but to relieve need. It does not matter whether a man is a priest or a relation or a connexion, you must think of nothing but his poverty. Let your praises come from the stomachs of the hungry and not from the rich banquets of the overfed. We read in the Acts of the Apostles how, while the blood of the Lord was still warm and believers were in the fervour of their first faith, they all sold their possessions and laid the price of them at the apostles’ feet (to shew that money ought to be trampled underfoot) and “distribution was made unto every man according as he had need.”3737 But Ananias and Sapphira proved timid stewards, and what is more, deceitful ones; therefore they brought on themselves condemnation. For having made a vow they offered their money to God as if it were their own and not His to whom they had vowed it; and keeping back for their own use a part of that which belonged to another, through fear of famine which true faith never fears, they drew down on themselves suddenly the avenging stroke, which was meant not in cruelty towards them but as a warning to others.3738 In fact the apostle Peter by no means called down death upon them as Porphyry3739 foolishly says. He merely announced God’s judgment by the spirit of prophecy, that the doom of two persons might be a lesson to many. From the time of your dedication to perpetual virginity your property is yours no longer; or rather is now first truly yours because it has come to be Christ’s. Yet while your grandmother and mother are living you must deal with it according to their wishes. If, however, they die and rest in the sleep of the saints (and I know that they desire that you should survive them); when your years are riper, and your will steadier, and your resolution stronger, you will do with your money what seems best to you, or rather what the Lord shall command, knowing as you will that hereafter you will have nothing save that which you have here spent on good works. Others may build churches, may adorn their walls when built with marbles, may procure massive columns, may deck the unconscious capitals with gold and precious ornaments, may cover church doors with silver and adorn the altars with gold and gems. I do not blame those who do these things; I do not repudiate them.3740 Everyone must follow his own judgment. And it is better to spend one’s money thus than to hoard it up and brood over it. However your duty is of a different kind. It is yours to clothe Christ in the poor, to visit Him in the sick, to feed Him in the hungry, to shelter Him in the homeless, particularly such as are of the household of faith,3741 to support communities of virgins, to take care of God’s servants, of those who are poor in spirit, who serve the same Lord as you day and night, who while they are on earth live the angelic life and speak only of the praises of God. Having food and raiment they rejoice and count themselves rich. They seek for nothing more, contented if only they can persevere in their design. For as soon as they begin to seek more they are shewn to be undeserving even of those things that are needful. …” (Point 14)
“… For the scripture says: “the soul of every idler is filled with desires.”3743 Nor may you excuse yourself from toil on the plea that God’s bounty has left you in want of nothing. No; you must labour with the rest, that being always busy you may think only of the service of the Lord. I shall speak quite plainly. Even supposing that you give all your property to the poor, Christ will value nothing more highly than what you have wrought with your own hands. You may work for yourself or to set an example to your virgins; or you may make presents to your mother and grandmother to draw from them larger sums for the relief of the poor. …” (Point 15)
Source for each quote above [ Letter CXXX. To Demetrias ] :
http://www.tertullian.org/fathers2/NPNF2-06/Npnf2-06-03.htm#P5068_1394386
Note: Blessed St. Jerome nor St. Augustine are virgins but can you see that they’re not selfish in Preaching the Truth about such a high crown available to such Christian Virgins if they follow this Very Narrow Path? Let us not be jealous either and by God’s Grace share this Truth to all Christians so each can make a “free will” choice as to whether to marry or not and hence fulfill God’s Will for their respective lives according to the measure of faith and ability.
Peace to you
First Christianity – Money Matters – Are we the Same Christianity?
“… However, when the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on the earth?” – God in Flesh, Lord Jesus Christ (Luke 18:8, NIV)
Bible Verses: Luke14:33, Luke 12:30 – 33, Matthew 19:27 – 30, Acts 2:44 – 46, Acts 4:32, Matthew 6:19 – 20, James 5:3 – 5.
To quote from Source below:
https://bibleandmission.blogspot.com/2017/05/early-christian-views-on-wealth.html?m=1
Topic: Early Christian Views on Wealth, Possessions, and Giving
About the Author:
Rev. Dr. Rollin Grams
Professor of Biblical Theology and Mission, Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary and Ridley Institute
The Author’s Research Content (16 May, 2017)
Ecclesiology: The Church as a Caring Community
The early Christians formed far more than a collection of individuals who adhered to a common set of beliefs and practices. They were themselves a caring community that used the metaphors of ‘family,’ ‘body,’ and ‘third race’ (after Jews and Gentiles) to describe themselves. Financial giving, on such a view, was not philanthropy (giving to improve humanity), tithing (giving a portion back to God for the support of a priesthood), or a way to reduce taxable income (income tax is a 19th century invention). Rather, it was what family members do within their intimate and loving community. It was what parts of the body do to secure the well-being of the whole body.
Clement of Rome (late 1st century) spoke of the church being preserved as Christ’s body through mutual subjection, a giving to other members according to whatever gifts one has. What we have (strength, wealth, wisdom, humility, purity) is seen as a gift from God to be used for the body of Christ. The rich, for example, should provide for the needs of the poor in the Church, and the poor should give thanks to God, who has given them brothers who can provide for their needs (1st Epistle to the Corinthians, XXXVIII). Justin Martyr (mid 2nd century) states that wealthy Christians voluntarily gave money to a common fund to help the needy (the sick, widows, orphans, strangers) and that the community shared food at their gatherings (1st Apology, 67). Tertullian (late 2nd/early 3rd century) says Christians take up a voluntary offering once a month for feeding the poor, burying the dead, for orphans, the elderly, those shipwrecked, and Christian prisoners, and that they hold common meals to feed the hungry rather than enjoy excess (Apology 39). Cornelius, a bishop of Rome in the mid 3rd century, notes that over 1,500 widows and persons in distress were cared for by the church in Rome (Eusebius, Ecclesiastical History, 6.11). At this time, the Roman emperor, Demetrianus, was persecuting the church. Cyprian, a friend of Cornelius and bishop of Carthage in North Africa, defended the Church by noting the empire’s greed and failure to help the needy (among other things) as the church did (‘Treatise V, An Address to Demetrianus’). In the mid 4th century, the apostate emperor Julian tried to turn the empire back to Roman religion after the triumph of Christianity under the Christian emperor Constantine in AD 312. Julian was goaded by the example and reputation of Jews and Christians in their help of the poor and needy, even the wicked and prisoners. He stated that it was a disgrace how Jews had no beggars and Christians supported the poor both within and outside the Church. But those in the Roman religion did not do so, and many were in need of help (Epistle 22). In Julian’s comments, we see that the Church’s help of the poor began with the ‘household of faith’ but extended to any in need (cf. Gal. 6.10).
The model for a caring, giving community was the Jerusalem Church in the book of Acts: ‘Now the whole group of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one claimed private ownership of any possessions, but everything they owned was held in common’ (Acts 4.32, NRSV). The Jerusalem Church practiced voluntary giving that involved selling property, giving the proceeds to the church, and letting the apostles distribute the money to the needy. The result was that nobody was in need in the community of believers.
The understanding of the Church as a people taken from all nations (a third race) meant that their citizenship was in heaven (as Paul said, Phl. 3.20). Thus Christians were strangers or sojourners on earth (cf. 1 Pt. 1.1, 17; 2.11), and the logical conclusion of such an identity is that one does not accumulate goods in a foreign land (Hermas, Similitudes, 1).
Creation: God-Given Resources are to be Shared, not Possessed
While there is ample evidence that Christians continued to hold private property (there were people with wealth in the church who could help the poor), the emphasis on community and meeting one another’s needs led some 4th century Christians to critique the very notion of private property. This entailed thinking beyond the Church to the very intent of God for humanity as a whole. Some saw divisions between the wealthy and the poor as unnatural: God has created a world with abundant resources for all and not for resources to be horded by a few. Chrysostom stated, ‘…When one attempts to possess himself of anything, to make it his own, then contention is introduced, as if nature herself were indignant….’ (Homily XII on 1 Tim. 4: Migne, PG 62,563f). Gregory of Nazianzus, saw the divisions between people of poverty and wealth and between freedom and slavery to be a result of the Fall. Similarly, Ambrose stated that ‘Nature has poured forth all things for men for common use….Nature, therefore, has produced a common right for all, but greed had made it a right for a few’ (quoted in Jerome, De Officiis I,28; Migne, PL 16,67).
Gregory’s friend, Basil the Great, was born into a wealthy family but distributed his inheritance to the poor and, among other things, established Basilias, a hospital (primarily for lepers) in the region of Caesarea. He insists that wealth is not given to one to do with as one pleases. Rather, one should take only what one requires to satisfy immediate needs and give the rest to others. In this way, nobody would be rich and nobody would be poor (Migne, PG 31,276f). If possessions are given one as a divine gift to be used for others, then withholding such a gift from others is tantamount to theft. Basil says that it is the hungry person’s food one is withholding, the naked person’s cloak one is hoarding, and the needy person’s money one is possessing (Serm. Super. Luc. Xii, 18). Thus, to the extent that one exceeds in wealth, one is lacking in love (Sermon to the Wealthy, Migne PG 31, 277C-304C).
Such a view from the 4th century reflects Clement of Alexandria’s perspective from the 2nd century, when he states, That expression, therefore, “I possess, and possess in abundance: why then should I not enjoy?” is suitable neither to the man, nor to society. But more worthy of love is that: “I have: why should I not give to those who need?” For such an one—one who fulfils the command, “Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself”—is perfect. For this is the true luxury—the treasured wealth. But that which is squandered on foolish lusts is to be reckoned waste, not expenditure. For God has given to us, I know well, the liberty of use, but only so far as necessary; and He has determined that the use should be common. And it is monstrous for one to live in luxury, while many are in want. How much more glorious is it to do good to many, than to live sumptuously! How much wiser to spend money on human being, than on jewels and gold! How much more useful to acquire decorous friends, than lifeless ornaments! (The Instructor, 2.13; cf. 3.6). Thus giving was not restricted to the needy within the Church. Justin (Apology 1.14), Hermas (Shepherd, II), and Clement of Alexandria (Quis divis salvus, xiii) explicitly said as much.
Grace: Wealth is a Gift from God to be Given to the Needy
Another argument one meets is that wealth is given by God to be used for the poor and not on oneself. This view even gets attached to the notion that works of charity are important for one’s future reward. Chrysostom corrected the view that all wealth is from God, argued that the rich need the poor more than the poor the rich, and explained that those given wealth from God are to use it for the needy (Homily XXXIV). Ambrose saw the misuse of money (as in the case of Judas) as a misuse of grace (On the Duties of the Clergy, XVI).
Ethics 1: The Work of the Church includes Charity
Much could be written on this point, but a few words must suffice. Chrysostom (late 4th century), echoing the sentiments of James 2, stated that one should not dress in silk to honor Christ when another outside is cold and poorly clad. He asked what good golden chalices on the Eucharistic table are when a brother is dying of hunger (Evangelium S. Matthaei, hom. 50:3-4: PG 58, 508-509). Jerome stated that the work of charity is better than ornamenting church buildings (Epistle 130). This seemed to be a serious issue around his time in the 4th century. Acacius (5th century), bishop of Amida, sold 420 vases to free 7,000 Persian prisoners. Ambrose (4th century), Augustine, bishop of Hippo (4th and 5th centuries), and Deogratias, Bishop of Carthage (5th century) also ransomed captives. The poor, moreover, were assisted by the Church. Bishop Cornelius of Rome (late 3rd century) oversaw support of 1,500 people. In the late 4th century, the church at Antioch supported 3,000.
Ethics 2: Giving to the Poor is a Moral Requirement
The early church saw helping the poor to be a moral requirement, not just something nice to do. In this way, helping the poor went beyond care within a close community and could be extended to anyone in need. While Judaism taught charity towards one’s fellow Jews (cf. Tobit 1.3), Jesus taught love even towards enemies (Mt. 5.43ff; Lk. 10.29ff). Paul told Galatian Christians to do good to all, especially the household of faith (Gal. 6.10).
One of the earliest, extant, Christian documents after the New Testament writings is the Didache. The work begins by describing two ways, one leading to life and the other to death. The path leading to death is for those unmerciful to the poor (5.2), whereas that leading to life involves generosity to those in need (1.4-5; 4.5, 7). Indeed, Christians should not think of their possessions as their own but as something to share with other believers (4.8).
The early 2nd century Apology of Aristides was written about AD 124 to the emperor Hadrian. The author characterizes non-Christians (he could not be speaking of the Jews, however) as ‘…unmerciful to the poor, …, turning away the needy, oppressing the distressed, advocates of the rich, unjust judges of the poor’ (5.2). Christians, on the other hand, are compassionate towards the poor, release the captives, bury the dead, and so forth (XIV). Later, in a marvelous passage describing Christians, the author says,
[Christians] love one another, and from widows they do not turn away their esteem; and they deliver the orphan from him who treats him harshly. And he, who has, gives to him who has not, without boasting. And when they see a stranger, they take him in to their homes and rejoice over him as a very brother; for they do not call them brethren after the flesh, but brethren after the spirit and in God. And whenever one of their poor passes from the world, each one of them according to his ability gives heed to him and carefully sees to his burial. And if they hear that one of their number is imprisoned or afflicted on account of the name of their Messiah, all of them anxiously minister to his necessity, and if it is possible to redeem him they set him free. And if there is among them any that is poor and needy, and if they have no spare food, they fast two or three days in order to supply to the needy their lack of food [cf. Apostolic Constitutions V.XX]. They observe the precepts of their Messiah with much care, living justly and soberly as the Lord their God commanded them’ (XV). Around AD 130, an unknown Christian wrote the Epistle to Diognetus. He argues that the one who is an imitator of God is the one who ‘takes upon himself the burden of his neighbour; he who, in whatsoever respect he may be superior, is ready to benefit another who is deficient; he who, whatsoever things he has received from God, by distributing these to the needy, becomes a god to those who receive [his benefits]: he is an imitator of God’ (X).
Ethics 3: Wealth and Possessions are Dangerous
Several of the Church Fathers were critical of wealth and possessions. In this, they simply echoed teaching already found in the New Testament: the rich man who wanted to follow Jesus (Mk. 10), the rich man and Lazarus (Lk. 16), storing up treasures in heaven (Mt. 6), realizing that money is the root of all evil and that we can take nothing out of the world (1 Tim. 6.7, 10; cf. Polycarp, Philippians 4), etc. Thus when we find similar statements in the Church fathers, it is not because persecuted Christians were looking for a religious explanation of their poverty but because they were reflecting on the Bible. In the mid 2nd century, Hermas warns against ‘wicked luxury,’ ‘indulgence in many kinds of food and the extravagance of riches,’ for such are the deeds that make people most wicked (Shepherd II, 8th Commandment). Later, Hermas says that repentance is difficult for the rich and those immersed in much business, referring to Jesus’ parable of the sower (Mt. 13.3ff; the cares of the world, like thorns, choked some of the seeds sown) (Shepherd III, Ninth Similitude, ch. 20). Tertullian (late 2nd and early 3rd centuries) challenges our views on possessions when he suggests that we should not be bothered when robbed. Christians should despise the world and remember that Jesus, who lacked money, always justified the poor and condemned the rich. Tertullian concluded that Christians should not seek wealth, the root of all evil (On Patience 7).
Ethics 4: Give With the Right Attitude
Finally, in giving to the needy, one must also have the right attitude. Ambrose (4th century) decries giving liberally without love or giving in order to be praised by others. He knows of some who gave impulsively and thoughtlessly to the church when doing penance for some sins and later tried to regain their wealth (On Repentance II.9.83-86).
Conclusion
This brief essay offers only a partial look into the theological and ethical arguments on wealth and possessions by Christian authors in the first four centuries of the Church. They do not endorse a particular economic system, not least because of the importance of voluntary giving, giving with the right attitude, and the concern to develop a theological perspective on wealth (ecclesiology, creation, grace). The ethic of giving, although in part grounded in nature, was largely due to the particular beliefs and practices of the Christian Church and therefore not applicable to all. The New Testament writings are clearly the primary source for reflecting on these issues among the Church fathers.
While the authors cited present a fairly coherent perspective on wealth and possessions, their writings also indicate that there was diversity among Christians.
In particular, after AD 312, the Empire became increasingly Christian, the Church grew in wealth, Christians moved into positions of power, and the Church developed one ethic for people taking vows of poverty, celibacy, and chastity and another ethic for everyone else.
Peace to you
Prosperity for Christians – How about the Wisdom part?
“The blessing of the LORD makes one rich, And He adds no sorrow with it.” (Proverbs 10:22, NKJV)
God Prospers you when you attain them rightly, yes, Verse:
“30For all these things the nations of the world seek after, and your Father knows that you need these things. 31But seek the kingdom of God, and all these things shall be added to you…. ” – The Giver, Lord Jesus Christ (Luke 12:30 – 31, NKJV)
so that you can ‘prosper others’ and thereby gain the ‘incomparable heavenly treasures’, as He continues next from the Verses above:
“… 32“Do not fear, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom. 33Sell what you have and give alms; provide yourselves money bags which do not grow old, a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches nor moth destroys. 34For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” – The Perfectly Selfless One, Lord Jesus Christ (Luke 12:32 – 34, NKJV)
Conclusion
We need to quotes these Verses in Full to See the Full Truth Promised. If we do half only, we get half only, i.e. prosperity here on earth missing out (or lessening) on the Greater Incomparable Prosperity of the Heavens.
“19“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; 20but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” – God in Flesh, Lord Jesus Christ (Matthew 6:19 – 21, NKJV)
Peace to you
Heavenly Thoughts – First Apostolic Doctrine in Christianity after Believing in Christ
This Quote often Reminds me of the Blessed Apostles of Christ (Matthew 19:27 – 30, Acts 20:32 – 38).
Ever Wondered what did the “Pillars of the Church” and “the Real Apostles of Christ” wanted us to ‘remember or be eager to do as Christians’?
“7But on the contrary, when they saw that the gospel for the uncircumcised had been committed to me, as the gospel for the circumcised was to Peter 8(for He who worked effectively in Peter for the apostleship to the circumcised also worked effectively in me toward the Gentiles), 9and when James, [c]Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that had been given to me, they gave me and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship, that we should go to the Gentiles and they to the circumcised. 10They desired only that we should remember the poor, the very thing which I also was eager to do.” – Blessed St. Paul the Great & Legendary Apostle of Christ (Galatians 2:7 – 10, NKJV)
Note: After Believing the Gospel, the First and Foremost act of every Christian should be (according to his capacity), please allow me to repeat the last line:
“… 10They desired only that we should remember the poor, the very thing which I also was eager to do ..” – All Apostles of Christ
Peace to you
Tithes and Sabbaths – An Eternal or Age-during Command? A First Christianity Exegesis
- Blessed St. Justin Martyr
To quote:
Yes, First Christianity did NOT teach tithing:
The ancient “tithe” practice was for these purposes only – Verse above (I don’t believe in tithing under the New Covenant as St. Irenaeous’ quote explains it while St. Justin Martyr warned that those who practice the Law in any manner will be Judged by the Law’s Requirements for it), to quote:
St. Justin Martyr (100 AD – 165 AD)
“… , hypocrites! because ye pay TITHE of mint and rue, but do not observe the love of God and justice … O Trypho, as you yourself admitted, the doctrines taught by our Saviour, I do not think that I have done foolishly in adding some short utterances of His to the prophetic statements… For we too would observe the fleshly circumcision, and the Sabbaths, and in short all the feasts, if we did not know for what reason they were enjoined you,–namely, on account of your transgressions and the hardness of your hearts…” – Blessed St Justin Martyr, a Great Early Christian Apologist who is a Foremost Exponent of the Divine Word, who Influenced Virtually all of subsequent Christian philosophy and Catholic theology, Martyr for Christ (c. 100 AD – c. 160 AD, Dialogue with Trypho the Jew)
Source:
http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/text/justinmartyr-dialoguetrypho.html
Will such Christians who practice tithing be Saved?
“… Then he [Trypho] replied, “Why then have you said, ‘In my opinion, such an one will be saved,’ unless there are some who affirm that such will not be saved?” “There are such people, Trypho,” I answered; “and these do not venture to have any intercourse with or to extend hospitality to such persons; but I do not agree with them. But if some, through weak-mindedness, wish to observe such institutions as were given by Moses, from which they expect some virtue, but which we believe were appointed by reason of the hardness of the people’s hearts, along with their hope in this Christ, and [wish to perform] the ETERNAL* [AGE DURING] and natural acts of righteousness and piety, yet choose to live with the Christians and the faithful, as I said before, not inducing them either to be circumcised like themselves, or to keep the Sabbath, or to observe any other such ceremonies, then I hold that we ought to join ourselves to such, and associate with them in all things as kinsmen and brethren… Wherefore also our Lord Jesus Christ said, ‘In whatsoever things I shall take you, in these I shall judge you.’ ” – Blessed St Justin Martyr, a Great Early Christian Apologist who is a Foremost Exponent of the Divine Word, who Influenced Virtually all of subsequent Christian philosophy and Catholic theology, Martyr for Christ (c. 100 AD – c. 160 AD, Dialogue with Trypho the Jew)
Source:
http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/text/justinmartyr-dialoguetrypho.html
*Eternal = more accurately “age-during” (Olam in Hebrew or Aeon in Koine Greek) where St. Justin Martyr in his own words implies in the above quote that some of such ‘Eternal (Age-during) practices are “over & not to be observed anymore” proving again that this word means to the “age only and not forever”.
The same word St. Justin Martyr uses in his own quote below [translated in quote below as “everlasting”] which proves that he never preached ‘eternal hell or annihilation’ but AGE-DURING (long but limited) Punishment/Correction in Judgment only, to quote:
“… And Plato, in like manner, used to say that Rhadamanthus and Minos would punish the wicked who came before them; and we say that the same thing will be done, but at the hand of Christ, and upon the wicked in the same bodies united again to their spirits which are now to undergo EVERLASTING [AGE-DURING] punishment; and not only, as Plato said, for a period of a thousand years….” – Blessed St. Justin Martyr , a Great Early Christian Apologist who is a Foremost Exponent of the Divine Word, who Influenced Virtually all of subsequent Christian philosophy and Catholic theology, Martyr for Christ (c. 100 AD – c. 160 AD, Chapter VIII, First Apology)
Source:
http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/text/justinmartyr-firstapology.html
Can you see it?
More Details with when did first time in church history was ever tithing attempted as a doctrine toward “Gentile believers”? Link below:
www.anonymouschristian.org/blog/tithing-and-sabbaths-for-gentile-believers/amp/
- Blessed St. Irenaeous of Lyons
To quote:
The New Covenant Practice is way Greater than any Tithe-practice, to quote:
“… and instead of the law enjoining the giving of TITHES, [He told us] to share all our possessions with the poor; and not to love our neighbours only, but even our enemies; and not merely to be liberal givers and bestowers, but even that we should present a gratuitous gift to those who take away our goods. For “to him that taketh away thy coat,” He says, “give to him thy cloak also; and from him that taketh away thy goods, ask them not again; and as ye would that men should do unto you, do ye unto them: “… ” – Blessed St. Irenaeous of Lyons, Hearer of St. Polycarp, Bishop of Smryna, who is also an Apostolic Father being the Disciple of the Blessed St. John the Apostle (c. 130 AD – c. 202 AD, ‘Against Heresies’, Book Chapter XIII, Point 3)
Source:
http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/text/irenaeus-book4.html
iii. Founding Fathers of Protestantism
I’m quoting this part because some Protestant Christians may not recognize St. Justin Martyr nor St. Irenaeous and the Council in Acts 15 where Christ only Spoke these “Tithes words” to Jews under the Old Covenant where when He Says, “you ought not to leave the others undone” refers to ‘all other Laws of Moses’ (and not tithing only) including ‘not eating pork’. We can only learn these distinctions in observances between Gentile Believers vs Jewish Believers with other Verses from the New Testament (e. g. The Infamous Apostolic Council in Acts 15, Acts 21:24) and Earliest Church History.
To quote:
- Blessed Martin Luther
This is what Martin Luther had to say on tithing (qouting Russel):
In a sermon preached on August 27, 1525 Dr. Martin Luther used the same Old Covenant/New Covenant hermeneutics presented in this book to oppose tithing. His were not out of context or random remarks about the Law and tithing. Rather Dr. Luther was speaking precisely to the point because his sermon title was How Christians Should Regard Moses. The entire document can be found using Internet search engines. A few excerpts: “The Law of Moses Binds Only the Jews and Not the Gentiles. Here the Law of Moses has its place. It is no longer binding on us because it was given only to the people ofIsrael. And Israel accepted this law for itself and its descendants, while the Gentiles were excluded.” “Moses has nothing to do with us. If I were to accept Moses in one commandment, I would have to accept the entire Moses.” “We will not regard him as our lawgiver – unless he agrees with both the New Testament and the natural law.” “For not one little period in Moses pertains to us.” “But the other commandments of Moses, which are not by nature, the Gentiles do not hold. Nor do these pertain to the Gentiles, such as the TITHE and others equally fine which I wish we had too.”
- Blessed John Calvin
This is what John Calvin said about Tithing (although he did not mention tithing, he was talking about the law; but with vieled reference to all practices under the law which must include tithing):
(Culled from)Institutes 4.20.14, 16 and comments on Rom. 1:21-27 and 2:14-15
***Calvin argued, “I would have preferred to pass over this matter in utter silence if I were not aware that here many dangerously go astray. For there are some who deny that a commonwealth is duly framed which neglects the political system of Moses, and is ruled by the common laws of nations. Let other men consider how perilous and seditious this notion is; it will be enough for me to have proved it false and foolish . . . It is a fact that the law of God which we call the moral law is nothing else than a testimony of natural law and of that conscience which God has engraved upon the minds of men. Consequently, the entire scheme of this equity of which we are now speaking has been prescribed in it. Hence, this equity alone must be the goal and rule and limit of all laws. Whatever laws shall be framed to that rule, directed to that goal, bound by that limit, there is no reason why we should disapprove of them, howsoever they may differ from the Jewish law, or among themselves . . . For the statement of some, that the law of God given through Moses is dishonored when it is abrogated and new laws preferred to it, is utterly vain. For others are not preferred to it when they are more approved, not by a simple comparison, but with regard to the condition of times, place, and nation; or when that law is abrogated which was never enacted for us. For the Lord through the hand of Moses did not give that law to be proclaimed among all nations and to be in force everywhere; but when he had taken the Jewish nation into his safekeeping, defense, and protection, he also willed to be a lawgiver especially to it; and — as became a wise lawgiver — he had special concern for it in making its laws.
- Blessed John Wesley
Then we have qoutation from John Wesley:
Wesley, John, Explanatory Notes (tithing) (s.v. “1 Corinthians 16:2)
” According to this lowest rule of Christian prudence, if a man when he has or gains one pound give a tenth to God, when he has or gains an hundred he will give the tenth of this also. And yet I show unto you a more excellent way. He that hath ears to hear, let him hear. Stint yourself to no proportion at all. But lend to God all you can.
“On the Use of Money” from a sermon preached in 1744):?give all you can; or in other words, give all you have to God. Do not stint yourself, like a Jew rather than a Christian, to this or that proportion. Render unto God not a tenth, not a third, not half, but all that is God’s (be it more or less) by employing all on yourself, your household, the household of faith and all mankind, in such a manner that you may give a good account of your stewardship when ye can be no longer stewards…”
- Blessed Charles Spurgeon
Lastly, here, we qoute the prince of preachers himself, Charles Haddon Spurgeon:
Culled from a message preached, APRIL 18, 1880, SERMON 2716;
“But you are not under a system similar to that by which the Jews were obliged to pay tithes to the priests. If there were any such rule laid down in the Gospel, it would destroy the beauty of spontaneous giving and take away all the bloom from the fruit of your liberality! There is no law to tell me what I should give my father on his birthday. There is no rule laid down in any law book to decide what present a husband should give to his wife, nor what token of affection we should bestow upon others whom we love. No, the gift must be a free one, or it has lost all its sweetness.”
- Blessed Billy Graham
And then we have a qoute from Billy Graham himself, including the website the qoute is obtained from:
It (tithing) is not mentioned in the New Testament except where it is describing Old Testament practices or in the Gospels where Jesus is addressing people who were under the Old Testament law. Note Jesus’ comments to the Pharisees in Luke 11:42? A New Testament teaching on giving which may be helpful to you is found in 1 Corinthians 16:2…. This passage brings out four points: we should give individually, regularly, methodically, and proportionately. The matter of your giving is between you and God, and He always takes into account our circumstances. He knows when they are beyond our power to direct and control. The important thing is that we see giving as a privilege and not a burden. It should not be out of a sense of duty, but rather out of love for the Lord and a desire to see His kingdom advanced. Second Corinthians 9:6-7….. What has priority in our lives? Is Christ really first–or do we put ourselves and our own desires first? Make sure Christ is first in your life, and then ask Him to guide you. Note: Billy Graham himself does teach tithing. http://www.billygraham.org/LFA_Article.asp?ArticleID=28
Source for Each quote above:
https://www.nairaland.com/1358083/quotations-against-tithing-reputable-men
Conclusion
We don’t add nor remove from what the “Apostolic Council has Decided for Gentile Believers” and what seemed ‘Good to the Holy Spirit of God’ regarding which observances from the Law of Moses (apart from the 10 Commandments, excluding Sabbaths – please see Colossians 2:16), to quote “Bible Verses for Gentiles (proper Context)”:
“… 5But some of the sect of the Pharisees who believed rose up, saying, “It is necessary to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of Moses.”… 28For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things: 29that you abstain from things offered to idols, from blood, from things strangled, and from sexual immorality. If you keep yourselves from these, you will do well.Farewell.” (Acts of the Apostles 15:5, 28 – 29, NKJV)
Apostle Paul could observe the Law as a Jewish believer but no Gentile believer observes any such things:
“24Take them and be purified with them, and pay their expenses so that they may shave their heads, and that all may know that those things of which they were informed concerning you are nothing, but that you yourself also walk orderly and keep the law. 25But concerning the Gentiles who believe, we have written and decided that they should observe no such thing, except that they should keep themselves from things offered to idols, from blood, from things strangled, and from sexual immorality.” (Acts of the Apostles 21:24 – 25, NKJV)
Yes, you cannot be judged for not keeping the Sabbaths either in any way that you cannot be judged for partaking of food/pork even as a Gentile believer, to quote (a “Bible Verse” again):
“So let no one judge you in food or in drink, or regarding a festival or a new moon or sabbaths,” – The Leading Apostle of Christ to Gentile Believers (Colossians 2:16, NKJV)
Let “no one judge you” means you can probably observe these either way for Christ but not be judged at all for it, to quote (another ‘New Testament Bible Verse’ discussing this same Topic/Context):
“He who observes the day, observes it to the Lord; and he who does not observe the day, to the Lord he does not observe it. He who eats, eats to the Lord, for he gives God thanks; and he who does not eat, to the Lord he does not eat, and gives God thanks.” – The Great St. Paul the Apostle of Christ to the Gentiles (Romans 14:6, NKJV)
Peace to you
Greatest Heresies in the Church Today – Prosperity and Women Related
Question
Roman Catholics & Eastern Orthodoxy: So many people are converted into Christianity because of prayers to Mary and Mary as our Intercessor in heaven.
Protestants: So many people are converted and believing in Christ thanks to Prosperity Gospel Preachers and the work of Women Pastors (Priests or equivalent).
Reply
- Can you really handle the Truth?
Truth is not determined by Majority nor by the Number of Converts . Truth is determined by Holy Scripture Alone and History and Traditions which are in agreement in First Christianity.
What I believe as Holy Scripture of the Bible includes even the Shepherd of Hermas and the Apocalypse of Peter as it was Defined in the First Bible of Christianity called the Muratorian Canon (in the West) and even the Codex Claromontanus (in the East).
Fact: Not one Book Quoted as Holy Scripture has ever endorsed any prayer to Virgin Mary as an intercessor nor is there any Scripture ordaining women priests over men. In fact, women priests are prohibited in Scripture in 1 Timothy 2:12 itself which includes the Blessed Virgin Mary too. So, how can Blessed Virgin Mary be a ‘Priestess in heaven interceding for you when Scripture prohibits this authority for women over men?’ (Verse in image)
- Aquila and Priscilla Case
In the ‘Aquila and Priscilla’ case (Acts 18:26), Priscilla was not explaining anything in Scripture without the presence of her husband (the real authority here, ‘Aquila’). It’s probably a reason why 1 Timothy 2:12 was written by apostle Paul himself where such practices were disallowed later by God’s Command.
Church History Proves that Women Leaders / Deacons were fellow workers in the Gospel only having authority over women, so yes Christian women deacons can assist to preach/teach/baptize women under a man-priest but not do this over men at all, to quote (examples):
- i) Blessed St. Epiphanius of Salamis
“… If it were ordained by God that women should be priests or have any canonical function in the Church, Mary herself, if anyone, should have functioned as a priest in the New Testament. She was counted worthy to bear the king of all in her own womb, the heavenly God, the Son of God. Her womb became a temple, and by God’s kindness and an awesome mystery, was prepared to be a dwelling place of the Lord’s human nature. But it was not God’s pleasure that she be a priest. …” – Blessed St. Epiphanius, Bishop of Salamis and the ‘Hammer of Heretics’, (c. 310 AD – c. 403 AD, ‘ , “Panarion or Medicine-Chest”, Sections 78 – 79)
Source:
https://timstaples.com/2019/is-the-assumption-of-mary-historical/
- ii) Blessed St. Clement of Alexandria
“… “Have we not a right to take about with us a WIFE that is a SISTER like the other apostles?” [1 Corinthians 9:5] But the latter, in accordance with their particular ministry, devoted themselves to preaching without any distraction, and TOOK THEIR WIVES with them NOT as women with whom they had MARRIAGE RELATIONS, but as SISTERS, that they might be their FELLOW-MINISTERS in DEALING with HOUSEWIVES . It was THROUGH THEM that the LORD’S TEACHING penetrated also the WOMEN’S QUARTERS without any scandal being aroused. We also know the directions about WOMEN DEACONS which are given by the noble Paul in his second letter to Timothy…” – Blessed St. Clement of Alexandria, Head of the Cathecathical School At Alexandria , Teacher of Origen (c. 150 AD – c. 215 AD, Stromata Book 3, Chapter VI, Point 53)
Source:
http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/text/clement-stromata-book3-english.html
- Church Leaders in the 4th or 5th Century in the Error of Praying to Virgin Mary
I Stand with the Great early 4th Century Saint below in whose writing we can clearly see these heresies beginning to take root in the ancient Church:
- Prayers to Virgin Mary was done by Christian Women-Priestess-Heretics first
- Venerating Virgin Mary as to having some Divinity was done by Christian Women-Priestess-Heretics first
iii. Virgin Mary herself has never been Given any Authority by God to be a Priest
Note: (so how can any women pastor claim that she is a priest when even it is impossible for Virgin Mary to be a priest of God? And also, how can Virgin Mary pray on behalf of you if she has no such Priestly authority in the first place – please don’t get angry with me as that’s what this Great Champion of Orthodoxy writes in his own infamous words in First Christianity as follows – agreeing Perfectly with the “Bible Verse in 1 Timothy 2:12 as it is Written”):
To quote:
“… For I have heard in turn that others who are out of their minds on this subject of this holy Ever-virgin, have done their best and are doing their best, in the grip both of madness and of folly, to substitute her for God. For they say that certain Thracian women there in Arabia have introduced this nonsense, and that they bake a loaf in the name of the Ever-virgin, gather together, and attempt an excess and undertake a forbidden, blasphemous act in the holy Virgin’s name, and offer sacrifice in her name with women officiants. This is entirely impious, unlawful, and different from the Holy Spirit’s message, and is thus pure devil’s work . . . And nowhere was a woman a priest. But I shall go to the New Testament. If it were ordained by God that women should be priests or have any canonical function in the Church, Mary herself, if anyone, should have functioned as a priest in the New Testament. She was counted worthy to bear the king of all in her own womb, the heavenly God, the Son of God. Her womb became a temple, and by God’s kindness and an awesome mystery, was prepared to be a dwelling place of the Lord’s human nature. But it was not God’s pleasure that she be a priest. …” – Blessed St. Epiphanius, Bishop of Salamis and the ‘Hammer of Heretics’, (c. 310 AD – c. 403 AD, ‘COLLYRIDIANS’, “Panarion or Medicine-Chest”, Sections 78 – 79)
Source:
https://timstaples.com/2019/is-the-assumption-of-mary-historical/
Or from another Source below:
“… 1,1 < Another > sect has come to public notice after this, and I have already mentioned a few things about it in the Sect preceding, in the letter about Mary which I wrote to Arabia. (2) This one, again, was also brought to Arabia from Thrace and upper Scythia, and word of it has reached me; it too is ridiculous and, in the opinion of the wise, wholly absurd. (3) < So > let’s begin the discussion and description of it; as others like it were, it too will be adjudged silly rather than wise. 1,4 For as, long ago, those who, from an insolent attitude towards Mary, have seen fit to suspect these things were sowing damaging suspicions in people’s minds, so these persons who lean in the other direction are guilty of doing the worst sort of harm. In them too the maxim of certain pagan philosophers, “Extremes are equal,” will be exemplified. (5) For the harm done by both of these sects is equal, since one belittles the holy Virgin while the other, in its turn, glorifies her to excess. 1,6 And who but women are the teachers of this? Women are unstable, prone to error, and mean-spirited. (7) As in our earlier chapter on Quintilla, Maximilla and Priscilla, so here the devil has seen fit to disgorge ridiculous teachings from the mouths of women. For certain women decorate a barber’s chair or a square seat, spread a cloth on it, set out bread and offer it in Mary’s name on a certain day of the year, and all partake of the bread-as I partially discussed in my same letter to Arabia. Now, however, I shall speak plainly of it and, with prayer to God, give the best refutations of it that I can, so as to grub out the roots of this idolatrous sect and with God’s help, be able to cure certain people of this madness. … 2,1 Now then, servants of God, let us adopt a manly frame of mind and dispel the madness of these women. The speculation is entirely feminine, and the malady of the deluded Eve all over again. … 2.2 But we shall have reason to suppose that, as the ideas the deceiver sowed by saying, “Ye shall be as gods,” 2 so are the minds of these women which have been ensnared by the pride of that snake. Once again he is bringing death on that sex, as I have often said. 2.3 For to begin with, to whom is it not immediately obvious, < if he will> investigate the whole scope of the past, that their teaching and behavior are devilish, and their undertaking a deviation? Never at any time has a woman offered sacrifice to God — (4) Eve herself, though she had fallen into transgression, still did not dare to undertake such a further impiety. Not one of her daughters did, though Abel sacrificed to God at once, and, even though they were not accepted, Cain offered sacrifices before the Lord. … 3,1 But 1 shall also go on to the NewTestament as well. If it were ordained by God that women should offer sacrifice or have any canonical function in the church, Mary herself, if anyone, should have functioned as a priest in the New Testament. She was counted worthy to bear the king of all in her own womb, the heavenly God, the Son of God. Her womb became a temple, and by God’s kindness and an awesome mystery was prepared to be the dwelling place of the Lord’s human nature. But it was not God’s pleasure [that she be a priest]. (2) She was not even entrusted with the administration of baptism — for Christ could have been baptized by her rather than by John. But John the son of Zacharias dwelt in the wilderness entrusted with baptism for the remission of sins, while his father offered sacrifice to God and saw a vision at the time of the offering of incense. …” – Blessed St. Epiphanius, Bishop of Salamis and the ‘Hammer of Heretics’, (c. 310 AD – c. 403 AD, ‘COLLYRIDIANS’ , “Panarion or Medicine-Chest”, Consecutive Points 1.1 – 1.6, 2.1 – 2.4, 3.2 – 3.3 Pages 637 – 639)
- Saint Epiphanius seems to have believed in the Assumption of Virgin Mary as an accepted Tradition but whether this is true or not does not change the facts above nor does it affect our Salvation or Reward in any way to quote:
“… Like the bodies of the saints, however, she has been held in honor for her character and understanding. And if I should say anything more in her praise, she is like Elijah, who was virgin from his mother’s womb, always remained so, and was taken up, but has not seen death. …” – Blessed St. Epiphanius, Bishop of Salamis and the ‘Hammer of Heretics’, (c. 310 AD – c. 403 AD, ‘ , “Panarion or Medicine-Chest”, Section 79)
Source:
https://timstaples.com/2019/is-the-assumption-of-mary-historical/
Comment: Blessed St. Epiphanius doesn’t have any Prayer to Virgin Mary in his entire life itself.
- No Worship of any kind to Virgin Mary (e. g. Hymns) nor women priestess in churches nor ‘or to have us make offerings in her name’ (includes that we cannot pray to Virgin Mary at all) and Virgin Mary is not allowed to “bless disciples” either ( and so what’s the point of praying to Virgin Mary if she cannot bless you? Please don’t be angry with me as I didn’t create this writing but rather please read these phrases ‘Carefully’ in St. Epiphanius’ own words below):
“… God come from heaven, the Word who had assumed flesh from a holy Virgin. But certainly not from a virgin who is worshiped, or to make her God, or to have us make offerings in her name, or, again, to make women priestesses after so many generations. (3) It was not God’s pleasure that this be done with Salome, or with Mary herself. He did not permit her to administer baptism or bless disciples, or tell her to rule on earth, but only to be a sacred shrine and be deemed worthy of his kingdom. (4) He did not order the woman called the mother of Rufus to advance < to* > this rank 22 or the women who followed Christ from Galilee, or Martha the sister of Lazarus and [her sister] Mary, or any of the holy women who were privileged to be saved by his advent < and > who assisted him with their own possessions — or the woman of Canaan, or the woman who was healed of the issue of blood, or any woman on earth. 7,5 Again, where has this coiled serpent come from? How are its crooked counsels renewed? Mary should be honored, but the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit should be worshiped; no one should worship Mary. …” – Blessed St. Epiphanius, Bishop of Salamis and the ‘Hammer of Heretics’, (c. 310 AD – c. 403 AD, ‘COLLYRIDIANS’ , “Panarion or Medicine-Chest”, Points 7.1 – 7.5, Page 643)
Source:
- Do not use the Title ‘Queen of Heaven’ for St. Mary and risk of obeying a woman is Hades (the allegorical meaning of Proverbs 5:5)
“… Let no one eat of the error which has arisen on St. Mary’s account. Even though the tree is “lovely” 24 it is not for food; and even though Mary is all fair, and is holy and held in honor, she is not to be worshiped. 8,1 But again, these women are “renewing the potion for Fortune and preparing the table for the demon 25 and not for God, as the scripture says. And they drink impious drinks as the word of God says, “And the women grind flour, and their sons gather wood to make cakes for the host of heaven.” 26 (2) Such women should be silenced by Jeremiah, and not frighten the world. They must not say, “We honor the queen of heaven.” 27 Taphnes knows how they must be punished; the places in Magdula know
how to receive their bodies for the moth. Do not obey a woman, Israel; rise above a woman’s evil counsel. “A woman snares men’s precious souls.” 28 “Her feet bring those who use her with death to hades.” …” – Blessed St. Epiphanius, Bishop of Salamis and the ‘Hammer of Heretics’, (c. 310 AD – c. 403 AD, ‘COLLYRIDIANS’ , “Panarion or Medicine-Chest”, Points 7.6, 8.1 – 8.2, Page 643)
Source:
Vii. The Righteous do not practice any type of Veneration (Worship) to Virgin Mary at all where these things lead to Death
“… 9.4 But what I have said will do me, so as not to prolong the work. Mary is to be held in honor, but the Lord is to be worshiped! For the righteous deceive no one. “God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man” 34 to deceive him, and neither do his servants. “But every man is tempted of his own lust, and enticed and caught. Then lust conceiveth sin, and sin, when it is perfected, bringeth forth death.” 35 9.5 I believe I have said enough about all this, beloved. Now that we have squashed this blister-beetle too, as it were, with the speech of the truth — it looks golden, has something like wings, and flies, but it is poisonous and contains deadly venom — let us go on to the one sect still remaining. Once more let us call on God’s support, so that we may find our way to the realm of the truth, and complete the refutation of our opponents. …” – Blessed St. Epiphanius, Bishop of Salamis and the ‘Hammer of Heretics’, (c. 310 AD – c. 403 AD, ‘COLLYRIDIANS’ , “Panarion or Medicine-Chest”, Points 9.4 – 9.5, Page 645)
Source:
Conclusion
First Christianity is entirely Different and I will stick with it as explained here. I’m not saying that those who practice that are unsaved but there’s always a risk and may God have Mercy on whom He Wills.
In fact, the ‘Real Contests of Faith’ in First Christianity has nothing to do with all these things done by the Majority but with this as quoted below next (so please don’t waste your time practising or supporting those things which are “not found in any Scripture”, yes not even in the Shepherd of Hermas or Apocalypse of Peter nor in the First Muratorian Canon – for if these were important, it would have been Written in those Sacred Writings which are Way Greater than all Church fathers’ quotes combined, being “Scripture”):
Indeed, this is ‘what the First Church Believed’ (let’s not add strange practices):
“… The CHURCH too BELIEVES in RENUNCIATION, but it does not consider marriage unclean, it also BELIEVES in VOLUNTARY POVERTY, but it does not look down on those who are in righteous possession of property, and have inherited enough from their parents to suffice for themselves and the needy. (2) Many [Christians] have enough to eat, but they are not contemptuous of those who do not. “Let not him that eateth despise him that eateth not, and let not him which eateth not judge him that eateth. For to the Lord he eateth and drinketh, and to the Lord he eateth and drinketh not.” 7 (3) And you see that there is one harmony, ONE HOPE in the CHURCH and ONE FAITH, granted each in accordance with HIS ABILITY and HIS OWN LABORIOUS STRUGGLE. 3,4 God’s holy church is like a ship. However, a ship is not made of one kind of wood, but of different kinds. Its keel is made of one kind of wood, though not all in one piece, and its anchors < of > another. Its beams, planks and ribs, its frame-timbers, the stern, sides and cross-rods, the mast and the steering paddles, the seats and the oar-handles, the tillers and all the rest, are an assemblage of different kinds of wood. (5) But since each is made of only one kind of wood, none of these sects exhibits the character of the church. God’s holy church holds marriage sacred and honors married persons, for “Marriage is honorable and the bed undefiled.” 8 (6) < But > IT REGARDS CONTINENCE as the MOST ADMIRABLE, and COMMENDS IT because it is engaged in the CONTEST and has DESPISED the WORLD, as being still MORE POWERFUL [than the world]. And the CHURCH BELIEVES in VIRGINITY and accords it the HIGHEST HONOR, because it is a thing of virtue and is fitted with the lightest wing. (7) The CHURCH has members who have RENOUNCED the WORLD and yet are not contemptuous of those who are still in the world; they rejoice in the VERY GREAT PIETY of such persons, as did the APOSTLES who OWNED NOTHING themselves, < and yet did not look down on the others* >. (8) And the SAVIOR HIMSELF OWNED NO EARTHLY POSSESSIONS when he came in the flesh, though he was Lord of all — and yet HE did NOT REJECT the women who ASSISTED his disciples and himself. The Gospel says, “women which followed him from Galilee, ministering unto him of their substance.” 9 4,1 [If no one may own property], what is the point of “Hither to my right hand, ye blessed, for whom my heavenly Father hath prepared the kingdom before the foundation of the world. For I was an hungered, and ye gave me meat; thirsty, and ye gave me drink; I was naked, and ye clothed me?” 10 (2) How could they do these things except with [the fruits of] their honest labor, and their righteously acquired possessions? 4,3 And if these people < who > have MADE THEIR OWN RENUNCIATION and live like the apostles would mix with the rest [of us], their ways would NOT seem strange, or foreign to GOD”S ORDINANCE. (4) And if they RENOUNCED WIVES for the SAKE of CONTINENCE THEIR CHOICE would be PRAISEWORTHY, provided that they did not call marriage unclean, and provided that they treated the < still > married as comrades, KNOWING the LIMITATION and the RANK of EACH. 4,5 For God’s ship takes any passenger except a bandit. If it finds that someone is a robber and bandit it does not take him on board — or one who is a fugitive and in rebellion against his owners. (6) Thus God’s holy church does not accept fornication, adultery, the denial of God, and those who defy the authority of God’s ordinance and his apostles. (7) But it takes the man on important business, the experienced seaman — the pilot and < helmsman* >, the bow lookout, the man in the stern (the one most used to command), the one who knows something of cargo and lading — and someone who simply wants to cross the ocean without drowning. (8) And there is no question of the ship’s not providing safety for someone who does not have a particular amount of property; it knows how to save all, and each in his own profession. …” – Blessed St. Epiphanius, Bishop of Salamis and the ‘Hammer of Heretics’, (c. 310 AD – c. 403 AD, ‘APOSTOLICS’ , “Panarion or Medicine-Chest”, Consecutive Points 3.1 – 4.8, Pages 117 – 119)
Source:
As Blessed St. Epiphanius says above, our choice in these Contests of Faith without despising or looking down on others is most vital for a Successful Completion of these Races of Faith.
Peace to you
Hope for All Men in the Gospel – Why do we dare Hope in Christ?
Question
St. Basil the Great refutes Universalism in article below:
https://www.firstthings.com/web-exclusives/2020/02/theological-fraud
Reply
Here are some edifying comments:
- St. Basil the Great’s own blood brother and blood sister, St. Gregory of Nyssa and St. Macrina the Blessed were both universalists. So, is he calling them the Devil’s advocate too?
Example quote:
” … the Life of Moses, Gregory writes that just as the darkness left the Egyptians after three days, perhaps redemption [ἀποκατάστασις] will be extended to those suffering in hell [γέεννα].[55] This salvation may not only extend to humans; following Origen, there are passages where he seems to suggest (albeit through the voice of Macrina*) that even the demons will have a place in Christ’s “world of goodness”.[56] Gregory’s interpretations of 1 Corinthians 15:28 (“And when all things shall be subdued unto him …”) and Philippians 2:10 (“That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth”) support this understanding of his theology. Furthermore, in the next chapter (ch. XXXVI), Gregory says that those who are purified from evil will be admitted into the “heavenly company”. …” – Wikipedia
Source:
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gregory_of_Nyssa
*St. Macrina the Blessed was his sister while his brother is more of the famous sibling these days who is non other than St. Basil the Great
- The Scripture of the Shepherd of Hermas is Greater than any Church father’s opinion.
- The Shepherd of Hermas is endorsed as Scripture by Blessed St. Irenaeous of Lyons, Pope Callixtus I, Tertullian and even St. Clement of Alexandria where both Eusebius & St. Athanasius the Great approved its use for cathecumens.
- The Shepherd of Hermas Scripture teaches that Salvation in the afterlife is possible for the rejected “stones” (parabolically “people”) who “died unbaptized even” (hence unbelivers who heard the Gospel but did not embrace it) but they’re placed in ‘much lower other abodes’ (“outsise” the New Jerusalem, Paradise and heavens), as quoted in the Conclusion below later.
- St. Basil the Great himself believed in afterlife Salvation being possible toward “those imprisoned in Hades” (includes non-believers too) together with Pope St. Gregory the Great himself possibly based on 2 Maccabees 12:43 – 46 & Shepherd of Hermas above (both Scriptures), to quote:
“… Saint Basil the Great (379 CE), writes in his Third Kneeling Prayer at Pentecost: “O Christ our God…(who) on this all-perfect and saving Feast, art graciously pleased to accept propitiatory prayers for those who are imprisoned in hades, promising unto us who are held in bondage great hope of release from the vilenes that doth hinder us and did hinder them … send down Thy consolation… and establish their souls in the mansions of the Just; and graciously vouchsafe unto them peace and pardon; for not the dead shall praise thee, O Lord, neither shall they who are in Hell make bold to offer unto thee confession. But we who are living will bless thee, and will pray, and offer unto thee propitiatory prayers and sacrifices for their souls.”[16] Saint Gregory Dialogus († 604) in his famous Dialogues (written in 593) teaches that, “The Holy Sacrifice (Eucharist) of Christ, our saving Victim, brings great benefits to souls even after death, provided their sins (are such as) can be pardoned in the life to come.”[17] However, St. Gregory goes on to say, the Church’s practice of prayer for the dead must not be an excuse for not living a godly life on earth. “The safer course, naturally, is to do for ourselves during life what we hope others will do for us after death.”…”
Source:
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prayer_for_the_dead
So St. Basil believes in everlasting punishment only for those condemned at the final judgment .
- St. Basil the Great and Apocatastasis
More on Blessed St. Basil the Great’s Universalism Hope is discussed in article below. Link:
So, what he understands as “everlasting punishment” may entirely be a different meaning altogether, for example:
“The peace given by the Lord extends to all eternity, since it knows neither limitations nor boundaries. For all beings will submit to him and all will recognise his power. And when God has come to be ‘all in all,’ after those who created disorders with apostasies have been pacified, all will hymn to God in a symphony of peace.” ~ St Basil of Caesarea (also known as ‘St. Basil the Great’)
So, blessed St. Basil the Great also believed in this, which sounds like Christ Centered Universalism.
Conclusion
Thus, how St. Basil understands ‘everlasting punishment’ could mean eternal loss of the greatest good things in His Kingdom as claimed earlier.
Conclusion
“… Do you wish to know who are the others which fell near the waters, but could not be rolled into them? These are they who have heard the word, and wish to be baptized in the name of the Lord; but when the chastity demanded by the truth comes into their recollection, they draw back, and again walk after their own wicked desires.” She finished her exposition of the tower. …” – Shepherd of Hermas (Chapter VII, Third Vision, Translated by another Well Known Scholar Mr. Roberts-Donaldson)
Source: http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/text/shepherd.html
So,
“…These are they who have heard the word, and wish to be baptized in the name of the Lord …” = Non-Christians who Heard the Gospel but never got Baptized though they may have wished to because,
“…but when the chastity demanded by the truth comes into their recollection, they draw back, and again walk after their own wicked desires. …” = They did not want to Believe and Practice Christianity because the Demands of Its Purity is too High and that they don’t want to abandon their past ways, i.e. they died unrepentant on earth. Can you see that the Hope of the Spirit World Salvation also includes them as part of “all these rejected stones”?
The Hope Part:
“… She finished her exposition of the tower. But I, shameless as I yet was, asked her, “Is repentance possible for all those stones which have been cast away and did not fit into the building of the tower, and will they yet have a place in this tower?” “Repentance,” said she, “is yet possible, but in this tower they cannot find a suitable place. But in another and much inferior place they will be laid, and that, too, only when they have been tortured and completed the days of their sins. And on this account will they be transferred, because they have partaken of the righteous Word. And then only will they be removed from their punishments when the thought of repenting of the evil deeds which they have done has come into their hearts. But if it does not come into their hearts, they will not be saved, on account of the hardness of their heart.” …” – Shepherd of Hermas (Chapter VII, Third Vision, Translated by another Well Known Scholar Mr. Roberts-Donaldson)
Source: http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/text/shepherd.html
This Shepherd of Hermas Scripture regarding some non-Christians (the unbaptized & those who heard the Gospel on earth but did not believe in it) can be Saved in the Spirit World if God Wills as Described above but may be accelerated by our Propitiatory Prayers on behalf of them as the Bible Verses in 2 Maccabees 12:42 – 46 imply.
The interesting real reliable example of Emperor Trajan (a wicked non-Christian Murderer, Pagan & Unbaptized, Unbeliever) being Saved from Hell after such Propitiatory Prayers by Pope St. Gregory the Great is not a hoax but Truth, to quote:
“… On a time Saint Gregory went by the market of Rome which is called the market of Trajan, and then he remembered of the justice and other good deeds of Trajan, and how he had been piteous and debonair, and was much sorrowful that he had been a pagan, and he turned to the church of Saint Peter wailing for the horror of the miscreance of Trajan. Then answered a voice from God saying: I have now heard thy prayer, and have spared Trajan from the pain perpetual. …” (The Life of St. Gregory the Pope)
Source:
https://classicalchristianity.com/2012/02/06/st-gregory-the-dialogist-and-emperor-trajan/
Note: The additional comment in the link above (added by others and not Uttered by God during that Vision/Revelation to Pope St. Gregory the Great but commentators) reads next as follows [Please notice the phrase ‘as some say’ carefully in the below]:
“… By this, as some say, the pain perpetual due to Trajan as a miscreant was some deal taken away, but for all that was not he quit from the prison of hell, for the soul may well be in hell and feel there no pain by the mercy of God. …”
The Truth is as Hieromonk Ambrose mentioned earlier, God only said this part to Blessed Pope St. Gregory the Great:
“… Then answered a voice from God saying: I have now heard thy prayer, and have spared Trajan from the pain perpetual. …”
Can you see it? This is exactly what the Final Prophecy of the Salvation from the Lake of Fire as described in the Apocalypse of Peter Prophecy by Lord Jesus Christ after the Righteous (Christians) Pray to Him to save the ‘damned’ from their ‘everlasting punishments’ will be answered eventually & the First Oldest Christian Canon called the Muratorian Canon lists this Book as “Scripture” too as discussed in Previous Posts.
Source Post:
P/S: Apocalypse of Peter – Scripture again and not the opinion of Church Fathers
Please note that the Judgment Sentence can be “eternal in Matthew 25:46 toward the wicked” but that means an eternal loss of the highest First Resurrection into the Final Abodes of the “New Jerusalem City, Paradise and Heavens” where the ‘saved formerly wicked from the Lake of Fire’ (e. g. Apocalypse of Peter Scripture) may be placed in “lower (outside) abodes” as the Shepherd of Hermas Scripture mentioned earlier too. So, Judgment is eternal in this sense but not that God’s Mercy cannot stop the “perpetual pain” by cancelling it as Blessed Pope St. Gregory the Great mentioned (quoted earlier) that God did to Emperor Trajan who killed many Christians likewise too.
The “First Bible in Christianity” (i. e. The Roman Muratorian Canon in the West and the Codex Claromontanus in the East) both mention both the Shepherd of Hermas and Apocalypse of Peter as Scripture (I take the books where these two cannons overlap as Scripture too). The “KJV Bible” is not the first bible in Christianity.
Please take note that I am not quoting heretics nor opinions but Scripture Writings as endorsed in “First Christianity” and hence believing or Hoping in Christ Centered Universalism is not a Heresy but God Alone Decides to whom all things are possible and belongs All Glory to the Unending ages of Ages.
Peace to you
Pray for the Dead – a Noble Way of Scripture
Question
My parents died a non-believer. What can I do for them to be Saved or have some hope?
Reply
A Christian ought to pray for the dead as the Bible Verse in Image clearly calls this act is “noble” (Note: to see the canonicity of the Book of 2 Maccabees – please see the comment at the end* of this write up) .
So, since now you have believed in Christ as Lord, pray for your deceased loved ones & friends who might have died unbelieving so that though they may not attain the same Salvation as you, they may be placed in other lower abodes & be free from the pains of Hell.
Here are some authoritative quotes by famous saints throughout Church History proving this as a ‘Noble Act of a Christian’:
- i) Blessed Sadhu Sundar Singh (1889 AD – 1929 AD)
To quote:
“… Born of wealthy parents, September 3, 1889, at Rampur, in the state of Patiala in North India, the youngest son of his father, Sundar was brought up in the midst of luxury. … His parents were Sikhs by race, but in religious thought and practice they seem to have been almost as much Hindus, frequenting the places of worship, reading the sacred books and keeping in close contact with the teachers of both religions. Alluding to this period of his life, with a playing upon words which is characteristic of his speech, both in English and still more in his native tongue, Sundar Singh says, “I was not a Sikh, but a seeker-after Truth. ” It was his mother, above all, who fostered and guided his unique religious bent. Many have marked the love that beams on his face whenever he speaks of her. His addresses to mothers hold forth lofty ideas of the possibilities of a mother s influence. A minister once suggested, “It would add very much to your effectiveness if you would take a course in a theological college.” “I have been,” replied the Sadhu, “to the best theological college in the world.” “Is that so?” rejoined the minister, surprised. “The mother s bosom,” said the
Sadhu, “is the best theological college in the world.” In speaking of her to the Archbishop of Canterbury, he said : “If I do not see my mother in heaven, I shall ask God to send me to hell so that I may be with her.” His mother constantly held before him the life of a sadhu as the ideal to follow when he grew up, bidding him abandon the things of the world and strive to obtain that inner Peace, alone permanent and permanently satisfying, the quest for which has been immemorial in Indian religion. She died when he was fourteen, and we may surmise that the sense of loss helped to accentuate the ardor of his quest during the next two years. …”
Source [THE MAN AND HIS MAKING, Pages 4 – 5, THE MESSAGE OF SADHU SUNDAR SINGH A STUDY IN MYSTICISM ON PRACTICAL RELIGION, B. H. STREETER, M.A. (OXON.), HON. D.D. (DIN.) and A. J. APPASAMY, B.A. (MADRAS), M.A. (HARVARD)
B.D. (HARTFORD) ]:
https://archive.org/stream/themessageofsadh00streuoft/themessageofsadh00streuoft_djvu.txt
Focus Phrase from the above:
“… In speaking of her to the Archbishop of Canterbury, he [Sadhu Sundar Singh] said : “If I do not see my mother in heaven, I shall ask God to send me to hell so that I may be with her.” …”
- ii) Blessed St. Maximus the Confessor (c. 580 AD – c. 662 AD)
Regarding the Post Mortem Evangelization – The Gospel being Preached to the Dead even now based on 1 Peter 4:5 – 6.
To Quote:
“… An elaborate teaching of the descent of Christ into Hades is found in Maximus the Confessor. In his analysis, Maximus takes as a starting point the words of St. Peter: ‘For this cause was the Gospel preached also to them that are dead, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit’[26]. In Maximus’s view, St. Peter does not speak about the Old Testament righteous, but about those sinners who, back in their lifetime, were punished for their evil deeds: Some say that Scriptures call ‘dead’ those who died before the coming of Christ, for instance, those who were at the time of the flood, at Babel, in Sodom, in Egypt, as well as others who in various times and in various ways received various punishments and the terrible misfortune of divine damnation. These people were punished not so much for their ignorance of God as for the offences they imposed on one another. It was to them, according to [St Peter] that the great message of salvation was preached when they were already damned as men in the flesh, that is, when they received, through life in the flesh, punishment for crimes against one another, so that they could live according to God by the spirit, that is, being in hell, they accepted the preaching of the knowledge of God, believing in the Saviour who descended into hell to save the dead. So, in order to understand [this] passage in [Holy Scriptures] let us take it in this way: the dead, damned in the human flesh, were preached to precisely for the purpose that they may live according to God by the spirit[27]. Thus, according to Maximus’s teaching, punishments suffered by sinners ‘in the human flesh’ were necessary so that they may live ‘according to God by the spirit’. Therefore, these punishments, whether troubles and misfortunes in their lifetime or pains in hell, had pedagogical and reforming significance. Moreover, Maximus stresses that in damning them, God used not so much a religious as a moral criterion, for people were punished ‘not so much for their ignorance of God as for the offences they imposed on one another’. In other words, the religious or ideological convictions of a particular person were not decisive, but his actions with regard to his neighbours….” – via ArchBishop Hilarion Alfeyev
(Pages 3 and 4 by in the PDF as uploaded by a St. James Orthodox Church, link below):
Source: https://stjamesorthodox.org/files/articles/Bishop-Hilarion—Christ-the-Conqueror-of-Hades.pdf
and why is he important and what was his mysterious stand in regards to Christ Centered Universalism?
“… The theory of apokatastasis has unofficially cost Gregory of Nyssa for many centuries recognition as a theologian of the rank of Basil, Gregory of Nazianzos and John Chrysostom, and was one of the reasons Origen was anathematized. Yet in some ways it can also be found in the theology of Maximos the Confessor, a Father of the Church who has often been considered the measure of orthodoxy in doctrinal matters and the summit of Orthodox theology. The ideas of Maximos can be connected to the concept of apokatastasis in three different ways. First, he has written some passages that pertain explicitly on the apokatastasis. Second, some issues examined in his writings can be connected with the apokatastasis, and this association has been drawn by certain scholars, but Maximos refuses to discuss them in detail, in the apophatic expression he borrowed from pseudo-Dionysios, “honoring the truth by silence”. Third, Maximos’ entire theological system of cosmic salvation and his views on what exactly is restored in the kind of apokatastasis recognized by the Church, can give us a good insight to his views on the possibility of a final restoration of all…”
Source: https://www.cogwriter.com/salvation.htm
iii) Blessed St. Epiphanius of Salamis (c. 310 AD – c. 403 AD)
“… 7,1 And then, as to NAMING THE DEAD, what could be MORE HELPFUL? What could be MORE OPPORTUNE or WONDERFUL than that the living believe that the departed are alive and have not ceased to be but exist, and live with the Lord — (2) and that the MOST SACRED DOCTRINE should declare that there is HOPE for those who PRAY for their brethren as though they were off on a journey? 7,3 And even though the PRAYER WE OFFER FOR THEM cannot root out all their faults — [how could it], since we often slip in this world, inadvertently and deliberately — it is still useful as an indication of something more perfect. (4) For we COMMEMORATE BOTH RIGHTEOUS and SINNERS. Though we PRAY for SINNERS , for GOD’S MERCY 19 and for the righteous, fathers, the patriarchs, prophets, apostles, evangelists, martyrs and confessors, for bishops and anchorites and the whole band [of saints], 20 (5) we worship our Lord Jesus Christ to distinguish him from the whole of humanity by our honor of him, remembering that the Lord is not on a level with any man — even though each man has < performed > a million righteous deeds and more. …” – Blessed St. Epiphanius, Bishop of Salamis and the ‘Hammer of Heretics’, (c. 310 AD – c. 403 AD, ‘Aerians’, “Panarion or Medicine-Chest”, Points 7.1 – 7.6, Pages 509 – 510)
Source:
- iv) Blessed Ambrosiaster (c.366 AD – c. 384 AD)
Salvation from Hell is Promised both now and after His Second Coming (Advent) too in Holy Scripture Pointing further to the accuracy of the Apocalypse of Peter Prophecy likewise?
“… The prophet Joel also predicted this phenomenon so that one cannot doubt the fulfillment of a fact attested by several witnesses. “And the sun,” he says, “will be changed into darkness and the moon into blood before the great and terrible DAY of the LORD’s COMING.” (Joel 2:31) . As far as the literal meaning of these words indicates, they seem to be more fitting for the SECOND ADVENT, for then the Lord will manifest himself publicly to ALL MEN, to the testimony of Scripture: “Then every eye will see him, and all the tribes of the earth and those who have crucified him will strike their breast.” (Rev. 1:7) … So the prophet foretold that the Savior would take care of their infirmities, and this prophecy is fulfilled in his time, as we see in the Gospel: “He really has borne our torpor, of our sufferings.” (Isa. 1:4) All these predictions have received their consummation and fulfillment in the Savior’s passion, and thus the SALVATION of the HUMAN RACE has been done in a true way for those who were on EARTH or in HELL, for the prophecy of Zachariah embraces both of them at once. On earth, men have been freed from the oppression of their enemies by the intervention of the mercy of God, and in HELL THEY were DELIVERED from the SORROWS THEY ENDURED. Indeed, all those who hoped in Christ who had been Promised to them awaited the coming of Him Who was to triumph over DEATH and DELIVER THEM from HELL. This is why Zechariah says: “To fulfill His mercies toward our fathers.” (Luke 1:72) But if it is understood that THIS SALVATION MUST ALSO COME in the SECOND ADVENT, … ” – Blessed Ambrosiaster (literally in Latin: “would-be Ambrose”), Roman Clergy active at Rome during the reign of Pope Damasus (c.366 AD – c. 384 AD, Quote)
Source (Written c. 366 AD – c. 384 AD, Reply to Question 105, Commentary on the Gospel of Luke):
Focus Phrases Proving our Claim:
“… All these predictions have received their consummation and fulfillment in the Savior’s passion, and thus the SALVATION of the HUMAN RACE has been done in a true way for those who were on EARTH or in HELL, for the prophecy of Zachariah embraces both of them at once. On earth, men have been freed from the oppression of their enemies by the intervention of the mercy of God, and in HELL THEY were DELIVERED from the SORROWS THEY ENDURED. Indeed, all those who hoped in Christ who had been Promised to them awaited the coming of Him Who was to triumph over DEATH and DELIVER THEM from HELL. … But if it is understood that THIS SALVATION MUST ALSO COME in the SECOND ADVENT …” – Blessed Ambrosiaster
- v) Blessed Pope St. Gregory the Great (c. 540 AD – c. 604 AD)
The interesting real reliable example of Emperor Trajan (a wicked non-Christian Murderer, Pagan & Unbaptized, Unbeliever) being Saved from Hell after such Propitiatory Prayers by Pope St. Gregory the Great is not a hoax but Truth, to quote:
“… On a time Saint Gregory went by the market of Rome which is called the market of Trajan, and then he remembered of the justice and other good deeds of Trajan, and how he had been piteous and debonair, and was much sorrowful that he had been a pagan, and he turned to the church of Saint Peter wailing for the horror of the miscreance of Trajan. Then answered a voice from God saying: I have now heard thy prayer, and have spared Trajan from the pain perpetual. …” (The Life of St. Gregory the Pope)
Source:
https://classicalchristianity.com/2012/02/06/st-gregory-the-dialogist-and-emperor-trajan/
Note: The additional comment in the link above (added by others and not Uttered by God during that Vision/Revelation to Pope St. Gregory the Great but commentators) reads next as follows [Please notice the phrase ‘as some say’ carefully in the below]:
“… By this, as some say, the pain perpetual due to Trajan as a miscreant was some deal taken away, but for all that was not he quit from the prison of hell, for the soul may well be in hell and feel there no pain by the mercy of God. …”
The Truth is as Hieromonk Ambrose mentioned earlier, God only said this part to Blessed Pope St. Gregory the Great:
“… Then answered a voice from God saying: I have now heard thy prayer, and have spared Trajan from the pain perpetual. …”
Can you see it? This is exactly what the Final Prophecy of the Salvation from the Lake of Fire as described in the Apocalypse of Peter Prophecy by Lord Jesus Christ after the Righteous (Christians) Pray to Him to save the ‘damned’ from their ‘everlasting punishments’ will be answered eventually & the First Oldest Christian Canon called the Muratorian Canon lists this Book as “Scripture” too as discussed in Previous Posts.
Source Post:
Do you remember who are we referring to?
He is the same – Blessed Roman Catholic Pope St. Gregory the Great, Saint Gregory the Dialogist in Eastern Christianity, the Father of Christian Worship, and John Calvin declared in his Institutes that Gregory was the last good Pope.
Here is how Reliable Blessed Pope St. Gregory the Great himself really is, to quote (link below):
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pope_Gregory_I
and how wicked a life Emperor Trajan really lived before he died unrepentant too, to quote:
“… One of Trajan’s notable acts during this period was the hosting of a three-month gladiatorial festival in the great Colosseum in Rome (the precise date is unknown). Combining chariot racing, beast fights and close-quarters gladiatorial bloodshed, this gory spectacle reputedly left 11,000 dead (mostly slaves and criminals, not to mention the thousands of ferocious beasts killed alongside them) and attracted a total of five million spectators over the course of the festival. …”
Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trajan
So, Emperor Trajan must have been taken to the ‘lower abodes accordingly after being Saved’ as the Shepherd of Hermas Scripture implies.
- vi) Blessed St. Melito of Sardis (died c. 180 AD)
Verses Describing this Parabolically: Mark 3:27 & Matthew 12:29.
First Christianity taught this:
“… The Lord, having put on human nature, and having suffered for him who suffered, having been bound for him who was bound, and having been buried for him who was buried, is risen from the dead, and loudly proclaims this message: Who will contend against me? Let him stand before me. It is I who delivered the condemned. It is I who gave life to the dead. It is I who raised up the buried. Who will argue with me? It is I, says Christ, who destroyed death. It is I who triumphed over the enemy, and having trod down HADES, and bound the STRONG MAN, and have SNATCHED MANKIND up to the HEIGHTS of HEAVEN. It is I, says Christ. So then, come here ALL you FAMILIES of MEN, weighed down by your sins and recieve pardon for your misdeeds. For I am your pardon. I am the Passover which brings salvation. I am the Lamb slain for you. I am your lustral bath. I am your life. I am your resurrection. I am your light, I am your salvation, I am your King. It is I who brings you up to the heights of heaven. It is I who will give you the resurrection there. I will show you the Eternal Father. I will raise you up with my own right hand …” – Blessed St. Melito, Jewish Bishop of Sardis, of whom Polycrates of Ephesus to Pope Victor about 194 (Eusebius, Church History V.24) states that “Melito the eunuch [this is interpreted “the virgin” by Rufinus in his translation of Eusebius], whose whole walk was in the Holy Spirit”, was buried at Sardis and Jerome, speaking of the Old Testament canon established by Melito, quotes Tertullian to the effect that he was esteemed as a prophet by many of the faithful (Died c. 180 AD, ‘Homily on Pascha’)
Source: https://www.orthodox.net/pascha/pascha-melito.html
vii) Blessed St. Venantius Fortunatus (c. 530 – c. 600/609 AD)
Here’s a Beautiful Poem along this lines by this Poetic Saint:
“… Behold, the favour of the reviving world bears witness that all gifts have returned together with its Lord. For in honour of Christ rising triumphant after His descent to the gloomy Tartarus, the grove on every side with its leaves expresses approval, the plants with their flowers express approval.2119 The light, the heaven, the fields, and the sea duly praise the God ascending above the stars, having crushed the laws of hell. Behold, He who was crucified reigns as God over all things, and all created objects offer prayer to their Creator. Hail, festive day, to be reverenced throughout the world,2120 on which God has conquered hell, and gains the stars! … Thyself the author of life and framer of the world, Thou dost enter2130 the path of death, in giving the aid of salvation. The gloomy chains of the infernal law yielded, and chaos feared to be pressed by the presence2131 of the light. Darkness perishes, put to flight by the brightness of Christ; the thick pall of eternal2132 night falls. But restore the promised2133 pledge, I pray Thee, O power benign! The third day has returned; arise, my buried One; it is not becoming that Thy limbs should lie in the lowly sepulchre, nor that worthless stones should press that which is the ransom2134 of the world. It is unworthy that a stone should shut in with a confining2135 rock, and cover Him in whose fist2136 all things are enclosed. Take away the linen clothes, I pray; leave the napkins in the tomb: Thou art sufficient for us, and without Thee there is nothing. Release the chained shades of the infernal prison, and recall to the upper regions2137 whatever sinks to the lowest depths. Give back Thy face, that the world may see the light; give back the day which flees from us at Thy death. But returning, O holy conqueror! Thou didst altogether fill the heaven!2138 Tartarus lies depressed, nor retains its rights. The ruler of the lower regions, insatiably opening his hollow jaws, who has always been a spoiler, becomes2139 a prey to Thee. Thou rescuest an innumerable people from the prison of death, and they follow in freedom to the place whither their leader2140 approaches. The fierce monster in alarm vomits forth the multitude whom he had swallowed up, and the Lamb2141 withdraws the sheep from the jaw of the wolf. Hence re-seeking the tomb from the lower regions,2142 having resumed Thy flesh, as a warrior Thou carriest back ample trophies to the heavens. Those whom chaos held in punishment2143 he2144 has now restored; and those whom death might seek, a new life holds. Oh, sacred King, behold a great part of Thy triumph shines forth, when the sacred laver blesses pure souls! …”
Source [ POEM OF VENANTIUS HONORIUS CLEMENTIANUS FORTUNATUS, ON EASTER. via Mr. Philip Schaff ]:
https://ccel.org/ccel/schaff/anf07.iv.i.html?scrBook=Rev&scrCh=1&scrV=10#fna_iv.i-p17.2
Conclusion – The Shepherd of Hermas Scripture agrees with Salvation in the Spirit World for some non-Christians too
To quote:
“… Do you wish to know who are the others which fell near the waters, but could not be rolled into them? These are they who have heard the word, and wish to be baptized in the name of the Lord; but when the chastity demanded by the truth comes into their recollection, they draw back, and again walk after their own wicked desires.” She finished her exposition of the tower. …” – Shepherd of Hermas (Chapter VII, Third Vision, Translated by another Well Known Scholar Mr. Roberts-Donaldson)
Source: http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/text/shepherd.html
So,
“…These are they who have heard the word, and wish to be baptized in the name of the Lord …” = Non-Christians who Heard the Gospel but never got Baptized though they may have wished to because,
“…but when the chastity demanded by the truth comes into their recollection, they draw back, and again walk after their own wicked desires. …” = They did not want to Believe and Practice Christianity because the Demands of Its Purity is too High and that they don’t want to abandon their past ways, i.e. they died unrepentant on earth. Can you see that the Hope of the Spirit World Salvation also includes them as part of “all these rejected stones”?
The Hope Part:
“… She finished her exposition of the tower. But I, shameless as I yet was, asked her, “Is repentance possible for all those stones which have been cast away and did not fit into the building of the tower, and will they yet have a place in this tower?” “Repentance,” said she, “is yet possible, but in this tower they cannot find a suitable place. But in another and much inferior place they will be laid, and that, too, only when they have been tortured and completed the days of their sins. And on this account will they be transferred, because they have partaken of the righteous Word. And then only will they be removed from their punishments when the thought of repenting of the evil deeds which they have done has come into their hearts. But if it does not come into their hearts, they will not be saved, on account of the hardness of their heart.” …” – Shepherd of Hermas (Chapter VII, Third Vision, Translated by another Well Known Scholar Mr. Roberts-Donaldson)
Source: http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/text/shepherd.html
This Shepherd of Hermas Scripture regarding some non-Christians (the unbaptized & those who heard the Gospel on earth but did not believe in it) can be Saved in the Spirit World if God Wills as Described above but may be accelerated by our Propitiatory Prayers on behalf of them as the Bible Verses in 2 Maccabees 12:42 – 46 imply.
*P/S: Is 2 Maccabees Scripture?
All Christians accepted it as Holy Scripture except since about the last 500 years due to Martin Luther following after some Rabbinical Judaism (not Christians) decided to place it ‘not as Scripture’.
How can Martin Luther boldly disallow 2 Maccabees as not Scripture where the ancient Christians all state it as Scripture unanimously? to quote:
“… Catholics and the Eastern Orthodox regard 2 Maccabees as canonical. Jews and all Protestants other than Anglo-Catholics do not… a biblical canon identical with the list given at Trent including the two books of Maccabees. Origen of Alexandria (A.D. 253),[17] Augustine of Hippo (c. 397 AD),[18] Pope Innocent I (405 AD),[19][20] Synod of Hippo (393 AD),[21] the Council of Carthage (397 AD),[22] the Council of Carthage (419 AD),[23] the Apostolic Canons,[24] the Council of Florence (1442 AD)[25] and the Council of Trent (1546 AD)[26] listed the first two books of Maccabees as canonical…”
Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2_Maccabees
Here is some food for thought (regarding 2 Maccabees possibly being referred to by the author of Hebrews himself in the Bible) for Protestants insisting of following Martin Luther’s exclusion of 2 Maccabees from the Biblical Canon, to quote:
“… In the New Testament, Hebrews 11:35 is understood by some as referring to an event that was recorded in one of the deuterocanonical books, 2 Maccabees.[32] For instance, the author of Hebrews references oral tradition which spoke of an Old Testament prophet who was sawn in half in Hebrews 11:37, two verses after the 2nd Maccabees reference. Other New Testament authors such as Paul also reference or quote period literature[33] which was familiar to the audience but that was not included in the deuterocanonical or the protocanonical Old Testament books. …”
Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deuterocanonical_books
Source Post and More Reading:
https://www.anonymouschristian.org/blog/christ-centered-universalism-mystery-in-first-christianity/
Peace to you
Loving this World and its Things – Danger Zone
We all fall short of it except for those Christians who have achieved Perfect Renunciation (e. g. Matthew 19:27 – 30, Acts 2:44 – 45) as per our Most Blessed Savior’s Perfect Command (Luke 14:33). So, the best we can do according to our measure of faith (Romans 12:3) is to renounce by sharing & giving to the best of our abilities accordingly (Acts 4:32).
Let us not slumber in the comfort of wealth which is most dangerous for a Christian (James 5:1 – 4, Luke 12:21, Luke 12:33, Luke 14:33, 1 John 2:15 – 17, Matthew 19:24):
“… Many love the things of the world, though they know that they cannot satisfy their souls’ thirst with them, and though they know that they will prove dangerous. Such will surely perish. Let us turn our hearts, not towards the world, but towards Him who is able to satisfy this thirst, and live. …” – Blessed Sadhu Sundar Singh
Source [ SUFFERING, SIN AND JUDGMENT , Page 133 ]:
https://archive.org/stream/cu31924029356684/cu31924029356684_djvu.txt
Conclusion
The ‘Will of God’ is against the ‘Prosperity Gospel’ as Verses below clearly Imply (in 1 John 2:15 – 17) and it’s the main reason “Many” Christians may be rejected on the Day of His Glorious Return (Matthew 7:20 – 23) as even Blessed St. Clement of Rome has clearly Prophesied in quote later below to include this aspect as well:
- i) Doing the Will of God is not Loving the World nor living in Prosperity
“15Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world. 17And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.” – Blessed Apostle St. John (1 John 2:15 – 17, NKJV)
- ii) Many Christians may be rejected due to Lawlessness where one aspect is for disobeying the Monetary Commands of the Gospel
“20Therefore by their fruits you will know them. 21“Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. 22Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ 23And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’” – The Perfect One, Lord Jesus Christ (Matthew 7:20 – 23, NKJV)
“Now he who received seed among the thorns is he who hears the word, and the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and he becomes unfruitful.” – The Highest, Lord Jesus Christ (Matthew 13:22, NKJV)
Please take note that I am not adding nor implying this Context as part of the meaning of “lawlessness” regarding being “deceived by riches” (hoarding, luxury pursuits etc.) but am quoting only what the Bible and this great saint in ancient Christianity himself has Prophesied using these same Verses above in conclusion next.
Conclusion
Firstly please take note that the “Many” rejected on “that Day” of His Return (in Matthew 7:20 – 23) have done many works such as prophecies to conversions (that’s why they are “many”) but did not abstain from Lawlessness. So the “good fruit” refers to “virtue” or “Obeying God’s Commands” as all earliest church leaders have emphasized.
Please consider:
- i) Blessed St. Clement of Rome’s Prophecy
“… Let us, then, not only call Him Lord, for that will not save us. For He saith, “Not every one that saith to me, Lord, Lord, shall be saved, but he that worketh righteousness.” Wherefore, brethren, let us confess Him by our works, by loving one another, by not committing adultery, or speaking evil of one another, or cherishing envy; but by being continent, compassionate, and good. We ought also to sympathize with one another, and not be avaricious. By such works let us confess Him, and not by those that are of an opposite kind. And it is not fitting that we should fear men, but rather God. For this reason, if we should do such [wicked] things, the Lord hath said, “Even though ye were gathered together to me in my very bosom, yet if ye were not to keep my commandments, I would cast you off, and say unto you, Depart from me; I know you not whence ye are, ye workers of iniquity.” …” – Blessed St. Clement of Rome, an Apostolic Father being a direct Disciple of the Blessed Apostle St. Peter (c.35 AD – c. 99 AD, 2 Clement Chapter IV)
Source [CHAP. IV.–TRUE CONFESSION OF CHRIST]:
http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/text/2clement-roberts.html
Highlight: Please notice ‘carefully’ that Christians who practice this is rejected:
‘… not be avaricious … ‘ – Blessed St. Clement of Rome = not loving money
while it is also required of them to practice ‘continence’ [e.g. Voluntary Poverty, Chastity & Obedience], remember?
‘… but by being continent, compassionate, and good …’ – Blessed St. Clement of Rome
- ii) Will of God
Context for What is the ‘Will of God’ required to be part of the ‘few Saved’ (Matthew 7:14) on that Great Day of His Return (Matthew 7:21)?
“… Wherefore, brethren, leaving [willingly] our sojourn in this present world, let us do the will of Him that called us, and not fear to depart out of this world. For the Lord saith, “Ye shall be as lambs in the midst of wolves.” And Peter answered and said unto Him, “What, then, if the wolves shall tear in pieces the lambs?” Jesus said unto Peter, “The lambs have no cause after they are dead to fear the wolves; and in like manner, fear not ye them that kill you, and can do nothing more unto you; but fear Him who, after you are dead, has power over both soul and body to cast them into hell-fire.” And consider, brethren, that the sojourning in the flesh in this world is but brief and transient, but the promise of Christ is great and wonderful, even the rest of the kingdom to come, and of life everlasting. By what course of conduct, then, shall we attain these things, but by leading a holy and righteous life, and by deeming these worldly things as not belonging to us, and not fixing our desires upon them? For if we desire to possess them, we fall away from the path of righteousness. …” – Blessed St. Clement of Rome, an Apostolic Father being a direct Disciple of the Blessed Apostle St. Peter (c.35 AD – c. 99 AD, 2 Clement Chapter V)
Source [ CHAP. V.–THIS WORLD SHOULD BE DESPISED ]:
http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/text/2clement-roberts.html
Bible Verse:
“So then, none of you can be My disciple who does not give up all his own possessions.” – God in Flesh, Lord Jesus Christ (Luke 14:33, NASB)
Please notice ‘carefully’ how St. Clement of Rome himself explains the meaning (or context) of Luke 14:33 which is clearly nullifies any ‘Prosperity Gospel Opinion’, to quote from the above (again) for ‘highlight’:
“… By what course of conduct, then, shall we attain these things, but by leading a holy and righteous life, and by deeming these worldly things as not belonging to us, and not fixing our desires upon them? For if we desire to possess them, we fall away from the path of righteousness. …” – Blessed St. Clement of Rome, an Apostolic Father being a direct Disciple of the Blessed Apostle St. Peter
Yes, this “narrow” and “difficult” path (Matthew 7:13 – 14) includes especially the following requirement to be practiced by the ‘few Christians’ who will be Saved by Practicing it:
“… and by deeming these worldly things as not belonging to us, and not fixing our desires upon them? …” – Blessed St. Clement of Rome, an Apostolic Father being a direct Disciple of the Blessed Apostle St. Peter
Can we be rich in both worlds? the quote below doesn’t seem to agree and neither does Luke 14:33 seems to fit such a ‘false hope’:
“… For if we desire to possess them, we fall away from the path of righteousness ..” – Blessed St. Clement of Rome, an Apostolic Father being a direct Disciple of the Blessed Apostle St. Peter
In the next part, St. Clement of Rome describes what happens to these ‘Christians’ who fall away from the path of righteousness as ‘the ones who lose their soul too’, to quote:
“… And consider, brethren, that the sojourning in the flesh in this world is but brief and transient, but the promise of Christ is great and wonderful, even the rest of the kingdom to come, and of life everlasting. By what course of conduct, then, shall we attain these things, but by leading a holy and righteous life, and by deeming these worldly things as not belonging to us, and not fixing our desires upon them? For if we desire to possess them, we fall away from the path of righteousness … Now the Lord declares, “No servant can serve two masters.” If we desire, then, to serve both God and mammon, it will be unprofitable for us. For what will it profit if a man gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?” This world and the next are two enemies. The one urges to adultery and corruption, avarice and deceit; the other bids farewell to these things. We cannot, therefore, be the friends of both; and it behoves us, by renouncing the one [Luke 14:33], to make sure of the other. Let us reckon that it is better to hate the things present, since they are trifling, and transient, and corruptible; and to love those [which are to come,] as being good and incorruptible. For if we do the will of Christ, we shall find rest; otherwise, nothing shall deliver us from eternal punishment, if we disobey His commandments. For thus also saith the Scripture in Ezekiel, “If Noah, Job, and Daniel should rise up, they should not deliver their children in captivity.” Now, if men so eminently righteous are not able by their righteousness to deliver their children, how can we hope to enter into the royal residence of God unless we keep our baptism holy and undefiled? Or who shall be our advocate, unless we be found possessed of works of holiness and righteousness? …” – Blessed St. Clement of Rome, an Apostolic Father being a direct Disciple of the Blessed Apostle St. Peter (c.35 AD – c. 99 AD, 2 Clement Chapter V)
Source [ CHAP. V.–THIS WORLD SHOULD BE DESPISED and CHAP. VI.–THE PRESENT AND FUTURE WORLDS ARE ENEMIES TO EACH OTHER]:
http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/text/2clement-roberts.html
More related reading:
Peace to you
Prosperity Gospel Error and An Ancient Curse from the Old Testament
The Verse in image still applies in the New Testament Context simply because it’s the Opposite of what is Commanded as “Pure Religion in God’s Eyes”, to quote:
“Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world.” – Blessed Apostle St. James the Just, the First Bishop of Jerusalem (James 1:27, NKJV)
Example Quotes from the Shepherd of Hermas Scripture agreeing to this (please note the word “widow” or “orphans” carefully in each quote below):
- What is a True Christian’s Duty or Work?
“… 1[38]:10 Hear now what follow upon these; to minister to widows, to visit the orphans and the needy, to ransom the servants of God from their afflictions, to be hospitable (for in hospitality benevolence from time to time has a place), to resist no man, to be tranquil, to show yourself more submissive than all men, to reverence the aged, to practice righteousness, to observe brotherly feeling, to endure injury, to be long-suffering, to bear no grudge, to exhort those who are sick at soul, not to cast away those that have stumbled from the faith, but to convert them and to put courage Into them, to reprove sinners, not to oppress debtors and indigent persons, and whatsoever actions are like these. …” – Shepherd of Hermas (Mandate 8)
- When a Christian fasts it must be accompanied with “Charity works” as the Bible Verses in Isaiah 58:6 – 8 agree too
“… 3[56]:7 And thus shalt thou do. Having fulfilled what is written, on that day on which thou fastest thou shalt taste nothing but bread and water; and from thy meats, which thou wouldest have eaten, thou shalt reckon up the amount of that day’s expenditure, which thou wouldest have incurred, and shalt give it to a widow, or an orphan, or to one in want, and so shalt thou humble thy soul, that he that hath received from thy humiliation may satisfy his own soul, and may pray for thee to the Lord. …” – Shepherd of Hermas (Parable 5)
iii. Christian leaders must be careful whenever they collect money from orphans and widows especially in the Name of God especially when they become ‘rich’ under the ‘Prosperity Gospel’ false premise with these persons’ money
“… 26[103]:2 they that have the spots are deacons that exercised their office ill, and plundered the livelihood of widows and orphans, and made gain for themselves from the ministrations which they had received to perform. If then they abide in the same evil desire, they are dead and there is no hope of life for them; but if they turn again and fulfill their ministrations in purity, it shall be possible for them to live. …” – Shepherd of Hermas (Parable 9)
- How to spend a portion of your monthly salary as a True Christian?
“… 1[50]:8 Therefore, instead of fields buy ye souls that are in trouble, as each is able, and visit widows and orphans, and neglect them not; and spend your riches and all your displays, which ye received from God, on fields and houses of this kind. …” – Shepherd of Hermas (Parable 1)
Source for Each quote above:
http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/text/shepherd-lightfoot.html
P/S: How Reliable is the Shepherd of Hermas as Scripture Level in First Christianity?
To quote:
“… The Muratorian Fragment*(c.200) says: “And very recently in our own times, in the city of Rome, Hermas wrote the Pastor, when his brother Pius, the bishop, sat upon the chair of the city of Rome.” … The Shepherd was well-regarded by several of the Fathers, though there was little interest in it by St. Jerome’s time. St. Irenaeus, Clement of Alexandria and Origen considered the Shepherd inspired, while Eusebius and St. Athanasius approved of its use for catechumens. …”
Source:
https://www.catholicculture.org/commentary/church-fathers-shepherd-hermas/
*The Muratorian Canon = The First and Oldest Canon of Scripture in Christianity (in Western Christianity) = The First Bible Scriptures in Christianity.
The Shepherd of Hermas is also Scripture according to the first Canon in Eastern Christianity too called the Codex Claromontanus, to quote:
“… The Shepherd was very popular amongst Christians in the 2nd and 3rd centuries.[2] It is part of the Codex Sinaiticus,[3][4] and it is listed between the Acts of the Apostles and the Acts of Paul in the stichometrical list of the Codex Claromontanus. …”
Source:
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Shepherd_of_Hermas
Peace to you
Verbal Tradition – Immovable Faith – Prayer for the Dead vs prayer to virgin Mary
Question 1
I don’t understand the justification to quoting 2 Maccabees as though it was scripture for the Prayer for the dead doctrine. Are you using it only historically? or as being inspired of God?
Reply 1
Many church fathers and councils till the 16th century considered it as inspired of God. Only Martin Luther started not seeing it that way. I think that it’s content is true regardless if it’s inspired or not. I leave it to you to decide sir as I only present the evidence.
Question 2
If this verse is evidence of truth, then wouldn’t the same thought be reflected in scripture?
Reply 2
Bible Verses Preaching that Prayer for the Dead is Possible: 2 Maccabees 12:46, 2 Timothy 1:16 – 18, 1 Timothy 2:1.
Explanation, please consider:
Yes, 1 Timothy 2:1 speaks of praying for “all men” which certainly includes the dead too.
That’s why it is seen in 2 Maccabees Scripture. Not everything has more than one Verse in the Bible, for example the Virgin Birth of Christ in the Old Testament Verses (Isaiah 7:14 only), while the New Testament Verses regarding this aspect were Written after the Virgin Birth has occurred (e. g. Matthew 1:23, Luke 1:34).
Also here’s a famous prayer for the dead example implied in New Testament Scripture, to quote:
“… A passage in the New Testament which may refer to a prayer for the dead is found in 2 Timothy 1:16-18, which reads as follows:
“May the Lord grant mercy to the house of Onesiphorus, for he often refreshed me, and was not ashamed of my chain, but when he was in Rome, he sought me diligently, and found me (the Lord grant to him to find the Lord’s mercy on that day); and in how many things he served at Ephesus, you know very well.”
.As with the verses from 2 Maccabees, these verses refer to prayers that will help the deceased “on that day” (perhaps Judgement Day). It is not stated that Onesiphorus, for whom Saint Paul prayed, was dead, though some scholars infer this, based on the way Paul only refers to him in the past tense, and prays for present blessings on his household, but for him only “on that day”. And towards the end of the same letter, in 2 Timothy 4:19, Paul sends greetings to “Prisca and Aquila, and the house of Onesiphorus”, distinguishing the situation of Onesiphorus from that of the still living Prisca and Aquila …”
Source: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prayer_for_the_dead
Conclusion
And some traditions such as praying for the dead were passed on by ‘Word of Mouth’ (not written in Scripture) as the Bible implies clearly in Verse below (and this act is well documented in Early Christianity and Beyond):
“So then, brethren, stand firm and hold to the traditions which you were taught, whether by word of mouth or by letter from us.” (2 Thessalonians 2:15, NASB)
One of such a tradition is clearly “Prayer for the dead” as this great saint in ancient Christianity clearly refers to this as “Sacred Doctrine” to do likewise, to quote:
“… 7,1 And then, as to NAMING THE DEAD, what could be MORE HELPFUL? What could be MORE OPPORTUNE or WONDERFUL than that the living believe that the departed are alive and have not ceased to be but exist, and live with the Lord — (2) and that the MOST SACRED DOCTRINE should declare that there is HOPE for those who PRAY for their brethren as though they were off on a journey? 7,3 And even though the PRAYER WE OFFER FOR THEM cannot root out all their faults — [how could it], since we often slip in this world, inadvertently and deliberately — it is still useful as an indication of something more perfect. (4) For we COMMEMORATE BOTH RIGHTEOUS and SINNERS. Though we PRAY for SINNERS , for GOD’S MERCY 19 and for the righteous, fathers, the patriarchs, prophets, apostles, evangelists, martyrs and confessors, for bishops and anchorites and the whole band [of saints], 20 (5) we worship our Lord Jesus Christ to distinguish him from the whole of humanity by our honor of him, remembering that the Lord is not on a level with any man — even though each man has < performed > a million righteous deeds and more. …” – Blessed St. Epiphanius, Bishop of Salamis and the ‘Hammer of Heretics’, (c. 310 AD – c. 403 AD, ‘Aerians’, “Panarion or Medicine-Chest”, Points 7.1 – 7.6, Pages 509 – 510)
Source:
Another lost verbal tradition which was directly from Blessed Apostle St. Paul himself was to read the “Sibyl” (Christianized Sibyline Oracles) where this Prophecy clearly contains a Prayer for those in the Lake of Fire on Judgment Day by the righteous (so such an act is quoted in Principle here too), to quote:
The next Authoritative Ancient Christian Saint below states that the Order to “read the Siblyl” (quoted earlier containing the Christ Saving from the Lake of Fire Prophecy) is by “the Blessed and Holy St. Paul the Apostle of Christ himself” by a tradition ‘verbally or by word of mouth’ (2 Thessalonians 2:15), to quote:
“…He distinguished the most excellent of the Greeks from the common herd, in addition to “Peter’s Preaching,” the APOSTLE PAUL will show, saying: “Take also the Hellenic books, READ THE SIBYL, how it is shown that God is one, and how the future is indicated. And taking Hystaspes, read, and you will find much more luminously and distinctly the Son of God described, and how many kings shall draw up their forces against Christ, hating Him and those that bear His name, and His faithful ones, and His patience, and His coming.” …” – Blessed St. Clement of Alexandria, Head of the Cathecathical School At Alexandria, Teacher of Origen (c. 150 AD – c. 215 AD, Stromata, or Miscellanies, Book VI, CHAPTER V — THE GREEKS HAD SOME KNOWLEDGE OF THE TRUE GOD)
Source:
http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/text/clement-stromata-book6.html
So, are both St. Justin Martyr and St. Clement of Alexandria wrong or are they Speaking an Ancient Truth of Tradition established by Apostle Paul himself regarding the ‘Sibyline Oracles’? Please note that even St. Augustine, St. Athenagoras of Athens, St. Theophilus of Antioch and Blessed Lactantius all read the Sibyl & quoted it too.
P/S: Why then I don’t follow the ‘prayer to virgin Mary’ tradition by word of mouth?
We may dispute about ‘prayer to Mary’ tradition or other traditions which some of the earliest saints did not do and “no Scripture” teach this.
For example the prayers to Virgin Mary is not found in any Scripture be it 2 Maccabees or even the Shepherd of Hermas or Apocalypse of Peter or Shepherd of Hermas or any other making the claim baseless except for later Church fathers falling headlong into it.
The great saint below clearly describes how some of the orthodox Church leaders fell into it, to quote (example):
Yes, no Worship of any kind to Virgin Mary (e. g. Hymns) nor women priestess in churches nor ‘or to have us make offerings in her name’ (includes that we cannot pray to Virgin Mary at all) and Virgin Mary is not allowed to “bless disciples” either ( and so what’s the point of praying to Virgin Mary if she cannot bless you? Please don’t be angry with me as I didn’t create this writing but rather please read these phrases ‘Carefully’ in St. Epiphanius’ own words below):
“… God come from heaven, the Word who had assumed flesh from a holy Virgin. But certainly not from a virgin who is worshiped, or to make her God, or to have us make offerings in her name, or, again, to make women priestesses after so many generations. (3) It was not God’s pleasure that this be done with Salome, or with Mary herself. He did not permit her to administer baptism or bless disciples, or tell her to rule on earth, but only to be a sacred shrine and be deemed worthy of his kingdom. …” – Blessed St. Epiphanius, Bishop of Salamis and the ‘Hammer of Heretics’, (c. 310 AD – c. 403 AD, ‘COLLYRIDIANS’ , “Panarion or Medicine-Chest”, Points 7.1 – 7.5, Page 643)
Source:
Peace to you
Secret Biblical Hope for the Majority of Mankind – Few in Elect Salvation while Many in non Elect Salvation
- i) Shepherd of Hermas Scripture’s Hope for the Rejected ones to attain to non Elect Salvation post Judgment
To quote:
“… Do you wish to know who are the others which fell near the waters, but could not be rolled into them? These are they who have heard the word, and wish to be baptized in the name of the Lord; but when the chastity demanded by the truth comes into their recollection, they draw back, and again walk after their own wicked desires.” She finished her exposition of the tower. …” – Shepherd of Hermas (Chapter VII, Third Vision, Translated by another Well Known Scholar Mr. Roberts-Donaldson)
Source: http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/text/shepherd.html
So,
“…These are they who have heard the word, and wish to be baptized in the name of the Lord …” = Non-Christians who Heard the Gospel but never got Baptized though they may have wished to because,
“…but when the chastity demanded by the truth comes into their recollection, they draw back, and again walk after their own wicked desires. …” = They did not want to Believe and Practice Christianity because the Demands of Its Purity is too High and that they don’t want to abandon their past ways, i.e. they died unrepentant on earth. Can you see that the Hope of the Spirit World Salvation also includes them as part of “all these rejected stones”?
The Hope Part:
“… She finished her exposition of the tower. But I, shameless as I yet was, asked her, “Is repentance possible for all those stones which have been cast away and did not fit into the building of the tower, and will they yet have a place in this tower?” “Repentance,” said she, “is yet possible, but in this tower they cannot find a suitable place. But in another and much inferior place they will be laid, and that, too, only when they have been tortured and completed the days of their sins. And on this account will they be transferred, because they have partaken of the righteous Word. And then only will they be removed from their punishments when the thought of repenting of the evil deeds which they have done has come into their hearts. But if it does not come into their hearts, they will not be saved, on account of the hardness of their heart.” …” – Shepherd of Hermas (Chapter VII, Third Vision, Translated by another Well Known Scholar Mr. Roberts-Donaldson)
Source: http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/text/shepherd.html
This Truth regarding Salvation in the Spirit World being ongoing as the Shepherd of Hermas Scripture implies is witnessed by the faithful Christian Blessed Sadhu Sundar Singh himself (discussed next).
- ii) Blessed Sadhu Sundar Singh
To quote:
“… At least, that is the case with the majority, but there are some few personalities, Satan for instance, in regard to whom I was told, ‘Don’t ask about them.’ And so I didn’t like to ask, but I hoped that for them also there was some hope. ‘ ‘ They also told me that the Saints help in the work of saving souls in Hell, because there can be no idleness in Heaven. Those in Hell will ultimately be brought to Heaven like the prodigal son, but with regard to the ultimate fate of a certain number you must not ask.” The Sadhu is inclined to think that perhaps these few will be annihilated. “Once I said, ‘So many people will be lost because
they have not heard of Christ.’ They said, ‘The contrary will be the ease ; very few will be lost. ‘ There is a kind of heavenly joke, no, joke is not a good word for it. ‘Very few will be lost but many will be saved. It is so, but don’t tell,’ they said, as it were, in jest, ‘because it will make men careless, and we want them to enjoy the First Heaven — that is the Heaven on earth — as well.’ ” “If there were no hope for all the non-Christians in the world and all the Christians who die in sin, God would stop creating men. We must do our part here on earth to save sinners, but if they refuse we need not be without hope for them. ‘ ‘ The Sadhu’s “universalism” recalls the famous “Shewing” to Mother Juliana of Norwich*, “All manner of things shall be well,” and her comments thereon — except that her respect for the authority of the Church precludes her making any suggestion how this may be
possible. 1 The Sadhu faithfully obeys the injunction, “Don’t tell.” In his popular teachings, as we shall see in the next chapter, he stresses the need of repentance, and the certainty of immediate judgment in the next life, but he never speaks of his hope of ultimate salva-
tion even for the unrepentant. …”
Source [Page 101 – 102, ECSTASY AND VISION, via Reverend Streeter and Bishop Dr. AJ Appasamy]:
https://archive.org/stream/cu31924029356684/cu31924029356684_djvu.txt
The surprising thing is that the quote above is found mysteriously similar to what the mysterious Blessed Ambrosiaster himself wrote in First Christianity (quoted next).
iii) Blessed Ambrosiaster
“… QUESTION 54. THE APOSTLE TEACHES THAT JESUS CHRIST DIED FOR ALL MEN. “ALL ARE THEREFORE DEAD,” SAID HE, “AND HE DIED FOR ALL.” THE SAVIOR SAYS, ON THE CONTRARY: THE SON OF MAN HAS COME TO GIVE HIS LIFE FOR THE REDEMPTION OF MANY. (MATT 20:28) THERE IS HERE A CONTRADICTION. — The words are different, it is true, but the meaning is the same; at other times, on the other hand, words that seem the same have quite a different meaning, such as these: “All that is not done in good faith (ex fide) is a sin.” (Rom. 14:23) and these others: “The law does not come from faith,” (Gal. 3:12) although the law is not a sin. This great number of which the Savior speaks is all the men of whom St. Paul speaks: They are in great numbers, because the greater part of all peoples and all nations ought to believe in the Savior. It is this great number of those who must believe that the Apostle calls all men. “He is dead for all,” he says, “that is, for those who believe and must believe.” He died also for those who refused to believe, but by refusing the grace he offers them, they do not want Jesus Christ to be dead for them, and by the same he seems not to have died for those to that his death was much more harmful than useful. On the contrary, he truly died for those who won, and who understand the mystery of the redemption give thanks to God through our Lord Jesus Christ. …” – Blessed Ambrosiaster (literally in Latin: “would-be Ambrose”), Roman Clergy active at Rome during the reign of Pope Damasus (c.366 AD – c. 384 AD)
Source:
i.1. Majority of Mankind is the “Many” who will be Saved after believing in Him
” … They are in great numbers, because the greater part of all peoples and all nations ought to believe in the Savior. It is this great number of those who must believe that the Apostle calls all men. …” – Blessed Ambrosiaster
i.2 How can this be when most of mankind don’t believe him on earth?
“… “He is dead for all,” he says, “that is, for those who believe and must believe.” …” – Blessed Ambrosiaster
Where,
“those who believe” = Christians who believe in Him on earth (Sheepfold1) = the “few” , the Elect (Matthew 7:14)
and
“for those who … must believe” = Good non-Christians who believe in Him either in Hades now or by the Last Day on Judgment Day? (Sheepfold2) . We will explore this Mystery later using Ambrosiaster’s own words to try to understand why he made such a distinction as he might be referring to God’s Will which is inclusive of anyone who chooses to believe in Him literally ‘after seeing Him’ (John 6:40) as even the Visions of Blessed Sadhu Sundar Singh has confirmed.
i.3 How about the unbelievers?
“… He died also for those who refused to believe, but by refusing the grace he offers them, they do not want Jesus Christ to be dead for them, and by the same he seems not to have died for those to that his death was much more harmful than useful. …” – Blessed Ambrosiaster
Comment: This ‘refused to believe’ is not necessarily those who refuse on earth among good non-Christians but those till Judgment Day who refuse to believe. As Sadhu Sundar Singh has pointed out, the ‘wicked dead’ seems not to be able to believe in the afterlife due to their lives sealing them as ‘remaining as unbelievers’ till being cast into the Lake of Fire (Revelation 21:8). Is there Hope for them? Next we will see Ambrosiaster’s other quotes.
… The Psalmist represents here THREE KINDS OF MEN, the UNGODLY, the SINNERS, and the JUST, in the order followed by the error. …” – Blessed Ambrosiaster (literally in Latin: “would-be Ambrose”), Roman Clergy active at Rome during the reign of Pope Damasus (c.366 AD – c. 384 AD)
Where possibly,
the UNGODLY = The Wicked (The Evil ones among Christians and non-Christians)
or
the SINNERS = Good non-Christians and some fallen Christians (Sheepfold2)
and
the JUST = The Righteous = Saved Christians (Sheepfold1)
Because
The Fate of the Sinners – Hope after Punishment?
“… “Blessed is the man who did not stop in the way of sinners.” If he stops there, he stops being blessed to become guilty and worthy of punishment. Yet he still retains some hope of amendment, because he is not impious, but simply sinful. If a man is found who has not entered the council of the wicked and has not stopped in the way of sinners, he is doubly blessed. For he cannot be blessed, if without entering into the counsel of the wicked, he stops in the path of sinners, because if he does not then have a complete ruin, he is nevertheless worthy of punishment. The Psalmist adds: “nor sits in the seat of scoffers.” Happiness, according to him, consists of these three degrees together, and is based on a triple reason, not to enter the counsel of the ungodly, not stopping in the path of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers, but, as we see in the first two degrees only two kinds of people, the ungodly and the sinners to whom this third degree applies: “Nor sits in the seat of scoffers?” Is it to the impious or the sinners? … The wretches who live under the law of God will be cited before the tribunal of Jesus Christ, and separated from the righteous to give account of the commandments of the law which they have received, and that they did not put into practice to obtain the approval of God and to avoid his reproaches. … ” – Blessed Ambrosiaster (literally in Latin: “would-be Ambrose”), Roman Clergy active at Rome during the reign of Pope Damasus (c.366 AD – c. 384 AD)
Source:
Hope after Punishment focus Phrases from the above:
“… If he stops there, he stops being blessed to become guilty and worthy of punishment. Yet he still retains some hope of amendment, because he is not impious, but simply sinful. … because if he does not then have a complete ruin, he is nevertheless worthy of punishment. …” – Blessed Ambrosiaster
and Saved from the Lake of Fire or Basic Salvation by His Name Hope?
Verses: Joel 2:32, Romans 10:13.
” … QUESTION 126. FROM THE ONE WHO RECEIVED THE FAITH OF JESUS CHRIST. … In fact, the knowledge of God must inspire the fear of the just judge, in whose court he teaches us that the faithful will receive the reward of their righteousness, and the ungodly, that is to say the unbelievers, the just punishment of their infidelity. It is of all justice, indeed, that the good ones be filled with joy in the future life in which Jesus Christ must reign with his chosen ones. They have been exposed to scorn, outrages in this world where the devil reigns, they will appear surrounded by glory in the kingdom of Jesus Christ for which they have borne the contempt of the worldly. SINNERS, on the contrary, who seemed to shine here below a false brilliance, opposing falsehood to truth, have to wait for tribulation and an imaginary glory to succeed for them a contempt, a humiliation too real. The righteous will rejoice in having believed, when they witness the chastisements of the unbelieving, and THE UNFAITHFUL WILL REPENT of THEIR UNBELIEF ONLY when THEY SEE BOTH THEIR OWN CHASTISEMENT and the glory of those WHOSE FAITH THEY HAD REGARDED as an ACT of MADNESS, which was only worthy of their contempt. …” – Blessed Ambrosiaster (literally in Latin: “would-be Ambrose”), Roman Clergy active at Rome during the reign of Pope Damasus (c.366 AD – c. 384 AD)
Source:
Focus Phrases Proving our Claim:
“… SINNERS, on the contrary, who seemed to shine here below a false brilliance, opposing falsehood to truth, have to wait for tribulation and an imaginary glory to succeed for them a contempt, a humiliation too real. … and THE UNFAITHFUL WILL REPENT of THEIR UNBELIEF ONLY when THEY SEE BOTH THEIR OWN CHASTISEMENT and the glory of those WHOSE FAITH THEY HAD REGARDED as an ACT of MADNESS, which was only worthy of their contempt. …” – Blessed Ambrosiaster
Since these “sinners” or the “unfaithful” who “repent of their unbelief” on this Judgment Day (according to Blessed Ambrosiaster above) are said to have been those who regarded the Faith of True-Christians as “Madness”, thus these must refer to the ‘Sinners’ (Good non-Christians) and/or ‘Wicked only’ being ‘unbelievers’ who must first endure their Judgment/Chastisement first accordingly (Luke 12:46 – 48) making our definition earlier accurate in Blessed Ambrosiaster’s own words in this ‘Judgment Day Context’.
- 4 Salvation from Hell both now and in His Second Coming Hope
“… The prophet Joel also predicted this phenomenon so that one cannot doubt the fulfillment of a fact attested by several witnesses. “And the sun,” he says, “will be changed into darkness and the moon into blood before the great and terrible DAY of the LORD’s COMING.” (Joel 2:31) . As far as the literal meaning of these words indicates, they seem to be more fitting for the SECOND ADVENT, for then the Lord will manifest himself publicly to ALL MEN, to the testimony of Scripture: “Then every eye will see him, and all the tribes of the earth and those who have crucified him will strike their breast.” (Rev. 1:7) … So the prophet foretold that the Savior would take care of their infirmities, and this prophecy is fulfilled in his time, as we see in the Gospel: “He really has borne our torpor, of our sufferings.” (Isa. 1:4) All these predictions have received their consummation and fulfillment in the Savior’s passion, and thus the SALVATION of the HUMAN RACE has been done in a true way for those who were on EARTH or in HELL*, for the prophecy of Zachariah embraces both of them at once. On earth, men have been freed from the oppression of their enemies by the intervention of the mercy of God, and in HELL THEY were DELIVERED from the SORROWS THEY ENDURED. Indeed, all those who hoped in Christ who had been Promised to them awaited the coming of Him Who was to triumph over DEATH and DELIVER THEM from HELL. This is why Zechariah says: “To fulfill His mercies toward our fathers.” (Luke 1:72) But if it is understood that THIS SALVATION must also come in the SECOND ADVENT, … ” – Blessed Ambrosiaster (Written c. 366 – c. 384, Reply to Question 105, Commentary on the Gospel of Luke)
Source:
- 5 Note: Such a final chance given by God is uttered Mysteriously in the Prophecy of the Book of Enoch too where such may be ‘Saved with no honour’ (hence not referring to the Christian Salvation or ‘the Elect’ in Verse below) and by His Great Name ( Joel 2:32, Romans 10:13, Matthew 12:21) on Judgment Day either toward those in the Lake of Fire (Gehenna) or prior or both, to quote:
“… 1 And in those days a change shall take place for the holy and elect, And the light of days shall abide upon them, And glory and honour shall turn to the holy, 2 On the day of affliction on which evil shall have been treasured up against the sinners.And the righteous shall be victorious in the name of the Lord of Spirits: And He will cause the others to witness (this) That they may repent And forgo the works of their hands. 3 They shall have no honour through the name of the Lord of Spirits, Yet through His name shall they be saved [Joel 2:32, Romans 10:13, Matthew 12:21], And the Lord of Spirits will have compassion on them, For His compassion is great. 4 And He is righteous also in His judgement, And in the presence of His glory unrighteousness also shall not maintain itself: At His judgement the unrepentant shall perish before Him. 5 And from henceforth I will have no mercy on them, saith the Lord of Spirits…” (Book of Enoch, Chapter 50)
Translation Source: http://wesley.nnu.edu/index.php?id=2126
Focus Phrase: “… And He will cause the others [the sinners and/or Wicked] to witness (this) That they may repent And forgo the works of their hands. 3 They shall have NO HONOUR through the NAME of the LORD of SPIRITS, Yet THROUGH HIS NAME [John 14:6] SHALL THEY BE SAVED [Joel 2:32, Romans 10:13, Matthew 12:21], And the Lord of Spirits will have compassion on them …” – Book of Enoch.
More related reading in link below:
https://www.anonymouschristian.org/blog/christ-centered-universalism-mystery-in-first-christianity/
Peace to you
Usury or Interest on Money Curse
Usury = Interest gained via Money-Lending or Equivalent
1) Bible Verses against Usury or Money Lending type of Interest
To quote:
What does the Bible say?
- Ezekiel 18:13 He lends at interest and takes a profit. Will such a man live? He will not! Because he has done all these detestable things, he is to be put to death; his blood will be on his own head.
- Ezekiel 18:8 He does not lend to them at interest or take a profit from them. He withholds his hand from doing wrong and judges fairly between two parties.
- Exodus 22:25 “If you loan money to my people, to the poor among you, don’t be like a creditor to them and don’t impose interest on them.”
- Deuteronomy 23:19 Do not charge a fellow Israelite interest, whether on money or food or anything else that may earn interest. You may charge a foreigner interest, but not a fellow Israelite, so that the LORD your God may bless you in everything you put your hand to in the land you are entering to possess.
- Leviticus 25:36 Do not take interest or any profit from them, but fear your God, so that they may continue to live among you.
- Leviticus 25:37 Remember, do not charge interest on money you lend him or make a profit on food you sell him.
Source: https://biblereasons.com/usury/
2) The Bible only endorses possibly a Banking Interest practice at a reasonable rate
To quote:
There is nothing wrong with depositing money in the bank to earn interest.
Matthew 25:27: Well then, you should have put my money on deposit with the bankers, so that when I returned I would have received it back with interest.
Source: https://biblereasons.com/usury/
Conclusion
If we ignore this (please change your job as a Christian if you need to avoid this sin), we may abide in His Kingdom and if not, here are the possible “Hell” punishments:
- i) Bible
“If he has exacted usury
Or taken increase—
Shall he then live?
He shall not live!
If he has done any of these abominations,
He shall surely die;
His blood shall be upon him.” (Ezekiel 18:13, NKJV)
as such a one will not be in the ‘Hill of God’:
“1Lord, who may abide in Your tabernacle?
Who may dwell in Your holy hill? … 5He who does not put out his money at usury,
Nor does he take a bribe against the innocent.
He who does these things shall never be moved.” (Psalm 15:1 – 5, NKJV)
- ii) Apocalypse of Peter Scripture from the First Bible in Christianity (the Muratorian or Roman Canon)
“… 31 And in another great lake full of foul matter (pus) and blood and boiling mire stood men and women up to their knees And these
were they that lent money and demanded usury upon usury. …” – Apocalypse of Peter
Source:
https://archive.org/stream/pdfy-h1Z1p3D9_NvUXf1D/The+Apocalypse+Of+Peter_djvu.txt
P/S: First Christianity
Here are First Christianity Quotes against Usury or Money Lending type of Interest, to quote:
‘He that hath given forth his money upon usury, or hath taken increase, shall he live? he shall not live, saith the Lord.’
Ezekiel 18:12-13
‘Whatever exceeds the amount owed is usury.’
St. Ambrose of Milan
‘Was it a sacrilege, a robbery or theft? From whom? And was it openly or in secret? Was it usury? In what way? “To take any return over and above the principal is called usury.”‘
St. Anthony of Padua
‘If thou hast lent thy money on usury to man, that is, if thou hast given the loan of thy money to one, from whom thou dost expect to receive something more than thou hast given, not in money only, but any thing, whether it be wheat, or wine, or oil, or whatever else you please, if you expect to receive more than you have given, you are an usurer, and in this particular are not deserving of praise, but of censure.’
St. Augustine
‘I ask thee before all else, dost thou believe in the law of God? Yes. Next I say to thee, that if thou dost depart from this faith thou art a heretic. God hath commanded that thou shalt not practise usury.’
St. Bernardine of Siena
‘Lend not money at interest. Thou accusest Scripture which saith, He that hath not given his money upon usury. I wrote not this: it went not forth first from my mouth: hear God.’
St. Augustine
‘Lending at usury, what thinkest thou that this is? It is theft, and worse besides.’
St. Bernardine of Siena
‘If anyone should call the malign contrivances of interest taking theft or homicide, that person will not be in error, for what does it matter whether one possesses things snatched through a breached wall or things illicit by compelling payment of interest?’
St. Gregory of Nyssa
‘One hath chosen for himself a life of business, another a country life, another a life of usury, another a military life; one this, another that. Diverse are the lives, but better is Thy life than our lives. Better is that which Thou givest to men amended, than that which perverse men choose.’
St. Augustine
‘But know further that it has come to our ears concerning him, that he has given money on usury; which thing you ought to enquire into thoroughly, and, if it is so, elect another, and without delay hold yourselves aloof from a person of this kind.’
Pope St. Gregory the Great
‘The money of the usurer cannot stay still very long in one place, being accustomed to pass through many. It cannot be kept in one bag, it seeks to be turned and counted. It requires use, that it may acquire usury.
It is a kind of wave of the sea, not a fruit. Money is never quiet; it moves on as though dashed upon a rock; thus it strikes the breast of the debtor and straightway slips back thence whence it came. It comes with a murmur, with a moan it recedes. Yet often the sea rests quiet by favor of the winds; always the wave of interest is in motion. It overwhelms the shipwrecked, casts out the naked, despoils the clothed, abandons the unburied. For you seek money and you incur shipwreck.’
St. Ambrose of Milan
‘What could be more intolerable than to bestow a benefit on a poor man in such a way that he becomes poorer, or to bring him help only to increase his misery? If you are a Christian, what reward can you expect from God if you do not seek to help men but to harm them?’
St. Hilary of Poitiers
‘”The sea” [Psalm 103:25-26] is this world, full of bitterness, great with riches, wide with delights. Wide is the path that leads to death, but to whom? Not to the poor of Christ who “enter through the narrow gate”. Rather to grasping usurers, who have already taken the whole world into their hands.’
St. Anthony of Padua
‘And who is he who is not a usurer, or who doth not favour usury? I know of no such man as this.’ St. Bernardine of Siena
‘What can be more unreasonable than to sow without land, without rain, without plows? All those who give themselves up to this damnable culture shall reap only tares. Let us cut off these monstrous births of gold and silver; let us stop this execrable fecundity.’
St. John Chrysostom
‘Listen to what St. Augustine says to those who have money which belongs to others. You can, he tells them, go to Confession, you can perform all the penance you like, you can weep for your sins, but unless you make restitution, whenever you can, God will never pardon you. . . Either give back what is not yours, or you will have to make up your mind to go to Hell.
The Holy Ghost does not stop at merely forbidding us to take and to covet the wealth of our neighbour — He does not wish us even to consider it or dwell upon it, lest we should want to lay our hands upon it. The prophet Zacharias tells us that the curse of the Lord will remain on the house of the thief until he is destroyed. And I am telling you that wealth acquired by fraud or by cunning will not only be of no profit but it will cause whatever you acquire legitimately to wither away and your days to be shortened.’
St. Jean Marie Baptiste Vianney
‘The usurer is worse than Judas. The traitor, having sold the Blood of his Divine Master, brought back to the priests and princes the thirty pieces he had received, but the usurer guards and keeps his unjust gains.’
St. Anthony of Padua
‘Each one was desirous of increasing his estate; and forgetful of what believers had either done before in the times of the apostles, or always ought to do, they, with the insatiable ardour of covetousness, devoted themselves to the increase of their property. Among the priests there was no devotedness of religion; among the ministers there was no sound faith: in their works there was no mercy; in their manners there was no discipline. In men, their beards were defaced; in women, their complexion was dyed: the eyes were falsified from what God’s hand had made them; their hair was stained with a falsehood. Crafty frauds were used to deceive the hearts of the simple, subtle meanings for circumventing the brethren.
They united in the bond of marriage with unbelievers; they prostituted the members of Christ to the Gentiles. They would swear not only rashly, but even more, would swear falsely; would despise those set over them with haughty swelling, would speak evil of one another with envenomed tongue, would quarrel with one another with obstinate hatred. Not a few bishops who ought to furnish both exhortation and example to others, despising their divine charge, became agents in secular business, forsook their throne, deserted their people, wandered about over foreign provinces, hunted the markets for gainful merchandise, while brethren were starving in the Church.
They sought to possess money in hoards, they seized estates by crafty deceits, they increased their gains by multiplying usuries. What do not such as we deserve to suffer for sins of this kind, when even already the divine rebuke has forewarned us, and said, “If they shall forsake my law, and walk not in my judgments; if they shall profane my statutes, and shall not observe my precepts, I will visit their offences with a rod, and their sins with scourges”? [Psalm 88:32]
These things were before declared to us, and predicted.’
St. Cyprian of Carthage
‘If thy brother be impoverished, and weak of hand, and thou receive him as a stranger and sojourner, and he live with thee, take not usuries of him, or more than thou gavest: fear thy God, that thy brother may live with thee.
Thou shalt not give him thy money to usury, and an over plus of the fruits thou shalt not exact of him.’
Leviticus 25:35-37
‘Ezekiel, in in the eighteenth chapter, classes usury, or receiving more than the principal, with the greatest crimes; and the law expressly forbids it, Lend not at usury to your brother or neighbour: Deut. xxiii. 19. It being the highest degree of inhumanity to charge the man who applies for a loan, in order to support wretched existence, any more than the principal, or to calculate on riches from pinching poverty.’
St. Basil the Great
‘And I lifted up my eyes, and saw: and, behold, four horns.
And I said to the angel that spoke to me: What are these? And he said to me:
These are the horns that have scattered Juda and Israel and Jerusalem. [Zech 1.18-19]
These four horns represent vices, namely pride or lust in the eyes, prurient hearing in the ears, detraction or flattery in the tongue, and robbery or usury in the hands. These are what have tossed to the winds, to every wind of worldly vanity, Juda (the laity) and Israel (the clergy) and Jerusalem (religious). With these horns the bodily senses sing a sad song, the joy of the world at the death of our soul.
So Job says:
They take the timbrel and the harp, and rejoice at the sound of the organ.
They spend their days in wealth. And in a moment they go down to hell.’ [Job 21.12-13]
St. Anthony of Padua
‘After he has got his money, at first a man is bright and joyous; he shines with another’s splendour, and is conspicuous by his altered mode of life. His table is lavish; his dress is most expensive. His servants appear in finer liveries; he has flatterers and boon companions; his rooms are full of drones innumerable. But the money slips away. Time as it runs on adds the interest to its tale. Now night brings him no rest; no day is joyous; no sun is bright; he is weary of his life; he hates the days that are hurrying on to the appointed period; he is afraid of the months, for they are parents of interest. Even if he sleeps, he sees the lender in his slumbers — a bad dream — standing by his pillow. If he wakes up, there is the anxiety and dread of the interest.’
St. Basil the Great
‘Owe no man anything, but that you love one another: for he that loveth his neighbor hath fulfilled the law.’
Romans 13:8
‘Usury is and always has been, without any doubt a mortal sin, according to the natural law as well as the written law.’
St. Albert the Great
‘The first of the month arrives, the capital brings forth its hundredth; each month comes, interest is born, evil offspring of evil parents. This is the generation of vipers.
The hundredth has developed; it is demanded, it is not paid; it is applied to the principal. . . And therefore it begins to be no longer interest, but principal that is to say, not a hundredth of interest, but interest on a hundredth.’
St. Ambrose of Milan
‘Even as a little leaven leavens the whole lump of dough, even so usury, when it comes into any man’s house, draws all his substance, and changes it into debt.’
St. John Chrysostom
Source:
http://www.saintsquotes.net/Selection%20-%20Usury.html
Peace to you
P/S 2: Re-Focus: Some Financial Practices may Lead Straight to Hell
Please allow me to re-emphasize some of the earlier quotes to make it more clearer and present the evidence more clearly as follows:
“… What can be more unreasonable than to sow without land, without rain, without plows? All those who give themselves up to this damnable culture shall reap only tares. Let us cut off these monstrous births of gold and silver; let us stop this execrable fecundity.’….” – Blessed St. John Chrysostom, Doctor of the Church, Archbishop of Constantinople (c. 349 AD – c. 407 AD)
“… ‘Lend not money at interest. Thou accusest Scripture which saith, He that hath not given his money upon usury. I wrote not this: it went not forth first from my mouth: hear God.’ …”
– Blessed St. Augustine of Hippo, Doctor of the Church, who influenced virtually all of subsequent Western philosophy and Catholic theology, as well as a significant amount of Protestant theology (c. 354 AD – c. 430 AD)
“… ‘After he has got his money, at first a man is bright and joyous; he shines with another’s splendour, and is conspicuous by his altered mode of life. His table is lavish; his dress is most expensive. His servants appear in finer liveries; he has flatterers and boon companions; his rooms are full of drones innumerable. But the money slips away. Time as it runs on adds the interest to its tale. Now night brings him no rest; no day is joyous; no sun is bright; he is weary of his life; he hates the days that are hurrying on to the appointed period; he is afraid of the months, for they are parents of interest. Even if he sleeps, he sees the lender in his slumbers — a bad dream — standing by his pillow. If he wakes up, there is the anxiety and dread of the interest.’ … ‘Ezekiel, in in the eighteenth chapter, classes usury, or receiving more than the principal, with the greatest crimes; and the law expressly forbids it, Lend not at usury to your brother or neighbour: Deut. xxiii. 19. It being the highest degree of inhumanity to charge the man who applies for a loan, in order to support wretched existence, any more than the principal, or to calculate on riches from pinching poverty.’ …” – Blessed St. Basil the Great, was the bishop of Caesarea Mazaca in Cappadocia, Asia Minor (modern-day Turkey). He was an influential theologian who supported the Nicene Creed and opposed the heresies of the early Christian church, fighting against both Arianism and the followers of Apollinaris of Laodicea. In addition to his work as a theologian, Basil was known for his care of the poor and underprivileged. Basil established guidelines for monastic life which focus on community life, liturgical prayer, and manual labor. Together with Pachomius, he is remembered as a father of communal monasticism in Eastern Christianity, Titles: Great Hierarch, Doctor of the Church (c. 329 AD – c. 379 AD)
“… ‘If anyone should call the malign contrivances of interest taking theft or homicide, that person will not be in error, for what does it matter whether one possesses things snatched through a breached wall or things illicit by compelling payment of interest?’ …” – Blessed St. Gregory of Nyssa, of whom four hundred years after his death, the Seventh Ecumenical Council gave him the one and only title which it has given to theologians in the Church, naming him “father of fathers” (c. 335 AD – c. 395 AD)
“… They sought to possess money in hoards, they seized estates by crafty deceits, they increased their gains by multiplying usuries. What do not such as we deserve to suffer for sins of this kind, when even already the divine rebuke has forewarned us, and said, “If they shall forsake my law, and walk not in my judgments; if they shall profane my statutes, and shall not observe my precepts, I will visit their offences with a rod, and their sins with scourges”? [Psalm 88:32] These things were before declared to us, and predicted.’ …” – Blessed St. Cyprian, Bishop of Carthage, a pre-eminent Latin writer of Western Christianity until Jerome and Augustine, Martyr for Christ (c. 200 AD – c. 258 AD)
“… ‘Whatever exceeds the amount owed is usury.’ … The money of the usurer cannot stay still very long in one place, being accustomed to pass through many. It cannot be kept in one bag, it seeks to be turned and counted. It requires use, that it may acquire usury. It is a kind of wave of the sea, not a fruit. Money is never quiet; it moves on as though dashed upon a rock; thus it strikes the breast of the debtor and straightway slips back thence whence it came. It comes with a murmur, with a moan it recedes. Yet often the sea rests quiet by favor of the winds; always the wave of interest is in motion. It overwhelms the shipwrecked, casts out the naked, despoils the clothed, abandons the unburied. For you seek money and you incur shipwreck.’ …” – Blessed Archbishop St. Ambrose of Milan, the first Great Latin Doctor of the Church (c. 340 AD – c. 397 AD)
Summary
Please don’t think that it’s okay or that’s how the modern world is and/or other worldly excuses because disobeying this command seems to yield a direct ticket to Hell as per the First Christianity quotes above and Scripture below too (so, let’s not take any such risk as a Christian lest the eternal Hell we preach come upon us due to this Doctrine which is clearly taught against in Holy Scripture with the possible Curse of Damnation too as follows):
“If he has exacted usury Or taken increase— Shall he then live? He shall not live! If he has done any of these abominations, He shall surely die; His blood shall be upon him.” (Ezekiel 18:13, NKJV)
“… 31 And in another great lake full of foul matter (pus) and blood and boiling mire stood men and women up to their knees And these were they that lent money and demanded usury upon usury. …” – Apocalypse of Peter Scripture from the First Bible in Christianity (the Muratorian or Roman Canon)
Source:
https://archive.org/stream/pdfy-h1Z1p3D9_NvUXf1D/The+Apocalypse+Of+Peter_djvu.txt
and this is mentioned as an important trait of a righteous man to be numbered among those on the Holy Hill of God in the Heavens, to quote (so if we practice opposite to it, we may possibly miss heaven itself), to quote:
“1Lord, who may abide in Your tabernacle? Who may dwell in Your holy hill? … 5He who does not put out his money at usury, Nor does he take a bribe against the innocent. He who does these things shall never be moved.” (Psalm 15:1 – 5, NKJV)
Peace to you
Gospel – Context of Wealth or Money
Firstly, why is this important?
Let not the lies/misunderstanding/half truths of men make us “small” in “His Kingdom”, Verse:
“Whoever therefore breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.” – Lord Jesus Christ (Matthew 5:19, NKJV)
A True Quote in Image highlighting the Effects on People’s Response when the ‘True Gospel is Preached’.
Example:
- i) Christ’s Words attracted those who delight in obeying His Commandments seeking after “Eternal life” – this is the “Many”
Verses:
“16Now behold, one came and said to Him, “Good Teacher, what good thing shall I do that I may have eternal life?” 17So He said to him, “Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is, God. But if you want to enter into life, keep the commandments.” 18He said to Him, “Which ones?” Jesus said, “‘You shall not murder,’ ‘You shall not commit adultery,’ ‘You shall not steal,’ ‘You shall not bear false witness,’ 19‘Honor your father and your mother,’ and, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ ” 20The young man said to Him, “All these things I have kept from my youth. What do I still lack?”.” (Matthew 19:16 – 20, NKJV)
- ii) Sometimes these same attracted ones prior get frustrated when presented with His Commands of Perfection – only the “Few” are not frustrated
Consecutive Bible Verses above continued as follows:
“21Jesus said to him, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.” 22But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.” (Matthew 19:21 – 22, NKJV)
Conclusion – Being Saved has its Gradation in the Heavens where those who leave earthly things for Christ (including Money/Wealth/Lands etc.) attain the Highest Places in His Kingdom as that’s how the “last shall become the first” as Christ Himself Explains in the next Consecutive Verses as follows:
“23Then Jesus said to His disciples, “Assuredly, I say to you that it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. 24And again I say to you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.” 25When His disciples heard it, they were greatly astonished, saying, “Who then can be saved?” 26But Jesus looked at them and said to them, “With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” 27Then Peter answered and said to Him, “See, we have left all and followed You. Therefore what shall we have?” 28So Jesus said to them, “Assuredly I say to you, that in the regeneration, when the Son of Man sits on the throne of His glory, you who have followed Me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. 29And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands, for My name’s sake, shall receive a hundredfold, and inherit eternal life. 30But many who are first will be last, and the last first.” (Matthew 19:23 – 30, NKJV)
P/S: What does Lord Jesus Christ Command to do as God’s Will regarding Money to attain the Highest Heavenly Treasures of His Kingdom?
- i) Renounce All your Possessions by selling it or giving your money to helping the poor & needy or by sharing it with others via putting it to common use
“So then, none of you can be My disciple who does not give up all his own possessions.” – Lord Jesus Christ (Luke 14:33, NKJV)
“44Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common, 45and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had need.” (Acts of the Apostles 2:44 – 45, NKJV)
“Now the multitude of those who believed were of one heart and one soul; neither did anyone say that any of the things he possessed was his own, but they had all things in common.” (Acts 4:32, NKJV)
- ii) Seek His Kingdom and when the Earthly Wealth is given to us, the amount we give away to charity determines our amount of Treasure in the Heavens
“But SEEK HIS KINGDOM, and THESE THINGS will be ADDED to you. “Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has chosen gladly to give you the kingdom. “SELL YOUR POSSESSIONS and GIVE TO CHARITY; make yourselves money belts which do not wear out, an unfailing treasure in heaven, where no thief comes near nor moth destroys. “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” – The Perfect Selfless One Lord Jesus Christ (Luke 12:31 – 34, NASB)
iii) Desiring Heavenly Treasures is not wrong because that’s seeking His Kingdom and God’s Things but we should not hope/desire for earthly riches
“19“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; 20but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” – God in Flesh, Lord Jesus Christ (Matthew 6:19 – 21, NKJV)
- iv) If you are not careful with your overhoarding, it may cost you your Salvation itself, to quote:
“Your gold and silver are corroded, and their corrosion will be a witness against you and will eat your flesh like fire. You have heaped up treasure in the last days.” (James 5:3, NASB)
“24“Then he cried and said, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus that he may dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.’
25But Abraham said, ‘Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things; but now he is comforted and you are tormented [in Hell/Hades/Afterlife].” – Lord Jesus Christ (Luke 16:24 – 25, NKJV)
[Emphasis Mine throughout]
- v) Rare Great Rewards in His Kingdom await us if we “lend (money) even toward our enemies hoping nothing in return”
“But LOVE YOUR ENEMIES, do good, AND LEND, HOPING NOTHING IN RETURN and YOUR REWARD will be GREAT, and you will be sons of the Most High. For He is kind to the unthankful and evil.” (Luke 6:35, NKJV)
- vi) First Christianity unanimously taught this as I explained in previous posts as I will only quote on early church leader here (as a representative quote) because I want to keep the other quotes here all as Bible Verses.
Example:
“… And yet if both the land be good, and the Sower one, and the seed the same, wherefore did one bear a hundred, one sixty, one thirty? Here again the difference is from the nature of the ground, for even where the ground is good, great even therein is the difference. Do you see, that not the husbandman is to be blamed, nor the seed, but the land that receives it? Not for its nature, but for its disposition. And herein too, great is His mercy to man, that He does not require one measure of virtue, but while He receives the first, and casts not out the second, He gives also a place to the third… Hear ye therefore the parable of the sower, says He; and He speaks what we before mentioned, of carelessness and attention, of cowardice and fortitude, of wealth and VOLUNTARY POVERTY; pointing out the hurt from the one, and the benefit from the other… Then of virtue also He brings forward different forms. For being full of love to man, He marked out not one only way, nor did He say, unless one bring forth an hundred [HUNDREDFOLD], he is an outcast; but he that brings forth sixty [SIXTY FOLD] is saved also, and not he only, but also the producer of thirty [THIRTY-FOLD]. And this He said, making out salvation to be easy. And thou then, are you unable to practise virginity? Be chaste in marriage. Are you UNABLE to strip yourself of YOUR POSSESSIONS? Give of YOUR SUBSTANCE. Can you NOT BEAR that BURDEN? SHARE YOUR GOOD with Christ. Are YOU UNWILLING to YIELD Him UP ALL? GIVE HIM but THE HALF, but the THIRD PART [of your Money/Possessions]. He is your brother, and joint-heir, make Him joint-heir with you here too. WHATSOEVER YOU GIVE HIM, YOU WILL GIVE TO YOURSELF … ” – Blessed St. John Chrysostom, Archbishop of Constantinople, Doctor of the Church (c. 349 AD – c. 407 AD, ‘Commentary on Matthew’, Chapter 13)
vii) Basic Human Logic
Some will tell you not to desire heavenly treasures but the same ones will be busy hoarding earthly money. Is it better to desire earthly treasure or heavenly treasure? Also, desire cannot be eliminated as Christ Invites us to ‘Desire Heavenly Treasures’ instead of ‘Earthly Treasures’ as all the quoted Verses mean including the one below too:
“Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.” (Colossians 3:2, NKJV)
As missionaries usually say, “you can give without loving but you cannot Love without Giving”.
So, there’s no such thing as a Rich Man with a “Great/Perfect Love” or “Rich in the Heavens” if he keeps most of his wealth as Christ Himself implies in Verse below:
“So is the man who stores up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.” – Lord Jesus Christ (Luke 12:21, NASB)
viii) Commands of Perfection are Hard especially because God also Counts our Giving in Percentages
“1And He looked up and saw the rich putting their gifts into the treasury. 2And He saw a poor widow putting in two small copper coins. 3And He [Lord Jesus Christ Himself] said, “TRULY I say to you, this poor widow put in MORE than ALL of THEM; 4for they all out of THEIR SURPLUS put into the OFFERING; but she out of her POVERTY put in ALL that she had to LIVE ON.” (Luke 21:1 – 4, NASB)
“The rich man who has despised many things will naturally expect a reward, but he who POSSESSING LITTLE resigns what he has, may fairly ask what there is in store for him; as it follows, Then Peter said, lo, we have left all. Matthew adds, What shall we have therefore? This then we say, that he who gives up all worldly and carnal things will gain for himself far greater, inasmuch as the APOSTLES, AFTER LEAVING A FEW THINGS, obtained the manifold gifts of grace, and were ACCOUNTED GREAT EVERY WHERE. We then shall be like to them. Now perhaps this command is irksome to the rich, yet to those who are of a sound mind, it is not unprofitable, for their treasure is the kingdom of heaven. Hence it follows, Provide for yourselves bags which wax not old, &c. …” – Blessed St. Cyril, Patriarch of Alexandria, Doctor of the Church, Titles: Pillar of Faith and Seal of all the Fathers (c. 376 AD – c. 444 AD)
Source :
How Willing are we?
“… Wherefore, brethren, leaving [willingly] our sojourn in this present world, let us do the will of Him that called us, and not fear to depart out of this world. For the Lord saith, “Ye shall be as lambs in the midst of wolves.” And Peter answered and said unto Him, “What, then, if the wolves shall tear in pieces the lambs?” Jesus said unto Peter, “The lambs have no cause after they are dead to fear the wolves; and in like manner, fear not ye them that kill you, and can do nothing more unto you; but fear Him who, after you are dead, has power over both soul and body to cast them into hell-fire.” And consider, brethren, that the sojourning in the flesh in this world is but brief and transient, but the promise of Christ is great and wonderful, even the rest of the kingdom to come, and of life everlasting. By what course of conduct, then, shall we attain these things, but by leading a holy and righteous life, and by deeming these worldly things as not belonging to us, and not fixing our desires upon them? For if we desire to possess them, we fall away from the path of righteousness. …” – Blessed St. Clement of Rome, an Apostolic Father being a direct Disciple of the Blessed Apostle St. Peter (c.35 AD – c. 99 AD, 2 Clement Chapter V)
Source [ CHAP. V.–THIS WORLD SHOULD BE DESPISED ]:
http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/text/2clement-roberts.html
” … there are some who, under the impression of the fear of God, despise the pleasures of the senses, flee the lavishness of life, do not turn away the eyes of the poor and the needy, and thus accumulate real treasures, …” – Blessed Ambrosiaster (literally in Latin: “would-be Ambrose”), Roman Clergy active at Rome during the reign of Pope Damasus (c.366 AD – c. 384 AD)
Source Post & More Reading:
Can you see it?
“If anyone does not refrain from the love of money, he will be defiled by idolatry and so be judged as if he were one of the heathen.” – St. Polycarp
Who is he?
Blessed St. Polycarp is the Disciple of Blessed St. John who wrote the Book of Revelation .
That quote in full:
“… I am greatly grieved for Valens, who was once a presbyter among you, because he so little understands the place that was given him [in the Church]. I exhort you, therefore, that ye abstain from covetousness, and that ye be chaste and truthful. “Abstain from every form of evil.” For if a man cannot govern himself in such matters, how shall he enjoin them on others ? If a man does not keep himself from covetousness, he shall be defiled by idolatry, and shall be judged as one of the heathen. But who of us are ignorant of the judgment of the Lord ? “Do we not know that the saints shall judge the world ?” as Paul teaches. But I have neither seen nor heard of any such thing among you, in the midst of whom the blessed Paul laboured, and who are commended in the beginning of his Epistle. …” – Blessed St. Polycarp, Bishop of Smryna, who is also an Apostolic Father being the Disciple of the Blessed St. John the Apostle, Martyr for Christ (c. 69 AD – c. 156 AD)
Source for quote [CHAPTER XI.–EXPRESSION OF GRIEF ON ACCOUNT OF VALENS.]:
http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/text/polycarp-roberts.html
Peace to you
God’s Will with Money – Capitalism or Socialism? – Mystery of Unity of the Church with One Heart and One Soul
1) Work Attitude
As long as we are able to work, we must work a secular job as a Christian:
“For even when we were with you, we commanded you this: If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat.” – Blessed St. Paul the Apostle (1 Thessalonians 3:10, NKJV)
“So, because he was of the same trade, he [Apostle Paul] stayed with them and worked; for by occupation they were tentmakers.” (Acts of the Apostles 18:3, NKJV)
2) Giving
- i) Give to Family
“But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.” – Blessed St. Paul the Apostle (1 Timothy 5:8, NKJV)
- ii) Give to Charity
Seek His Kingdom and when the Earthly Wealth is given to us, the amount we give away to charity determines our amount of Treasure in the Heavens
“But SEEK HIS KINGDOM, and THESE THINGS will be ADDED to you. “Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has chosen gladly to give you the kingdom. “SELL YOUR POSSESSIONS and GIVE TO CHARITY; make yourselves money belts which do not wear out, an unfailing treasure in heaven, where no thief comes near nor moth destroys. “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” – The Perfect Selfless One Lord Jesus Christ (Luke 12:31 – 34, NASB)
Note: Prosperity Gospel Teachers often quote a half truth only (Luke 12:31 above) and ‘hoard their treasures enjoying & promoting luxurious living’ without quoting the next Verses in “full” (especially Luke 12:33) where “Christ Commands also” to SELL those ‘earthly riches/possessions you obtained’ to obtain ‘a greater permanent heavenly treasure’. Can you see it as It is Written?
Some will tell you not to desire heavenly treasures but the same ones will be busy hoarding earthly money. Is it better to desire earthly treasure or heavenly treasure? Also, desire cannot be eliminated as Christ Invites us to ‘Desire Heavenly Treasures’ instead of ‘Earthly Treasures’ as all the quoted Verses mean including the one below too:
“Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.” (Colossians 3:2, NKJV)
iii) Give to Enemies too
Rare Great Rewards in His Kingdom await us if we “lend (money) even toward our enemies hoping nothing in return”
“But LOVE YOUR ENEMIES, do good, AND LEND, HOPING NOTHING IN RETURN and YOUR REWARD will be GREAT, and you will be sons of the Most High. For He is kind to the unthankful and evil.” – The Perfect Selfless One Lord Jesus Christ (Luke 6:35, NKJV)
- iv) Give to the Poor
This next Quote often Reminds me of the Blessed Apostles of Christ (Matthew 19:27 – 30, Acts 20:32 – 38).
Ever Wondered what did the “Pillars of the Church” and “the Real Apostles of Christ” wanted us to ‘remember or be eager to do as Christians’?
“7But on the contrary, when they saw that the gospel for the uncircumcised had been committed to me, as the gospel for the circumcised was to Peter 8(for He who worked effectively in Peter for the apostleship to the circumcised also worked effectively in me toward the Gentiles), 9and when James, Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that had been given to me, they gave me and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship, that we should go to the Gentiles and they to the circumcised. 10They desired only that we should remember the poor, the very thing which I also was eager to do.” – Blessed St. Paul the Great & Legendary Apostle of Christ (Galatians 2:7 – 10, NKJV)
“Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world.” – Blessed St. James the Just, First Bishop of Jerusalem (James 1:27, NKJV)
- v) Give to Ministry
“I robbed other churches, taking wages from them to minister to you.” (2 Corinthians 11:8, NKJV)
“For it pleased those from Macedonia and Achaia to make a certain contribution for the poor among the saints who are in Jerusalem.” (Romans 15:26, NKJV)
The Best Ministry Givers were the “Poor Christians” as their “Percentage was Highest” since “they gave out of their Poverty” as the Verses below imply as the “Will of God” too:
“1Moreover, brethren, we make known to you the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia: 2that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded in the riches of their liberality. 3For I bear witness that according to their ability, yes, and beyond their ability, they were freely willing, 4imploring us with much urgency that we would receive the gift and the fellowship of the ministering to the saints. 5And not only as we had hoped, but they first gave themselves to the Lord, and then to us by the will of God.” – Blessed St. Paul the Great & Legendary Apostle of Christ (2 Corinthians 8:1 – 5, NKJV)
Can you see it?
You can be part of any Church Ministry or Evangelism by just Contributing toward it with Money and your giving (in Percentage or in relative with the Poverty you suffer gives its measure – hence let us never look down especially at any “poor person’s giving” as theirs might be way greater than ours).
“1And He looked up and saw the rich putting their gifts into the treasury. 2And He saw a poor widow putting in two small copper coins. 3And He [Lord Jesus Christ Himself] said, “TRULY I say to you, this poor widow put in MORE than ALL of THEM; 4for they all out of THEIR SURPLUS put into the OFFERING; but she out of her POVERTY put in ALL that she had to LIVE ON.” (Luke 21:1 – 4, NASB)
“The rich man who has despised many things will naturally expect a reward, but he who POSSESSING LITTLE resigns what he has, may fairly ask what there is in store for him; as it follows, Then Peter said, lo, we have left all. Matthew adds, What shall we have therefore? This then we say, that he who gives up all worldly and carnal things will gain for himself far greater, inasmuch as the APOSTLES, AFTER LEAVING A FEW THINGS, obtained the manifold gifts of grace, and were ACCOUNTED GREAT EVERY WHERE. We then shall be like to them. Now perhaps this command is irksome to the rich, yet to those who are of a sound mind, it is not unprofitable, for their treasure is the kingdom of heaven. Hence it follows, Provide for yourselves bags which wax not old, &c. …” – Blessed St. Cyril, Patriarch of Alexandria, Doctor of the Church, Titles: Pillar of Faith and Seal of all the Fathers (c. 376 AD – c. 444 AD)
Source :
- vi) Give to All
“… Give to every one who asks you, and ask it not back; for the Father wills that to all should be given of our own blessings (free gifts). Happy is he who gives according to the commandment, for he is guiltless. Woe to him who receives; for if one receives who has need, he is guiltless; but he who receives not having need shall pay the penalty, why he received and for what. And coming into confinement, he shall be examined concerning the things which he has done, and he shall not escape from there until he pays back the last penny. And also concerning this, it has been said, Let your alms sweat in your hands, until you know to whom you should give. …” – The Didache, The Lord’s Teaching Through the Twelve Apostles to the Nations. (1st Century, Chapter 1. The Two Ways and the First Commandment)
Source: http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/text/didache-roberts.html
No Giving is lost especially if you give for ‘reasons / intentions to help , to love or to do good’ as the Verses below mean even toward ‘enemies’ (now that’s a rare fulfillment there, hence a rare reward I guess):
“34And if you lend to those from whom you hope to receive back, what credit is that to you? For even sinners lend to sinners to receive as much back. 35But love your enemies, do good, and lend, hoping for nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High.” – The KING of kings, Lord Jesus Christ (Luke 6:34 – 35, NKJV)
Note: What you receive back from Giving/Borrowing is “not” considered to have any great reward, as Christ Himself Remarks above as “… you hope to receive back, what credit is that to you? …” and “… and lend, hoping for nothing in return; and your reward will be great …”
Is this a Correct Context?
Yes, according to the Shepherd of Hermas Scripture too in Verses below implying this same meaning, to quote:
“1[27]:4 But clothe thyself in reverence, wherein is no evil stumbling-block, but all things are smooth and gladsome. Work that which is good, and of thy labors, which God giveth thee, give to all that are in want freely, not questioning to whom thou shalt give, and to whom thou shalt not give. Give to all; for to all God desireth that there should be given of His own bounties. 1[27]:5 They then that receive shall render an account to God why they received it, and to what end; for they that receive in distress shall not be judged, but they that receive by false pretence shall pay the penalty. 1[27]:6 He then that giveth is guiltless; for as he received from the Lord the ministration to perform it, he hath performed it in sincerity, by making no distinction to whom to give or not to give. This ministration then, when sincerely performed, becomes glorious in the sight of God. He therefore that ministereth thus sincerely shall live unto God.” – Shepherd of Hermas (Mandate 2)
Source: http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/text/shepherd-lightfoot.html
3) First Christianity
First Christianity unanimously taught this as I explained in previous posts as I will only quote on early church leader here (as a representative quote), Example:
“… And yet if both the land be good, and the Sower one, and the seed the same, wherefore did one bear a hundred, one sixty, one thirty? Here again the difference is from the nature of the ground, for even where the ground is good, great even therein is the difference. Do you see, that not the husbandman is to be blamed, nor the seed, but the land that receives it? Not for its nature, but for its disposition. And herein too, great is His mercy to man, that He does not require one measure of virtue, but while He receives the first, and casts not out the second, He gives also a place to the third… Hear ye therefore the parable of the sower, says He; and He speaks what we before mentioned, of carelessness and attention, of cowardice and fortitude, of wealth and VOLUNTARY POVERTY; pointing out the hurt from the one, and the benefit from the other… Then of virtue also He brings forward different forms. For being full of love to man, He marked out not one only way, nor did He say, unless one bring forth an hundred [HUNDREDFOLD], he is an outcast; but he that brings forth sixty [SIXTY FOLD] is saved also, and not he only, but also the producer of thirty [THIRTY-FOLD]. And this He said, making out salvation to be easy. And thou then, are you unable to practise virginity? Be chaste in marriage. Are you UNABLE to strip yourself of YOUR POSSESSIONS? Give of YOUR SUBSTANCE. Can you NOT BEAR that BURDEN? SHARE YOUR GOOD with Christ. Are YOU UNWILLING to YIELD Him UP ALL? GIVE HIM but THE HALF, but the THIRD PART [of your Money/Possessions]. He is your brother, and joint-heir, make Him joint-heir with you here too. WHATSOEVER YOU GIVE HIM, YOU WILL GIVE TO YOURSELF … ” – Blessed St. John Chrysostom, Archbishop of Constantinople, Doctor of the Church (c. 349 AD – c. 407 AD, ‘Commentary on Matthew’, Chapter 13)
Conclusion
God wants us to work like Capitalists but share like Socialists willingly as He Did & Followed by His Apostles (Perfect Leadership by Example), to quote the Infamous Example of Blessed St. Paul the Apostle, Verses:
This Lifestyle of Working to Earn and then Giving it to support the poor & others with you (beyond the basic ‘family members’) is Practiced by Apostle Paul himself too in his Perfection, to quote:
” 32“And now I commend you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified. 33“I have coveted no one’s silver or gold or clothes. 34“You yourselves know that these hands ministered to my own needs and to the men who were with me. 35“In everything I showed you that by working hard in this manner you must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He Himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’” – The Holy and Noble Blessed St. Paul the Apostle of Christ (Acts of the Apostles 20:32 – 35, NASB)
Only a Christianity which is Perfect in its ‘Self Denial’ especially in terms of Money can boldly claim of a “Unity of a Church” which is Truly of “One Heart and Soul” as these Verses Prove Beautifully in First Christianity:
“Now the multitude of those who believed were of one heart and one soul; neither did anyone say that any of the things he possessed was his own, but they had all things in common.” (Acts of the Apostles or Acts 4:32, NKJV)
Comment: The “multitude of those who believed” (or “Church”) were of “one heart and one soul” on the condition if this happens, “neither did anyone say that any of the things he possessed was his own, but they had all things in common” as the Bible Reveals God’s Perfect Will. Indeed, we all fall short of it but they achieved it Amazingly in First Christianity. And that’s how in regards to ‘Money Matters’ the “True Perfect Church” was ‘not conformed to the pattern of this world’ (of selfishness & limited sharing) as discerning the ‘Perfect Will of God’ in this aspect too:
“And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” – The Great and Blessed St. Paul the Apostle of Christ (Romans 12:2, NKJV)
Indeed, Related Verses:
“So then, none of you can be My disciple who does not give up all his own possessions.” – Most Blessed and Highest One, Lord Jesus Christ (Luke 14:33, NKJV)
Note: Not just disciples but believers had all things in common as such was the Perfection and “Selflessness” in First Christianity. Seems Impossible but they did it Beautifully in Love in Action.
“44Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common, 45and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had need.” (Acts of the Apostles 2:44 – 45, NKJV)
“Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.” (Matthew 16:24, NKJV)
“Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.” – Blessed St. Paul the Great & Legendary Apostle of Christ (Galatians 6:2, NKJV)
“… You shall not be undecided whether or not it shall be. Be not a stretcher forth of the hands to receive and a drawer of them back to give. If you have anything, through your hands you shall give ransom for your sins. Do not hesitate to give, nor complain when you give; for you shall know who is the good repayer of the hire. Do not turn away from him who is in want; rather, share all things with your brother, and do not say that they are your own. For if you are partakers in that which is immortal, how much more in things which are mortal? …” – The Didache, The Lord’s Teaching Through the Twelve Apostles to the Nations. (1st Century, Chapter 4. Chapter 4. Various Precepts)
Source: http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/text/didache-roberts.html
Peace to you
Coins, Crisis or Christ?
“1And He looked up and saw the rich putting their gifts into the treasury. 2And He saw a poor widow putting in two small copper coins. 3And He [Lord Jesus Christ Himself] said, “TRULY I say to you, this poor widow put in MORE than ALL of THEM; 4for they all out of THEIR SURPLUS put into the OFFERING; but she out of her POVERTY put in ALL that she had to LIVE ON.” (Luke 21:1 – 4, NASB)
” … there are some who, under the impression of the fear of God, despise the pleasures of the senses, flee the lavishness of life, do not turn away the eyes of the poor and the needy, and thus accumulate real treasures, …” – Blessed Ambrosiaster (literally in Latin: “would-be Ambrose”), Roman Clergy active at Rome during the reign of Pope Damasus (c.366 AD – c. 384 AD)
Charity Gifts even as small as they may be have a higher Value especially in Love when Given in Time of Income Deficiencies faced by the Giver themselves as the Bible Verses above Speak which may refer to a time where for Christians it may be a time to “Buy Gold Refined in Fire”, to quote Verses again:
“15“I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. 16So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth. 17Because you say, ‘I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing’—and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked— 18I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you may be rich; and white garments, that you may be clothed, that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see. 19As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent. 20Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me. 21To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne. 22“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” – KING of kings and LORD of lords, Most Blessed Lord Jesus Christ (Revelation 3:15 – 22, NKJV)
Please read the Verses above ‘Carefully’ again and note that Christ Speaks of the “Lukewarm Church” which refers to their “Works” because they have become “rich, wealthy and their needs provided” (Prosperity Gospel) but are actually “poor, blind, naked” (Spiritual riches, as ‘one who stores up treasure for himself is not rich toward God as Christ Himself Revealed in Luke 12:21’).
Their “works” are lukewarm being neither “cold nor hot” because they practice giving in regards to money but it’s not much (when counted in Love, in percentages, and in relative to their earthly abundance as Christ Remarks in Verses above explicitly referring to this Reason Primarily).
Next, he challenges them toward the ‘Voluntary Poverty’ Doctrine to obtain the “Gold Refined in Fire” as the Riches Christ Speaks of next which results from this covers up their ‘spiritual poverty, blindness and nakedness’ as described in Verses above agreeing to the Verse below Perfectly too (as these ones are already ‘rich, wealthy and in need of nothing on earth’ – Context in Verses prior):
“So is he who lays up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.” – Most Blessed Lord Jesus Christ (Luke 12:21, NKJV)
Last but not least, please notice that Christ calls them “Overcomes” toward those who can Practice this Doctrine of Voluntary Poverty as Described in these Verses Beautifully who may attain to “Sit on His Throne” type of Highest Reward. So, do we want to ‘miss’ it?
Please read those Verses in Revelation 3:15 – 22 above again.
Conclusion
First Christianity’s Most Anointed Saints of God clearly understood the Context of these Verses likewise, example:
“… 3 And this selection, the seventh kind, describes wealthy men, believers who are in dignified positions, but believers that are rich men: they indeed discuss the Scriptures at home in their rooms, but outside no one would know they are believers. Namely, they are boasters who also say that they know everything, possessed of confidence in letters, but their works are empty. And therefore he says to them neither cold nor hot are they, that is, neither unbelievers nor believers, for they are all things to all people. And what is neither cold nor hot must be lukewarm, so that it causes nausea: he says, And I will vomit you out of my mouth. Nausea, though it is hateful, harms no one: so with this kind of men, who will be ejected. But that this is a time of penitence, he says: I counsel you, buy refined gold from me, that is, if you are able, to suffer anything for the name of the Lord. He says And anoint your eyes with salve, that is, that what you gladly know from the Scriptures, you might also try to do the deed. And because, if this kind of men turns back from great destruction to penitence, not only will they be useful to themselves, but are able to benefit many, not a mediocre reward is promised to them, that is: to sit upon a throne as judges …” – Blessed St. Victorinus, Bishop of Pettau, the First and Oldest Christian Commentary on the Apocalypse of John or Book of Revelation, Martyr for Christ (c. 303 AD)
[‘Commentary on the Apocalypse of Blessed St. John the Apostle of Christ’, Chapter 3, circa 2nd half of the third century]:
http://www.bombaxo.com/patristic-stuff/victorinus-in-apocalypsin/
And the next Earliest Commentary on the Book of Revelation based on Revelation 3:16 – 18 is more hard on the ‘Prosperity Gospel Rich Christians type’, to quote:
“… “Just as lukewarm water causes people who receive it to vomit,” he says, “hence I too, through a word of my mouth will vomit you like detested food into eternal punishment, for you mingled the thorns of riches with the seed of the divine word216 in your own poverty by spiritual ignorance, and the blindness of your intelligible217 eyes and the nakedness of good deeds.”218 Rev. 3:18 I advise you to buy from me gold refined by fire, so that you will become rich, and that you may put on white garments, that the shame ofyour nakedness may not be revealed, and salve to anoint your eyes, that you may see. “If you would be rich,” he says, “to acquire a burning résolve and a willing heart take refined gold from me, the Enricher, the instructive Word illumined by the fire of 9 1 0 trials, through which you will hâve the inviolable treasure in the heart and be clothed in the most brilliant garment [44] of virtues through which the nakedness attached to you from sin 990 will be covered.” Eye salve (is) also lack of possessions. …” – Blessed St. Andreas/Andrew, Bishop of Caesarea, Earliest* Greek Patristic commentary on the Apocalypse (c. 563 AD – c. 637 AD)
Source [ Point 43 – 44 , Pages 51 – 52, Chapter 9 ] :
https://www.preteristarchive.com/Books/pdf/2008_constantinou_andrew-translation.pdf
The Elect Salvation is Truly hard and only a Few find it:
“13“Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. 14 Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it. 15“Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. 16You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles? 17Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. 18A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. 19Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20Therefore by their fruits you will know them. 21“Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. 22Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ 23And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’” – The Perfect One, Lord Jesus Christ (Matthew 7:13 – 23, NKJV)
Indeed, what is the Context for What is the ‘Will of God’ required to be part of the ‘few Saved’ (Matthew 7:14) on that Great Day of His Return (Matthew 7:21) to be part of the Highest First Resurrection (Revelation 20:4 – 6, 1 Thessalonians 4:13 – 18)?
“… Let us, then, not only call Him Lord, for that will not save us. For He saith, “Not every one that saith to me, Lord, Lord, shall be saved, but he that worketh righteousness.” [Matthew 7:20 – 23] Wherefore, brethren, let us confess Him by our works, by loving one another, by not committing adultery, or speaking evil of one another, or cherishing envy; but by being continent, compassionate, and good. We ought also to sympathize with one another, and not be avaricious. By such works let us confess Him, and not by those that are of an opposite kind. And it is not fitting that we should fear men, but rather God. For this reason, if we should do such [wicked] things, the Lord hath said, “Even though ye were gathered together to me in my very bosom, yet if ye were not to keep my commandments, I would cast you off, and say unto you, Depart from me; I know you not whence ye are, ye workers of iniquity.” [Matthew 7:20 – 23] … Wherefore, brethren, leaving [willingly] our sojourn in this present world, let us do the will of Him that called us, and not fear to depart out of this world. For the Lord saith, “Ye shall be as lambs in the midst of wolves.” And Peter answered and said unto Him, “What, then, if the wolves shall tear in pieces the lambs?” Jesus said unto Peter, “The lambs have no cause after they are dead to fear the wolves; and in like manner, fear not ye them that kill you, and can do nothing more unto you; but fear Him who, after you are dead, has power over both soul and body to cast them into hell-fire.” And consider, brethren, that the sojourning in the flesh in this world is but brief and transient, but the promise of Christ is great and wonderful, even the rest of the kingdom to come, and of life everlasting. By what course of conduct, then, shall we attain these things, but by leading a holy and righteous life, and by deeming these worldly things as not belonging to us, and not fixing our desires upon them? For if we desire to possess them, we fall away from the path of righteousness. …” – Blessed St. Clement of Rome, an Apostolic Father being a direct Disciple of the Blessed Apostle St. Peter (c.35 AD – c. 99 AD, 2 Clement, Consecutive Chapters Chapter IV, Chapter V)
Source: http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/text/2clement-roberts.html
I repeat, focus of Context for Matthew 7:20 – 23’s “I never knew you” includes toward those like this according to this Great Saint, to quote:
“… Let us, then, not only call Him Lord, for that will not save us. For He saith, “Not every one that saith to me, Lord, Lord, shall be saved, but he that worketh righteousness.” [Matthew 7:20 -23] Wherefore, brethren, let us confess Him by our works, by loving one another, by not committing adultery, or speaking evil of one another, or cherishing envy; but by being continent, compassionate, and good. We ought also to sympathize with one another, and not be avaricious. By such works let us confess Him, and not by those that are of an opposite kind … By what course of conduct, then, shall we attain these things, but by leading a holy and righteous life, and by deeming these worldly things as not belonging to us, and not fixing our desires upon them? For if we desire to possess them, we fall away from the path of righteousness. …” – Blessed St. Clement of Rome, an Apostolic Father being a direct Disciple of the Blessed Apostle St. Peter
‘… In Crisis, our Love, our Character, our Doctrine and our Self is Best Revealed …’
Please remember that ‘Judgment Day Verses’ are all ‘Charity Works Verses’ (e. g. “When I was hungry… When I was Naked… When I was Homeless… ” in Matthew 25 & according to ‘how much we do it to our fellow men & in what expense or cost do we incur whilst doing it’ as implied in Luke 14:33).
In Verses below, it is clear that to be the Salt of the Earth wherever we are, it requires the Renunciation of our Possessions as much as we can.
Yes, by Practicing these Traits is ‘how’ the ‘last shall become first’ in Christianity itself as the “Bible Verses” (not opinions of men) Reveal this Secret as follows:
“27Then Peter answered and said to Him, “See, we have left all and followed You. Therefore what shall we have?”28So Jesus said to them, “Assuredly I say to you, that in the regeneration, when the Son of Man sits on the throne of His glory, you who have followed Me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. 29And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands, for My name’s sake, shall receive a hundredfold, and inherit eternal life. 30But many who are first will be last, and the last first.” (Matthew 19:27 – 30, NKJV)
In these set of Verses below, please notice that Christ Implies that the “Salt with Flavour” seems to refer to Christians who have “renounced their possessions in some way & vice versa”, right?
“33So likewise, whoever of you does not forsake all that he has cannot be My disciple. 34“Salt is good; but if the salt has lost its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? 35It is neither fit for the land nor for the dunghill, but men throw it out. He who has ears to hear, let him hear!” – Most Blessed Lord Jesus Christ (Luke 14:33 – 35, NKJV)
Or in another translation, please consider:
“33“So then, none of you can be My disciple who does not give up all his own possessions. 34“Therefore, salt is good; but if even salt has become tasteless, with what will it be seasoned? 35“It is useless either for the soil or for the manure pile; it is thrown out. He who has ears to hear, let him hear.” – Most Blessed Lord Jesus Christ (Luke 14:33 – 35, NASB)
Let us focus on Biblical Doctrines which Promises the Greatest Rewards in His Kingdom beyond the Basic Salvation Doctrine only as Holy Scripture exhorts (Matthew 5:19).
“19“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; 20but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” – God in Flesh, Lord Jesus Christ (Matthew 6:19 – 21, NKJV)
Even if we cannot be Perfect, let us strive to move toward this Direction of Agape/Love of God in Action as much as we like to do Voluntarily.
“21Jesus said to him, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.”22But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.” (Matthew 19:21 – 22, NKJV)
Let us remember that the poor do not need the rich to be Saved (as per the Rich Man and Lazarus Story too, Luke 16:19 – 31) but the Rich Man certainly needs to do Charity Works toward the poor to be Saved (1 Timothy 6:17 – 20, James 5:1 – 5), to quote:
“… 401 8r,3 But he does not know that the Old Testament also says, “The poor and the rich have met together: but the Lord is the maker of them both.” 402 And the New Testament agrees, and pronounces a blessing on the poor who are literally poor, and in another passage a blessing on the poor in spirit, so that both pronouncements have force. Thus Peter can point with pride to his literal poverty and say, “Silver and gold have I none, but what I have, I give thee; in the name of Jesus Christ, rise up and walk,” 403 (4) so that the blessing of the actually poor means nothing contradictory to the blessing of the poor in spirit. The “poor in spirit” are persons in righteous possession of property, while the “poor” are the humble, of whom Christ said, “I was an hungered, and ye gave me meat, thirsty, and ye gave me drink,” and so on 81,5 Next he explains, ‘These (i.e., the poor in spirit) acted of their abundance”; 405 and you see one and the same Spirit speaking of the poor and the rich in the Old Testament and the same in the New, just as the Savior praises them both. (6) For as he was watching the treasury he saw people putting money into the treasury, and did not refuse the gifts of the rich; but he praised the widow who had put in the two mites for her [actual] poverty, as we have said, in fulfillment of the scripture, “The poor and the rich have met together: but the Lord is the maker of them both.” 406 (81,7) And to show that this is so, and the Spirit of the Old and the New Testaments is the same, see the apostle say of the ancient prophets, “The time would fail me to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephtha, David and the other prophets who wandered about in sheepskins, in goatskins, being tormented, straitened, afflicted, of whom the world was not worthy.” 407 For I have found that Isaiah wore sackcloth, and Elijah too. And do you see how, in the Old and the New Testaments, the poor are called blessed for piety, and the rich are called blessed for righteousness? …” – Blessed St. Epiphanius, Bishop of Salamis and the ‘Hammer of Heretics’, (c. 310 AD – c. 403 AD, ‘MANICHAEANS’ , “Panarion or Medicine-Chest”, Point 62.10, Pages 308 – 309)
Source:
Related Verses:
“17Command those who are rich in this present age not to be haughty, nor to trust in uncertain riches but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy. 18Let them do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to give, willing to share, 19storing up for themselves a good foundation for the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life. 20O Timothy! Guard what was committed to your trust, avoiding the profane and idle babblings and contradictions of what is falsely called knowledge—” – the Holy, Generous and Great St. Paul the Apostle of Christ to Blessed St. Timothy a Faithful Son in the Faith (1 Timothy 6:17 – 20, NKJV)
“… 5You have lived on the earth in pleasure and luxury; you have fattened your hearts as in a day of slaughter.” …” – Blessed Apostle St. James the Just
“1Come now, you rich, weep and howl for your miseries that are coming upon you! 2Your riches are corrupted, and your garments are moth-eaten. 3Your gold and silver are corroded, and their corrosion will be a witness against you and will eat your flesh like fire. You have heaped up treasure in the last days. 4Indeed the wages of the laborers who mowed your fields, which you kept back by fraud, cry out; and the cries of the reapers have reached the ears of the Lord of Sabaoth. 5You have lived on the earth in pleasure and luxury; you have fattened your hearts as in a day of slaughter.” – Blessed Apostle St. James the Just, First Bishop of Jerusalem (James 5:1 – 5, NKJV)
“19“There was a certain rich man who was clothed in purple and fine linen and [h]fared sumptuously every day. 20But there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, full of sores, who was laid at his gate, … 22So it was that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels to Abraham’s bosom. The rich man also died and was buried. 23And being in torments in Hades, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. 24“Then he cried and said, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus that he may dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.’ 25But Abraham said, ‘Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things; but now he is comforted and you are tormented.” – Most Blessed & Greatest One, God in Flesh Lord Jesus Christ (Luke 16:19 – 20, 22 – 25, NKJV)
Please read these Bible Verses and First Christianity quotes carefully as I implore thee as the ‘Prosperity Gospel Preachers cannot save us’, example regarding the importance of “faith with works” to be Saved (i. e. Being Part of the Greatest First Resurrection as His Bride) is discussed in link below:
https://www.facebook.com/jonathan.ramachandran/posts/10159204868617784
Yes, to be part of the Bride of Christ (i.e. the ‘Elect’s Salvation’) participating in the First Resurrection, we need to be “justified by both Faith and Works” and ‘not Faith only’, Verse:
“You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only.” (James 2:24, NKJV)
And a Main Work of Faith is certainly “Charity Works” or equivalent as Blessed Apostle St. James the Just who wrote the Verse above under Inspiration of His Holy Spirit defined this Context too as follows:
“14What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him? 15If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, 16and one of you says to them, “Depart in peace, be warmed and filled,” but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit? 17Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.” (James 2:14 – 17, NKJV)
How much to Give? Let each Decide Voluntarily (2 Corinthians 9:7):
“Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you.” – The Greatest Giver, Lord Jesus Christ (Luke 6:38, NKJV)
Judgment is toward those who are given more as they are expected to do more (‘percentage count’ as we have seen, e.g. Luke 21:1 – 4):
“But he who did not know, yet committed things deserving of stripes, shall be beaten with few. For everyone to whom much is given, from him much will be required; and to whom much has been committed, of him they will ask the more.” – The Fairest Judge of All, Lord Jesus Christ (Luke 12:48, NKJV)
” 19Whoever therefore breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. 20For I say to you, that unless your righteousness exceeds the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven.” – KING of the Heavens and Most Blessed One, LORD of lords, Jesus Christ (Matthew 5:19 – 20, NKJV)
“ 23But he who received seed on the good ground is he who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and produces: some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.” – The Perfect One and Only, Lord Jesus Christ (Matthew 13:23, NKJV)
Summary
“… And yet if both the land be good, and the Sower one, and the seed the same, wherefore did one bear a hundred, one sixty, one thirty? Here again the difference is from the nature of the ground, for even where the ground is good, great even therein is the difference. Do you see, that not the husbandman is to be blamed, nor the seed, but the land that receives it? Not for its nature, but for its disposition. And herein too, great is His mercy to man, that He does not require one measure of virtue, but while He receives the first, and casts not out the second, He gives also a place to the third… Hear ye therefore the parable of the sower, says He; and He speaks what we before mentioned, of carelessness and attention, of cowardice and fortitude, of wealth and VOLUNTARY POVERTY; pointing out the hurt from the one, and the benefit from the other… Then of virtue also He brings forward different forms. For being full of love to man, He marked out not one only way, nor did He say, unless one bring forth an hundred [HUNDREDFOLD], he is an outcast; but he that brings forth sixty [SIXTY FOLD] is saved also, and not he only, but also the producer of thirty [THIRTY-FOLD]. And this He said, making out salvation to be easy. And thou then, are you unable to practise virginity? Be chaste in marriage. Are you UNABLE to strip yourself of YOUR POSSESSIONS? Give of YOUR SUBSTANCE. Can you NOT BEAR that BURDEN? SHARE YOUR GOOD with Christ. Are YOU UNWILLING to YIELD Him UP ALL? GIVE HIM but THE HALF, but the THIRD PART [of your Money/Possessions]. He is your brother, and joint-heir, make Him joint-heir with you here too. WHATSOEVER YOU GIVE HIM, YOU WILL GIVE TO YOURSELF … ” – Blessed St. John Chrysostom, Archbishop of Constantinople, Doctor of the Church (c. 349 AD – c. 407 AD, ‘Commentary on Matthew’, Chapter 13)
Source:
P/S: Worrying and Hoarding disallowed by Christ Himself
“21“So is the man who stores up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God. 22And He said to His disciples, “For this reason I say to you, do not worry about your life, as to what you will eat; nor for your body, as to what you will put on. 23“For life is more than food, and the body more than clothing. 24“Consider the ravens, for they neither sow nor reap; they have no storeroom nor barn, and yet God feeds them; how much more valuable you are than the birds! 25“And which of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life’s span?” – Most Blessed Lord Jesus Christ (Luke 12:21 – 25, NASB)
The Virgins/Servants with their “lamps lit” are those who practice a lot of “Charity Works” as these Verses Reveal from this same Chapter:
” 31“But SEEK HIS KINGDOM, and THESE THINGS will be ADDED TO YOU. 32“Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has chosen gladly to give you the kingdom. 33“SELL YOUR POSSESSIONS and GIVE TO CHARITY; make yourselves money belts which do not wear out, an unfailing treasure in heaven, where no thief comes near nor moth destroys. 34“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. 35“Be dressed in readiness, and KEEP YOUR LAMPS LIT 36“Be like men who are waiting for their master when he returns from the wedding feast, so that they may immediately open the door to him when he comes and knocks. 37“Blessed are those slaves whom the master will find on the alert when he comes; truly I say to you, that he will gird himself to serve, and have them recline at the table, and will come up and wait on them. 38“Whether he comes in the second watch, or even in the third, and finds them so, blessed are those slaves.” – Most Blessed Lord Jesus Christ (Luke 12:31 – 38, NKJV)
Conclusion
“1“Then the kingdom of heaven will be comparable to ten virgins, who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. 2“Five of them were foolish, and five were prudent. 3“For when the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them, 4but the prudent took oil in flasks along with their lamps. 5“Now while the bridegroom was delaying, they all got drowsy and began to sleep. 6“But at midnight there was a shout, ‘Behold, the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.’ 7“Then all those virgins rose and trimmed their lamps. 8“The foolish said to the prudent, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’ 9“But the prudent answered, ‘No, there will not be enough for us and you too; go instead to the dealers and buy some for yourselves.’ 10“And while they were going away to make the purchase, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding feast; and the door was shut. 11“Later the other virgins also came, saying, ‘Lord, lord, open up for us.’ 12“But he answered, ‘Truly I say to you, I do not know you.’ 13“Be on the alert then, for you do not know the day nor the hour.” – The Perfect Bridegroom Lord Jesus Christ (Matthew 25:1 – 13, NASB)
It makes sense as to why First Christianity clearly taught that the Parable of the Virgins with enough oil to keep their “lamps lit” refers “selling what one has” to do “Charity Works” agreeing perfectly to the Verses above (please read the CAPITALIZED WORDS in Verses above ‘carefully’ to see this as how the earliest church leaders likewise noted this truth below), to quote:
Let’s not be Like the 5 Foolish Virgins who did not store up ‘enough oil’ (Matthew 25:1 – 13)
“… Or, The “oil” denotes joy, according to that, “God hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness.” [Ps 45:7] He then whose joy springs not from this that he is inwardly pleasing to God, has no oil with him; for they have no gladness in their continent lives, [p. 846] save in the praises of men. “But the wise took oil with their lamps,” that is, the gladness of good works, “in their vessels,” that is, they stored it in their heart and conscience, as the Apostle speaks, “Let every man prove himself, and then shall he have rejoicing in himself, and not in another.” [Gal 6:4] …” – Blessed St. Augustine of Hippo, Doctor of the Church, who influenced virtually all of subsequent Western philosophy and Catholic theology, as well as a significant amount of Protestant theology (c. 354 AD – c. 430 AD)
or
“… Or, The “oil” denotes charity, alms, and every aid rendered to the needy; the lamps denote the gifts of virginity; and He calls them “foolish,” because after having gone through the greater toil, they lost all for the sake of a less; for it is greater labour to overcome the desires of the flesh than of money….” – Blessed St. John Chrysostom, Doctor of the Church, Archbishop of Constantinople (c. 349 AD – c. 407 AD)
Or
“… They that believe rightly, and live righteously, are likened to the five wise ; they that profess the faith of Jesus, but prepare themselves not by good works to salvation, are likened to the five foolish. And because the virtues are so linked together, that he who has one has all, so all the senses so follow one another, that all must be wise, or all foolish. …” – Blessed Origen of Alexandria, the Great but surprisingly Modest Exegete of the Eastern Church, “Nicknamed: Admantius or Man of Steel”, Tortured and Martyred for Christ (c. 184 AD – c. 253 AD)
Or
“… The “oil” is the fruit of good works, the “vessels” are the human bodies in whose inward parts the treasure of a good conscience is to be laid up. …” – Blessed St. Hilary of Poictiers, the “Athanasius of the West”, Doctor of the Church, The Champion of Trinity in the West (c. 310 AD – c. 368 AD)
or
“… The virgins that have oil are they who, besides their faith, have the ornament of good works – they that have not oil, are they that seem to confess with like faith, but neglect the works of virtue. …” – Blessed St. Jerome of the Vulgate, Doctor of the Church who did the First Official Translation of the Bible out of Its Original Languages into Latin, Priest, Confessor, Secretary to Pope Damasus I (c. 347 AD – c. 420 AD)
or
“… Or, The “oil” is the word of teaching, with which the vessels of souls are filled ; for what gives so great content as moral discourse, which is called the oil of light. The “wise” took with them of this oil, as much as would suffice, though the Word should tarry long, and be slack to come to their consummation. The, “foolish” took lamps, alight indeed at the first, but not supplied with so much oil as should suffice even to the end, being careless respecting the provision of doctrine which comforts faith, and enlightens the lamp of good deeds…” – Blessed Origen of Alexandria, the Great but surprisingly Modest Exegete of the Eastern Church, “Nicknamed: Admantius or Man of Steel”, Tortured and Martyred for Christ (c. 184 AD – c. 253 AD)
Or
“… Or, the trimming their lamps is the return of their souls into their bodies, and their light is the consciousness of good works that shines forth, which is contained in the vessels of the body. They that sell are the poor, who, needing the alms of the faithful, made them that recompense which they desire, selling in return for the relief afforded to their wants, a consciousness of good works. This is the abundant fuel of an undying light which may be bought and stored up for the fruits of mercy. “The marriage” is the putting on of immortality, and the joining together corruption and incorruption in a new union. Yet though the season of repentance is now past, the foolish virgins come and beg that entrance may be granted to them. …” – Blessed St. Hilary of Poictiers, the “Athanasius of the West”, Doctor of the Church, The Champion of Trinity in the West (c. 310 AD – c. 368 AD).
Source for each Quote above:
May the Most Blessed Holy Trinity have Mercy on whom He Wills to Him be the Glory both now, to the age and to the ages of Ages without end. Amen.
Peace to you
Fasting, Unanswered Prayers, Suffering Mystery – Why are the Curses in the World?
Because we have neglected the poor who die daily in hunger, pestilence, war…
Fasting and Prayer only works toward “Perfect Healing” if and only if “it is accompanied by CHARITY WORKS toward the POOR” (one of the required condition as listed in Verses below among many); please read the Bible Verses below ‘Carefully’ to realize this:
“6“Is this not the fast that I have chosen: … 7Is it not to share your bread with the hungry, And that you bring to your house the poor who are cast out;When you see the naked, that you cover him ,… Then your light shall break forth like the morning, Your healing shall spring forth speedily, And your righteousness shall go before you; The glory of the Lord shall be your rear guard 9Then you shall call, and the Lord will answer; You shall cry, and He will say, ‘Here I am.’ … 10If you extend your soul to the hungry And satisfy the afflicted soul, Then your light shall dawn in the darkness, And your darkness shall be as the noonday.” – God Speaks (Isaiah 58:6 – 10, NKJV, Highlighted-Selected parts for emphasis)
Here are those Verses in Full:
“6“Is this not the fast that I have chosen: To loose the bonds of wickedness, To undo the heavy burdens, To let the oppressed go free, and that you break every yoke? 7Is it not to share your bread with the hungry, And that you bring to your house the poor who are cast out; When you see the naked, that you cover him, And not hide yourself from your own flesh? 8Then your light shall break forth like the morning, Your healing shall spring forth speedily, And your righteousness shall go before you; The glory of the Lord shall be your rear guard 9Then you shall call, and the Lord will answer; You shall cry, and He will say, ‘Here I am.’ “If you take away the yoke from your midst, The pointing of the finger, and speaking wickedness, 10If you extend your soul to the hungry And satisfy the afflicted soul, Then your light shall dawn in the darkness, And your darkness shall be as the noonday.” – God Speaks (Isaiah 58:6 – 10, NKJV)
Conclusion
When a Christian fasts it must be accompanied with “Charity works” as the Bible Verses in Isaiah 58:6 – 8 above agree too:
“… 3[56]:7 And thus shalt thou do. Having fulfilled what is written, on that day on which thou fastest thou shalt taste nothing but bread and water; and from thy meats, which thou wouldest have eaten, thou shalt reckon up the amount of that day’s expenditure, which thou wouldest have incurred, and shalt give it to a widow, or an orphan, or to one in want, and so shalt thou humble thy soul, that he that hath received from thy humiliation may satisfy his own soul, and may pray for thee to the Lord. …” – Shepherd of Hermas (Parable 5)
Source: http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/text/shepherd-lightfoot.html
Peace to you
Common Good and the First Pentecostal Church Mystery
“… For “cast ye,” saith He, “the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” [2871] Seest thou how not only the spoiler, and the covetous, nor only the doer of evil things, but also he that doeth not good things [James 4:17], is punished with extreme punishment. … Knowing then these things, let us contribute alike wealth, and diligence, and protection, [2872] and all things for our neighbor’s advantage. For the talents here are each person’s ability, whether in the way of protection, or in money, or in teaching, or in what thing soever of the kind. Let no man say, I have but one talent, and can do nothing; for thou canst even by one approve thyself. For thou art not poorer than that widow [Luke 21:1 – 4]; thou art not more uninstructed than Peter and John, who were both “unlearned and ignorant men;” [2873] but nevertheless, since they showed forth a zeal, and did all things for the common good, they attained to Heaven [Matthew 19:27 – 30]. For nothing is so pleasing to God, as to live for the common advantage [Acts 2:44 – 45, Acts 4:32, 1 John 3:16 – 18]. …” – Blessed St. John Chrysostom, Doctor of the Church, Archbishop of Constantinople (c. 349 AD – c. 407 AD)
Source (Homily on Matthew 25):
https://biblehub.com/commentaries/chrysostom/matthew/25.htm
This is the Real Test of Faith with Works which is not “Dead”, to quote:
“14What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him? 15If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, 16and one of you says to them, “Depart in peace, be warmed and filled,” but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit? 17Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead … 24You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only.” (James 2:14 – 17, 24, NKJV)
Indeed, “Judgment Day Verses” are not about ‘Church attendance’ nor about how much prosperity (money/wealth) you managed to accumulate but only “Charity Works” (Matthew 25:31 – 46), to quote:
“37“Then the righteous will answer Him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You drink? 38When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or naked and clothe You? 39Or when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?’ 40And the King will answer and say to them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.’ 41“Then He will also say to those on the left hand, ‘Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels: 42for I was hungry and you gave Me no food; I was thirsty and you gave Me no drink; 43I was a stranger and you did not take Me in, naked and you did not clothe Me, sick and in prison and you did not visit Me.’.” – Lord Jesus Christ (Matthew 25:37 – 43, NKJV)
So, are we living for the “Common Good” in some way as Christians to be Saved?
The First Lifestyle change that occurred after the Day of Pentecost upon believers who had the Holy Spirit of God is Manifested in the following way of daily living. Please note the phrases ‘simplicity of heart ♥’ and ‘one heart and one soul’ and ‘neither did anyone say that any of the things he possessed was his own, but they had all things in common’.
“1When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. … 44Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common, 45and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had need. 46So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart,” (Acts 2:1, 44 – 46, NKJV)
“Now the multitude of those who believed were of one heart and one soul; neither did anyone say that any of the things he possessed was his own, but they had all things in common.” (Acts 4:32, NKJV)
The Wrong Competition is where people try to hoard more money and things to ‘save themselves’. The Right Biblical Competition is for one to do the exact opposite (Luke 12:21, Luke 12:31 – 33, Matthew 6:19 – 20).
Conclusion
A believer often reminded atheists and philosophers as follows,
‘… If your way of life is better than Christ’s, than give more than Him, do more than what He Commanded. What is more than sharing ‘all that you have’? …’
This is the “Love” when Practiced toward “friends” (as anyone can be friends, with no blood relations or any biasedness) becomes ‘greatest’ as the following Verses Reveal Majestically as the True Biblical Meaning of “laying down our lives” (this is the ‘other John 3:16’):
“Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.” – Lord Jesus Christ (John 15:13, NKJV)
“A friend loves at all times …” (Proverbs 17:17, NKJV)
What to Practice?
“16By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us. And we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. 17But whoever has this world’s goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of God abide in him? 18My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue,” but in deed and in truth.” (1 John 3:16 – 18, NKJV)
People find it hard to work and provide for their own families itself, now how much more to “free give” to “friends” or the “brethren”? (e. g. Acts 20:34, 1 Corinthians 4:12)
“… Freely you have received, freely give.” – Lord Jesus Christ (Matthew 10:8, NKJV)
That’s why the Reward is the “Hundredfold 💯 Heavens” itself to those who Practice toward that:
“27Then Peter answered and said to Him, “See, we have left all and followed You. Therefore what shall we have?” 28So Jesus said to them, “Assuredly I say to you, that in the regeneration, when the Son of Man sits on the throne of His glory, you who have followed Me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. 29And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands, for My name’s sake, shall receive a hundredfold, and inherit eternal life. 30But many who are first will be last, and the last first.” (Matthew 19:27 – 30, NKJV)
Please let us not feel overconfident in our giving as it may be too little as God counts in Percentages too (as Demonstrated in Luke 21:1 – 4).
Peace to you
False Prophets Biblical Identification and Gold Refined in Fire
1) True Prophets Speak well of the Poor/Voluntarily Poor and are Rejected/Spoken Evil of by men
“20Then He lifted up His eyes toward His disciples, and said:
“Blessed are you poor,
For yours is the kingdom of God.
21Blessed are you who hunger now,
For you shall be filled.
Blessed are you who weep now,
For you shall laugh.
22Blessed are you when men hate you,
And when they exclude you,
And revile you, and cast out your name as evil,
For the Son of Man’s sake.
23Rejoice in that day and leap for joy!
For indeed your reward is great in heaven,
For in like manner their fathers did to the prophets.” – Most Blessed Lord Jesus Christ (Luke 6:20 – 23, NKJV)
2) False Prophets Speak well of the Rich and are Accepted/Praised as good by men
“24“But woe to you who are rich,
For you have received your consolation.
25Woe to you who are full,
For you shall hunger.
Woe to you who laugh now,
For you shall mourn and weep.
26Woe to you when all men speak well of you,For so did their fathers to the false prophets.” – Most Blessed Lord Jesus Christ (Luke 6:24 – 26, NKJV)
Conclusion
Why?
What’s the Logic?
Because if one is Voluntarily Poor or Poor, such a one is never responsible for taking more than what one needs. A rich is always having abundance where that ought to be given to someone in need. Indeed, we all fall short of this Perfection in many ways (Matthew 19:27 – 30) but the more we can practice taking only what we need and giving the rest away toward anyone in need, we are considered “poor in spirit” and fulfilling our part in True Humanitarian Aid toward our fellow human beings in some way (Acts 2:44 – 46, 1 John 3:16 – 18, Acts 4:32). In fact when one is hoarding or taking more than one’s needs, creating the poor even via their capitalistic greediness, one is breaking God’s Commands (Luke 12:21) which causes imbalance and Curses/Diseases upon the World. So, the rich are in fact responsible in more than one way to the plagues/diseases upon the world (e. g. Leviticus 26:18, Hebrews 2:2, Deuteronomy 28:15 – 22). Example:
“15“But if you don’t obey the LORD your God and faithfully carry out all his commands and statutes that I’m giving you today, then all these curses will come upon you and overwhelm you. 16“Cursed will you be in the city and cursed will you be in the country. … 21The LORD will cause you to be ill with long-lasting diseases until you are wiped out from the land that you are entering to possess. 22The LORD will afflict you with tuberculosis, fever, inflammation, high fever, drought, blight, and mildew. These will attack you until you are completely destroyed.” (Deuteronomy 28:15 – 16, 21 – 22, NKJV)
If there be any cure for a disease, let’s not think that it’s science which saved us simply because it is God Who gave that Scientist (even if he be an atheist) the knowledge to develop a medicine by “His Mercy”, to quote:
“I taught Ephraim to walk, Taking them by their arms; But they did not know that I healed them.” – God Speaks (in Hosea 11:3, NKJV)
May God have Mercy on us all.
This is what Christ Speaks in Consecutive Verses next in Luke 6 itself regarding the Context of Being “Merciful”
“27“But I say to you who hear: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28bless those who curse you, and pray for those who spitefully use you. 29To him who strikes you on the one cheek, offer the other also. And from him who takes away your cloak, do not withhold your tunic either. 30Give to everyone who asks of you. And from him who takes away your goods do not ask them back. 31And just as you want men to do to you, you also do to them likewise. 32“But if you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. 33And if you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. 34And if you lend to those from whom you hope to receive back, what credit is that to you? For even sinners lend to sinners to receive as much back. 35But love your enemies, do good, and lend, hoping for nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High. For He is kind to the unthankful and evil. 36Therefore be merciful, just as your Father also is merciful.” – Most Blessed Lord Jesus Christ (Luke 6:27 – 36, NKJV)
After mentioning the above Main Points , Christ Ends His Infamous Sermon on the Mount implying that ‘these are the good fruits’ which He is looking for and ‘the man who Practices these is like the one who built his house on the Rock’, to quote:
“43“For a good tree does not bear bad fruit, nor does a bad tree bear good fruit. 44For every tree is known by its own fruit. For men do not gather figs from thorns, nor do they gather grapes from a bramble bush. 45A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth evil. For out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks. 46“But why do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do the things which I say? 47Whoever comes to Me, and hears My sayings and does them, I will show you whom he is like: 48He is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock. And when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently against that house, and could not shake it, for it was founded on the rock. 49But he who heard and did nothing is like a man who built a house on the earth without a foundation, against which the stream beat vehemently; and immediately it fell. And the ruin of that house was great.” – Most Blessed Lord Jesus Christ (Luke 6:43 – 49, NKJV)
P/S: What’s considered beyond our ability?
- i) In temptations, God doesn’t allow beyond our ability
“No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.” (1 Corinthians 10:13, NKJV)
- ii) Gold Refined in Fire Meaning
Only in Giving money to the poor/charity/ministry to meet the needs of others, God has allowed some to “give beyond their abilities” and “in their extreme poverty even” (Luke 21:1 – 4)
“1Moreover, brethren, we make known to you the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia: 2that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded in the riches of their liberality. 3For I bear witness that according to their ability, yes, and beyond their ability, they were freely willing, 4imploring us with much urgency that we would receive the gift and the fellowship of the ministering to the saints.” (2 Corinthians 8:1 – 4, NKJV)
‘… True Generosity is how much we can give whilst putting ourselves at risk too, that’s the faith demonstrated in Verses prior (2 Corinthians 8:3) …’
This is why I’m repeatedly amazed at First Christianity as such acts were not rare but a common place (Acts 2:44 – 46, Acts 4:32).
Charity Gifts even as small as they may be have a higher Value especially in Love when Given in Time of Income Deficiencies faced by the Giver themselves as the Bible Verses above Speak which may refer to a time where for Christians it may be a time to “Buy Gold Refined in Fire”, to quote Verses again:
“15“I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. 16So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth. 17Because you say, ‘I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing’—and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked— 18I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you may be rich; and white garments, that you may be clothed, that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see. 19As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent. 20Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me. 21To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne. 22“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” – KING of kings and LORD of lords, Most Blessed Lord Jesus Christ (Revelation 3:15 – 22, NKJV)
“… “Just as lukewarm water causes people who receive it to vomit,” he says, “hence I too, through a word of my mouth will vomit you like detested food into eternal punishment, for you mingled the thorns of riches with the seed of the divine word216 in your own poverty by spiritual ignorance, and the blindness of your intelligible217 eyes and the nakedness of good deeds.”218 Rev. 3:18 I advise you to buy from me gold refined by fire, so that you will become rich, and that you may put on white garments, that the shame ofyour nakedness may not be revealed, and salve to anoint your eyes, that you may see. “If you would be rich,” he says, “to acquire a burning résolve and a willing heart take refined gold from me, the Enricher, the instructive Word illumined by the fire of 9 1 0 trials, through which you will hâve the inviolable treasure in the heart and be clothed in the most brilliant garment [44] of virtues through which the nakedness attached to you from sin 990 will be covered.” Eye salve (is) also lack of possessions. …” – Blessed St. Andreas/Andrew, Bishop of Caesarea, Earliest Greek Patristic commentary on the Apocalypse (c. 563 AD – c. 637 AD)
Source [ Point 43 – 44 , Pages 51 – 52, Chapter 9 ] :
https://www.preteristarchive.com/Books/pdf/2008_constantinou_andrew-translation.pdf
Here’s another First Christianity Quote testifying to this Biblical Truth:
“It was revealed to Abba Anthony* in his desert that there was one who was his equal in the city. He was a doctor by profession and whatever he had beyond his needs he gave to the poor, and every day he sang the Sanctus with the angels.”
*Abba Anthony = Blessed St. Anthony the Great
The quote is from the Source below (retrospectively, they are called the ‘Sayings of the Desert Fathers’):
https://www.patristics.co/sayings/
The ‘unknown doctor’ was to be EQUAL to even the greatest Mega Church Pastor in his city (e.g. St. Anthony the Great) as this Founder of the Desert Father’s Order himself testifies in ‘his own words above’ agreeing in Perfect Context with Christ’s Most Blessed Words below making God Perfectly Fair toward anyone.
Among All Virtues a Christian may Practice, the ‘Highest Virtue’ is ‘Charity toward others’, to quote:
“… And the charge against them is, that they have done the very opposite of that for which the saints were praised. “For I was hungry, and you gave Me not to eat; and thirsty, and you gave Me not to drink: for inasmuch as you did it not, He says, to one of these little ones, you did it not to Me.” But to this perhaps some one will object, that there are many kinds of well living; for virtue is diversified, so to speak, and manifold: why therefore, having omitted those other kinds, does He make mention only of love to the poor? To this we reply, that the act is better than any other kind of |532 well doing: for it works in our souls a certain divine likeness which moulds us, so to speak, after God’s image. For Christ also has said, “Be you merciful, as your Father also in heaven is merciful,” He who is quick to show mercy, and compassionate and kind, is ranked with the true worshippers; for it is written, that “a pure and unpolluted sacrifice to God the Father is this, to visit orphans and widows in their poverty, and that a man keep himself unspotted from the world.” And the wise Paul also has somewhere written, “But alms and communication forget not: for with such sacrifices God is content.” For He loves not the incense of the legal worship, but requires rather the pleasantness of the sweet spiritual savour. But the sweet spiritual savour unto God is to show pity unto men, and to maintain love towards them. …” – Blessed St. Cyril, Patriarch of Alexandria, Titles: The Pillar of Faith; Seal of all the Fathers; Bishop, Confessor, and Doctor of the Church (c. 376 AD – c. 444 AD, Commentary on Luke 16:19 – 31)
Source: https://sites.google.com/site/aquinasstudybible/home/luke-commentary/cyril-on-luke-16
Peace to you
Unseen Death of Riches / Money in Abundance
“Earthly goods are given to be used, not to be collected…. Hoarding is idolatry.” — Blessed Dietrich Bonhoeffer
Why?
Because a fruit Covetousness is hoarding (Luke 12:21) and Covetousness (or “Love of Money*”) is Idolatry in Bible Verse below:
“Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.” (Colossians 3:5, NKJV)
And “idolaters” will have their part in the Lake of Fire, right (Revelation 21:8)?
Yes, the “Covetous” will “not inherit the kingdom of God” as it is stated in Verse below clearly. Now, how is one who hoards plenty of money is not “covetous” (“loving money”)?
“nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God.” (1 Corinthians 6:10, NKJV)
*How much do we ‘Love Money’? (1 Timothy 6:9 – 10)
Self Check Tip: ‘If we collect and hoard a lot of the money we earn (by “percentage”, not amount), that’s how much we love money and vice-versa’. The opposite is also true in that ‘how much (in “percentage too”) we give away’ to our fellow men for their needs proves that we don’t love money & vice-versa too (Acts 4:32, Acts 2:44 – 45) as this is the “Law of Christ” Definition (in Galatians 6:2 as ‘bearing each other’s burdens’, implied in 1 John 3:16 – 18 too).
This ‘Way of Death’ is clearly seen in the First Christianity Writing called the “Didache” which is believed to be the Lord’s Teaching via the Twelve Apostles, to quote:
“… And the way of death is this: First of all it is evil and accursed: murders, adultery, lust, fornication, thefts, idolatries, magic arts, witchcrafts, rape, false witness, hypocrisy, double-heartedness, deceit, haughtiness, depravity, self-will, greediness, filthy talking, jealousy, over-confidence, loftiness, boastfulness; persecutors of the good, hating truth, loving a lie, not knowing a reward for righteousness, not cleaving to good nor to righteous judgment, watching not for that which is good, but for that which is evil; from whom meekness and endurance are far, loving vanities, pursuing revenge, not pitying a poor man, not laboring for the afflicted, not knowing Him Who made them, murderers of children, destroyers of the handiwork of God, turning away from him who is in want, afflicting him who is distressed, advocates of the rich, lawless judges of the poor, utter sinners. Be delivered, children, from all these. …” – The Didache (Chapter 5)
Source:
http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/text/didache-roberts.html
Focus phrases/words for this Context from the quote above:
“… greediness … loving vanities … not pitying a poor man, not laboring for the afflicted, … turning away from him who is in want, afflicting him who is distressed, advocates of the rich, lawless judges of the poor, … Be delivered, children, from all these. …” – The Didache
Conclusion – It’s okay to repeat this Biblical Truth “again” as Christ Repeated It too Himself:
“[Then Jesus said to His disciples], “Assuredly, I say to you that it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven.” – Most Blessed Lord Jesus Christ (Matthew 19:23, NKJV)
“And again I say to you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.” – Most Blessed Lord Jesus Christ (Matthew 19:24, NKJV)
Note: Christ Said the above toward a ‘Rich Man who has kept the Torah Well from his youth and not toward a known sinful rich man’ (The Biblical Context is more serious than we think it is especially since Christ Repeated this as the word “again” means calling us to be Alert to this Truth where the opposite is a Way of Perdition or Loss, Implied).
Comment: If it’s “hard” for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God, the opposite must be true also, right? In that, it must be easy for a “poor” to enter the kingdom of God, right? (Lazarus’ Example in the Bible Clearly Proves this in Luke 16:19 – 31).
Hence, let us be Wise Biblically.
Peace to you
COVID 19 Close Predictions – Conspiracy Theory, Spiritual Forces or Close to Impossible Coincidences?
You decide for yourselves. As usual, I present the evidence but you may believe whatever you deem right as that’s individual human rights.
Example (to quote regarding the first image):
“… A book named The Eyes of Darkness was published in 1981, in which it is written that the carona virus was made by China in a lab in his city of Wuhan, the most hidden, later China will use it to reduce the population of its poor people. That it is easy to become a super power, and in this book the name of Carona virus is named after Wuhan 400. In this book it has already been told that China will use this virus later as a bio logical weapon. Switch to Author name dean Koontz, Pages 353 to 356 of the book …”
The person who sent me the second image wrote: ‘… The Devil can tell the future too? The book was written in 2008 [ by a psychic ] …’
Conclusion – My Personal Christian take on it is similar to the view expressed by this great recent Christian saint as follows, to quote:
Some Christians say the Devil cannot at all predict the future though no Verses say that literally.
Some Christians say the Devil can guess very well, and sometimes it hits the mark (Acts 16:16).
Some of whom Christ Denies when He Returns are those who even “Prophesied in His Name” but He Says, “I never knew you” (Matthew 7:20 – 23). So, if He says “I never knew you”, they must be of the Devil, right? Also, if their prophecies never come to pass, people would not have believed them nor could they have survived that long doing so, right?
This is what Blessed Sadhu Sundar Singh says regarding ‘the Devil being able to tell the future to some extent too’, to quote:
“… “Unless a man lives very close to Christ these preliminary states would be enough to deceive him. Even Christians and genuine seekers after truth, … , have been thus deceived. … But, if they had taken no notice of these preliminary voices and gone on beyond, they might have attained the true Ecstasy. Mystics should be very careful about these things, especially beginners. Those who have been living in the world very naturally think that these experiences are great things because they have seen nothing like them before, but they come from Satan or from other beings of the lower spirit world.” … These spirits know something of the future but not a great deal. Just as in India we can prophesy what the weather will be like for some weeks ahead, so the lower spirits, through their superior knowledge of the tendency of things, can prophesy events a short time ahead, and this helps them in deceiving men. Prophets inspired by God can prophesy things many many years ahead. That is the difference. “It is these spirits of the lower spirit world with which spiritualists get into contact. From them spiritualists get interesting things, but they are ultimately deceived by the spirits who begin by giving them ninety-nine things that are true and one that is false, and gradually increase the proportion of false and decrease the true until they lead people on to atheism or some other false position …” – Blessed Sadhu Sundar Singh, the Great and Acclaimed Christian Saint of India who vanished into the Himalayas never to be seen again in 1929
Source [Chapter: ECSTASY AND VISION Pages 119 – 120]:
https://archive.org/stream/cu31924029356684/cu31924029356684_djvu.txt
Peace to you
Hell especially for the Able Saving themselves whilst ignoring the poor
“For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.” – Most Blessed Lord Jesus Christ (Matthew 16:25, NKJV)
In the Bible, the only one literally stated in a “Hell” they ‘can’t seem to escape from’ is one who ‘ignored the poor/marginalized and saved themselves on earth’ (the ‘rich man’) who was stated to be in “Hell (Hades) now” (Luke 16:19 – 31) and possibly into “Hell (Lake of Fire/Gehenna)” later too (Matthew 25:31 – 46).
Logic: If you say that the poor didn’t work hard enough to save themselves in the time of Crisis now, God’s Word clearly gives the equal Judgment back where you didn’t give away or share enough of your posessions to be His Disciple (Luke 14:33, Acts 2:44 – 45, Acts 4:32) or to be in His Kingdom-worthy either which includes His Blessed Command to “Sell and Give to Charity” (Luke 12:31 – 33) and ‘do not hoard much warning’ (Luke 12:21 to a man ‘who lost his soul’) toward His Perfection of “Follow Me” as Declared in this Context too (in Matthew 19:24, Matthew 19:27 – 30).
Bible Verses:
- i) Hades
“19“There was a certain rich man who was clothed in purple and fine linen and [h]fared sumptuously every day. 20But there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, full of sores, who was laid at his gate, 21desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man’s table. Moreover the dogs came and licked his sores. 22So it was that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels to Abraham’s bosom. The rich man also died and was buried. 23And being in torments in Hades, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. 24“Then he cried and said, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus that he may dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.’ 25But Abraham said, ‘Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things; but now he is comforted and you are tormented. 26And besides all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed, so that those who want to pass from here to you cannot, nor can those from there pass to us.’ 27“Then he said, ‘I beg you therefore, father, that you would send him to my father’s house, 28for I have five brothers, that he may testify to them, lest they also come to this place of torment.’ 29Abraham said to him, ‘They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them.’ 30And he said, ‘No, father Abraham; but if one goes to them from the dead, they will repent.’ 31But he said to him, ‘If they do not hear Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded though one rise from the dead.’ ” – Most Blessed Lord Jesus Christ (Luke 16:19 – 31, NKJV)
Note: At a literal level, God can show Mercy to the poor to be Saved in the Spirit World (a Mystery indeed).
- ii) Second Resurrection vs the Lake of Fire Judgment
“31“When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the holy angels with Him, then He will sit on the throne of His glory. 32All the nations will be gathered before Him, and He will separate them one from another, as a shepherd divides his sheep from the goats. 33And He will set the sheep on His right hand, but the goats on the left. 34Then the King will say to those on His right hand, ‘Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: 35for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; 36I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me.’ 37“Then the righteous will answer Him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You drink? 38When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or naked and clothe You? 39Or when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?’ 40And the King will answer and say to them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.’ 41“Then He will also say to those on the left hand, ‘Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels: 42for I was hungry and you gave Me no food; I was thirsty and you gave Me no drink; 43I was a stranger and you did not take Me in, naked and you did not clothe Me, sick and in prison and you did not visit Me.’ 44“Then they also will answer Him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to You?’ 45Then He will answer them, saying, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to Me.’ 46And these will go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.” – Most Blessed Lord Jesus Christ (Matthew 25:31 – 46, NKJV)
Note: The literal word is “age-during” where during that “future age (Aeon)”, the unmerciful are rejected from it for punishment while the merciful are led to life.
Conclusion – First Christianity Quotes
1) Hades now
“… 8 Give according to what you have. The more you have, the more you should give. Even if you have only a little, be sure to give something. 9 This is as good as money saved. You will have your reward in a time of trouble. 10-11 Taking care of the poor is the kind of offering that pleases God in heaven. Do this, and you will be kept safe from the dark world of the dead. …” – Blessed Tobit to his son Tobias (Good News Translation, Tobit 4:7 – 11)
Source: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Tobit+4&version=GNT
And this is what Blessed Archangel Raphael has to say:
“… 8. It is better to pray sincerely and to please God by helping the poor than to be rich and dishonest. It is better to give to the poor than to store up gold. 9 Such generosity will save you from death and will wash away all your sins. … 15 I am Raphael, one of the seven angels who stand in the glorious presence of the Lord, ready to serve Him. …” (Good News Translation, Tobit 12:7 – 9, 15)
Source: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Tobit+12&version=GNT
or in another translation:
“… 6 Then he said to them secretly: Bless ye the God of heaven, give glory to him in the sight of all that live, because he hath shewn his mercy to you. 7 For it is good to hide the secret of a king: but honourable to reveal and confess the works of God. 8 Prayer is good with fasting and alms more than to lay up treasures of gold: 9 For alms delivereth from death, and the same is that which purgeth away sins, and maketh to find mercy and life everlasting. … 15 For I am the angel Raphael, one of the seven who stand before the Lord. …” (Bible Scripture.Net Translation, Tobit 12:6 – 9, 15)
Source: https://biblescripture.net/Tobias.html
Note: The Book of Tobit has been part of the Bible as Scripture in all early Christianity till today except in modern Protestantism which started rejecting it around the 1500’s.
Both Christ’s Own Most Blessed Words (Luke 16:19 – 31, Matthew 25:31 – 46) and the other quotes from Blessed Tobit and Blessed Archangel Raphael point to the same Truth that being kind to the poor and Almsgiving / Charity Works (Luke 12:31 – 33) keeps one away from this much dreaded Dark Places of Hades (‘Hell now’) as even this most reliable Saint in First Christianity quotes the Book of Tobit likewise toward the same meaning as follows:
“… When you can do good, defer it not, because “alms delivers from death.” …” – Blessed St. Polycarp, Bishop of Smryna, an Apostolic Father being the Disciple of the Blessed St. John the Apostle (c. 69 AD – c. 155 A, Chapter X, Epistle to the Philippians)
Source: http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/text/polycarp-roberts.html
2) Lake of Fire later
Hence I may speculate (with First Christianity quote as proof as discussed in posts prior) that this Second Badge of Righteous are Saved by His Mercy according to their “Good Works only” which may primarily refer to ‘non Christian relatively good’ (as He reaps them to Salvation, Matthew 13:30 from among those whom He did not plant the Seed of the Gospel, Matthew 25:24, Matthew 25:26) which may also include some of the ‘rejected Christians prior if they did show some ‘oil’ or ‘good works’ toward their fellow men’, to quote (an example quote from a previous discussion):
“… Come, ye friends of the poor and the stranger. Come, ye who kept my love, as I am love. Come, ye who possess peace, for I own that peace. Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you, ye who esteemed not riches, ye who had compassion on the poor, who aided the orphans, who helped the widows, who gave drink to the thirsty, who fed the hungry, who received strangers, who clothed the naked, who visited the sick, who comforted those in prison, who helped the blind, … Then shall the King of kings make answer again, and say to them, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me. Inasmuch as ye have received those of whom I have already spoken to you, and clothed them, and fed them, and gave them to drink, I mean the poor who are my members, ye have done it unto me. But come ye into the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; enjoy for ever and ever that which is given you by my Father in heaven, and the holy and quickening Spirit. …” – Blessed St. Hippolytus of Rome, Bishop and Martyr for Christ, Hearer of Blessed St. Irenaeous of Lyons (170 AD – 235 AD)
Source [Appendix, XLII, XLIV]:
Blessed Hippolytus of Rome further explains that Christ looks to have Mercy according to how one has shown Mercy in their lives first toward ‘all men’ or ‘each man’ (Matthew 5:7) in his quote continued from the above as seen toward the wicked next:
“… Cleave to me, to whom every knee boweth, of things in heaven, and things on earth, and things under the earth. For all who have been negligent, and have not shown pity in well-doing there, have nothing else due them than the unquenchable fire. For I am the friend of man, but yet also a righteous Judge to all. For I shall award the recompense according to desert; I shall give the reward to all, according to each man’s labour; I shall make return to all, according to each man’s conflict. I wish to have pity, but I see no oil in your vessels. I desire to have mercy, but ye have passed through life entirely without mercy. I long to have compassion, but your lamps are dark by reason of your hardness of heart. Depart from me. For judgment is without mercy to him that hath showed no mercy. (Jam_2:13) …” – Blessed St. Hippolytus of Rome, Bishop and Martyr for Christ, Hearer of Blessed St. Irenaeous of Lyons (170 AD – 235 AD)
Source [Appendix, XLVII.]:
The phrase ” I wish to have pity, but I see no oil in your vessels. I desire to have mercy, but ye have passed through life entirely without mercy.” strengthens our Context Claim that those who may have Practiced Mercy among these ‘non-Christians’ can Hope for His Mercy as Christ Seeks these ‘Works of Mercy’ in them (John 5:28 – 29, Revelation 20:11 – 15) in order to show any Mercy as Blessed St. Hippolytus’ quote above rings.
“… Also, by this which this servant dared to say, “Thou reapest where thou sowedst not,” [Matthew 25:24, Matthew 25:26] we understand that the Lord accepts the good life of the Gentiles and of the Philosophers …” – Blessed St. Jerome of the Vulgate, Doctor of the Church who did the First Official Translation of the Bible out of Its Original Languages into Latin, Priest, Confessor, Secretary to Pope Damasus I (c. 347 AD – c. 420 AD)
Source:
Blessed Origen of Alexandria seems to see that these refer to both ‘non-Christian righteous’ and ‘toward those who practiced a special Mercy for the poor’ as the Story of Rich Man and Lazarus Reveals too (Luke 16:19 – 31)
“… This servant seems to me to have been one of those who believe, but do not act honestly, concealing their faith, and doing every thing that they may not be known to be Christians. They who are such seem to me to have a fear of God, and to regard Him as austere and implacable. We indeed understand how the Lord reaps where He sowed not, because the righteous man sows in the Spirit, whereof he shall reap life eternal. Also He reaps where He sowed not, and gathers where he scattered not, because He counts as bestowed upon Himself all that is sown among the poor. …” – Blessed Origen of Alexandria, the Great but surprisingly Modest Exegete of the Eastern Church, “Nicknamed: Admantius or Man of Steel”, Tortured and Martyred for Christ (c. 184 AD – c. 253 AD, from the Same ‘Catena Aurea’ Source of Blessed St. Jerome’s quote prior)
- a) Blessed Origen of Alexandria seems to see that these refer to both ‘non-Christian righteous’ as his quote “…We indeed understand how the Lord reaps where He sowed not, because the righteous man sows in the Spirit, whereof he shall reap life eternal …” means probably based on Bible Verses above (where ‘no faith’ is mentioned but only a ‘Judgment of Works’ where if their works match the Conscience Given by God to the Gentiles, they may be Saved by His Mercy too in that Day, John 5:28 – 29 and Revelation 20:11 – 15 also both mention ‘Good Works’ only for the Last Judgment where the ‘Faith and Works Judgment seems to refer to the First Resurrection Christian Hope only which is at least 1000 years before this Judgment Day Scenario as Revelation 20:4 – 6 and 1 Thessalonians 4:13 – 18 seems to imply’), to quote:
“5But in accordance with your hardness and your impenitent heart you are treasuring up for yourself wrath in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God, 6who “will render to each one according to his deeds”: 7eternal life to those who by patient continuance in doing good seek for glory, honor, and immortality; 8but to those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness—indignation and wrath, 9tribulation and anguish, on every soul of man who does evil, of the Jew first and also of the Greek; 10but glory, honor, and peace to everyone who works what is good, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. 11For there is no partiality with God. 12For as many as have sinned without law will also perish without law, and as many as have sinned in the law will be judged by the law 13(for not the hearers of the law are just in the sight of God, but the doers of the law will be justified; 14for when Gentiles, who do not have the law, by nature do the things in the law, these, although not having the law, are a law to themselves, 15who show the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and between themselves their thoughts accusing or else excusing them) 16in the day when God will judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ, according to my gospel.” – Blessed St. Paul the Great Apostle of Christ to the Gentiles (Romans 2:5 – 16, NKJV)
- b) Blessed Origen of Alexandria seems to see that these also refers to ‘those who practiced a special Mercy reserved for the poor’ as the Story of Rich Man and Lazarus Reveals too (Luke 16:19 – 31) in his quote prior that “… Also He reaps where He sowed not, and gathers where he scattered not, because He counts as bestowed upon Himself all that is sown among the poor. …”
To be part of the Highest First Resurrection (Matthew 25:1 – 13, Revelation 20:4 – 6) reserved for His Church/Bride, one needs both the “Faith” (‘Virgin allegorical meaning or parabolically in Matthew 25:1 – 13) and “Works” (James 2:24, the “fruit” in Matthew 7:20 – 23) accordingly which is Harder to be either of the “Good Fruit of the thirtyfold, sixtyfold or hundredfold” level among where the “Gospel Seed was Sown” as the ‘Parable of the Sower” indicates (Matthew 5:19, Matthew 13:8, 30).
The Greater the hoarding, the smaller the faith as one is not so rich with God (Luke 12:21) and smaller the works/fruit as God Counts in Percentage (Luke 21:1 – 4) & how much suffering in Love is incurred (1 Corinthians 13:3) when we give too (2 Corinthians 8:3).
Charity Gifts even as small as they may be have a higher Value especially in Love when Given in Time of Income Deficiencies faced by the Giver themselves as the Bible Verses above Speak which may refer to a time where for Christians it may be a time to “Buy Gold Refined in Fire”, to quote Verses again:
“15“I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. 16So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth. 17Because you say, ‘I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing’—and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked— 18I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you may be rich; and white garments, that you may be clothed, that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see. 19As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent. 20Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me. 21To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne. 22“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” – KING of kings and LORD of lords, Most Blessed Lord Jesus Christ (Revelation 3:15 – 22, NKJV)
Please read the Verses above ‘Carefully’ again and note that Christ Speaks of the “Lukewarm Church” which refers to their “Works” because they have become “rich, wealthy and their needs provided” (Prosperity Gospel) but are actually “poor, blind, naked” (Spiritual riches, as ‘one who stores up treasure for himself is not rich toward God as Christ Himself Revealed in Luke 12:21’).
Their “works” are lukewarm being neither “cold nor hot” because they practice giving in regards to money but it’s not much (when counted in Love, in percentages, and in relative to their earthly abundance as Christ Remarks in Verses above explicitly referring to this Reason Primarily).
Next, he challenges them toward the ‘Voluntary Poverty’ Doctrine to obtain the “Gold Refined in Fire” as the Riches Christ Speaks of next which results from this covers up their ‘spiritual poverty, blindness and nakedness’ as described in Verses above agreeing to the Verse below Perfectly too (as these ones are already ‘rich, wealthy and in need of nothing on earth’ – Context in Verses prior). First Christianity’s Most Anointed Saints of God clearly understood the Context of these Verses likewise, example:
“… 3 And this selection, the seventh kind, describes wealthy men, believers who are in dignified positions, but believers that are rich men: they indeed discuss the Scriptures at home in their rooms, but outside no one would know they are believers. Namely, they are boasters who also say that they know everything, possessed of confidence in letters, but their works are empty. And therefore he says to them neither cold nor hot are they, that is, neither unbelievers nor believers, for they are all things to all people. And what is neither cold nor hot must be lukewarm, so that it causes nausea: he says, And I will vomit you out of my mouth. Nausea, though it is hateful, harms no one: so with this kind of men, who will be ejected. But that this is a time of penitence, he says: I counsel you, buy refined gold from me, that is, if you are able, to suffer anything for the name of the Lord. He says And anoint your eyes with salve, that is, that what you gladly know from the Scriptures, you might also try to do the deed. And because, if this kind of men turns back from great destruction to penitence, not only will they be useful to themselves, but are able to benefit many, not a mediocre reward is promised to them, that is: to sit upon a throne as judges …” – Blessed St. Victorinus, Bishop of Pettau, the First and Oldest Christian Commentary on the Apocalypse of John or Book of Revelation, Martyr for Christ (c. 303 AD)
[‘Commentary on the Apocalypse of Blessed St. John the Apostle of Christ’, Chapter 3, circa 2nd half of the third century]: http://www.bombaxo.com/patristic-stuff/victorinus-in-apocalypsin/
And the next Earliest Commentary on the Book of Revelation based on Revelation 3:16 – 18 is more hard on the ‘Prosperity Gospel Rich Christians type’, to quote:
“… “Just as lukewarm water causes people who receive it to vomit,” he says, “hence I too, through a word of my mouth will vomit you like detested food into eternal punishment, for you mingled the thorns of riches with the seed of the divine word216 in your own poverty by spiritual ignorance, and the blindness of your intelligible217 eyes and the nakedness of good deeds.”218 Rev. 3:18 I advise you to buy from me gold refined by fire, so that you will become rich, and that you may put on white garments, that the shame ofyour nakedness may not be revealed, and salve to anoint your eyes, that you may see. “If you would be rich,” he says, “to acquire a burning résolve and a willing heart take refined gold from me, the Enricher, the instructive Word illumined by the fire of 9 1 0 trials, through which you will hâve the inviolable treasure in the heart and be clothed in the most brilliant garment [44] of virtues through which the nakedness attached to you from sin 990 will be covered.” Eye salve (is) also lack of possessions. …” – Blessed St. Andreas/Andrew, Bishop of Caesarea, Earliest* Greek Patristic commentary on the Apocalypse (c. 563 AD – c. 637 AD)
Source [ Point 43 – 44 , Pages 51 – 52, Chapter 9 ] : https://www.preteristarchive.com/Books/pdf/2008_constantinou_andrew-translation.pdf
Peace to you
Suffering due to COVID-19? – Please keep your Cool
Example Today : Many people and Countries are suffering today due to the spread of COVID-19 by an evil attitude at the source and irresponsible behavior of those who spread it except for those who unknowingly spread it. For each frontliner or person who has contracted this disease or suffered indirectly due to it unfairly especially the poor, the Bible Verse in image assures that ‘enduring such Unfair Treatment’ has ‘Spiritual Benefits’, namely ‘either afterlife reward or easier forgiveness of sins’ because when you ‘patiently suffer for it’, you’re Forgiving the Source of that Evil even if they were not sorry (Matthew 6:14 – 15) nor when they never offered a cent out of their millions to help all others whom they have affected globally even. That’s how Good always Wins.
Conclusion – The Rich are at the Mercy of the Poor actually (‘Afterlife Judgment in Hell now/Hades’ if we are not careful, Luke 16:19 – 31)
The Poor Man’s Prayer can:
- i) Bless the Rich who help them
“… 1[51]:5 “How, Sir?” say I; “instruct me.” “Listen,” saith he; the rich man hath much wealth, but in the things of the Lord he is poor, being distracted about his riches, and his confession and intercession with the Lord is very scanty; and even that which he giveth is mall and weak and hath not power above. When then the rich man goeth up to the poor, and assisteth him in his needs, believing that for what he doth to the poor man he shall be able to obtain a reward with God–because the poor man is rich in intercession [and confession], and his intercession hath great power with God–the rich man then supplieth all things to the poor man without wavering. 1[51]:6 But the poor man being supplied by the rich maketh intercession for him, thanking God for him that gave to him. And the other is still more zealous to assist the poor man, that he may be continuous in his life: for he knoweth that the intercession of the poor man is acceptable and rich before God. 1[51]:7 They both then accomplish their work; the poor man maketh intercession, wherein he is rich [which he received of the Lord]; this he rendereth again to the Lord Who supplieth him with it. The rich man too in like manner furnisheth to the poor man, nothing doubting, the riches which he received from the Lord. And this work great and acceptable with God, because (the rich man) hath understanding concerning his riches, and worketh for the poor man from the bounties of the Lord, and accomplisheth the ministration of the Lord rightly. …” – Shepherd of Hermas (Parable 2)
Source: http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/text/shepherd-lightfoot.html
- ii) Curse the Rich who neglect them
- a) Curse of not helping the widow, orphan and strangers (“foreigners”, non-citizens) who reside among us
“21“You shall neither mistreat a stranger nor oppress him, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt. 22“You shall not afflict any widow or fatherless child. 23If you afflict them in any way, and they cry at all to Me, I will surely hear their cry; 24and My wrath will become hot, and I will kill you with the sword; your wives shall be widows, and your children fatherless.” (Exodus 22:21 – 24, NKJV)
- b) Curse of not helping a “poor” among us
“Beware lest there be a wicked thought in your heart, saying, ‘The seventh year, the year of release, is at hand,’ and your eye be evil against your poor brother and you give him nothing, and he cry out to the LORD against you, and it become sin among you.” (Deuteronomy 15:9, NKJV)
- c) It’s a “Command” (not an option) to take care of the “widow, poor and poor”. Now, wherever there’s a command, not obeying it causes a Curse not necessarily here on earth as the ‘Story of the Rich Man and Lazarus shows’ where in such cases, ‘the rich man will go to Hell’ (Bible Verses: Luke 16:19 – 31) as nations too (Psalm 9:17, Matthew 19:24)
“17For the Lord your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great God, mighty and awesome, who shows no partiality nor takes a bribe. 18He administers justice for the fatherless and the widow, and loves the stranger, giving him food and clothing. 19Therefore love the stranger, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt.” (Deuteronomy 10:17 – 19, NKJV)
“The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God.” (Psalm 9:17, KJV)
Someone Wrote:
“… Another argument one meets is that wealth is given by God to be used for the poor and not on oneself. This view even gets attached to the notion that works of charity are important for one’s future reward. Chrysostom corrected the view that all wealth is from God, argued that the rich need the poor more than the poor the rich, and explained that those given wealth from God are to use it for the needy (Homily XXXIV). Ambrose saw the misuse of money (as in the case of Judas) as a misuse of grace (On the Duties of the Clergy, XVI). …”
Source: https://bibleandmission.blogspot.com/2017/05/early-christian-views-on-wealth.html?m=1
Summary -Other Bible Verses
“… 8 Give according to what you have. The more you have, the more you should give. Even if you have only a little, be sure to give something. 9 This is as good as money saved. You will have your reward in a time of trouble. 10-11 Taking care of the poor is the kind of offering that pleases God in heaven. Do this, and you will be kept safe from the dark world of the dead. …” – Blessed Tobit to his son Tobias (Good News Translation, Tobit 4:7 – 11)
Source: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Tobit+4&version=GNT
“… 7 It’s a good idea to keep a king’s secret, but what God does should be told everywhere, so that he may be praised and honored. If you do good, no harm will come to you.8 It is better to pray sincerely and to please God by helping the poor than to be rich and dishonest. It is better to give to the poor than to store up gold. 9 Such generosity will save you from death and will wash away all your sins. … 15 I am Raphael, one of the seven angels who stand in the glorious presence of the Lord, ready to serve him. …” (Good News Translation, Tobit 12:7 – 9, 15)
Source: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Tobit+12&version=GNT
Peace to you
Faith and Works Mystery – Why is it Important?
Perhaps an analogy might explain it better with a theological statement. Please consider:
1) No Faith and No Works meaning
Analogical:
It’s like a person who decided to have a child whilst not being able to provide properly even and then blames God for having a child in that scenario as though God told him to marry or have that child in the first place.
Theological:
A person who believes in the ‘survival of the fittest’ and behaves worse than an animal in that ‘it’s all about enjoying one’s life on earth in pleasure and maximum indulgences to love oneself’.
2) No Faith but have Works meaning
Analogical:
It’s like a married person who does good works to help the needy but also commits fornication which causes a curse toward mankind as a whole whilst he is usually unaware of it due to lack of hindsight in faith.
Theological:
It’s like a person who helps in providing for the poor but blames God for the suffering of the poor without realizing that our own sins somehow contributes to the misfortune of human beings as a whole and God allows that Law for Good. How? For example if we have neglected a hungry person like a beggar on the street, the curse of the beggar upon those who have can come back and affect humanity as a whole. If God didn’t allow such a Law, humanity would have no sense of collective responsibility to the poor.
3) Have Faith but No Works meaning
Analogical:
It’s like being married and busy in taking care of one’s own family or loved ones only. Every dollar earned seems difficult to give away because it begs the question, ‘wouldn’t this be better if given to my own family than others’?
Theological:
It’s like a person who seeks blessings for himself and gets plenty of it and thinks that God Loves him most and that others deserve to suffer. It’s usually a religious person who thinks that their privilege in a life of comfort is deserved via his religious ceremonial acts of devotion and that no works is necessary toward others as he doesn’t want to interrupt their suffering because he thinks that ‘people get what they deserve’.
4) Have Faith and Have Works meaning
Analogical:
It’s like not being married because he sees mankind as one big family and so sees no reason for distinction in viewing another person as his own family even if they’re not related by blood nor united by creed/religion at all. Hence, he values contributions in taking care of the needs of the poor though it’s not due to his mistakes in any way. He is careful to reduce his sins as much as he can despite falling numerous times because he knows that his sins can affect others to be in need/in pain as all these affects humanity as a whole which he understands by faith.
Theological:
It’s like a person who believes in God and has understood that any blessing obtained in life is not deserved because he realizes that he could have been born without any of his abilities or advantages / money or knowledge / skill or wisdom in life. Thus he acknowledges God in his heart and it gets manifested in Good Works Done out of this Primary Realization as anyone less fortunate that he helps he sees that it could have been himself.
“You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only.” (James 2:24, NKJV)
Conclusion – God Measures not on result but by our Giving of both Faith & Works in Love
“1And He [Most Blessed Lord Jesus Christ] looked up and saw the rich putting their gifts into the treasury, 2and He saw also a certain poor widow putting in two mites. 3So He said, “Truly I say to you that this poor widow has put in more than all; 4for all these out of their abundance have put in offerings [b]for God, but she out of her poverty put in all the livelihood that she had.” (Luke 21:1 – 4, NKJV)
Logic: If that “poor widow” held the position of ‘a millionaire or a philanthropist or even a donation fund manager or anything else’, she would have still given “all that she had” as the Verses above prove (similar in level in this aspect to the Blessed Apostles and First Christianity’s Bishops themselves, Matthew 19:27 – 30).
I cannot help but be fascinated and humbled by her giving ‘which may not even have been enough to feed anyone’ (i. e. “no visible result”) of which the Blessed Lord Clearly Saw and knew.
Oh, But what an Amazing Truth is this too:
‘… One of the Greatest Act of Giving recorded in Holy Scripture Utterred by our Most Blessed and Impartial Lord Himself is toward a giving which had no significant result at all as the case of this poor widow and her two coins prove. … ‘
Peace to you
Kingdom of Heaven Mystery – Blessed are the Poor in Spirit
1) History of Scripture
“… Luke 6:20 simply has “blessed are the poor”; that Matthew adds “in spirit” is seen to be of great consequence. The phrase does not appear in the Old Testament, but Psalm 34:18 comes close. …”
Source: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matthew_5:3
2) First Christianity Meaning of the phrase “Blessed are the Poor in Spirit” in Matthew 5:3
- i) The Humble
“… Augmentation of ‘spirit’ generally implies insolence and pride. For in common speech the proud are said to have a great spirit, and rightly – for wind is a spirit, and who does not know that we say of proud men that they are ‘swollen,’ ‘puffed up.’ Here therefore by “poor in spirit” are rightly understood ‘lowly,’ ‘fearing God,’ not having a puffed up spirit. …” – Blessed St. Augustine of Hippo (de Serm. in Mont., i, 1)
- ii) Those who willingly Humble themselves
“… Or, He here calls all loftiness of soul and temper spirit; for as there are many humble against their will, constrained by their outward condition, they have no praise; the blessing is on those who humble themselves by their own choice. Thus He begins at once at the root, pulling up pride which is the root and source of all evil, setting up as its opposite humility as a firm foundation. If this be well laid, other virtues may be firmly built thereon; if that be sapped, whatever good you gather upon it perishes. …” – Blessed St. John Chrysostom [p. 148]
iii) Those who beg God’s Help (“Almhouse”) in Faith
“… “Blessed are the poor in spirit,” [ed. note, a: The Bened. ed. reads ‘beati egeni’ – and has this marginal note, ‘Hinc sequitur hune Graece non scripsisse’ – but S. Thos. reads ‘beati πτωχοι ptochi;’ it may be remarked moreover that the author follows the order of verses 4 and 5 according to the Greek; all the Latin Fathers (with the single exception of Hilary on Ps. 118) following the order of the Vulgate.] or, according to the literal rendering of the Greek, ‘they who beg,’ that the humble may learn that they should be ever begging at God’s almshouse. For there are many naturally humble and not of faith, who do not knock at God’s almshouse; but they alone are humble who are so of faith. …” – Pseudo-Chrysosthom Manuscript
- iv) Those who obey God’s Commandments
“… Or, the poor in spirit may be those who fear and tremble at God’s commandments, whom the Lord by the Prophet Isaiah commends. Though why more than simply humble? Of the humble there may be in this place but few, in that again an abundance. …” – Blessed St. John Chrysostom
- v) Those who do not seek an earthly kingdom, e. g. they who do not desire a ‘prosperity gospel’
“… The proud seek an earthly kingdom, of the humble only is the kingdom of Heaven. …” – Blessed St. Augustine of Hippo
- vi) Those who embrace the ‘Doctrine of Voluntary Poverty’
“… The “poor in spirit” are those who embrace a voluntary poverty for the sake of the Holy Spirit …” – Blessed St. Jerome of the Vulgate
vii) Those who literally suffer on earth, e. g. living in actual poverty
“… In the eye of Heaven blessedness begins there where misery begins in human estimation. …” – Blessed St. Ambrose of Milan (de Officiis, i, 16)
viii) Those who are literally poor without much money on earth
“… interlin.: The riches of Heaven are suitably promised to those who at this present are in poverty. …” – Ancient Gloss of Scripture
Source for each quote above:
3) First Christianity Meaning of the phrase “Blessed are the Poor” in Luke 6:20
- Doctrine of ‘Voluntary Poverty’ is the Primary Meaning
“… In the Gospel according to St. Matthew it is said, Blessed are the poor in spirit, that we should understand the poor in spirit to be one of a modest and somewhat depressed mind. Hence our Savior says, Learn from me, for I am meek and lowly of heart. But Luke says, Blessed are the poor, without the addition of spirit, calling those poor who despise riches. For it became those who were to preach the doctrines of the saving Gospel to have no covetousness, but their affections set upon higher things. …” – Blessed St. Cyril of Alexandria
- Voluntary Poverty Followers of Christ are the Chief Recipients of His Kingdom
“… But not every one oppressed with poverty is blessed, but he who has preferred the commandment of Christ to worldly riches. For many are poor in their possessions, yet most covetous in their disposition; these poverty does not save, but their affections condemn. For nothing involuntary deserves a blessing, because all virtue is characterized by the freedom of the will. Blessed then is the poor man as being the disciple of Christ, Who endured poverty for us. For the Lord Himself has fulfilled every work which leads to happiness, leaving Himself an example for us to follow …” – Blessed St. Basil the Great
iii. The highest (first) Grade in His Kingdom is toward those who ‘Embrace (Voluntary) Poverty’
“… But when the celestial kingdom is considered in the many gradations of its blessings, the first step in the scale belongs to those who by divine instinct embrace poverty. Such did He make those who first became His disciples; therefore He says in their person, For yours is the kingdom of heaven, as pointedly addressing Himself to those present, upon whom also He lifted up His eyes. …” – Blessed Eusebius of Caesarea
- Embracing the Doctrine of Voluntary Poverty is the Key to inherit the Kingdom of Heaven
“… After having commanded them to embrace poverty, He then crowns with honor those things which follow from poverty. It is the lot of those who embrace poverty to be in want of the necessaries of life, and scarcely to be able to get food. He does not then permit His disciples to be fainthearted on this account, but says, Blessed are you who hunger now. …” – Blessed St. Cyril of Alexandria
Source for each quote above:
Conclusion
“… 401 8r,3 But he does not know that the Old Testament also says, “The poor and the rich have met together: but the Lord is the maker of them both.” 402 And the New Testament agrees, and pronounces a blessing on the poor who are literally poor, and in another passage a blessing on the poor in spirit, so that both pronouncements have force. Thus Peter can point with pride to his literal poverty and say, “Silver and gold have I none, but what I have, I give thee; in the name of Jesus Christ, rise up and walk,” 403 (4) so that the blessing of the actually poor means nothing contradictory to the blessing of the poor in spirit. The “poor in spirit” are persons in righteous possession of property, while the “poor” are the humble, of whom Christ said, “I was an hungered, and ye gave me meat, thirsty, and ye gave me drink,” and so on 81,5 Next he explains, ‘These (i.e., the poor in spirit) acted of their abundance”; 405 and you see one and the same Spirit speaking of the poor and the rich in the Old Testament and the same in the New, just as the Savior praises them both. (6) For as he was watching the treasury he saw people putting money into the treasury, and did not refuse the gifts of the rich; but he praised the widow who had put in the two mites for her [actual] poverty, as we have said, in fulfillment of the scripture, “The poor and the rich have met together: but the Lord is the maker of them both.” 406 (81,7) And to show that this is so, and the Spirit of the Old and the New Testaments is the same, see the apostle say of the ancient prophets, “The time would fail me to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephtha, David and the other prophets who wandered about in sheepskins, in goatskins, being tormented, straitened, afflicted, of whom the world was not worthy.” 407 For I have found that Isaiah wore sackcloth, and Elijah too. And do you see how, in the Old and the New Testaments, the poor are called blessed for piety, and the rich are called blessed for righteousness? …” – Blessed St. Epiphanius, Bishop of Salamis and the ‘Hammer of Heretics’, (c. 310 AD – c. 403 AD, ‘MANICHAEANS’ , “Panarion or Medicine-Chest”, Point 62.10, Pages 308 – 309)
Source:
“… The CHURCH too BELIEVES in RENUNCIATION, but it does not consider marriage unclean, it also BELIEVES in VOLUNTARY POVERTY, … ONE HOPE in the CHURCH and ONE FAITH, granted each in accordance with HIS ABILITY and HIS OWN LABORIOUS STRUGGLE. … IT REGARDS CONTINENCE as the MOST ADMIRABLE, and COMMENDS IT because it is engaged in the CONTEST and has DESPISED the WORLD, as being still MORE POWERFUL [than the world]. And the CHURCH BELIEVES in VIRGINITY and accords it the HIGHEST HONOR, because it is a thing of virtue and is fitted with the lightest wing. (7) The CHURCH has members who have RENOUNCED the WORLD and yet are not contemptuous of those who are still in the world; they rejoice in the VERY GREAT PIETY of such persons, as did the APOSTLES who OWNED NOTHING themselves, < and yet did not look down on the others* >. (8) And the SAVIOR HIMSELF OWNED NO EARTHLY POSSESSIONS when he came in the flesh, though he was Lord of all — and yet HE did NOT REJECT the women who ASSISTED his disciples and himself. … And if these people < who > have MADE THEIR OWN RENUNCIATION and live like the apostles would mix with the rest [of us], their ways would NOT seem strange, or foreign to GOD”S ORDINANCE. (4) And if they RENOUNCED WIVES for the SAKE of CONTINENCE THEIR CHOICE would be PRAISEWORTHY, provided that they did not call marriage unclean, and provided that they treated the < still > married as comrades, KNOWING the LIMITATION and the RANK of EACH. 4,5 For God’s ship takes any passenger except a bandit. …” – Blessed St. Epiphanius, Bishop of Salamis and the ‘Hammer of Heretics’, (c. 310 AD – c. 403 AD, ‘APOSTOLICS’ , “Panarion or Medicine-Chest”, Consecutive Points 3.1 – 4.8, Pages 117 – 119)
Source:
P/S: Who are these Great First Christianity saints and how reliable are they in these Doctrinal Points?
- Blessed St. Augustine of Hippo, Doctor of the Church, who influenced virtually all of subsequent Western philosophy and Catholic theology, as well as a significant amount of Protestant theology (c. 354 AD – c. 430 AD).
- Blessed St. Jerome of the Vulgate, Doctor of the Church who did the First Official Translation of the Bible out of Its Original Languages into Latin, Priest, Confessor, Secretary to Pope Damasus I (c. 347 AD – c. 420 AD)
- Blessed St. John Chrysostom, Doctor of the Church, Archbishop of Constantinople, one of the Three Holy Hierarchs (c. 349 AD – c. 407 AD)
- Blessed Archbishop St. Ambrose of Milan, First Latin Doctor of the Church (c. 340 AD – c. 397 AD)
- Blessed St. Cyril, Patriarch of Alexandria, Titles: The Pillar of Faith; Seal of all the Fathers; Bishop, Confessor, and Doctor of the Church (c. 376 AD – c. 444 AD)
- Blessed St. Basil the Great, was the bishop of Caesarea Mazaca in Cappadocia, Asia Minor (modern-day Turkey). He was an influential theologian who supported the Nicene Creed and opposed the heresies of the early Christian church, fighting against both Arianism and the followers of Apollinaris of Laodicea. In addition to his work as a theologian, Basil was known for his care of the poor and underprivileged. Basil established guidelines for monastic life which focus on community life, liturgical prayer, and manual labor. Together with Pachomius, he is remembered as a father of communal monasticism in Eastern Christianity, Titles: one of the Three Holy Hierarchs, Doctor of the Church (c. 329 AD – c. 379 AD, Letter CCLLX, Point 671 – Point 672)
- Blessed Eusebius, Bishop of Caesarea, ‘Father of Church History’ (260 AD — 340 AD)
What is this Catena? To quote:
“… BY a CATENA PATRUM is meant a string or series of passages selected from the writings of various Fathers, and arranged for the elucidation of some portion of Scripture, as the Psalms or the Gospels. Catenas seem to have originated in the short scholia or glosses which it was customary in MSS. …”
Source: http://www.newmanreader.org/works/fathers/catena.html
A Haunting Question remains if we are to ‘inherit His Kingdom of the Heavens according to Holy Scripture’s Requirements’ as follows:
‘… Based on these First Christianity Quotes, does our Christian lifestyle in Faith demonstrate us as being “poor in spirit” in some way to enable us to attain to the ‘reward of the kingdom of the heavens’ or ‘will we miss it’? …’
It is with regards to this Topic of ‘Entering His Kingdom of the Heavens’ that Christ Warned ‘twice in a row’ as follows:
“23Then Jesus said to His disciples, “Assuredly, I say to you that it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. 24And again I say to you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.” (Matthew 19:23 – 24, NKJV)
Peace to you
Can we be called Christians with Error in Doctrine?
When we speak of idealism, yes only “true Love” is compatible with “true faith” which is not mixed with “errors”. Anyway, which Christian dares to say that ‘he believes with no Doctrinal Error’?
Now, we know of Christians caught up in many errors but I believe that Christians can be Saved despite that but which Christian and where the threshold is entirely depends on God Alone (Romans 9:15).
Here are two famous First Christianity examples solidifying this Claim:
- i) This quote in full Reveals which part of Theology may be speculated vs which part should not be speculated with as that may be Dangerous, please consider:
“… Attack the silence of Pythagoras,(a) and the Orphic beans, and the novel brag about “The Master said.” Attack the ideas of Plato,(b) and the transmigrations and courses of our souls, and the reminiscences, and the unlovely loves of the soul for lovely bodies. Attack the atheism of Epicurus,(g) and his atoms, and his unphilosophic pleasure; or Aristotle’s petty Providence, and his artificial system, and his discourses about the mortality of the soul, and the humanitarianism of his doctrine. Attack the superciliousness of the Stoa,(d) or the greed and vulgarity of the Cynic.(e) Attack the “Void and Full” (what nonsense), and all the details about the gods and the sacrifices and the idols and demons, whether beneficent or malignant, and all the tricks that people play with divination, evoking of gods, or of souls, and the power of the stars. And if these things seem to thee unworthy of discussion as petty and already often confuted, and thou wilt keep to thy line, and seek the satisfaction of thy ambition in it; then here too I will provide thee with broad paths. Philosophize about the world or worlds; about matter; about soul; about natures endowed with reason, good or bad; about resurrection, about judgment, about reward, or the Sufferings of Christ. For in these subjects to hit the mark is not useless, and to miss it is not dangerous. But with God we shall have converse, in this life only in a small degree; but a little later, it may be, more perfectly, in the Same, our Lord Jesus Christ, to Whom be glory for ever. Amen. …” – Blessed St. Gregory Nazianzus, also known as Gregory the Theologian or Gregory Nazianzen, Archbishop of Constantinople, Theologian, Doctor of the Church, Great Hierarch, one of the Three Holy Hirearchs, Cappadocian Father, Ecumenical Teacher (c. 329 AD – c. 390 AD)
Source: [Oration XXVII. THE FIRST THEOLOGICAL ORATION. A PRELIMINARY DISCOURSE AGAINST THE EUNOMIANS, Point IX]
https://www.ewtn.com/catholicism/library/five-theological-orations-11646
Note: the Words “World or Worlds” may actually be “Aeon or Aeons” in Koine Greek.
- ii) My bet is on the “Millennialism” or “Chiliasm” Doctrine being True and I don’t condemn Christians who don’t believe in it because even Blessed St. Justin Martyr himself called those Christians teaching this ‘later false position’ as per Blessed Origen/Eusebius/ or even St. Andrew/ St.Augustine/ St.Jerome all who came in later are still “pure and pious faith” though they may have erred in this area:
“… I admitted to you formerly, that I and many others are of this opinion, and [believe] that such will take place, as you assuredly are aware; but, on the other hand, I signified to you that many who belong to the pure and pious faith, and are true Christians, think otherwise. …” – Blessed St. Justin Martyr (c. 100AD – c. 160 AD, Dialogue with Trypho the Jew, Chapter 110)
Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Millennialism
Blessed St. Justin Martyr affirms that this is not his opinion but is held by “right-minded Christians on all points” and that ‘All those who believe in Christ are in the First Resurrection’, to quote:
“… But I and others, who are right-minded Christians on all points, are assured that there will be a resurrection of the dead, and a thousand years in Jerusalem, which will then be built, adorned, and enlarged, the prophets Ezekiel and Isaiah and others declare. For Isaiah spake thus concerning this space of a thousand years: ‘For there shall be the new heaven and the new earth, and the former shall not be remembered, or come into their heart; but they shall find joy and gladness in it, which things I create’…For as Adam was told that in the day he ate of the tree he would die, we know that he did not complete a thousand years. We have perceived, moreover, that the expression, ‘The day of the Lord is as a thousand years,’ is connected with this subject [2 Peter 3:8, Psalm 90:4]. And further, there was a certain man with us, whose name was John, one of the apostles of Christ, who prophesied, by a revelation that was made to him, THAT THOSE WHO BELIEVED IN OUR CHRIST would dwell a THOUSAND YEARS in Jerusalem [Revelation 20:4 – 10]; and that thereafter the general, and, in short, the eternal resurrection and judgment of all men would likewise take place [Revelation 20:11 – 15]. Just as our Lord also said, ‘They shall neither marry nor be given in marriage, but shall be equal to the angels, the children of the God of the resurrection. [Luke 20:35 – 36] …” – Blessed St. Justin Martyr, a Great Early Christian Apologist who is a Foremost Exponent of the Divine Word, who Influenced Virtually all of subsequent Christian philosophy and Catholic theology, Martyr for Christ (c. 100AD – c. 160 AD, Dialogue with Trypho the Jew, CHAPTER LXXXI)
Source: http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/text/justinmartyr-dialoguetrypho.html
Conclusion
So, as we see above, neither did Blessed St. Gregory Nazianzus nor did Blessed St. Justin Martyr enforce the “right doctrine” which they ‘know for themselves is Truth’ toward Christians whom they ‘know may not be believing the actual Truth’ but please also note that they are careful enough to ‘not’ despise these Christians as ‘heretics’ on account of differences regarding these doctrines.
This may be the “Judge Nothing before its time type of Faith” in regards to “future prophecies Context” regarding “Judgment Day Context” where such leeway is allowed by Scripture as follows:
“Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord comes, who will both bring to light the hidden things of darkness and reveal the counsels of the hearts. Then each one’s praise will come from God.” (1 Corinthians 4:5, NKJV)
The Bible Verse above in regards to ‘Judge nothing before its Time’ instructs us to ‘not fix any results of Judgment on anyone’ type of Faith and hence it doesn’t matter what you believe about the “Results” of Judgment except that you ‘believe in God’s Judgment’ (as He Alone makes the Choice, Romans 9:15).
Yes, Believing in Eternal Hell, Christ Centered Universalism or Annihilation, i.e. speculating on the Topic of “Judgment” will not save anyone nor will it condemn them (but may make a difference in “rewards” as Blessed St. Gregory Nazianzus’ quote has shown prior).
A related discussion may be continued here:
https://web.facebook.com/jonathan.ramachandran/posts/10159362659707784
Peace to you
Fight against the Unity of the Church or Walk away?
The Way of Agape – Who is right in the Picture? Sometimes both can be right but which approach is more “Perfect”?
“But earnestly desire the best gifts. And yet I show you a more excellent way [of Agape, Love of God]. … And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love. ” – The Wise and Gifted Blessed St. Paul the Apostle (1 Corinthians 12:31, 1 Corinthians 13:13, NKJV)
Is Truth more Important than the Unity of the Majority of the Church?
“And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love [Agape].” – The Wise and Gifted St. Paul the Apostle (1 Corinthians 13:13, NKJV)
Love of God (“Agape”) > Faith. Please let that sink in.
The Love of God or ‘Agape’ Attitude (1 Corinthians 13) ranks higher than even Truth or Faith itself as per Verse above, to quote:
“… Who then among you is noble-minded? who compassionate? who full of love? Let him declare, “If on my account sedition and disagreement and schisms have arisen, I will depart, I will go away whithersoever you desire, and I will do whatever the majority commands; only let the flock of Christ live on terms of peace with the presbyters set over it.” He that acts thus shall procure to himself great glory in the Lord; and every place will welcome him. For “the earth is the Lord’s, and the fulness thereof.” These things they who live a godly life, that is never to be repented of, both have done and always will do. … ” – Blessed St. Clement of Rome, an Apostolic Father being a direct Disciple of the Blessed Apostle St. Peter (c.35 AD – c. 99 AD, 1 Clement Chapter 54)
Source [CHAPTER 54 — HE WHO IS FULL OF LOVE WILL INCUR EVERY LOSS, THAT PEACE MAY BE RESTORED TO THE CHURCH]:
http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/text/1clement-roberts.html
This is the main reason why ‘we don’t believe in forming our own church even if we are right’ but as Blessed St. Clement of Rome commands in his apostolic authority, “… I will do whatever the majority commands …” even if it includes being kicked out of the church, i.e. “… If on my account sedition and disagreement and schisms have arisen, I will depart, I will go away whithersoever you desire …” as long as the Majority of Christians is happy [i.e. “… only let the flock of Christ live on terms of peace with the presbyters set over it …”] & this is not in reference of a heretic being put off from a Church but is referring to a True Christian as “… These things they who live a godly life, that is never to be repented of, both have done and always will do …” because these belong to “… Who then among you is noble-minded? who compassionate? who full of love? …” where their reward of leaving Church is not eternal hell but amazingly, “… He that acts thus shall procure to himself great glory in the Lord; and every place will welcome him …” . Are we behaving in such a manner or forming Churches in every corner causing Schisms after Schisms?
Are the leaders who form schisms better than St. Clement of Rome?
Please notice carefully that St. Clement of Rome clearly points that the ‘separated Godly believer from the Church’ did NOT necessarily follow ‘the majority Church’s doctrine’ as the phrase “… These things they who live a godly life, that is never to be repented of …” especially the line ” … never to be repented of …” means as ‘they live a godly life’ (stated first). In other words, he/she separates themselves out of the Church if the majority is wrong but never ‘repents of his godliness’ but in other aspects keeps with the ‘demand of the majority of the church’ even if the Church may be in error for the Sake of Love of God (“Agape”).
The Reward?
“… He that acts thus shall procure to himself great glory in the Lord; …” – Blessed St. Clement of Rome, an Apostolic Father being a direct Disciple of the Blessed Apostle St. Peter
Peace to you
Unity of the Church – John 17:23 Mystery
Question
What is meant by “Complete Unity” or “Perfect Unity” as our Most Blessed Saviour Prayed in John 17:23 (Verse in image) according to First Christianity in the Bible?
Reply
In Christianity according to the Bible, if any Christian wants to attain “true unity”, they must live ‘by sharing all possessions in common’ (Acts 2:43 – 44) which happened just after the Anointing of the Holy Spirit on Pentecost Day (Acts 2:1). There’s no such thing as it cannot be done today nor is there one rule for the past and another one rule for now in the future as God’s Perfect Will is always the same.
If we cannot live like that with a “multitude” of believers as “one”, we should try to do it with at least one other believer to experience true unity as this is a fruit experienced in the Bible beyond ‘unity of talk’ (as money is the hardest to be shared by those who love it).
Here is that Verse Speaking this Biblical Truth about True Unity of the Church in this Context (please note carefully the words “one heart” and “one soul” and “multitude” in Verse below which clearly doesn’t exist if we cannot practice this):
“Now the multitude of those who believed were of one heart and one soul; neither did anyone say that any of the things he possessed was his own, but they had all things in common.” (Acts 4:32, NKJV)
Besides our weaknesses to not live in God’s Perfect Will to be united like that (Luke 14:33, Luke 12:21), He can still Save us by His Mercy. Hence it’s proven that God can Save us Christians even when we transgress His Commandments and not keep to His Perfect Biblical Doctrines by His Great Mercy to a place of merit according to our faith and works too (Matthew 5:19).
The problem with Christianity is simple: we choose the “New Testament” Verses that we want (such as ‘blessings’, ‘power’ etc.) but ignore the ones such as these which require ‘our obedience and sacrifice toward perfection on Agape’.
Other Bible Verses quoted here:
- i) The ‘True Pentecostal Church’s Traits’
“1When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all [with one accord in one place. 2And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. … 42And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers. 43Then fear came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles. 44Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common, 45and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had need.” (Acts 2:1 – 2, 42 – 45, NKJV)
Nothing pleases God more than fulfilling His Will in Living for the ‘Common Advantage’ (Hebrews 13:16):
“… Knowing then these things, let us contribute alike wealth, and diligence, and protection, [2872] and all things for our neighbor’s advantage. For the talents here are each person’s ability, whether in the way of protection, or in money, or in teaching, or in what thing soever of the kind. Let no man say, I have but one talent, and can do nothing; for thou canst even by one approve thyself. For thou art not poorer than that widow [Luke 21:1 – 4]; thou art not more uninstructed than Peter and John, who were both “unlearned and ignorant men;” [2873] but nevertheless, since they showed forth a zeal, and did all things for the common good, they attained to Heaven [Matthew 19:27 – 30]. For nothing is so pleasing to God, as to live for the common advantage [Acts 2:44 – 45, Acts 4:32, 1 John 3:16 – 18]. …” – Blessed St. John Chrysostom, Doctor of the Church, Archbishop of Constantinople, one of the Three Holy Hierarchs (c. 349 AD – c. 407 AD)
Source (Homily on Matthew 25):
https://biblehub.com/commentaries/chrysostom/matthew/25.htm
- ii) God’s Will regarding “our earthly Possessions”
God Gives a Christian Possessions so that we can “sell it” and give to “Charity” (Verse 33 below) to attain “Heavenly Treasures” (Verse 34) to be ‘Rich in the Heavens’ (Verse 34) as this is His Perfect Will too (Verse 21), Verses:
“21“So is the man who STORES UP TREASURE for HIMSELF, and IS NOT RICH TOWARD GOD.” 22And He said to His disciples, “For this reason I say to you, do not worry about your life, as to what you will eat; nor for your body, as to what you will put on. 23“For life is more than food, and the body more than clothing. 24“Consider the ravens, for they neither sow nor reap; they have no storeroom nor barn, and yet God feeds them; how much more valuable you are than the birds! 25“And which of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life’s span? 26“If then you cannot do even a very little thing, why do you worry about other matters? 27“Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; but I tell you, not even Solomon in all his glory clothed himself like one of these. 28“But if God so clothes the grass in the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, how much more will He clothe you? You men of little faith! 29“And do not seek what you will eat and what you will drink, and do not keep worrying. 30“For all these things the nations of the world eagerly seek; but your Father knows that you need these things. 31“But seek His kingdom, and these things will be added to you. 32“Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has chosen gladly to give you the kingdom. 33“SELL YOUR POSSESSIONS and GIVE TO CHARITY; make yourselves money belts which do not wear out, an unfailing treasure in heaven, where no thief comes near nor moth destroys. 34“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” – Most Blessed Lord Jesus Christ (Luke 12:21 – 34, NASB)
“Your gold and silver are corroded, and their corrosion will be a witness against you and will eat your flesh like fire. You have heaped up treasure in the last days.” – Blessed Apostle St. James the Just, First Bishop of Jerusalem (James 5:3, NKJV)
“… By what course of conduct, then, shall we attain these things, but by leading a holy and righteous life, and by deeming these worldly things as not belonging to us, and not fixing our desires upon them? For if we desire to possess them, we fall away from the path of righteousness … For what will it profit if a man gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?” This world and the next are two enemies. The one urges to adultery and corruption, avarice and deceit; the other bids farewell to these things. We cannot, therefore, be the friends of both; and it behoves us, by renouncing the one [Luke 14:33], to make sure of the other. … For if we do the will of Christ, we shall find rest; otherwise, nothing shall deliver us from eternal punishment, if we disobey His commandments. For thus also saith the Scripture in Ezekiel, “If Noah, Job, and Daniel should rise up, they should not deliver their children in captivity.” Now, if men so eminently righteous are not able by their righteousness to deliver their children, how can we hope to enter into the royal residence of God unless we keep our baptism holy and undefiled? …” – Blessed St. Clement of Rome, an Apostolic Father being a direct Disciple of the Blessed Apostle St. Peter (c.35 AD – c. 99 AD, 2 Clement Chapter V)
Source [ CHAP. V.–THIS WORLD SHOULD BE DESPISED and CHAP. VI.–THE PRESENT AND FUTURE WORLDS ARE ENEMIES TO EACH OTHER]:
http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/text/2clement-roberts.html
iii) True Salt Disciples of Christ
Salt with Flavor type of Disciple is one who ‘Renounces all his Possessions for Christ in some Way’ and the opposite is the manure type:
“33“So then, none of you can be My disciple who does not give up all his own possessions. 34“Therefore, salt is good; but if even salt has become tasteless, with what will it be seasoned? 35“It is useless either for the soil or for the manure pile; it is thrown out. He who has ears to hear, let him hear.”” – Most Blessed Lord Jesus Christ (Luke 14:33 – 35, NASB)
“… But there is a difference between renouncing all things [Luke 14:33] and leaving all things [Matthew 19:27 – 30]. For it is the way of few perfect men to leave all things, that is, to cast behind them the cares of the world, but it is the part of all the faithful to renounce all things, that is, so to hold the things of’ the world as by them not to be held in the world. …” – St. Bede the Venerable, English Monk & Doctor of the Church (c. 673 AD – c. 735 AD)
Source:
Conclusion
I read an interesting article in link below highlighting the differences between a believer and a disciple of Christ:
https://redeeminggod.com/believers-vs-disciples/
“Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,” – Lord Jesus Christ (Matthew 28:19, NKJV)
The ‘Great Commission of Christ’ is for us to make disciples and not believers only. Please note the word “disciple” carefully in Luke 14:33 prior and the condition required for it as it is discussed in this write up. Please also notice that even “all believers” were at the “disciple-level” after being ‘Anointed by the Holy Spirit’ as Acts 2:43 – 44 & Acts 4:32 clearly prove.
If believers and disciples are to be at that level, shouldn’t their leaders (i.e. ‘pastors’ or ‘priest’ or ‘clergymen’) exceed ‘their own members’ in living in sharing like that? Indeed, this deviation from this True First Christianity Doctrine toward ‘worldly minded pastors/priests’ was both observed and warned off in this ancient early Christianity quote below agreeing to all this:
“… Under Christ’s banner seek for no worldly gain, lest having more than when you first became a clergyman, you hear men say, to your shame, “Their portion shall not profit them.” Welcome poor men and strangers to your homely board, that with them Christ may be your guest. A clergyman who engages in business, and who rises from poverty to wealth, and from obscurity to a high position, avoid as you would the plague. … Many build churches nowadays; their walls and pillars of glowing marble, their ceilings glittering with gold, their altars studded with jewels. Yet to the choice of Christ’s ministers no heed is paid, And let no one allege against me the wealth of the temple in Judaea, its table, its lamps, its censers, its dishes, its cups, its spoons,1363 and the rest of its golden vessels. If these were approved by the Lord it was at a time when the priests had to offer victims and when the blood of sheep was the redemption of sins. They were figures typifying things still future and were “written for our admonition upon whom the ends of the world are come.” But now our Lord by His poverty has consecrated the poverty of His house. Let us, therefore, think of His cross and count riches to be but dirt. Why do we admire what Christ calls “the mammon of unrighteousness”? Why do we cherish and love what it is Peter’s boast not to possess? Or if we insist on keeping to the letter and find the mention of gold and wealth so pleasing, let us keep to everything else as well as the gold. … It is the glory of a bishop to make provision for the wants of the poor; but it is the shame of all priests to amass private fortunes. …” – Blessed St. Jerome of the Vulgate, Doctor of the Church who did the First Official Translation of the Bible out of Its Original Languages into Latin Priest, Confessor, Secretary to Pope Damasus I (c. 347 AD – c. 420 AD, ‘Letter LII. To Nepotian’, Points 4, 5, 6, 10 in some order)
Source: http://www.tertullian.org/fathers2/NPNF2-06/Npnf2-06-03.htm#P1872_458890
In light of ‘only those few’ (Matthew 7:14) who ‘do God’s Will enter His Kingdom post the First Resurrection’ (as per the Great Warning in Matthew 7:20 – 23), will we make it by ‘Carrying this Cross of Self-Denial Discipleship Daily’ (Luke 9:23) in regards to ‘our earthly possessions’ too likewise (Luke 14:33)?
Peace to you
Perfection – Unity – Seven Churches Mystery
- i) Perfection Definition
Perfection in Most Blessed Lord Jesus Christ’s Own Definition is ‘selling all ones has giving to the poor and then following Christ’ (Matthew 19:21) of which the ‘Apostles and very few achieved it’ (Matthew 19:27 – 20).
“21Jesus said to him, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.”” (Matthew 19:21, NKJV)
“27Then Peter answered and said to Him, “See, we have left all and followed You. Therefore what shall we have?” 28So Jesus said to them, “Assuredly I say to you, that in the regeneration, when the Son of Man sits on the throne of His glory, you who have followed Me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. 29And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands, for My name’s sake, shall receive a hundredfold, and inherit eternal life. 30But many who are first will be last, and the last first.” (Matthew 19:27 – 30, NKJV)
Comment: The Mystery of the ‘last becoming first’ has something to do with this Context of ‘selling all or leaving some significant amount of things/people to follow after Christ’ as Verses above demonstrate clearly regarding the “Hundredfold” fruit Mystery too as opposed to the lesser ‘thirty-fold or sixty-fold’ harvest of Christians (please see Matthew 13:8 as well).
- ii) Unity Definition
Thus whenever any group of believers or “Church” approximates this Perfect Command, they are heading toward perfection as Acts 2:44 – 45 proves literally as only then a Church is said to be of ‘one heart’ and ‘one soul’ in Acts 4:32 which is not impossible to achieve as the First Christians did achieve it to some Great Extent.
“44Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common, 45and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had need.” (Acts 2:44 – 45, NKJV)
“Now the multitude of those who believed were of one heart and one soul; neither did anyone say that any of the things he possessed was his own, but they had all things in common.” (Acts 4:32, NKJV)
iii) Which Seven Churches?
This is what St. Irenaeous says the meaning of the seven churches is:
“… But the path of those belonging to the Church circumscribes the whole world, as possessing the sure tradition from the apostles, and gives unto us to see that the faith of all is one and the same, since all receive one and the same God the Father, and believe in the same dispensation regarding the incarnation of the Son of God, and are cognizant of the same gift of the Spirit, and are conversant with the same commandments, and preserve the same form of ecclesiastical constitution, and expect the same advent of the Lord, and await the same salvation of the complete man, that is, of the soul and body. And undoubtedly the preaching of the Church is true and stedfast, in which one and the same way of salvation is shown throughout the whole world. For to her is entrusted the light of God; and therefore the “wisdom” of God, by means of which she saves all men, “is declared in [its] going forth; it uttereth [its voice] faithfully in the streets, is preached on the tops of the walls, and speaks continually in the gates of the city.” For the Church preaches the truth everywhere, and she is the seven-branched candlestick which bears the light of Christ. …” – Blessed St. Irenaeous of Lyons, a Hearer of Blessed St. Polycarp who is an Apostolic Father being the Disciple of Blessed St. John who wrote the Book of Revelation (c. 140 – c. 202 AD, Against Heresies, Book 5, Chapter XX)
Source: http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/text/irenaeus-book5.html
Comment: It is interesting that the old English word for “Love” is “Charity” (Verse in image: Colossians 3:14).
Peace to you
First Christianity Hope for Good non-Christians and Beyond?
“Then he who had received the one talent came and said, ‘Lord, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you have not sown, and gathering where you have not scattered seed.” – Most Blessed Lord Jesus Christ (Matthew 25:24, NKJV)
“… Also, by this which this servant dared to say, “Thou reapest where thou sowedst not,” we understand that the Lord accepts the good life of the Gentiles and of the Philosophers. …” – Blessed St. Jerome of the Vulgate, Doctor of the Church who did the First Official Translation of the Bible out of Its Original Languages into Latin, Priest, Confessor, Secretary to Pope Damasus I (c. 347 AD – c. 420 AD)
Source [ Patristic Bible Commentary, Catena Aurea, Matthew 25:14 – 30, P. 853 ]:
Note: Whether Blessed St. Jerome agrees or not to his quote above, he may be reiterating what other Great Christians from Antiquity have passed on to him regarding such exegesis.
How is such a Hope Possible Biblically?
Example: Mystery of Jezreel
Toward the ‘non Vessels of Mercy’ (among ‘those who are not My People’) on ‘that Day’
Bible Verses:
“… 22The earth shall answer
With grain,
With new wine,
And with oil;
They shall answer Jezreel.
23Then I will sow her for Myself in the earth,
And I will have mercy on her who had not obtained mercy;
Then I will say to those who were not My people,
‘You are My people!’
And they shall say, ‘You are my God!’” (Hosea 2:22 – 23, NKJV)
The phrase “I will have mercy on her who had not obtained mercy” in Verse above seems to echo a Mercy toward ‘non-Vessels of Mercy’ eventually as Mercy Triumphs over Judgment in the End (James 2:13) which is promised to all in “unbelief” or “disobedient” too eventually as Romans 11:30 – 32 concludes regarding God’s Judgment.
The idea is that an Eternal Hell Sentence can be Cancelled by God eventually by His Mercy into the ages to come was a prevalent idea in First Christianity as we shall see in more quotes next.
Example: Please note ‘carefully’ that the Illustrious Saint below from First Christianity quotes Romans 11:32’s ‘Mercy to All’ to include ‘All His Enemies too’ (Romans 11:30 – 31) because the ‘Election of God toward these enemies as beloved’ cannot be Revoked (Romans 11:28) and so after these Enemies are Subjected by Christ Eventually (1 Corinthians 15:25), “life Immortal follows” to them (implied below), to quote:
“… When authorities and powers are abolished, His enemies shall be subjected under His feet. The same Apostle tells who are these enemies, As touching the Gospel they are enemies for your sakes, but as touching the election they are beloved for the fathers’ sake . We remember that they are enemies of the cross of Christ; let us remember also that, because they are beloved for the fathers’ sake, they are reserved for the subjection, as the Apostle says, I would not, brethren, have you ignorant of this mystery, lest ye be wise in your own conceits, that a hardening in part hath befallen Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in, and so all Israel shall be saved, even as it is written, There shall come out of Sion a Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob: and this is the covenant firm Me to them, when I have taken away their sins . So His enemies shall be subjected under His feet. But we must not forget what follows the subjection, namely, Last of all is death conquered by Him 1284 . This victory over death is nothing else than the resurrection from the dead: for when the corruption of death is stayed, the quickened and now heavenly nature is made eternal, as it is written, For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. But when this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in strife. O death, where is thy sting? O death, where is thy strife ? In the subjection of His enemies death is conquered; and, death conquered, life immortal follows…” – Blessed St. Hilary of Poictiers, the “Athanasius of the West”, Doctor of the Church, The Champion of Trinity in the West (c. 310 AD – c. 368 AD, Book XI ‘On the Trinity’, Points 34 – 35, Page 481**)
Source:
**Book Titled: ST. HILARY OF POITIERS – SELECT WORKS by THE REV. E. W. WATSON, M.A. WARDEN OF THE SOCIETY OF ST. ANDREW, SALISBURY, THE REV. L. PULLAN, M.A. FELLOW OF ST. JOHN’S COLLEGE, OXFORD, AND OTHERS.
Thus the Chiliasm or Millennial View can take Matthew 25 to understand it as follows:
Matthew 25:1 – 13 = First Resurrection (Revelation 20:4 – 6, 1 Thessalonians 4:13 – 18, Luke 20:35 – 36)
Matthew 25:14 – 30 = 1000 Years Millennial Reign of Christ (Revelation 20:7 – 10, Isaiah 65:20)
Matthew 25:31 – 46 = Second Resurrection and Judgment Day (Revelation 20:11 – 15, Daniel 12:2, John 5:28 – 29)
Two Badges of righteous being Saved is clearly implied by Blessed St. Irenaeous of Lyons’ remaining writings who is a respected saint with no hint of prayer to Mary nor any Roman Catholic errors in early Christianity as discussed in detail in post in link below:
https://web.facebook.com/jonathan.ramachandran/posts/10159309319317784
Please note that St. Irenaeous’ quotes imply that “all the Christians are in the First Resurrection” during an early trumpet (i.e. the ‘thirty, sixty & hundredfold fruit of Matthew 13:8’ after which follows the 1000 years Millennial Reign of Christ which ends in Judgment Day at the “last trumpet” which has ‘a second badge of righteous toward those who did good (works)’ as John 5:28 – 29 is quoted to refer to this Second Badge of righteous during the Second resurrection at this latter time by St. Irenaeous.
How the early church deviated from this First Christianity’s Chiliasm Doctrine (which was even believed by Blessed St. Justin Martyr who is greatly honoured even in Protestant circles as he too like St. Irenaeous has “no” Mary veneration quotes of any kind either) is discussed in post below with detail & proof quotes too:
https://web.facebook.com/jonathan.ramachandran/posts/10159252192652784
The First Resurrection may be seen as the “hour now is” while the Second Resurrection may be seen as the “hour is coming” in our Most Blessed Lord’s quote in John 5:25 to “parabolically” refer to this Two Resurrections of the “Righteous” on the “Last Day” (John 6:40) which is the “Sabbath Day” (Hebrews 4:9) denoting the 1000 Years Millennial Reign of Christ (Revelation 20:4 – 6).
Please note also that this 1000 years Reign of the First Resurrection is NOT participated by any non-Christians but Christians only as the rest are rejected which is Spoken of in Verses such as Matthew 7:20 – 23 and 1 Thessalonians 4:13 – 18 which is commonly taught as ‘rapture theory’ today (some similar but different too in some aspects). The post below explains the “I never knew you Mystery” likewise:
https://web.facebook.com/jonathan.ramachandran/posts/10159236011247784:0
There are three types of men, i.e. the righteous, the sinners and the wicked of which some of the sinners may have a hope to be saved during the Second Resurrection as discussed in posts below:
https://web.facebook.com/jonathan.ramachandran/posts/10159290576442784
His Great Mercy may especially be extended to those unbelievers who were kind to the poor as this posts discusses this aspect further:
https://web.facebook.com/jonathan.ramachandran/posts/10159230340417784
The idea of non-Elect Salvation being possible has its roots in Scripture of 1 Peter 3:18 – 19 too as post below discusses it with First Christianity quotes as well:
https://web.facebook.com/jonathan.ramachandran/posts/10159167931442784
and
https://web.facebook.com/jonathan.ramachandran/posts/10159154608822784:0
A Special Mercy may be reserved for both the Poor and those who are kind to them as Christ’s Parable of the Marriage Feast may imply as this is discussed in post below:
https://web.facebook.com/jonathan.ramachandran/posts/10159357218232784
Bible Verses Prophesying that Christ Saves in the Spirit World itself as 1 Peter 3:18 – 19 may imply based on the ‘believing after seeing the Risen Christ, a less blessed hope’ (John 6:40, John 20:28 – 29 in Principle too) is discussed in post below:
https://web.facebook.com/jonathan.ramachandran/posts/10159186867567784
This manner of Exegesis of Holy Scripture to understand it in this Way is clearly seen in the Christian Beliefs of this undisputed very important Modern Christian Saint of India, namely Blessed Sadhu Sundar Singh as Christ may have Revealed thus to him Visions by His Grace which is discussed in post below:
https://web.facebook.com/jonathan.ramachandran/posts/10159143902292784
Also the Fires of Hell eventually having Purifying effects and/or is not Literal may also be seen with these authoritative First Christianity saints:
https://web.facebook.com/jonathan.ramachandran/posts/10159077838117784
The practice of early Christians to pray for both the righteous and non-righteous dead also strengthens this non-Elect Salvation to some even in Hades now as discussed in posts below:
https://web.facebook.com/jonathan.ramachandran/posts/10159065876442784
and
https://web.facebook.com/jonathan.ramachandran/posts/10158999548312784
This Hope of the ‘non-Elect Salvation’ is very clear especially in the First Christianity Scripture of the ‘Shepherd of Hermas Writing’ even toward “the unbaptized” which is discussed in post below (the Shepherd of Hermas Writing is still Scripture/Truth Level in both Roman Catholicism & Eastern Orthodoxy):
https://web.facebook.com/jonathan.ramachandran/posts/10158997945667784:0
The First Resurrection is the “Elect’s Salvation” while any Salvation by His Mercy during the Second Resurrection may thus be seen as the “non-Elect Salvation” which is evidenced by First Christianity Writing such as the Shepherd of Hermas as well as Apocalypse of Peter which are both counted as “Inspired” in the First Bibles of Christianity such as the Murartorian/Roman Canon in the West and the Codex Claromontanus in the East which is discussed further in the free downloadable pdf book in link below (too many details & historical quotes to be listed here):
Click the button above to Download as PDFClick the button above to Download as in Google Book App
I rest my case.
More related Reading:
Source Post:
Peace to you
What does see the Kingdom of God mean?
Bible Verse:
“But I tell you truly, there are some standing here who shall not taste death till they see the kingdom of God.” – Most Blessed Lord Jesus Christ (Luke 9:29, NKJV)
Explanation:
“… 37. Nor are the Gospels silent concerning the glory of His present reigning body. It is written that the Lord said, Verily, I say unto you, there be some of them that stand here, which 214 shall not taste of death till they see the Son of Man coming in His Kingdom. And it came to pass, after six days Jesus taketh with Him Peter and James and John His brother, and bringeth them up into a high mountain apart. And Jesus was transfigured before them, and His face did shine as the sun, and His garments became as snow.1288 Thus was shewn to the Apostles the glory of the body of Christ coming into His Kingdom: for in the fashion of His glorious Transfiguration, the Lord stood revealed in the splendour of His reigning body. …” – Blessed St. Hilary of Poictiers, the “Athanasius of the West”, Doctor of the Church, The Champion of Trinity in the West (c. 310 AD – c. 368 AD, Book XI ‘On the Trinity’, Point 37)
Source:(via Historian Mr. Philip Schaff):
https://www.ccel.org/ccel/schaff/npnf209.ii.v.ii.xi.html
A More detailed explanation may be read in link above, for example:
“… 32. The meaning of the abolishing of every power which is against Him is not obscure. The prince of the air, the power of spiritual wickedness, shall be delivered to eternal destruction, as Christ says, Depart from Me, ye cursed, into the eternal fire which My Father hath prepared for the devil and his angels1277. The abolishing is not the same as the subjecting. To abolish the power of the enemy is to sweep away for ever his prerogative of power, so that by the abolition of his power is brought to an end the rule of his kingdom. Of this the Lord testifies when He says, My kingdom is not of this world1278: as He had once before testified that the ruler of that kingdom is the prince of the world, whose power shall be destroyed by the abolition of the rule of His kingdom1279. A subjection, on the other hand, which implies obedience and allegiance, is a proof of submission and mutability.
- So when their authority is abolished, His enemies shall be subjected: and so subjected, that He shall subject them to Himself. Moreover He shall so subject them to Himself, that God shall subject them to Him. Was the Apostle ignorant, think you, of the force of these words in the Gospel, No one cometh to Me, except the Father draw Him to Me1280which stand side by side with those other words, No one cometh unto the Father but by Me1281: just as in this Epistle Christ subjects His enemies to Himself, yet God subjects them to Him, and He witnesses throughout this, his work of subjection, that God is working in Him? Except through Him there is no approach to the Father, but there is also no approach to Him, unless the Father draw 213us. Understanding Him to be the Son of God, we recognise in Him the true nature of the Father. Hence, when we learn to know the Son, God the Father calls us: when we believe the Son, God the Father receives us; for our recognition and knowledge of the Father is in the Son, Who shews us in Himself God the Father, Who draws us, if we be devout, by His fatherly love into a mutual bond with His Son. So then the Father draws us, when, as the first condition, He is acknowledged Father: but no one comes to the Father except through the Son, because we cannot know the Father, unless faith in the Son is active in us, since we cannot approach the Father in worship, unless we first adore the Son, while if we know the Son, the Father draws us to eternal life and receives us. But each result is the work of the Son, for by the preaching of the Father, Whom the Son preaches, the Father brings us to the Son, and the Son leads us to the Father. The statement of this Mystery was necessary for the more perfect understanding of the present passage, to shew that through the Son the Father draws us and receives us; that we might understand the two aspects, the Son subjecting all to Himself, and the Father subjecting all to Him. Through the birth the nature of God is abiding in the Son, and does that which He Himself does. What He does God does, but what God does in Him, He Himself does: in the sense that where He acts Himself we must believe the Son of God acts; and where God acts, we must perceive the properties of the Father’s nature existing in Him as the Son.
- When authorities and powers are abolished, His enemies shall be subjected under His feet. The same Apostle tells who are these enemies, As touching the Gospel they are enemies for your sakes, but as touching the election they are beloved for the fathers’ sake1282. We remember that they are enemies of the cross of Christ; let us remember also that, because they are beloved for the fathers’ sake, they are reserved for the subjection, as the Apostle says, I would not, brethren, have you ignorant of this mystery, lest ye be wise in your own conceits, that a hardening in part hath befallen Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in, and so all Israel shall be saved, even as it is written, There shall come out of Sion a Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob: and this is the covenant firm Me to them, when I have taken away their sins1283. So His enemies shall be subjected under His feet.
- But we must not forget what follows the subjection, namely, Last of all is death conquered by Him1284. This victory over death is nothing else than the resurrection from the dead: for when the corruption of death is stayed, the quickened and now heavenly nature is made eternal, as it is written, For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. But when this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in strife. O death, where is thy sting? O death, where is thy strife1285? In the subjection of His enemies death is conquered; and, death conquered, life immortal follows. The Apostle tells us also of the special reward attained by this subjection which is made perfect by the subjection of belief: Who shall fashion anew the body of our humiliation, that it may be conformed to the body of His glory, according to the works of His power, whereby He is able to subject all things to Himself1286. There is then another subjection, which consists in a transition from one nature to another, for our nature ceases, so far as its present character is concerned, and is subjected to Him, into Whose form it passes. But by ‘ceasing’ is implied not an end of being, but a promotion into something higher. Thus our nature by being merged into the image of the other nature which it receives, becomes subjected through the imposition of a new form.
- Hence the Apostle, to make his explanation of this Mystery complete, after saying that death is the last enemy to be conquered, adds: But when He saith, All things are put in subjection except Him, Who did subject all things to Him, then must He be subjected to Him, that did subject all things to Him, that God may be all in all1287. The first step of the Mystery is that all things are subjected to Him: then He is subjected to Him, Who subjects all things to Himself. As we are subjected to the glory of the rule of His body, so He also, reigning in the glory of His body, is by the same Mystery in turn subjected to Him, Who subjects all things to Himself. And we are subjected to the glory of His body, that we may share that splendour with which He reigns in the body, since we shall be conformed to His body.
- Nor are the Gospels silent concerning the glory of His present reigning body. It is written that the Lord said, Verily, I say unto you, there be some of them that stand here, which
214 shall not taste of death till they see the Son of Man coming in His Kingdom. And it came to pass, after six days Jesus taketh with Him Peter and James and John His brother, and bringeth them up into a high mountain apart. And Jesus was transfigured before them, and His face did shine as the sun, and His garments became as snow.1288 Thus was shewn to the Apostles the glory of the body of Christ coming into His Kingdom: for in the fashion of His glorious Transfiguration, the Lord stood revealed in the splendour of His reigning body. …” – Blessed St. Hilary of Poictiers, the “Athanasius of the West”, Doctor of the Church, The Champion of Trinity in the West (c. 310 AD – c. 368 AD, Book XI ‘On the Trinity’, Points 32 – 37)
Source:(via Historian Mr. Philip Schaff):
https://www.ccel.org/ccel/schaff/npnf209.ii.v.ii.xi.html
Peace to you
Spirit World Mystery
Question / Statement
There is no afterlife or spirit world repentance.
Reply
Generally yes.
Post Judgment repentance perhaps as per 1 Peter 3:18 – 19, 1 Peter 4:5 – 6, and Psalm 107:10 – 16’s “Shadow of Death” may refer to ‘Salvation from Hell’ literally as both God and Job called that exact phrase “Shadow of Death” (in Job 38:17 and Job 10:18 – 22) to refer to the ‘Spirit World’ (or Hades/Hell now) Context. Perhaps not all of them get such a chance now to repent there as the Story of the rich man and Lazarus Reveals or we may note that the “impossibilities” such as “no one can cross the chasm” in that Story was True due to Christ Hasn’t Died nor Resurrected yet making it possible now as 1 Peter 3:18 – 20 toward the once disobedient spirits in prison from those who rejected the preaching of repentance on earth by Noah were finally Saved by Christ as even early Church Leaders have Testified likewise.
Regarding repentance in Gehenna / Lake of Fire, 1 Corinthians 3:15 Speaks of Saved by Fire which must refer to the “Lake of Fire” simply because it is on “that Day” or “Judgment Day” onward (as 1 Corinthians 13:3 means) and ‘no Christian is burnt or harmed by that Second Death Fire’ (Revelation 20:4 – 6, John 5:24) who are already perfected 1000 years earlier (Revelation 20:6).
However repenting there or saved in the Spirit World accounts for a “non-elect” Salvation outside of the “Heavens, Paradise and New Jerusalem City” Salvation (perhaps on the New Earth or other outside Regions) as discussed in detail at website below with First Christianity quotes:
Please notice that this way of viewing Holy Scripture is all Sola Scriptura too.
Sometimes Prophets in the Bible Speak on behalf of others as Psalm 86:13 means literally since Sheol (in Hebrew) = Hades (Biblical Koine Greek) = Hell now as Blessed Patriarch King David was not in Sheol when he wrote that Verse. Even if Psalm 86:13 doesn’t refer to the Spirit World, it doesn’t matter as the “Shadow of Death” Verses prior are independent of it.
For example, Psalm 16:10 is quoted in the New Testament where the phrase “my Soul” refers not to the “psalmist’s soul” but “Christ’s Soul” as Acts 2:27 Reveals which refers to the Context of 1 Peter 3:18 – 19 likewise to be true too literally.
I do not tell you what to believe but I point to you what the possibilities are within Holy Scripture and each decides his/her faith as I don’t think that any Christian will be penalized for believing either way regarding “future prophecies” especially toward those that relate to “afterlife Judgment” as the phrase “Judge nothing before its time” refers to this Context in 1 Corinthians 4:5.
Peace to you
Perfect Christian Theology Myth
Question
It’s because they talk as the world, that’s why the world hears them.The Scripture says:
1 John 4:5-6 KJV
- They are of the world: therefore speak they of the world, and the world heareth them.
- We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error.
Marvel not my friend. Read the Scriptures.
Reply
Perhaps God is more Merciful than we think. Also, the Bible has so many other Verses where within Protestantism itself , they contradict each other. Here’s a famous example:
Blessed Martin Luther believed in Soul Sleep which was Corrected by Blessed John Calvin. So, if your assumption of ‘Spirit-led’ is correct with ‘no errors in Doctrine’ is the right way of understanding that Verse (1 John 4:5 – 6), then it is clear that either Martin Luther or John Calvin is wrong. So, were one of these men not Spirit Led then?
Truth is, men are fallible and thus God doesn’t Prove His Truth via anyone’s theology and where even Great Names of Christianity (be it Protestant or Catholic or especially Saints in First Christianity) have contradicted themselves, I prefer not calling them names and allow Mercy as let God Alone Decide who is right.
If we decide to Judge claiming ‘flawless perfect theology’ calling those who differ from you to be cast to Hell, as per Matthew 7:2 the same Judgment will be meted back to you as Holy Scripture Promises sending you to Hell if you even missed one doctrinal point despite being right on others since you practiced that ‘level’ of Judgment toward others.
“For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you.” – Most Blessed Lord Jesus Christ (Matthew 7:2, NKJV)
Regarding the possibility of a ‘minority doctrine’ being right, please read about “Chiliasm” as per link below:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Millennialism
So, if you claim that you’re Spirit-Led to point that “Chiliasm” is wrong, it is equivalent to saying that these Greater Saints than any in Protestantism itself in First Christianity were not Led by Him such as Blessed St. Justin Martyr, St. Irenaeous of Lyons, Tertullian, Commodian, Lactantius, Methodius, St. Melito of Sardis, Nepos, Coracion and St. Ambrose of Milan?
Please be careful before condemning any of them as a heretic as in the end you may be condemned for doing so.
This is equivalent to saying based on the “Chiliasm Doctrine”, are these Great Saints such as Blessed St. Justin Martyr, St. Irenaeous of Lyons, Tertullian, Commodian, Lactantius, Methodius, St. Melito of Sardis, Nepos, Coracion and St. Ambrose of Milan in First Christianity all ‘Charlatans’?
My point is this: Even if you think you’re right “Practice Mercy” even in the “Theology Aspect” toward those who differ from you as that is the “Weightier Matters of the Law” (instead of ‘Truth only’ as “Mercy” is ‘toward those whom you think are wrong’):
“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faith. These you ought to have done, without leaving the others undone.” – Most Blessed Lord Jesus Christ (Matthew 23:23, NKJV)
Peace to you
Bible Books – Which is Scripture?
Question
A protestant claimed (whilst rejecting the Book of Tobit as Scripture) that the person only accepts “Book quoted by Christ” to be in the Bible and reject it otherwise.
Reply
1) Firstly, which Bible?
The Protestant one where Martin Luther removed 7 books and has 66 books?
or
The Roman Catholic one which has 73 Books?
or
The Eastern (Greek) Orthodox one which has 79 Books?
or
The First Bibles of Christianity called the Muratorian/Roman Canon in the West or the Codex Claromontanus in the East?
2) Old Testament Books Never Quoted in the Bible
This list has all the Old Testament books that are never explicitly quoted in the New Testament.
Judges
Ruth
Ezra
Esther
Ecclesiastes
Song of Solomon
Lamentations
Obadiah
Jonah
Zephaniah
Source: https://www.knowableword.com/2013/03/27/11-old-testament-books-never-quoted-in-the-new-testament/
Personally Most Blessed Lord Jesus Christ did NOT quote from Nahum, Obadiah, Estehr, Joshua, Judges, Ruth, 1 Samuel, 2 Samuel, 1 Kings, 1 Chronicles, Job, Ezra, Nehemiah, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Songs, Jeremiah, Lamentations, Ezekiel, Joel, Amos, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, or Haggai either. So, is she going to ‘remove them too from her Bible’?
So, is such a person going to tear the Bible Pages which contain these books too since it has been NEVER quoted by LORD JESUS CHRIST NOR QUOTED in the NEW TESTAMENT?
Please notice carefully that even the “Book of Enoch” is quoted in the “New Testament” (Jude 1:14 – 15) but NOT any of these books (point 4 later).
3) The Septuagint
Of the approximately 300 Old Testament quotes in the New Testament, approximately 2/3 of them came from the Septuagint (the Greek translation of the Old Testament) which included the deuterocanonical books that the Protestants later removed. This is additional evidence that Jesus and the apostles viewed the deuterocanonical books as part of canon of the Old Testament.
4) The Book of Enoch
Book of Enoch (not in the Bible) is quoted by Blessed Apostle Jude (in Jude 1:14 – 15). If the Book of Enoch is corrupted as some protestants claim, why does the Apostle Jude himself quote it in the Bible?
Note: Blessed Apostle St. Jude has only the “1 Enoch” type of the Book of Enoch which subsequent Church Leaders such as Blessed St. Irenaeous of Lyons called as “Scripture”.
5) No Verse Says that Condition
You can also ask that person where in the bible does it say that a book needs to be quoted by Jesus to be considered canonical. When he/she cannot answer, ask how he/she knows better than the first Christians what should be considered inspired.
6) The Mysterious Apocalypse of Peter Scripture and Shepherd of Hermas Scripture
Recap: The Final Salvation from the Lake of Fire is Echoed in the ‘Apocalypse of Peter Book’ while ‘Spirit World Salvation toward even some of the Unbaptized rejected stones (people) in the Spirit World post afterlife Judgment’ is pointed out in the Shepherd of Hermas.
How reliable are these as Scripture in First Christianity?
This Apocalypse of Peter is listed as Canonical Scripture in the Oldest First Bible Canon, to quote:
“… The Muratorian fragment, also known as the Muratorian Canon[1](18:02) or Canon Muratori, is a copy of perhaps the oldest known list of most of the books of the New Testament. … In addition to receiving the Apocalypse of John into the church canon, the author remarks that they also receive the Apocalypse of Peter, although “some of us will not allow the latter to be read in church” …”
Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muratorian_fragment
The phrase “some of us will not allow the latter [Apocalypse of Peter] to be read in church” is NOT because they doubted its authenticity but because of the Reason that ‘it was to be kept a Secret from sinners (not righteous Christians) as the prophecy prior Reveals’. In Church, there could be ‘sinners + new converts + righteous’ and thus it is not to be read there.
If these First Christians Doubted the Authenticity of the Apocalypse of Peter (as some biased scholars claim), then it would NOT have been listed by them as Canonical Scripture. So, the fact that they listed it as Canonical Scripture Proves Its Authenticity and their Full Acceptance of It with additional rules to it, that’s all.
A similar phrase [ to ‘not read it publicly’ ] was also given to the ‘Shepherd of Hermas Scripture’ in this same Muratorian Canon as follows:
“… The text of the list [Muratorian Canon] itself is traditionally dated to about 170 because its author refers to Pius I, bishop of Rome (140—155), as recent: But Hermas wrote The Shepherd “most recently in our time”, in the city of Rome, while bishop Pius, his brother, was occupying the chair of the church of the city of Rome. And therefore it ought indeed to be read; but it cannot be read publicly to the people in church either among the Prophets, whose number is complete, or among the Apostles, for it is after their time. …”
Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muratorian_fragment
Since the Shepherd of Hermas is not in the Bible today, it’s not because it is ‘not fully truth’ but rather because it’s not at the level of the Old Testament Prophets nor New Testament Apostles as the quote above implies. The Shepherd of Hermas is Truth and thus it is appointed by the early Church leaders to read (e.g. by St. Athanasius and Eusebius too) as it is the case with the Book of Enoch too where both of these are called “Scripture” likewise by Blessed St. Irenaeous of Lyons, a hearer of Blessed St. Polycarp the direct disciple of Blessed St. John who wrote the Book of Revelation which makes these claims even more reliable.
Conclusion
If a Doctrine is built upon Scripture especially First Christianity Scripture as we have seen, we will not be judged against it. We will only be Judged if we teach something from a Book which is NOT listed as Scripture in Christianity. Another dangerous position would be to ‘remove books from First Christianity Scripture’ as accepting or keeping an open mind about it would be the safer route in my opinion since the ones who rejected it all came in ‘later’ (meaning that it’s a less reliable testimony & even if the earlier ones turned out to be wrong, God won’t judge us for it because we are simply striving to keep to the ‘First Christianity’ Evidence as it is Found in History).
So inclusiveness, we “don’t judge” either way in regards to these “future prophecies” because the “future time has not come yet for these to be fulfilled” as per the Verse below:
“Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord comes, who will both bring to light the hidden things of darkness and reveal the counsels of the hearts. Then each one’s praise will come from God.” (1 Corinthians 4:5, NKJV)
Peace to you
First Christianity – ages of Ages Mystery
Question
Doesn’t ages of Ages (which occurs in Revelation 20:10) or also describing Christ’s Reign with His Saints (Revelation 11:15) mean Forever and Ever because if both are temporary, it seems we have a problem?
Reply
Here’s a Possible Explanation based on the Faith of these Great First Christianity Saints (hence it’s no harm for us Christian Universalists to Hope likewise as these saints can never be heretics).
“and He shall reign [Verb] over the house of Jacob to the ages; and of His reign [Noun, Kingdom in other translations] there shall be no end.” (Luke 1:33, YLT)
or
“And He will reign [Verb] over the house of Jacob forever [Ages/Aeons], and of His kingdom [Noun] there will be no end.” (Luke 1:33, NKJV)
[Emphasis Mine throughout]
Note: These highlighted Verb and Noun words in Verse above are of the same Root Word in Biblical Koine Greek.
“24Then comes the end, when He delivers the kingdom to God the Father, when He puts an end to all rule and all authority and power. 25For He must reign till He has put all enemies under His feet. 26The last enemy that will be destroyed is death. 27For “He has put all things under His feet.” But when He says “all things are put under Him,” it is evident that He who put all things under Him is excepted. 28Now when all things are made subject to Him, then the Son Himself will also be subject to Him who put all things under Him, that God may be all in all.” (1 Corinthians 15:25 – 28, NKJV)
Nothing in Creation will not be Subjected by His Reign into the “ages until all (not some) of His Enemies too Subject to Him” as per Verses above and below:
“YOU HAVE PUT ALL THINGS IN SUBJECTION UNDER HIS FEET.” For in subjecting all things to Him, He left nothing that is not subject to Him. But now we do not yet see all things subjected to Him.” (Hebrews 2:8, NASB)
Christ’s Reign is toward enemies which has an end as the word “until/till” in 1 Corinthians 15:25 means. This “reign” (verb) is referring to the subset “ages” (aeons) in Luke 1:33.
After His “Reign” (Verb) has subdued all His enemies as per 1 Corinthians 15:25, which is also referred to in Revelation 20:10 as “ages” out of the “Ages” (i. e. the “ages-subset” out of the “Larger-Ages” set), then His “Kingdom” (which includes those subjected Enemies in Obedience too now) will increase without end as Stated in Luke 1:33.
God’s Glory is highlighted (not limited) to this time period of the “ages” of “Ages” till this is Achieved as this is His Reign till only after that, He Delivers that Perfect Sinless “Kingdom” to God the Father and God (Hence GodHead, the Most Blessed Trinity ) becomes All in All (1 Corinthians 15:24 – 28).
Blessed St. Irenaeous of Lyons affirms that the phrase “ages of Ages” refers to the subset-“ages” and even Blessed St. Hillary of Poitiers point likewise according to viewing God’s Plan in the “ages to come” (Ephesians 2:7) likewise as Described in quotes below:
1) Testimony of Blessed St. Irenaeous of Lyons
“and the smoke of their torment doth go up to ages of ages; and they have no rest day and night, who are bowing before the beast and his image, also if any doth receive the mark of his name.” (Revelation 14:11, YLT)
The Biblical Concept that there are AGES to COME literally (Ephesians 2:7) is supported by St. Irenaeous himself (who was a direct Disciple of St. Polycarp who in turn was a Disciple of the Blessed St. John the apostle himself) apart from the Blessed ArchBishop St. Ambrose of Milan or Blessed St. Epiphanius of Salamis too Affirming it from Western Christianity, to quote:
“… we [True Christians] ourselves, when at the giving of thanks we pronounce the words, “To Aeons of Aeons” [Revelation 20:10] do set forth these Aeons. And, in fine, wherever the words Aeon or Aeons occur, they at once refer them to these beings. …” – Blessed St. Irenaeous, Bishop of Lyons, a Hearer of Blessed St. Polycarp the Disciple of Blessed St. John who wrote the Book of Revelation (c. 130 AD – c. 202 AD, ‘Against Heresies’, Chapter III, Book I)
Translation Source: http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/text/irenaeus-book1.html
Comment: St. Irenaeous clearly refers to time as the “Aeon” (singular) and “Aeons” (Plural) in his last quote above & dispels the Gnostic Myth that these refer to some creatures (beings).
2) Testimony of Blessed St. Hilary of Poitiers
“… 31. What that is must be understood in view of this same hope of our faith. … By their subjection, conceived as already past, is expressed the immutable power of Christ: by their subjection, as future, is signified their consummation at the end of the ages as the result of the fulness of time. … . The abolishing is not the same as the subjecting. … A subjection, on the other hand, which implies obedience and allegiance, is a proof of submission and mutability. 33. So when their authority is abolished, His enemies shall be subjected: and so subjected, that He shall subject them to Himself. … In the subjection of His enemies death is conquered; and, death conquered, life immortal follows. The Apostle tells us also of the special reward attained by this subjection which is made perfect by the subjection of belief: Who shall fashion anew the body of our humiliation, that it may be conformed to the body of His glory, according to the works of His power, whereby He is able to subject all things to Himself1286. There is then another subjection, which consists in a transition from one nature to another, for our nature ceases, so far as its present character is concerned, and is subjected to Him, into Whose form it passes. But by ‘ceasing’ is implied not an end of being, but a promotion into something higher. …” – Blessed St. Hilary of Poictiers, the “Athanasius of the West”, “Hammer of Arians”, Doctor of the Church, The Champion of Trinity in the West (c. 310 AD – c. 368 AD, Book XI ‘On the Trinity’, Selected part of Points 31 – 37, re-emphasized)
Source:(via the Infamous Historian Mr. Philip Schaff):
https://www.ccel.org/ccel/schaff/npnf209.ii.v.ii.xi.html
Peace to you
Faith of Jesus Christ – Accuracy
1) KJV Interlinear Manuscript
Here’s that reliable Manuscript used by NASB or NIV and all that since you were quoting “NIV” earlier. The KJV uses the ‘other reliable manuscript’ which already says “Faith of Jesus Christ” or in Koine Greek (“dia pisteōs Iēsou Christou”) .
The KJV Greek Manuscript or Interlinear is shown in image below from Source:
https://biblehub.com/interlinear/romans/3-22.htm
showing it clearly.
2) NIV Interlinear Manuscript
The NIV Manuscript is exactly identical to the KJV for this Verse and its Genitive too
Image from Source:
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans+3%3A22&version=MOUNCE
Though the NIV scholars translated it as “in” instead of “of” for “Genitive” words, in the NIV Interlinnear it is more clear (as I have a hardcopy one at my home as shown in this image).
Note how the NIV Interlinnear itself puts “of (in)” where “(in)” brackets is not the actual meaning but “of” is.
The NIV “in” is thus clearly a translation bias not having linguistic basics beyond assumption that “Faith of Jesus Christ” = “faith in Christ” where actually these two are different in meaning in Greek as per these corresponding phrases in English where the former is “Christ’s Faith” while the later is “our faith in Christ” as distinguished clearly in Galatians 2:16 likewise.
If the NIV or your claim that “Faith of Jesus Christ” = “faith in Christ” is true, then Galatians 2:16 reads “we believe in the faith in Christ” (which is absurd) but the true literal meaning is “we believe in the Faith of Christ”.
Proved using even your choice of more reliable manuscript.
3) Linguistics & Implication
The Verses Say “Faith of Jesus Christ” can do it. It has nothing to do with any error as the image itself explains this accuracy to the actual Biblical Koine Greek Written. In case you didn’t realize, the “faith in Christ” Verses have a “different term” (try showing me how these are the same?)
The non-Elect Salvation is by Christ Overcoming their unbelief too by His Faith (Romans 3:3 – 4, Romans 3:22 KJV’s “Faith of Jesus Christ to all”, even Romans 11:26 – 32) where only the ‘Elect Salvation is reciprocated by Faith in Christ’ (Galatians 2:16).
Conclusion – Explanation
And the Verse continues as KJV renders it accurately (and the NIV interlinnear is identical at this point too but translates it less accurately),
“Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference:” (Romans 3:22, KJV)
So.
“Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all” —> (all = Elect and non-Elect as per 1 Timothy 2:4, 1 Timothy 4:10 , 1 Corinthians 15:20 – 23 too)
and
“and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference” —> the believer’s or Elect Salvation have no difference in the Salvation part in that they have ‘no afterlife Judgment’ (John 5:24)
The non-Elect must endure afterlife Judgment first in Gehenna (Matthew 5:22) till the last penny first (Matthew 5:26) or in the Spirit World now for some (1 Peter 3:18 – 20, first occurrence) or (1 Peter 4:5, continuing occurrence) as even the Shepherd of Hermas Scripture in First Christianity explains more in detail too.
An important linguistic note: If the Bible just wanted to say that the Faith of Jesus Christ is only for ‘believers’, then the “word all” need NOT be Written in the Verse as it should read as follows then:
“Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto … them that believe: for there is no difference:” (Romans 3:22, without the word “all”)
To say that these are equivalent is saying that with and without the word “all” the Sentence/Meaning is same which is absurd as the meaning must change if a word is omitted and vice versa.
This is equivalent to the Verse below where if God wanted to Say that He Will only Save believers, He could have just written the following (linguistically speaking):
“For therefore we both labour and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Saviour of … those that believe.” (1 Timothy 4:10, not written)
But instead this is what is actually Written:
“For therefore we both labour and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Saviour of all men, specially of those that believe.” (1 Timothy 4:10, KJV)
and likewise this Verse should be Written as:
“Who will have all believers to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.” (1 Timothy 2:4, not written)
or
“Who will have believers to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.” (1 Timothy 2:4, not written)
but again this is actually Written (below):
“Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.” (1 Timothy 2:4, KJV)
Again, to say that the above are equivalent is not accurate as in the English (likewise equivalent in Greek in Meaning) the change of words from “all men” to “all believers” or “believers” makes the meaning entirely different and that’s why we are allowed to Pray for the Salvation of “All Men” (all human beings ever created) as that’s what Christians as Priests ought to do on behalf (1 Timothy 2:1) and whether God Answers or not, He Will do it in His Time & that part is His Decision Alone.
Implying that this Hope is Valid Biblically.
Peace to you
Book of Revelation Mystery – You decide your fate
Question / Claim
I stand with Martin Luther in that the Book of Revelation is not Scripture since it has no Apostolic authorship.
Reply
Blessed Apostle St. John wrote the Book of Revelation.
The claim that it was written by another John is not made by any apostolic father of the church but Dionysius of Alexandria who himself couldn’t give any apostolic fathers who believe equally as him but just stating “emptily” without proof quotes from any earlier writing that it’s some other John, to quote:
“… Eusebius quotes from Bishop Dionysius the Great of Alexandria (d. 264-265):
Some indeed of those before our time rejected and altogether impugned the book, examining it chapter by chapter and declaring it to be unintelligible and illogical, and its title fake. For they say that it is not John’s [the apostle], no, nor yet an apocalypse, since it is veiled by its heavy, thick curtain of unintelligibility; and that the author of this book was not only not one of the apostles, nor even one of the saints or those belonging to the Church, but Cerinthus, the same who created the sect called ‘Cerinthian’ after him, since he desired to affix to his own forgery a name worthy of credit. . . . But for my part I should not dare to reject the book, since many brethren hold that the interpretation of each several passages in some way hidden and more wonderful. …”
Source:
https://www.quora.com/Which-John-wrote-the-Revelation?top_ans=93443503
Dionysius’ real claim of the supposed authorship by someone else is not by quoting any Apostolic Father of the Church (because there is “none” who are on his side apart from some sidelined non-major fathers if compared say to Blessed St. Justin Martyr) but by quoting ‘grammar study’ which is easily debunked as follows:
“… Those who argue for John the Elder say that Revelation contains too many differences in style and grammar from John’s Gospel and Epistles. Dionysius used such an argument in A.D. 247.8 However, the style differences may be answered by the different genre or the use of a different scribe. Furthermore, Revelation and the Gospel contain many similarities in motif, Christology, eschatology, and expressions.9 Based on these facts, this paper concludes that John the Apostle wrote the Revelation. …”
Source:
Conclusion
The earliest known testimonies (for example of Blessed St. Justin Martyr, St. Irenaeous of Lyons etc) which are much much earlier than Dionysius, hence First Christianity testify that it’s Blessed St. John the Apostle himself:
Justin Martyr [Dialogue with Trypho, p. 308] (a.d. 139–161) quotes from the Apocalypse, as John the apostle’s work, the prophecy of the millennium of the saints, to be followed by the general resurrection and judgment. This testimony of Justin is referred to also by Eusebius [Ecclesiastical History, 4.18]. Justin Martyr, in the early part of the second century, held his controversy with Trypho, a learned Jew, at Ephesus, where John had been living thirty or thirty-five years before: he says that “the Revelation had been given to John, one of the twelve apostles of Christ.”
Unless those who claim otherwise can produce a reliable church father at St. Justin Martyr’s level, it’s an empty claim. But hey, people often choose to believe that empty claim with lesser credentials as proven by Martin Luther himself.
Rejecting that Book can cause one to be rejected from the “… Holy City, the Book of Life and the things Written in that Book…” as Revelation 22:19 Testifies,which is so well deserved as each make his decision for himself. Logic: Why should one be rewarded to inherit its content if they don’t believe in it?
Even more reliable than Blessed St. Justin Martyr himself, the First Bible Canon of Christianity called the Muratorian Canon included both the “Apocalypse of John” (Book of Revelation) and “Apocalypse of Peter” as “Scripture”, to quote:
“… Another indication that the author identified the Gospel writer John with two epistles bearing John’s name is that when he specifically addresses the epistles of John, he writes, “the Epistle of Jude indeed, and the two belonging to the above mentioned John.” In other words, he thinks that these letters were written by the John whom he has already discussed, namely John the gospel writer. He gives no indication that he considers the John of the Apocalypse to be a different John from the author of the Gospel of John.
Indeed, by calling the author of the Apocalypse of John the “predecessor” of Paul, who, he assumes, wrote to seven churches (Rev 2–3) before Paul wrote to seven churches [lines 48–50],[7] he most likely has in mind the gospel writer, since he assumes that the writer of the Gospel of John was an eyewitness disciple who knew Jesus, and thus preceded Paul who joined the church only a few years after Jesus’ death (Acts 9).
In addition to receiving the Apocalypse of John into the church canon, the author remarks that they also receive the Apocalypse of Peter, although “some of us will not allow the latter to be read in church”[line 72] …”
Source: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muratorian_fragment
As explained in earlier posts, just like the Shepherd of Hermas Scripture mentioned in this Muratorian / Roman Canon has the comment that “it should be read but not publically in Church”, it’s an indication that these are for more mature believers as their contents are more deep or revealing.
Here are other facts:
- i) Other more reliable Church fathers who recognized that Blessed St. John the Apostle himself who wrote this Book of Revelation, to quote:
“… As external evidence they point to the early church writers like Iraneus (A.H. 5.30.3), Victorinus of Pettau (Apocalypse 10.11), Eusebius (H.E. 3.17-18), Clement of Alexandria (Quis Dives Salvetur 42), and Origen (Matthew 16.6) who all agree John wrote during the time of Domitian.12 … As discussed above, John the Apostle did write Revelation. Though debated early, the view of John the Apostle as author prevailed, much to the delight of Justin Martyr, Bishop Melito of Sardis, and Theophilus of Antioch who all defended the Apostle as author.29 After the view became accepted, the West almost stopped arguing against Revelation. …”
- ii) Even Dionysius only disputed apostolic authorship but still accepted it as part of the Bible Canon of his time
“… Revelation appears in canonical listings as early as the Muratorian fragment in the second century. Iraneus quotes it often and approvingly, even making Revelation the basis of his “already-but- not-yet” eschatology.20 Cyprian, Clement of Alexandira, and Origen all accept the book. Likewise, though Dionysius interprets the book allegorically and rejects apostolic authorship, he accepts it as canonical.21 ..”
iii) The questionable faith of these ones based on their exclusion or non-mention of the Book of Revelation
“… On the other hand, many in the early centuries disputed Revelation’s place in the canon. Marcion rejects Revelation because of the numerous Old Testament references in the book. Gaius and the Algoloi also reject it because the Montanists use Revelation so often.22 Eusebius places Revelation in both his “universally acknowledged” and “spurios” lists. Both times he qualifies his judgement with “should it seem right.” Chrysostom never quotes from Revelation, leaving the modern world no clue to his thoughts on the book of Revelation. Gregory of Nanzianus, and Cyril leave it out of their listings of the canon. Moreover, the Nestorian churches still leave Revelation out of their canon.23 Revelation has never held a very secure place in the Eastern Orthodox canon. The Syriac Peshitta omits it, and the Council of Laodicia did not recognize it.24 As late as 850, the Eastern Church listed the book as disputed. They still do not read from Revelation regularly. Greek commentaries written in the fifth and sixth centuries probably helped Revelation gain acceptance in the Eastern empire.25 … Calvin could not understand the book and refused to write a commentary. Though Luther leaves Revelation in his translation, he sees it as “unapostolic” and cannot find Christ.27 …”
*Please note how shaky the faiths of the two key Protestant Reformers, Martin Luther and John Calvin when it comes to the Book of Revelation.
- iv) Others who accepted the Book of Revelation in late first Christianity
“… Even though the East had trouble with the book, the West recognized Revelation as inspired fairly early. Jerome, Ambrose, Rufinus, Augustine, and Innocent all accept it as canonical.26 The Third Council of Carthage (397) listed as canonical, and at the Third Constantinople Council officially ratified Revelation in 680. The book then follows a bumpy path into the modern world. … ”
Source for each quote above from i) to iv):
Summary
This is how the Bible Canon ought to be Viewed (Core Books + Additional Scripture/Truth), to quote:
“… Again it is not tedious to speak of the [books] of the New Testament. These are, the four Gospels, according to Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. Afterwards, the Acts of the Apostles and Epistles (called Catholic), seven, viz. of James, one; of Peter, two; of John, three; after these, one of Jude. In addition, there are fourteen Epistles of Paul, written in this order. The first, to the Romans; then two to the Corinthians; after these, to the Galatians; next, to the Ephesians; then to the Philippians; then to the Colossians; after these, two to the Thessalonians, and that to the Hebrews; and again, two to Timothy; one to Titus; and lastly, that to Philemon. And besides, the Revelation of John. 6. These are fountains of salvation, that they who thirst may be satisfied with the living words they contain. In these alone is proclaimed the doctrine of godliness. Let no man add to these, neither let him take ought from these. … But for greater exactness I add this also, writing of necessity; that there are other books besides these not indeed included in the Canon, but appointed by the Fathers to be read by those who newly join us, and who wish for instruction in the word of godliness. The Wisdom of Solomon, and the Wisdom of Sirach, and Esther, and Judith, and Tobit, and that which is called the Teaching of the Apostles, and the Shepherd. But the former, my brethren, are included in the Canon, the latter being [merely] read; nor is there in any place a mention of apocryphal writings. But they are an invention of heretics, who write them when they choose, bestowing upon them their approbation, and assigning to them a date, that so, using them as ancient writings, they may find occasion to lead astray the simple. …”– Blessed St. Athanasius the Great, the Father of Orthodoxy, Patriarch of Alexandria and Champion of Trinity, Doctor of the Church and Confessor, Coptic Pope (c. 296 AD – c. 373 AD)
Source: https://carm.org/early-church-fathers-canon
Comment: Please note carefully that the “Book of Revelation” and the “Shepherd” (or ‘Shepherd of Hermas’) is included in the “Bible Canon” by Blessed St. Athanasius the Great’s quote above too. The “Apocalypse of Peter” is not mentioned but as stated, it was stated in the “First Bibles” of Christianity both the Muratorian/Roman Canon in the West and the Codex Claromontanus in the East which are more reliable than St. Athanasius himself who came in later along that lineage of ‘Authority in Doctrine’, for example as even Blessed St. Clement of Alexandria who was before St. Athanasius or even Origen of Alexandria affirmed that the “Apocalypse of Peter” was Scripture, to quote:
“… The Catalogue Claromontanus, an eastern list of sacred Christian writings from the third century, also names the Revelation of Peter as scripture. Eusebius (c. 339 C.E.), in his Ecclesiastical History (iii., 25), mentions the Revelation of Peter along with the Acts of Paul and the Shepherd of Hermas as disputed books, while admitting elsewhere that Clement of Alexandria had quoted from it as scripture. Although the tide began to turn against it through the work of Athanasius (mid-fourth century) and others, Macarius Magnes (early fifth century) still cites the Apocalypse of Peter as scripture (Apocritica, iv., 6). By the mid-fifth century, however, it was clear that the work would not be accepted into the Christian canon. Though not condemned as heretical, it began to be included in lists of the New Testament apocrypha, where it remains today. …”
Source: https://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Apocalypse_of_Peter
More related discussion concerning Revelation 22:19 in links below:
- Which Type of Removal is Spoken of in Revelation 22:19?
https://web.facebook.com/jonathan.ramachandran/posts/10159410481582784
- Martin Luther, the Protestant Reformant did not believe in the Book of Revelation as Holy Scripture
https://web.facebook.com/jonathan.ramachandran/posts/10159399771867784
iii. Reformer Martin Luther is not reliable to make decisions such as to remove 7 books from the Bible as he did
https://web.facebook.com/jonathan.ramachandran/posts/10159399659322784
Peace to you
How to Inherit the Kingdom of God?
[May God help us to stop wasting time on pursuits that don’t lead to this nor support this beyond the necessary for our daily survival]
Quote in Image – 100% Biblical Truth.
Inherit the kingdom of God = First Resurrection Inheritance of the “Heavens” (Hundredfold), “Paradise” (Sixtyfold) and “New Jerusalem City” (Thirtyfold) abodes as First Christianity has taught.
The rest may be “outside” after being Saved Post-Judgment. “Outside” regions could include the ‘other parts of the New Earth’ (i. e. Outside the ‘Great City’) or other lower unnamed abodes. That’s how I understand it as the reasons why is discussed in link below:
or in the free downloadable e-book in link below:
Click the button above to Download as PDFClick the button above to Download as in Google Book App
Logic: We cannot obtain a reward of things for which we did not work out in both “faith and works” aspect. Just like on earth, the rich obtain it after ‘working hard for it’ (talking about the ‘rich who did it rightly and not by cunning ways’), likewise to obtain the Kingdom of God, one has to Work Hard in “Faith and Works” aspect too. Let us choose to ‘Work Hard’ on the ‘Heavenly Treasures’ instead of the current perishing earthly ones as Christ has exhorted, which is discussed in detail in link below:
https://www.facebook.com/651792783/posts/10159410988427784/
Tip: Lesser the people pursuing it, easier and greater the reward if you obey these Verses because light is brightest when the darkness around you is greatest as the Bible also Teaches clearly that “Obedience is better than sacrifice” as effort can be greater than result itself for God Measures all things Fairly (in percentage & suffering incurred whilst doing so in Love) so that ‘no one is at any disadvantage in any way’ (Perfect Doctrine), as the Infamous Example of the ‘Poor Widow whose two coins probably can’t even buy much meal for anyone if any [no results] but yet her giving is still the Greatest according to God’, Verses:
“1And He looked up and saw the rich putting their gifts into the treasury, 2and He saw also a certain poor widow putting in two mites 3So He said, “Truly I say to you that this poor widow has put in more than all; 4for all these out of their abundance have put in offerings for God, but she out of her poverty put in all the livelihood that she had.” (Luke 21:1 – 4, NKJV)
Example First Christianity Quote Teaching this Same First Christianity Truth:
“… The fathers teach that it is not the amount of the gift that pleases God but the dispositions of the heart. A rich man may give much, but if it is a small percentage of his wealth, then it is accounted for less than a poor man who, although he give a small amount, he gives a larger percentage of his earnings. The magnanimity of this woman surpasses all, in that she gave “all she had, even her whole living.” Saint John Chrysostom says: “God does not appreciate the smallness of the gift, but the greatness of the affection with which it is offered.” (Homily on Hebrews) And Saint Bede (quoted by Cornelius a Lapide on this passage): “He weighs not the substance, but the conscience of the offerers.” … She is anonymous on earth while in heaven her name is written in the Book of Life. She has no feast day. She purchased the Heart of Jesus with two mites. She is His exquisite Treasure, His secret. …”
Source: https://catholicism.org/came-god-saw-conquered.html
Peace to you
Simple Life Definition Biblical Christianity
A Simple Life is “Safest”, “God’s Will”, “God is very Pleased’ and has the “Highest Heavenly Treasures” attainment. Prove for “each claim” stated with Bible Verses:
1) Safest
“23Then Jesus said to His disciples, “Assuredly, I say to you that it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. 24And again I say to you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.” – Most Blessed Lord Jesus Christ (Matthew 19:23 – 24, NKJV)
“1Come now, you rich, weep and howl for your miseries that are coming upon you! 2Your riches are corrupted, and your garments are moth-eaten. 3Your gold and silver are corroded, and their corrosion will be a witness against you and will eat your flesh like fire. You have heaped up treasure in the last days. 4Indeed the wages of the laborers who mowed your fields, which you kept back by fraud, cry out; and the cries of the reapers have reached the ears of the Lord of Sabaoth. 5You have lived on the earth in pleasure and luxury; you have fattened your hearts as in a day of slaughter.” (James 5:1 – 5, NKJV)
Note: Even “Luxury” is sin according to James 5:5 as ‘various sins of the rich’ is listed in Verses above.
“But Abraham said, ‘Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things; but now he is comforted and you are tormented.” – Most Blessed Lord Jesus Christ (Luke 16:25, NKJV)
2) God’s Will
“And He [Lord Jesus Christ] said to them, “Take heed and beware of covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses.” (Luke 12:15, NKJV)
“So is he who lays up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.” – Most Blessed Lord Jesus Christ (Luke 12:21, NKJV)
” 30“For all these things the nations of the world eagerly seek; but your Father knows that you need these things. 31“But seek His kingdom, and these things will be added to you. 32“Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has chosen gladly to give you the kingdom. 33“SELL your possessions and GIVE to CHARITY; make yourselves money belts which do not wear out, an unfailing treasure in heaven, where no thief comes near nor moth destroys. 34“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” – Most Blessed Lord Jesus Christ (Luke 12:30 – 34, NASB)
“So then, none of you can be My disciple who does not give up all his own possessions.” – Most Blessed Lord Jesus Christ (Luke 14:33, NASB)
3) God is Very Pleased
“But do not forget to do good and to share, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.” (Hebrews 13:16, NKJV)
“Now the multitude of those who believed were of one heart and one soul; neither did anyone say that any of the things he possessed was his own, but they had all things in common.” (Acts 4:32, NKJV)
” 44Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common, 45and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had need.” (Acts 2:44 – 45, NKJV)
4) Highest Heavenly Treasures
“27Then Peter answered and said to Him, “See, we have left all and followed You. Therefore what shall we have?” 28So Jesus said to them, “Assuredly I say to you, that in the regeneration, when the Son of Man sits on the throne of His glory, you who have followed Me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. 29And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands, for My name’s sake, shall receive a hundredfold, and inherit eternal life. 30But many who are first will be last, and the last first.” (Matthew 19:27 – 30, NKJV)
“32“So now, brethren, I commend you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified. 33I have coveted no one’s silver or gold or apparel. 34Yes, you yourselves know that these hands have provided for my necessities, and for those who were with me. 35I have shown you in every way, by laboring like this, that you must support the weak. And remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’” (Acts 20:32 – 35, NKJV)
Conclusion – No Greater Love Theology Approximates these Commands
“Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.” (John 15:13, NKJV)
The ‘laying down one’s life Context’ which Christ Explains as the ‘Greatest Love’ also includes living in the Following “Simple Life sharing Lifestyle”, to quote Verses:
“16By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us. And we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. 17But whoever has this world’s goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of God abide in him? 18My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth.” (1 John 3:16 – 18, NKJV)
Blessed Apostle St. James himself agrees as he writes the ‘sharing your possessions context’ as a ‘primary works example’ by which ‘one’s faith is not dead’, Verses again:
“14What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him? 15If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, 16and one of you says to them, “Depart in peace, be warmed and filled,” but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit? 17Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.” (James 2:14 – 17, NKJV)
Please note carefully that these are all ‘New Testament Verses as it is Written’.
“But why do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do the things which I say?” – Most Blessed Lord Jesus Christ (Luke 6:46, NKJV)
The Devil Robs you of your Heavenly Treasures by teaching you to hoard you earthly treasures instead of sharing it, Bible Verses:
“The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.” – Most Blessed Lord Jesus Christ (John 10:10, NKJV)
“So is he who lays up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.” – Most Blessed Lord Jesus Christ (Luke 12:21, NKJV)
“33“SELL your possessions and GIVE to CHARITY; make yourselves money belts which do not wear out, an unfailing treasure in heaven, where no thief comes near nor moth destroys. 34“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” – Most Blessed Lord Jesus Christ (Luke 12:33 – 34, NASB)
Peace to you
Mystery of Singleness
1) Bible Verses
- i) Singleness – Helps Focus on God better
“… 32But I want you to be without care. He who is unmarried cares for the things of the Lord—how he may please the Lord. 33But he who is married cares about the things of the world—how he may please his wife. 34There is a difference between a wife and a virgin. The unmarried woman cares about the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body and in spirit. But she who is married cares about the things of the world—how she may please her husband. 35And this I say for your own profit, not that I may put a leash on you, but for what is proper, and that you may serve the Lord without distraction. …” (1 Corinthians 7:32 – 35, NKJV)
- ii) Voluntary Singleness is better than Marriage
“… 37Nevertheless he who stands steadfast in his heart, having no necessity, but has power over his own will, and has so determined in his heart that he will keep his virgin, does well. 38So then he who gives her in MARRIAGE DOES WELL, but he who DOES NOT give her in MARRIAGE DOES BETTER. …” (1 Corinthians 7:37 – 38, NKJV)
2) Early Jewish-Christian Writing
“… 4 1 And now, hearken to me, my children, And walk in singleness of your heart, For I have seen in it all that is well-pleasing to the Lord. 2 The single-(minded) man coveteth not gold, He overreacheth not his neighbour, He longeth not after manifold dainties, He delighteth not in varied apparel. 3 He doth not desire to live a long life, But only waiteth for the will of God. 4 And the spirits of deceit have no power against him, For he looketh not on the beauty of women, Lest he should pollute his mind with corruption. 5 There is no envy in his thoughts, [No malicious person maketh his soul to pine away,] Nor worry with insatiable desire in his mind. 6 For he walketh in singleness of soul, And beholdeth all things in uprightness of heart, Shunning eyes (made) evil through the error of the world, Lest he should see the perversion of any of the commandments of the Lord. 5 1 Keep, therefore, my children, the law of God, And get singleness. …” – THE TESTAMENT OF ISSACHAR, THE FIFTH SON OF JACOB AND LEAH (Chapter 4, 5)
Source: http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/text/patriarchs-charles.html
Conclusion – Example First Christianity Quotes
Can a Christian who was a non-Virgin repent and be part of this Continence Contest of Faith?
Yes. In such cases, his ‘continence’ is called his ‘second dignity’ but he has to ‘labor in penance’ in some way first, to quote:
“… (8) And as one who has fallen from virginity has continence for a second dignity, so he who has fallen into major sin after baptism has < reform > for a second healing — not as virtuous as the first, but he has the second healing he has received, one not thrust out from life. God’s word, then, does not deny the reward of those who labor in penance…” – Blessed St. Epiphanius, Bishop of Salamis and the ‘Hammer of Heretics’, (c. 310 AD – c. 403 AD, ‘Cathari’, “Panarion”, Points 2.6 – 2.8, Pages 105 – 106)
Source:
Note: ” labor in penance” = punishment inflicted as an outward expression of repentance for wrongdoing. Please note that both St. Jerome of the Vulgate and St. Augustine of Hippo themselves were not virgins having lost it in their sinful lives prior and thus fit into this category too.
and
“… If one drops out of the race it is better to take a lawful wife openly, and in place of virginity do penance for a long time, and be readmitted to the church as one who has strayed and wept, and is in need of reinstatement — and not be wounded every day by the secret darts of wickedness which the devil launches at him. …” – Blessed St. Epiphanius, Bishop of Salamis and the ‘Hammer of Heretics’, (c. 310 AD – c. 403 AD, ‘Apostolics’, “Panarion”, Points 7.6, Page 122)
Despite the fact that neither Blessed St. Augustine nor Blessed St. Jerome were virgins, St. Jerome says this Bold Declaration in that as a Repentant non-Virgin, he stands a chance to attain even the highest HUNDREDFOLD rewards too, to quote:
“… My seed shall produce fruit a hundredfold – the reward of virginity is hundredfold; of widowhood, sixtyfold, and of married life, thirtyfold. “All cannot receive the Word of God but only they to whom it is given” (Mt 19:11). Let others be eunuchs of necessity, but I [am chaste] of my own will. … Let them sew robes who have previously lost the unsown robe…” – Blessed St. Jerome of the Vulgate, Doctor of the Church who did the First Official Translation of the Bible out of Its Original Languages into Latin, Priest, Confessor, Secretary to Pope Damasus I (c. 347 AD – c. 420 AD, ‘Quotes on Marriage & Viginity’)
Source: https://www.traditioninaction.org/religious/n093_Virginity.htm
“… Now any one may object to this interpretation, and may give another which harmonizes with the rule of faith. For as the ark was to have rooms not only on the lower, but also on the upper storeys, which were called ” third storeys,” that there might be a habitable space on the third floor from the basement, some one may interpret these to mean the three graces commended by the apostle, — ^faith, hope, and charity. Or even more suitably they may be supposed to represent those three harvests in the gospel, thirtyfold, sixtyfold, an hundredfold, — chaste marriage dwelling in the ground floor, chaste widowhood in the upper, and chaste virginity in the top storey. Or any better interpretation may be given, so long as the reference to this city is maintained…” – Blessed St. Augustine of Hippo, Doctor of the Church, who influenced virtually all of subsequent Western philosophy and Catholic theology, as well as a significant amount of Protestant theology (c. 354 AD – c. 430 AD, Book XV, ‘City of God’, Page 99)
Source:
https://archive.org/stream/cityofgodvolumet009439mbp/cityofgodvolumet009439mbp_djvu.txt
“… Therefore hear me, O virgins, as a parent; hear, I beseech you … Strait and narrow is the way which leadeth to life; hard and difficult is the track which tends to glory. By this pathway the martyrs progress, the virgins pass, the just of all kinds advance. Avoid the broad and roomy ways. There are deadly snares and death-bringing pleasures; there the devil flatters, that he may deceive; smiles, that he may do mischief; entices, that he may slay. The first fruit for the martyrs is a hundred-fold; the second is yours, sixty-fold. …” Blessed St. Cyprian, Bishop of Carthage, a pre-eminent Latin writer of Western Christianity until Jerome and Augustine, Martyr for Christ (c. 200 AD – c. 258 AD, Point 21, Treatise II. [3127] On the Dress of Virgins)
Source: http://mb-soft.com/believe/txu/cyprian5.htm
Comment: St. Cyprian’s “you” in his treatise above refers to “virgins” & hence tells them that they may either be a ‘hundredfold’ (if martyred or martyred type of lifestyle) or may hit the ‘sixty fold reward’. It’s implied that the remaining ‘thirty fold’ reward is for the ‘married Christians’ & that he links it to the ‘narrow way to life which few find it’ to refer to this Context too (Matthew 7:14). The ancient fact that the ‘thirtyfold’ reward refers to the ‘married Christians’ is not just found in Western/Roman Christianity as St. Cyprian above but is preserved as the same understanding in Eastern Christianity too at that time as St. Athanasius the Great Writes below in his own words likewise:
or
“… For there are two ways in life, as touching these matters. The one the more moderate and ordinary, I mean marriage; the other angelic and unsurpassed, namely virginity. Now if a man choose the way of the world, namely marriage, he is not indeed to blame; yet he will not receive such great gifts as the other. For he will receive, since he too brings forth fruit, namely thirtyfold. But if a man embrace the holy and unearthly way, even though, as compared with the former, it be rugged and hard to accomplish, yet it has the more wonderful gifts: for it grows the perfect fruit, namely an hundredfold…” – Blessed St. Athanasius the Great, the Father of Orthodoxy, Patriarch of Alexandria and Champion of Trinity, Doctor of the Church and Confessor, Coptic Pope (c. 296 AD – c. 373 AD, Letter XLVIII.—Letter to Amun4583. Written before 354 AD via Philip Schaff, Pages 971 – 972)
Source: http://www.documentacatholicaomnia.eu/03d/1819-1893,_Schaff._Philip,_3_Vol_04_Athanasius,_EN.pdf
or http://mb-soft.com/believe/txuc/athana49.htm
More First Christianity Quotes and related details are discussed in free e-book in link below:
https://play.google.com/store/books/details?id=9lnIDwAAQBAJ
Peace to you
God didn’t put these down like the 10 Commandments because it must be Voluntary and there’s “abundant glory” as here’s a Mystery:
“…I said to him, “Sir, I do not see the meaning of these similitudes, nor am I able to comprehend them, unless you explain them to me.” “I will explain them all to you,” he said, “and whatever I shall mention in the course of our conversations I will show you. [Keep the commandments of the Lord, and you will be approved, and inscribed amongst the number of those who observe His commands.] And if you do any good beyond what is commanded by God, you will gain for yourself more abundant glory, and will be more honoured by God than you would otherwise be. If, therefore, in keeping the commandments of God, you do, in addition, these services, you will have joy if you observe them according to my command.” I said to him, “Sir, whatsoever you enjoin upon me I will observe, for I know that you are with me.” “I will be with you,” he replied, “because you have such a desire for doing good; and I will be with all those,” he added, “who have such a desire. This fasting,” he continued, “is very good, provided the commandments of the Lord be observed. Thus, then, shall you observe the fasting which you intend to keep. First of all, be on your guard against every evil word, and every evil desire, and purify your heart from all the vanities of this world. If you guard against these things, your fasting will be perfect. And you will do also as follows. Having fulfilled what is written, in the day on which you fast you will taste nothing but bread and water; and having reckoned up the price of the dishes of that day which you intended to have eaten, you will give it to a widow, or an orphan, or to some person in want, and thus you will exhibit humility of mind, so that he who has received benefit from your humility may fill his own soul, and pray for you to the Lord. If you observe fasting, as I have commanded you, your sacrifice will be acceptable to God, and this fasting will be written down; and the service thus performed is noble, and sacred, and acceptable to the Lord. These things, therefore, shall you thus observe with your children, and all your house, and in observing them you will be blessed; and as many as hear these words and observe them shall be blessed; and whatsoever they ask of the Lord they shall receive.” …” – Shepherd of Hermas (Fifth Similitude, Chapter III)
Source: http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/text/shepherd.html
John Calvin – Protestant Reformer – is he Saved?
I can tolerate men of God falling into sins or doctrinal errors but how do you consider a man saved if he never even acknowledged that murders done in his name or by his instructions or by his approval or to his affirmation of it later as a “Christian” especially in light of the “Bible Verse” in 1 John 3:15 (in Image) which even equates ‘hate as murder’ now how much more ‘actual murders’ and can such a person even inherit “eternal life”?
This is important because Reformer John Calvin’s theology single-handedly influenced all of Protestantism. Wouldn’t it be strange that God Chose such a person (as we will see a few key facts next) to Prove Christian Theology if his Salvation itself is questionable based on 1 John 3:15? If the Roman Catholic Popes themselves murdered others likewise, I don’t support them either.
This is what is ‘very disturbing’: Please note that Protestant Reformer John Calvin did not commit these Acts directly, indirectly or approved it whilst being an ‘unbeliever’ but ‘as a Christian and just after his infamous doctrinal Book’, to quote:
1) The Death of Jacques Gruet
“… as when Jacques Gruet, a known opponent of Calvin, was arrested, tortured for a month and beheaded on July 26, 1547, for placing a letter in Calvin’s pulpit calling him a hypocrite. Gruet’s book was later found and burned along with his house while his wife was thrown out into the street to watch. Gruet’s death was more highly criticized by far than the banishment of Castellio or the penalties inflicted on Bolsec — moderate men opposed to extreme views in discipline and doctrine, who fell under suspicion as reactionary. Calvin did not shrink from his self-appointed task. Within five years fifty-eight sentences of death and seventy-six of exile, besides numerous committals of the most eminent citizens to prison, took place in Geneva. …”
Source:
https://oncesavedalwayssaved.org/false-doctrines-of-the-pope-of-genevajohn-calvin/
Note: This is a “Protestant Source” and not a Roman Catholic Source quoted.
2) The Death of Michael Servetus
“… Calvin forced the citizens of Geneva to attend church services under a heavy threat of punishment. Since Calvinism falsely teaches that God forces the elect to believe, it is no wonder that Calvin thought he could also force the citizens of Geneva to all become the elect. Not becoming one of the elect was punishable by death or expulsion from Geneva. Calvin exercised forced regeneration on the citizens of Geneva, because that is what his theology teaches. Michael Servetus, a Spaniard, physician, scientist and Bible scholar, was born in Villanova in 1511. He was credited with the discovery of the pulmonary circulation of the blood from the right chamber of the heart through the lungs and back to the left chamber of the heart. He was Calvin’s longtime friend in their earlier resistance against the Roman Catholic Church. Servetus, while living in Vienne (historic city in southeastern France), angered Calvin by returning a copy of Calvin’s writings, Institutes, with critical comments in the margins. Servetus was arrested by the Roman Catholic Authorities on April 4 but escaped on April 7, 1553. He traveled to Geneva where he attended Calvin’s Sunday preaching service on August 13. Calvin promptly had Servetus arrested and charged with heresy for his disagreement with Calvin’s theology. The thirty-eight official charges included rejection of the Trinity and infant baptism. Servetus was correct in challenging Calvin’s false teaching about infant baptism for salvation, but he was heretical in his rejection of the doctrine of the Trinity. Servetus pleaded to be beheaded instead of the more brutal method of burning at the stake, but Calvin and the city council refused the quicker death method. Other Protestant churches throughout Switzerland advised Calvin that Servetus be condemned but not executed. Calvin ignored their pleas and Servetus was burned at the stake on October 27, 1553. John Calvin insisted that his men use green wood for the fire because it burned slower. Servetus was screaming as he was literally baked alive from the feet upward and suffered the heat of the flames for 30 minutes before finally succumbing to one of the most painful and brutal death methods possible. Servetus had written a theology book, a copy of which Calvin had strapped to the chest of Servetus. The flames from the burning book rose against Servetus’ face as he screamed in agony. John Calvin celebrated and bragged of his killing of Servetus. Many theological and state leaders criticized Calvin for the unwarranted killing of Servetus, but it fell on deaf ears as Calvin advised others to do the same. Calvin wrote much in following years in a continual attempt to justify his burning of Servetus. Some people claim Calvin favored beheading, but this does not fit charges of heresy for which the punishment, as written by Calvin earlier, was to be burning at the stake. Calvin had made a vow years earlier that Servetus would never leave Geneva alive if he were ever captured, and Calvin held true to his pledge. …”
Source:
https://oncesavedalwayssaved.org/false-doctrines-of-the-pope-of-genevajohn-calvin/
Comment: Some Calvinist theologians even try to deny John Calvin’s direct involvement in this by stating that he went to “evangelize Michael Servetus” in prison. Truth is, John Calvin himself confessed of this murder-involvement, quoted in point 4 later.
Yes, Michael Servetus is a heretic due to being an anti-trinitarian but killing him is against the New Testament Law and even makes one a “murderer” according to 1 John 3:15, right?
3) The Death of others
“… Another victim of Calvin’s fiery zeal was Gentile of an Italian sect in Geneva, which also numbered among its adherents Alciati and Gribaldo. More or less Unitarian in their views, they were required to sign a confession drawn up by Calvin in 1558. Gentile signed it reluctantly, but in the upshot he was condemned and imprisoned as a perjurer. He escaped only to be incarcerated twice at Berne where, in 1566, he was beheaded. Calvin also had thirty-four (34) women burned at the stake after accusing them of being witches who caused a plague that had swept through Geneva in 1545. The number of people murdered by John Calvin has been a dispute — not the fact that he murdered them. …”
Source:
https://oncesavedalwayssaved.org/false-doctrines-of-the-pope-of-genevajohn-calvin/
4) John Calvin’s Confession of his approval of these “Murder” Sentences toward his theological enemies Blaspheming the Most Holy Name of Christ
To quote:
“[Calvin summarized the execution this way]:
“Servetus . . . suffered the penalty due to his heresies, but was it by my will? Certainly his arrogance destroyed him not less than his impiety. And what crime was it of mine if our Council, at my exhortation, indeed, but in conformity with the opinion of several Churches, took vengeance on his execrable blasphemies?” …” – John Calvin
Source:
Or
“… Whoever shall now contend that it is unjust to put heretics and blasphemers to death, knowingly and willingly incur their guilt. It is not human authority that speaks, it is God who speaks and prescribes a perpetual rule for His Church.” …” – John Calvin
Source:
The rest is history. Was it the will of God?
“Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; Who put darkness for light, and light for darkness; Who put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!” (Isaiah 5:20, NKJV)
Conclusion
My question is simple – is he Saved?
If he is unsaved or ‘not the Elect’ due to being a ‘murderer’ (based on 1 John 3:15) as these claims are really well documented history within Protestantism itself, why did God Choose him to bring back correct theology into Christianity as Protestants claim?
In other words, can a person who murders others due to doctrinal differences be a Christian who is chosen of God to bring doctrinal truth?
Or
Can a person who is unsaved (if he is considered a murderer) be chosen by God to correct Christian Theology?
If you agree that murderers or haters do not inherit eternal life as per 1 John 3:15, please be careful of both in supporting John Calvin or his theology lest we hear these dreaded words:
“21“Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. 22Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ 23And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’” – Most Blessed Lord Jesus Christ (Matthew 7:20 – 23, NKJV)
Please be careful of supporting such “Murder Errors in his theology” lest this Verse condemns our position (as supporting murderous behavior / theology itself can warrant equal condemnation to us based on 1 John 3:15 and Romans 1:32):
“Whoever hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him.” (1 John 3:15, NKJV)
“who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them.” (Romans 1:32, NKJV)
I’m not condemning John Calvin 100% as I leave that decision to God Alone but based on these well known evidences, there is enough proof of his errors and these can cause one to lose their Salvation as per 1 John 3:15 if these claims are true.
How about his influence on majority of protestants?
Majority just shows how the general health of Christianity is like as to whether it is “murderous” (as some dark parts of history has shown) or “loving” (in some parts) or “money loving” (as modern heresies swing more to this) etc. are no indicator of anything apart from God Allowing them to make the right choice Biblically before He Judges on that Day, revealing the True Christians from the fake ones (Matthew 7:20 – 23).
Broken up Christianity itself (be it Roman Catholic, Protestant or otherwise or all of it) may actually be a proof of God’s Disapproval of our Doctrines throughout Christendom as these Verses imply toward ‘such Christian leaderships holding majority powers’ in Principle as we ‘oppress each other too’:
“4“I will give children to be their princes,
And babes shall rule over them.
5The people will be oppressed,
Every one by another and every one by his neighbor;
The child will be insolent toward the elder,
And the base toward the honorable.” (Isaiah 3:4 – 5, NKJV)
Peace to you
Worldly Ambition Minded and Rich Christians – How can they be Saved?
“Now he who received seed among the thorns is he who hears the word, and the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and he becomes unfruitful.” – Most Blessed Lord Jesus Christ (Matthew 13:22, NKJV)
Please note the phrase “cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches” which the Bible clearly Warns Against carefully in Verse above. What does this Verse mean?
“… “Those who have never searched for the truth, nor investigated the nature of the Divinity, but have simply believed, when they devote themselves to and become mixed up with business, and wealth, and heathen friendships, and many other actions of this world, do not perceive the parables of Divinity; for their minds are darkened by these actions, and they are corrupted and become dried up. Even as beautiful vines, when they are neglected, are withered up by thorns and divers plants, so men who have believed, and have afterwards fallen away into many of those actions above mentioned, go astray in their minds, and lose all understanding in regard to righteousness; for if they hear of righteousness, their minds are occupied with their business, and they give no heed at all. Those, on the other hand, who have the fear of God, and search after Godhead and truth, and have their hearts turned to the Lord, quickly perceive and understand what is said to them, because they have the fear of the Lord in them. For where the Lord dwells, there is much understanding. Cleave, then, to the Lord, and you will understand and perceive all things. …” – Shepherd of Hermas (Tenth Commandment, Chapter I)
Source: http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/text/shepherd.html
or
“… “The sheep which you saw merry and leaping about, are those which have tom themselves away from God for ever, and have delivered themselves over to luxuries and deceits [of this world. Among them there is no return to life through repentance, because they have added to their other sins, and blasphemed the name of the Lord. Such men therefore, are appointed unto death. And the sheep which you saw not leaping, but feeding in one place, are they who have delivered themselves over to luxury and deceit], but have committed no blasphemy against the Lord. These have been perverted from the truth: among them there is the hope of repentance, by which it is possible to live. Corruption, then, has a hope of a kind of renewal, but death has everlasting ruin.” …” – Shepherd of Hermas (Sixth Similitude, Chapter II)
Source: http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/text/shepherd.html
Conclusion
“23Then Jesus said to His disciples, “Assuredly, I say to you that it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. 24And again I say to you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.” (Matthew 19:23 – 24, NKJV)
What do these Verses mean?
“… “And from the third mountain, which had thorns and thistles, they who believed are the following. There are some of them rich, and others immersed in much business. The thistles are the rich, and the thorns are they who are immersed in much business. Those, [accordingly, who are entangled in many various kinds of business, do not ] cleave to the servants of God, but wander away, being choked by their business transactions; and the rich cleave with difficulty to the servants of God, fearing lest these should ask something of them. Such persons, accordingly, shall have difficulty in entering the kingdom of God. For as it is disagreeable to walk among thistles with naked feet, so also it is hard for such to enter the kingdom of God. But to all these repentance, and that speedy, is open, in order that what they did not do in former times they may make up for in these days, and do some good, and they shall live unto God. But if they abide in their deeds, they shall be delivered to those women, who will put them to death. …” – Shepherd of Hermas (Ninth Similitude, Chapter XX)
Source: http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/text/shepherd.html
Which “Christian (‘Servant of God’) rich man’ and his ‘poor partner’ may be “Saved” and their names Written in the “Book of the Living” (i.e. understood to refer to the Infamous Lamb’s ‘Book of Life’?) To quote:
“… AS I was walking in the field, and observing an elm and vine, and determining in my own, mind respecting them and their fruits, the Shepherd appears to me, and says, “What is it that you are thinking about the elm and vine?” “I am considering,” I reply, “that they become each other exceedingly well.” “These two trees,” he continues, “are intended as an example for the servants of God.” “I would like to know,” said I, “the example which these trees you say, are intended to teach.” “Do you see,” he says, “the elm and the vine?” “I see them sir,” I replied. “This vine,” he continued, “produces fruit, and the elm is an unfruitful tree; but unless the vine be trained upon the elm, it cannot bear much fruit when extended at length upon the ground; and the fruit which it does bear is rotten, because the plant is not suspended upon the elm. When, therefore, the vine is cast upon the elm, it yields fruit both, from itself and from the elm. You see, moreover, that the elm also produces much fruit, not less than the vine, but even more; because,” he continued, “the vine, when suspended upon the elm, yields much fruit, and good; but when thrown upon the ground, what it produces is small and rotten. This similitude, therefore, is for the servants of God–for the poor man and for the rich.” “How so, sir?” said I; “explain the matter to me.” “Listen,” he said: “The rich man has much wealth, but is poor in matters relating to the Lord, because he is distracted about his riches; and he offers very few confessions and intercessions to the Lord, and those which he does offer are small and weak, and have no power above. But when the rich man refreshes the poor, and assists him in his necessities, believing that what he does to the poor man will be able to find its reward with God–because the poor man is rich in intercession and confession, and his intercession has great power with God–then the rich man helps the poor in all things without hesitation; and the poor man, being helped by the rich, intercedes for him, giving thanks to God for him who bestows gifts upon him. And he still continues to interest himself zealously for the poor man, that his wants may be constantly supplied. For he knows that the intercession of the poor man is acceptable and influential with God. Both, accordingly, accomplish their work. The poor man makes intercession; a work in which he is rich, which he received from the Lord, and with which he recompenses the master who helps him. And the rich man, in like manner, unhesitatingly bestows upon the poor man the riches which he received from the Lord. And this is a great work, and acceptable before God, because he understands the object of his wealth, and has given to the poor of the gifts of the Lord, and rightly discharged his service to Him. Among men, however, the elm appears not to produce fruit, and they do not know nor understand that if a drought come, the elm, which contains water, nourishes the vine l and the vine, having an unfailing supply of water, yields double fruit both for itself and for the elm. So also poor men interceding with the Lord on behalf of the rich, increase their riches; and the rich, again, AIDING the POOR in THEIR NECESSARIES, satisfy their souls. Both, therefore, are PARTNERS in the RIGHTEOUS WORK. He who does these things shall NOT be DESERTED by GOD, but shall be enrolled in the BOOKS of the LIVING. Blessed are they who have riches, and who understand that they are from the Lord. [For they who are of that mind will be able to do some good.]” …” – Shepherd of Hermas (Second Similitude)
Source: http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/text/shepherd.html
Peace to you
Mystery of Suffering for Christ and Reward
” 3Join with me in suffering, like a good soldier of Christ Jesus.” (2 Timothy 2:3, NIV)
In Full, as only with “suffering” and by “competing according to the rules” (i.e. New Testament Bible Verses) any Christian may attain to their “Crown”.
“1You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. 2And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others. 3Join with me in suffering, like a good soldier of Christ Jesus. 4No one serving as a soldier gets entangled in civilian affairs, but rather tries to please his commanding officer. 5Similarly, anyone who competes as an athlete does not receive the victor’s crown except by competing according to the rules.” (2 Timothy 2:1 – 5, NIV)
Conclusion – Financial Suffering Technique
Remember the poor widow?
“1And He [Lord Jesus Christ] looked up and saw the rich putting their gifts into the treasury, 2and He saw also a certain poor widow putting in two mites. 3So He said, “Truly I say to you that this poor widow has put in more than all; 4for all these out of their abundance have put in offerings for God, but she out of her poverty put in all the livelihood that she had.” (Luke 21:1 – 4, NKJV)
Here’s more to prove this Context of ‘Faith for Financial Suffering Lifestyle for Heavenly Rewards in Christ’:
One Biblical Christian Way to “Suffer for Christ” is through ‘liberal giving/sharing’ (Acts 2:44 – 45, Acts 4:32) sometimes even “beyond we can bear” (so it’s not a sign that God has Condemned such a Person) where sometimes this can be the ‘Sign of God’s Approval of any such persons’ as per the “Bible Verses” below describing such ancient First Christians likewise:
“1Moreover, brethren, we make known to you the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia: 2that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded in the riches of their liberality. 3For I bear witness that according to their ability, yes, and beyond their ability, they were freely willing, 4imploring us with much urgency that we would receive the gift and the fellowship of the ministering to the saints. 5And not only as we had hoped, but they first gave themselves to the Lord, and then to us by the will of God. 6So we urged Titus, that as he had begun, so he would also complete this grace in you as well. 7But as you abound in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in all diligence, and in your love for us—see that you abound in this grace also.” (1 Corinthians 8:1 – 6, NKJV)
Please note the phrase “… their deep poverty …” (i.e. though they were extremely poor possibly even in their needs not being met) but yet “… abounded in the riches of their liberality. 3For I bear witness that according to their ability, …” (i.e. they still gave financially toward meeting other’s needs) to the Perfect Extent of “… yes, and beyond their ability, they were freely willing …” (i.e. Giving can be Practiced via Suffering & to the point of ‘beyond our ability’) as this Marks the “Perfect Christian” in ‘faith, speech and Love’ as Blessed St. Paul the Great Apostle of Christ Himself Inspired-ly Writes regarding ‘those who practiced this’ as “… as you abound in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in all diligence, and in your love for us—see that you abound in this grace also. …”.
Remember suffering out of necessity and out of “Voluntary Choice to Obey the Gospel” is clearly highlighted as this Church was ‘Voluntarily Suffering for Christ Financially by their beyond the ability Giving Lifestyle’ as Carrying their Cross Daily (Luke 9:23) in their “Possessions” (Luke 14:33) as the phrase “… abounded in the riches of their liberality. …” proves this ‘Perfect Voluntarism’.
Here’s an amazing fact: All Christians have this equal chance to ‘Suffer for Christ likewise Voluntarily’ if they choose to in this ‘Financial aspect via Giving’ even ‘beyond one’s ability’ to attain to the Greatest Inheritance Rewards in His Kingdom as discussed further with Bible Verses in related posts in links below (yes, we don’t even need to leave our homes as missionaries as we can practice these ‘missionary acts’ in any small little way too):
1) Simple Life Definition Biblical Christianity
https://web.facebook.com/jonathan.ramachandran/posts/10159410988427784
2) Rich Pastors – Is it Biblical?
https://web.facebook.com/jonathan.ramachandran/posts/10159388268572784
3) How to Inherit the Kingdom of God?
https://web.facebook.com/jonathan.ramachandran/posts/10159420521847784
Please remember that to be ‘Saved’ believing might be sufficient but to ‘inherit the Kingdom’s Heavenly Treasures’, one needs “work” too, Verses:
“19Whoever therefore breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. 20For I say to you, that unless your righteousness exceeds the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven.” – Most Blessed Lord Jesus Christ (Matthew 5:19 – 20, NKJV)
Note: If you practice these secretly without sharing this Biblical Knowledge with others, it may be a selfish act as please note carefully the phrases “… unless your righteousness exceeds the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees …” and “… least of these commandments … does and teaches them … shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven …” implies in Verses above.
“You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only.” (James 2:24, NKJV)
Peace to you
Who are “the dead” in 1 Peter 4:5 – 6?
“4With respect to this, they think it strange of you not running with them into the same overflow of debauchery, speaking evil of you, 5who will give account to Him who is ready to judge the living and the dead. 6For to this end the gospel was proclaimed even to the dead, so that they might be judged indeed according to men in the flesh, but they might live in the spirit according to God.” (1 Peter 4:4 – 6, Berean Literal Bible)
Regarding whether it’s the “spiritually dead” or the “physically dead” is being referred to in 1 Peter 4:6 to whom the Gospel is Preached, I point them to the Verse before in 1 Peter 4:5 where it’s the ‘same dead’. In other words, since “the dead” in 1 Peter 4:5 is the same dead in 1 Peter 4:6 and we know clearly that the phrase “the living and the dead” (in 1 Peter 4:5) points “the dead” to refer to the physically dead”, hence 1 Peter 4:6’s “the dead” must likewise refer to the “physically dead” too, right?
In the “Original Koine Greek Bible” (not a translation) in images below, we can clearly see that “the dead” is all that is Written in both 1 Peter 4:5 and 1 Peter 4:6 and it’s the ‘same words’ in both Verses ‘as it is Written’. Translators have added their theological bias by adding the words “are dead” or “now dead” etc. which do not exist in the Original Bible.
More linguistic details:
1 Peter’s 4:5’s “the dead” —> “Adjective Accusative Masculine Plural”
while
1 Peter 4:6’s “the dead” —> “Adjective Dative Masculine plural”
The only difference between the two dead is one is “Accusative” while the other is “Dative”. So, what does “Accusative” or “Dative” mean in Biblical Koine Greek? [These are “Cases”]
It seems to be a ‘grammar’ rule where the “accusative adjective” refers to a “direct object” while the “dative adjective” refers to an “indirect object”.
To quote:
- Accusative Case
“… A noun, pronoun, or adjective in the accusative case is mostly used as a direct object or the object of a preposition. The accusative case is the most common as it is the most general in its unaffected meaning.In both ancient and modern Greek, nouns, adjectives, verb participles, articles, and pronouns are used in the accusative case. The accusative marker used depends on gender, number, and declension. …”
- Dative Case
“… In dative case has functions in classical Greek. In biblical and classical Greek, the dative case was quite versatile. It took on the role of other cases such as genitive. Dative is used for indirect objects, instruments of action, and other uses. In contemporary Greek, the dative case has been replaced by the accusative, but the dative is still found in certain phrases and expression. The dative case was used regularly up until a few decades ago. In modern Greek, the accusative case of a word is used where the dative case used to be. …”
Source for both definitions above: https://www.greekboston.com/learn-speak/five-cases/
- What is the meaning of “Direct Object” (Accusative Cases) vs “Indirect Object” (Dative Cases)?
To quote:
Consider the sentence, “I gave Dad the newspaper.”
Dad = “Indirect Object” = “Dative Case”
Paper = “Direct Object” = “Accusative Case”
Source: http://www.ntgreek.net/lesson13.htm
This means that ‘Dative and Accusative Cases’ only point to the word as to whether it’s a ‘primary thing referred to in a sentence or a secondary thing’ (crudely speaking) where it does not change “the dead” from ‘physically’ to ‘spiritually’ or vice versa.
Truly God Alone knows.
Peace to you
Other Points from Church History, please consider:
1) Christ never corrected their belief in a Purgatorial Hell (Gehenna) Universalism till the last penny only as He Himself Taught that (in Matthew 5:22’s Gehenna till the last penny in Matthew 5:26) while also regarding Gehenna, Christ never corrected their belief in that the Messiah (Lord Jesus Christ Himself though they did not recognize Him then) will not only be able to Save souls from Hell now (Hades/Sheol) but also from the Final Lake of Fire (Gehenna/Second Death) later, to quote this well known Fact regarding ‘Judaism too’:
(i) What’s the Difference between Gehenna and Sheol (Hades)?
To quote (Page 34):
“Hanhart (1966:32) states that according to Jeremias, however, it is fundamental
for our understanding of the New Testament to make a sharp distinction between Hades
and Gehenna.
Hades is used exclusively for the interim period, Gehenna on the other side
for a state of punishment after the last judgment. In Hades, the punishment is provisional, in Gehenna eternal.”
(ii) Can the Messiah [Lord Jesus Christ] Save from Gehenna (the Final Judgment, Lake of Fire) itself?
To quote (Page 38):
“Bernard (1915:290) quotes two passages from the Bereshith Rabba to show that this idea was prominent in Jewish literature. He is, however, unsure of the dating of the literature.
Nevertheless, it still demonstrates the basic purpose of the descent:
‘When they are bound, they that are in Gehinnom, saw the light of the Messiah, they
rejoiced to receive him’; and ‘This is that which stands written, We shall rejoice and exult thee.
When? When the captives climb out of hell, and the Shechinah at their head.’
The only difference here is that the captives are in Gehinnom and not Sheol.”
Source for both Quotes are from this phD Dissertation (link below, please read it). Indeed, the phD thesis I referred to may be found in link below (image too):
https://repository.up.ac.za/bitstream/handle/2263/27130/dissertation.pdf?sequence=1
I don’t subscribe to a lot of what the author deduces but it’s a good start.
Regarding whether it’s the “spiritually dead” or the “physically dead” is being referred to in 1 Peter 4:6 to whom the Gospel is Preached, I point them to the Verse before in 1 Peter 4:5 where it’s the ‘same dead’. In other words, since “the dead” in 1 Peter 4:5 is the same dead in 1 Peter 4:6 and we know clearly that the phrase “the living and the dead” (in 1 Peter 4:5) points “the dead” to refer to the physically dead”, hence 1 Peter 4:6’s “the dead” must likewise refer to the “physically dead” too, right?
Peace to you
2) Blessed St. Maximus the Confessor regarding the Post Mortem Evangelization – The Gospel being Preached to the Dead even now based on 1 Peter 4:5 – 6
To Quote:
“… An elaborate teaching of the descent of Christ into Hades is found in Maximus the Confessor. In his analysis, Maximus takes as a starting point the words of St. Peter: ‘For this cause was the Gospel preached also to them that are dead, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit’[26].
In Maximus’s view, St. Peter does not speak about the Old Testament righteous, but about those sinners who, back in their lifetime, were punished for their evil deeds:
Some say that Scriptures call ‘dead’ those who died before the coming of Christ, for instance, those who were at the time of the flood, at Babel, in Sodom, in Egypt, as well as others who in various times and in various ways received various punishments and the terrible misfortune of divine damnation. These people were punished not so much for their ignorance of God as for the offences they imposed on one another.
It was to them, according to [St Peter] that the great message of salvation was preached when they were already damned as men in the flesh, that is, when they received, through life in the flesh, punishment for crimes against one another, so that they could live according to God by the spirit, that is, being in hell, they accepted the preaching of the knowledge of God, believing in the Saviour who descended into hell to save the dead. So, in order to understand [this] passage in [Holy Scriptures] let us take it in this way: the dead, damned in the human flesh, were preached to precisely for the purpose that they may live according to God by the spirit[27].
Thus, according to Maximus’s teaching, punishments suffered by sinners ‘in the human flesh’ were necessary so that they may live ‘according to God by the spirit’. Therefore, these punishments, whether troubles and misfortunes in their lifetime or pains in hell, had pedagogical and reforming significance. Moreover, Maximus stresses that in damning them, God used not so much a religious as a moral criterion, for people were punished ‘not so much for their ignorance of God as for the offences they imposed on one another’. In other words, the religious or ideological convictions of a particular person were not decisive, but his actions with regard to his neighbours….” (Pages 3 and 4 by in the PDF as uploaded by a St. James Orthodox Church, link below):
Source for the Quote & Write Up above:
https://stjamesorthodox.org/files/articles/Bishop-Hilarion—Christ-the-Conqueror-of-Hades.pdf
3) The recent Infamous Protestant Christian Saint of India, Blessed Sadhu Sundar Singh agrees to this Post-Mortem evangelization view, to quote:
- a) Relatively Good Atheists – an Atheist with a Reasonably Good Moral Life may be Saved in the Spirit World
“… DEATH OF A PHILOSOPHER … The soul of a German philosopher entered into the world of spirits and saw from afar the incomparable glory of the spiritual world, and the boundless happiness of its people. He was delighted with what he saw, but his stubborn intellectualism stood in the way of his entering into it, and enjoying its happiness. Instead of admitting that it was real, he argued thus with himself, “There is no doubt at all that I see all this, but what proof is there that it has objective existence, and is not some illusion conjured up by my mind? From end to end of all this scene I will apply the tests of logic, philosophy and science, and then only will I be convinced that it has a reality of its own, and is no illusion.” … . I asked one of the angels what the end of this man would be, and he replied “If this man’s life had been altogether bad, then he would at once have joined the spirits of darkness, but he is not without a moral sense, so for a very long time he will wander blindly round in the dim light of the lower parts of the intermediate state, and keep on bumping his philosophical head, until tired of his foolishness, he repents. Then he will be ready to receive the necessary instruction from the angels appointed for that purpose, and, when instructed, will he be fit to enter into the fuller light of God in the higher sphere…” – Blessed Sadhu Sundar Singh
Source [Translated by Rev. T. E. Riddle of the New Zealand Presbyterian Mission, Kharar, Punjab, from Urdu into English, c. 1926]: https://reluctant-messenger.com/sadhu-sundar-singh.htm
- b) Relatively Good Non-Christians
A sincerely wrong non-Christian Idolater who has a reasonably sound moral compass may have a chance in the Spirit World too if he doesn’t hold too strongly to his false beliefs, to quote:
“… THE MANIFESTATION OF CHRIST … I saw in a vision the spirit of an idolater on reaching the world of spirits begin at once to search for his god. Then the saints said to him, “There is no god here save the One True God, and Christ, who is His manifestation.” At this, the man was a good deal astonished, but being a sincere seeker after truth, he frankly admitted that he had been in error. He eagerly sought to know the correct view of truth, and asked if he might see the Christ. Shortly after this Christ manifested Himself in a dim light to him, and to others who had newly arrived in the world of spirits, because at this stage they could not have endured a full exhibition of His glory, for His glory is so surpassing that even the angels look on Him with difficulty, and cover their faces with their wings (Isaiah 6:9). When He does reveal Himself to any one He takes into account the particular stage of progress to which that soul has attained, so He appears dimly, or in the fuller light of His glory, that the sight of Him may be endured. So, when these spirits saw Christ in this dim but attractive light, they were filled with a joy and peace, which is beyond our power to describe. Bathed in the rays of His life-giving light, and with the waves of His love, which constantly flow out from Him, flowing over them, all their error was washed away. Then with all their hearts, they acknowledged Him as the Truth, and found healing, and, bowing in lowly adoration before Him, thanked and praised Him. And the saints, who had been appointed for their instruction; also rejoiced over them. …” – Blessed Sadhu Sundar Singh
Source [Translated by Rev. T. E. Riddle of the New Zealand Presbyterian Mission, Kharar, Punjab, from Urdu into English, c. 1926]:
https://reluctant-messenger.com/sadhu-sundar-singh.htm
4) Shepherd of Hermas Scripture
“… Do you wish to know who are the others which fell near the waters, but could not be rolled into them? These are they who have heard the word, and wish to be baptized in the name of the Lord; but when the chastity demanded by the truth comes into their recollection, they draw back, and again walk after their own wicked desires.” She finished her exposition of the tower. …” – Shepherd of Hermas (Chapter VII, Third Vision, Translated by another Well Known Scholar Mr. Roberts-Donaldson)
Source: http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/text/shepherd.html
So,
“…These are they who have heard the word, and wish to be baptized in the name of the Lord …” = Non-Christians who Heard the Gospel but never got Baptized though they may have wished to because,
“…but when the chastity demanded by the truth comes into their recollection, they draw back, and again walk after their own wicked desires. …” = They did not want to Believe and Practice Christianity because the Demands of Its Purity is too High and that they don’t want to abandon their past ways, i.e. they died unrepentant on earth. Can you see that the Hope of the Spirit World Salvation also includes them as part of “all these rejected stones”?
The Hope Part:
“… She finished her exposition of the tower. But I, shameless as I yet was, asked her, “Is repentance possible for all those stones which have been cast away and did not fit into the building of the tower, and will they yet have a place in this tower?” “Repentance,” said she, “is yet possible, but in this tower they cannot find a suitable place. But in another and much inferior place they will be laid, and that, too, only when they have been tortured and completed the days of their sins. And on this account will they be transferred, because they have partaken of the righteous Word. And then only will they be removed from their punishments when the thought of repenting of the evil deeds which they have done has come into their hearts. But if it does not come into their hearts, they will not be saved, on account of the hardness of their heart.” …” – Shepherd of Hermas (Chapter VII, Third Vision, Translated by another Well Known Scholar Mr. Roberts-Donaldson)
Source: http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/text/shepherd.html
An Important Note: Shepherd of Hermas which was considered Scripture-Level in First Christianity by even St. Irenaeous of Lyons (Hearer/Disciple of St. Polycarp an apostolic father being the direct disciple of Apostle St. John who wrote the Book of Revelation) , Tertullian (father of Latin Christianity), Pope Callixtus I (Head of the entire Roman Catholic Church in his time in First Christianity), St. Clement of Alexandria (head of the Cathecatical School of Alexandria) and even the First Bibles of Christianity (the Muratorian or Roman Canon in the West & the Codex Claromontanus Canon in the East) while Eusebius (father of Church History) and St. Athanasius the Great (father of orthodoxy & Champion of Trinity) approved of its use for catechumens is discussed further with proof quotes in link below:
5) The Bible Verses below may refer to this Spirit World Salvation of such non-Christians by His Grace after they had endured their Judgments there first accordingly for ‘spurning on His Word’ and ‘had rebelled against the words of God’ first:
“There were those who dwelt in darkness and in the shadow of death, Prisoners in misery and chains, Because they had rebelled against the words of God and spurned the counsel of the Most High. Therefore He humbled their heart with labor; They stumbled and there was none to help. Then they cried out to the LORD in their trouble; He saved them out of their distresses. He brought them out of darkness and the shadow of death and broke their bands apart. Let them give thanks to the LORD for His lovingkindness, And for His wonders to the sons of men!.” (Psalm 107:10 – 15, NASB)
The Phrase ‘Shadow of Death’ in Verses above Prove that this is the ‘Afterlife or Spirit World Context’ and so the Bible Verses above clearly Describe afterlife Salvation toward those wicked (i.e. those who rebelled against God too & went to ‘Hell-Hades’ or ‘Punishment Regions called the Shadow of Death in the above’), Verses (please note the Phrase ‘Shadow of Death’ Carefully in each of these Holy Scripture):
“19I would have been as though I had not been.
I would have been carried from the womb to the grave.
20Are not my days few?
Cease! Leave me alone, that I may take a little comfort,
21Before I go to the place from which I shall not return,
To the land of darkness and the shadow of death,
22A land as dark as darkness itself,
As the shadow of death, without any order,
Where even the light is like darkness.’ ” (Job 10:19 – 22, NKJV)
“Have the gates of death been revealed to you? Or have you seen the doors of the shadow of death?” – God Himself Defines this Context that the ‘Shadow of Death’ refers to the ‘Spirit World’ (in Job 38:17, NKJV)
The Phrase ‘Shadow of Death’ in Verses above Prove that this is the ‘Afterlife or Spirit World Context’ and so the Bible Verses above clearly Describe afterlife Salvation toward those wicked (i.e. those who rebelled against God too & went to ‘Hell-Hades’ or ‘Punishment Regions called the Shadow of Death in the above’) as First Christianity taught that this is the Meaning of that Biblical Phrase, to quote:
“… For as the Lord “WENT AWAY in the midst of the SHADOW of DEATH” [Ps. 23:4, Ps 107:10 – 15], WHERE the SOULS of the DEAD were, …” (St. Irenaeous of Lyons, ‘Against Heresies’, Book 5, Chapter XXXI:2).
Source: http://www.regels.org/Irenaeus-Millennarism.htm
6) The Context of 1 Peter 4:5 – 6 may just be a continuation of what happened in 1 Peter 3:18 – 20 till today
From the “Epistle of the Apostles”
“… He [Lord Jesus Christ] said unto us: Verily I say unto you, that I have obtained the whole power of my Father, that I may bring back into light them that dwell in darkness, them that are in corruption into incorruption, them that are in death into life, and that I may loose them that are in fetters. For that which is impossible with men, is possible with the Father. I am the hope of them that despair, the helper of them that have no saviour, the wealth of the poor, the health of the sick, and the resurrection of the dead…” (Epistle of the Apostles, Point 21)
Source: http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/text/apostolorum.html
From the “Odes of Solomon”
“… Sheol saw me and was shattered, and Death ejected me and many with me. I have been vinegar and bitterness to it, and I went down with it as far as its depth. Then the feet and the head it released, because it was not able to endure my face. And I made a congregation of living among his dead; and I spoke with them by living lips; in order that my word may not be unprofitable. And those who had died ran towards me; and they cried out and said, Son of God, have pity on us. And deal with us according to Your kindness, and bring us out from the bonds of darkness. And open for us the door by which we may come out to You; for we perceive that our death does not touch You. May we also be saved with You, because You are our Savior. Then I heard their voice, and placed their faith in my heart. And I placed my name upon their head, because they are free and they are mine.Hallelujah…” (Odes of Solomon 42:11 – 20)
Source: http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/text/odes.html
Note: Hades (Greek) = Sheol (Hebrew) = Hell now (in English)
St. Cyril of Alexandria fully affirms that the Context of 1 Peter 3:19 – 20 refers to Christ Saving in Hell toward the Wicked too, to quote:
“… What occasion will we still have for weeping? On the contrary, will not what has happened to us, thanks to the Savior, cause us boundless rejoicing? He it was Who showed the way of salvation not only to us, but also went as herald to the once disobedient spirits of the underworld, as Peter says (1 Pet. 3:19-20). For it would not have done for His loving-kindness to be shown only to some; the manifestation of the gift had to extended to all of nature. For He spoke opportunely through the Prophets, “One part shall be rained upon, and the part on which I shall not rain shall be dried up.” (Amos 4:7) But the word which befits the Savior is: “Come to me, all you who labor and are weary, and I will give you rest.” (Mt. 11:28) Having proclaimed His message, then, to the spirits in the underworld and having said to those in fetters, “Come forth!” and to those in darkness, “Show yourselves!” (cf. Isa. 49:9) He raised up the temple of Himself in three days, (cf. Jn. 2:19) and renewed for nature even the ascent into heaven, presenting Himelf to the Father as a kind of first-fruits of humanity, having endowed those on earth with a share of the Spirit as a pledge of grace. (cf. 2 Cor. 5:5) (Festal Letter 2.8) …” …” – Blessed St. Cyril, Patriarch of Alexandria, Titles: The Pillar of Faith; Seal of all the Fathers; Bishop, Confessor, and Doctor of the Church (c. 376 AD – c. 444 AD)
Source: https://classicalchristianity.com/category/holyfathers/post-mortem/
And how reliable is he?
“… St. Cyril received an important recognition of his preachings by the Second Council of Constantinople (553 d.C.) which declared: St. Cyril who announced the right faith of Christians” (Anathematism XIV, Denzinger et Schoenmetzer 437). …”
Source: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cyril_of_Alexandria
7) The Preaching of the Gospel in Hades was not only for the Righteous but also for the Wicked or “unjust” spirits of the past but only after they underwent their ‘afterlife Judgment’ & were ‘not disobedient anymore’. So, this itself is proof that the Gospel was Preached to those once disobedient in Hades & the one who got the interpretation right above (St. Clement of Alexandria) in accordance to what is Written in 1 Peter 3:18 – 20 above Reveals that Christ’s Saving Power in Hades is not a one time event but is ‘always at work’ (especially toward some fallen Christians & non-Christian good as the Visions of Swedenborg or more accurate interpretations in the Spirit World Visions of the late Sadhu Sundar Singh clearly agree as discussed in previous posts):
“… “it is evident that those, too, who were outside of the Law, having lived rightly, in consequence of the peculiar’ nature of the voice, though they are in HADES and in ward, on hearing the voice of the Lord, whether that of His own person or that acting through His apostles, with all speed turned and believed. For we remember that the Lord is “the power of God,” and power can never be weak. So I think it is demonstrated that the God being good, and the Lord powerful, they save with a righteousness and equality which extend to ALL that TURN to Him, WHETHER HERE or ELSEWHERE. For it is not here alone that the active power of God is beforehand, but it is EVERYWHERE and is ALWAYS at WORK…” – Blessed St. Clement of Alexandria, Head of the First Christian Bible School at Alexandria (c.150 AD – c. 215 AD, Stromata, Book 6, Chapter VI)
Translation Source:
http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/text/clement-stromata-book6.html
8) Note: Such a final chance given by God is uttered Mysteriously in the Prophecy of the Book of Enoch too where such may be ‘Saved with no honour’ (hence not referring to the Christian Salvation or ‘the Elect’ in Verse below) on Judgment Day either toward those in the Lake of Fire (Gehenna) or prior or both, to quote:
“1 And in those days a change shall take place for the holy and elect, And the light of days shall abide upon them, And glory and honour shall turn to the holy, 2 On the day of affliction on which evil shall have been treasured up against the sinners.And the righteous shall be victorious in the name of the Lord of Spirits: And He will cause the others to witness (this) That they may repent And forgo the works of their hands. 3 They shall have no honour through the name of the Lord of Spirits, Yet through His name shall they be saved, And the Lord of Spirits will have compassion on them, For His compassion is great. 4 And He is righteous also in His judgement, And in the presence of His glory unrighteousness also shall not maintain itself: At His judgement the unrepentant shall perish before Him. 5 And from henceforth I will have no mercy on them, saith the Lord of Spirits.” (Book of Enoch, Chapter 50)
Translation Source: http://wesley.nnu.edu/index.php?id=2126
Muslims and Others – Does the God of Christians Love them?
This is Discussed on page 544, in free downloadable ebook in link below:
Click the button above to Download as PDFClick the button above to Download as in Google Book App
Example: Did God Love Ishmael which became a Great MUSLIM Nation? Verses:
“20And as for Ishmael, I have heard you. Behold, I have blessed him, and will make him fruitful, and will multiply him exceedingly. He shall beget twelve princes, and I will make him a great nation. 21But My covenant I will establish with Isaac, whom Sarah shall bear to you at this set time next year.”” (Genesis 17:20 – 21, NKJV)
Yes, who are the “Ishmaelites” whom God Said He Will “Bless” in Verses above?
“… According to the Book of Genesis, Ishmaelites (Hebrew: Bnai Yishma’el Arabic: Bani Isma’il, ) are the descendants of Ishmael, the elder son of Abraham and the descendants of the twelve sons and princes of Ishmael. Throughout history, the Ishmaelites have been associated with Arabs (more specifically, North Arabians). Indeed, two prominent North Arabian tribes, the Qedarites and Nabateans, have names corresponding to two of Ishmael’s sons. The original sequence of events, who called whom which name first and how this relates to the tradition of Abraham as a patriarch and forefather is unclear. Even today, many call upon Ishmael as their people’s ancestor, notably Muslim Arabs. … ”
Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ishmaelites
Perhaps you don’t fully understand God’s Hate properly because unlike the wrath of Man, His Hate will eventually bring “righteousness”, implied in contrast in Verses below:
“for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God.” (James 1:20, NKJV)
“I will not execute the fierceness of My anger; I will not again destroy Ephraim. For I am God, and not man, The Holy One in your midst; And I will not come with terror.” (Hosea 11:9, NKJV)
Conclusion – God’s FULL FIERCE Anger can cause Universal Reconciliation in the END too
Yes, Origen of Alexandria’s View regarding the ‘Vessels of Wrath seems accurate to Scripture in Zephaniah 3:8 – 9’.
Origen of Alexandria argues using Holy Scripture’s Prophecy in Zephaniah 3:8 – 9 regarding God’s “All My Fierce [Burning] Anger” which seems to lead to the final end of the ones upon whom “His Full Wrath” is Poured Upon “call upon the Name of the Lord” (Final Result, “be saved” in ‘His Name’, Romans 10:13, Joel 2:32), to quote:
“… But our belief is, that the Word shall prevail over the entire rational creation, and change every soul into His own perfection; in which state every one, by the mere exercise of his power, will choose what he desires, and obtain what he chooses. For although, in the diseases and wounds of the body, there are some which no medical skill can cure, yet we hold that in the mind there is no evil so strong that it may not be overcome by the Supreme Word and God. For stronger than all the evils in the soul is the Word, and the healing power that dwells in Him; and this healing He applies, according to the will of God, to every man. The consummation of all things is the destruction of evil, although as to the question whether it shall be so destroyed that it can never anywhere arise again, it is beyond our present purpose to say. Many things are said obscurely in the prophecies on the total destruction of evil, and the restoration to righteousness of every soul; but it will be enough for our present purpose to quote the following passage from Zephaniah: “Prepare and rise early; all the gleanings of their vineyards are destroyed. Therefore wait ye upon Me, saith the LORD, on the day that I rise up for a testimony; for My determination is to gather the nations, that I may assemble the kings, to pour upon them Mine indignation, even all My fierce anger: for all the earth shall be devoured with the fire of My jealousy. For then will I turn to the people a pure language, that they may all call upon the name of the LORD, to serve Him with one consent [Zephaniah 3:8 – 9]. From beyond the rivers of Ethiopia My suppliants, even the daughter of My dispersed, shall bring My offering. In that day shalt thou not be ashamed for all thy doings, wherein thou hast transgressed against Me: for then I will take away out of the midst of thee them that rejoice in thy pride; and thou shalt no more be haughty because of My holy mountain. I will also leave in the midst of thee an afflicted and poor people, and they shall trust in the name of the LORD. The remnant of Israel shall not do iniquity, nor speak lies; neither shall a deceitful tongue be found in their mouth: for they shall feed and lie down, and none shall make them afraid.” I leave it to those who are able, after a careful study of the whole subject, to unfold the meaning of this prophecy, and especially to inquire into the signification of the words, “When the whole earth is destroyed, there will be turned upon the peoples a language according to their race,” as things were before the confusion of tongues. Let them also carefully consider the promise, that all shall call upon the name of the Lord, and serve Him with one consent [Zephaniah 3:9]; also that all contemptuous reproach shall be taken away, and there shall be no longer any injustice, or vain speech, or a deceitful tongue. …” – Blessed Origen of Alexandria, the Great but surprisingly Modest Exegete of the Eastern Church, “Nicknamed: Admantius or Man of Steel”, Tortured and Martyred for Christ (c. 184 AD – c. 253 AD)
Source (‘Contra Celcus’, BOOK VIII, CHAP. LXXII): http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/text/origen168.html
Bible Verse proving the explanation above true as it is Written:
“8“Therefore wait for Me,” says the Lord,
“Until the day I rise up for plunder;
My determination is to gather the nations
To My assembly of kingdoms,
To pour on them My indignation,
All My fierce anger;
All the earth shall be devoured
With the fire of My jealousy.
9“For then I will restore to the peoples a pure language,
That they all may call on the name of the Lord,
To serve Him with one accord.” (Zephaniah 3:8 – 9, NKJV)
Context:
“For then I will restore to the peoples a pure language,
That they all may call on the name of the Lord,
To serve Him with one accord.” (Zephaniah 3:9, NKJV)
—> upon “All” whom His Anger is Poured among the Gentiles/Nations first:
“Therefore wait for Me,” says the Lord, “Until the day I rise up for plunder; My determination is to gather the nations To My assembly of kingdoms, To pour on them My indignation, All My fierce anger; All the earth shall be devoured With the fire of My jealousy.” (Zephaniah 3:8, NKJV)
Hope is Real, may God’s Will be Done. He can Truly do “Anything” including “Save” in “All His fierce anger” and in ‘fire’ or “fire of His jealousy” after He “pours on them His indignation” —> causing this change eventually upon those who undergo it —> “For then I will restore to the peoples a pure language, That they all may call on the name of the Lord, To serve Him with one accord.”
If it happens for ‘some’, we can surely Ask for others too Right? Nothing wrong in asking, let God Decide.
Peace to you
Prophecy in Scripture – Book of Revelation
Question
Have you studied the Book of Revelation from a Preterist View that it was fulfilled in 70 AD Theory (first century)?
Reply
Yes I have (a little through reading Preterists posts too). It was a “type” not the “actual”. St. Irenaeous has explained a few types of Antichrists in his time and Christians throughout history have matched even say Hitler etc. But all have some ‘missing’ prophecies including the 70 AD theory and hence it’s not that.
The Final Antichrist and Christ’s Second Coming will fulfill everything as it is Written. It shows that the “types” are in the ‘similar style / methodology’. No church fathers or First Christians were preterists, not even one and the first preterists were Jesuit priests were as follows:
“… Jesuit Luis de Alcasar (1554–1613) wrote the first systematic preterist exposition of prophecy—Vestigatio arcani sensus in Apocalypsi (published in 1614)—during the Counter-Reformation. …”.
Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Preterism
Preterism study done by these can be useful to determine or help predict how the final Antichrist prophecy might be fulfilled as Satan will try with many Antichrist attempts first (as there are many Antichrists to come first before the Final one, 1 John 2:18).
Conclusion
More reasons why I’m not a preterist in any way is explained in posts below:
- Preterism – I am not a Preterist
https://www.anonymouschristian.org/blog/preterism-i-am-not-a-preterist/
- Preterism – A Word AGAINST it
https://www.anonymouschristian.org/blog/preterism-a-word-against-it/
- Preterism’s Allegorical vs Bible Literal or Both?
https://www.anonymouschristian.org/blog/preterisms-allegorical-vs-bible-literal-or-both/
- Hell – Apostle Paul – The Whole Counsel of God
https://www.anonymouschristian.org/blog/hell-apostle-paul-the-whole-counsel-of-god/
I will demonstrate an example, as this Verse is often used by Preterists to indicate that all these happened at 70 AD onward:
“But I tell you truly, there are some standing here who shall not taste death till they see the kingdom of God.” – Most Blessed Lord Jesus Christ (Luke 9:29, NKJV)
I believe as per the First Christianity Explanation below:
“… 37. Nor are the Gospels silent concerning the glory of His present reigning body. It is written that the Lord said, Verily, I say unto you, there be some of them that stand here, which 214 shall not taste of death till they see the Son of Man coming in His Kingdom. And it came to pass, after six days Jesus taketh with Him Peter and James and John His brother, and bringeth them up into a high mountain apart. And Jesus was transfigured before them, and His face did shine as the sun, and His garments became as snow.1288 Thus was shewn to the Apostles the glory of the body of Christ coming into His Kingdom: for in the fashion of His glorious Transfiguration, the Lord stood revealed in the splendour of His reigning body. …” – Blessed St. Hilary of Poictiers, the “Athanasius of the West”, “Hammer of Arians”, Doctor of the Church, The Champion of Trinity in the West (c. 310 AD – c. 368 AD, Book XI ‘On the Trinity’, Point 37)
Source:(via Historian Mr. Philip Schaff):
https://www.ccel.org/ccel/schaff/npnf209.ii.v.ii.xi.html
Also the fact that no early “Church Father” (or better termed, “Church Leader”) believed in Preterism’s 70 AD theory as a fulfillment (be it partial or somewhat) of the Book of Revelation itself contradicts the Verse below:
“knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation,” (2 Peter 1:20, NKJV)
To prove that there is ‘no private interpretation done’, we must demonstrate that our belief in the way we understand prophecy is the same as at least one early Church Leader, for example:
1) Chiliasm (St. Justin Martyr, St. Irenaeous of Lyons).
2) Christ Centered Universalism (St. Hillary of Poitiers, Origen of Alexandria, St. Clement of Alexandria, Apocalypse of Peter, Apocalypse of Elijah, Apocalypse of Zephaniah, the Christian-Jewish Sibyline Oracles, the Epistle of the Apostles, St. Julian of Norwich’s Visions & even the Visions of Sadhu Sundar Singh)
3) Salvation of some/all from the Lake of Fire eventually (St. Gregory Nazianzus, St. Ambrose of Milan, Book of Enoch)
4) Salvation from Hades or Hell now for some (St. Maximos the Confessor, St. Clement of Alexandria, St. Cyril of Alexandria, Sadhu Sundar Singh, Shepherd of Hermas)
5) Eternal Hell (Tertullian, St. Augustine)
Comment: Regarding the word translated a “forever” may actually mean to the “age/aeon” or “ages/aeons” has Scriptural demonstrations too; please consider this post below [The same post is in Pages 1311 – 1315 in the link in Book below, next link]:
https://web.facebook.com/jonathan.ramachandran/posts/10159410771327784
More is discussed regarding those quotes in free downloadable ebook in link below:
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Note: ‘Apocalypse of Peter & Shepherd of Hermas’ are “Scripture” in the First Bibles of Christianity called the Muratorian/Roman Canon in the West and Codex Claromontanus in the East. The “Book of Enoch” is also considered “Scripture” by many early Church fathers.
This is not an exhaustive list but an instructive one.
Even if the word is ‘Eternal’ say in Matthew 25:46 referring to the wicked’s punishment, we can still understand it as the sentence is ‘conditional’ to ‘repentance’ whilst being judged in the Lake of Fire/Gehenna meaning that if a person repents there & the righteous (Christians in Heaven pray for them), it is possible that they may be Saved into an “outer” region after that.
The Verses below give that Possibility of Hope to be Saved on Judgment Day as ‘Every Knee Confesses Jesus is Lord’ (Romans 14:11, Philippians 2:9 – 11) and ‘Swears allegiance to Him eventually’ (Isaiah 45:23) post ‘all His Anger’ and “Fire” as those upon whom His Anger/Fire is poured seems to be ‘purified’ as they Speak “… a pure language, That they all may call on the name of the Lord, to serve Him with one accord …” means.
“8“Therefore wait for Me,” says the Lord,
“Until the day I rise up for plunder;
My determination is to gather the nations
To My assembly of kingdoms,
To pour on them My indignation,
All My fierce anger;
All the earth shall be devoured
With the fire of My jealousy.
9“For then I will restore to the peoples a pure language,
That they all may call on the name of the Lord,
To serve Him with one accord.” (Zephaniah 3:8 – 9, NKJV)
Even if it happens for one person on Judgment Day, it proves that it ‘can’ Happen making this a “Biblical Hope” and so, we can pray for them (yes, “all men” too to be Saved in that manner too as per 1 Timothy 2:1, 1 Timothy 2:4, 1 Timothy 2:6, 1 Timothy 4:10) but let God Alone Decide which He Wills in the End. Probably the Book of Enoch Prophecy (below) reveals one aspect of how Zephaniah 3:8 – 9 is fulfilled as follows (toward a possible ‘non-Elect Salvation Hope’):
“… 1 And in those days a change shall take place for the holy and elect, And the light of days shall abide upon them, And glory and honour shall turn to the holy, 2 On the day of affliction on which evil shall have been treasured up against the sinners.And the righteous shall be victorious in the name of the Lord of Spirits: And He will cause the others to witness (this) That they may repent And forgo the works of their hands. 3 They shall have no honour through the name of the Lord of Spirits, Yet through His name shall they be saved [Joel 2:32, Romans 10:13, Matthew 12:21], And the Lord of Spirits will have compassion on them, For His compassion is great. 4 And He is righteous also in His judgement, And in the presence of His glory unrighteousness also shall not maintain itself: At His judgement the unrepentant shall perish before Him. 5 And from henceforth I will have no mercy on them, saith the Lord of Spirits. …” (Book of Enoch, Chapter 50)
Translation Source: http://wesley.nnu.edu/index.php?id=2126
Focus Phrase: “… And He will cause the others [the sinners and/or Wicked] to witness (this) That they may repent And forgo the works of their hands. 3 They shall have NO HONOUR through the NAME of the LORD of SPIRITS, Yet THROUGH HIS NAME [John 14:6] SHALL THEY BE SAVED [Joel 2:32, Romans 10:13, Matthew 12:21], And the Lord of Spirits will have compassion on them …” – Book of Enoch.
If God Gives such a Great Last Hope of Repentance on Judgment Day whilst they’re in the Lake of Fire or before it and yet still if anyone rejects and prefers to choose Hell, then it’s well deserved that such a person burns forever by his choice as the “Book of Enoch” Prophecy points. However Zephaniah 3:8 – 9 seems to echo a ‘Happy Ending Generally’ and so ‘we can Hope for it as Christians’ as I don’t think anyone will be foolish enough to ‘reject Him on Judgment Day’ when such an offer is made though it be a ‘Salvation without honour’ (due to absence of faith and/or works).
As usual, I present the evidence and each decide for themselves what they believe. My aim is to demonstrate that Biblical Prophecy is far more complex and First Christianity evidence is abundant toward Christ Centered Universalism Hope. These First Christianity believers I quote are ‘not heretics’ but Christians too (even as St. Augustine did not consider those who believe in Christ Centered Universalism as heretics).This is discussed further in the post below titled “FAQ – Are Christian Universalists Heretics?”
https://web.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10159377402047784&set=a.10152290889267784&type=3
Peace to you
Last Hour – Preterism Mystery
Question
“Preterism study done by these can be useful to determine or help predict how the final Antichrist prophecy might be fulfilled as Satan will try with many Antichrist attempts first (as there are many Antichrists to come first before the Final one, 1 John 2:18).” Jonathan….I realize that to the Father an hour is not the same as our hours, but what does John mean in 1 John 2:18 when he says that “it is the last hour?” and that “even now many antichrists have have arisen whereby we know that it is the last hour?” Thanks.
Reply
Good question sir. Bible Verses here:
“Little children, it is the last hour; and as you have heard that the Antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have come, by which we know that it is the last hour.” (1 John 2:18, NKJV)
“1Then Jesus went out and departed from the temple, and His disciples came up to show Him the buildings of the temple. 2And Jesus said to them, “Do you not see all these things? Assuredly, I say to you, not one stone shall be left here upon another, that shall not be thrown down.” (Matthew 24:1 – 2, NKJV)
“3Now as He sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately, saying, “Tell us, when will these things be? And what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?” 4And Jesus answered and said to them: “Take heed that no one deceives you. … 46And these will go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.” (Matthew 24: 3 – 4, Matthew 25:46, NKJV)
The last hour referred to refers to the last hour of the Old Covenant as it is consummated with the Destruction of the Temple which happened around 70 AD (Matthew 24:1 – 2). The last thing to be fulfilled to signify the end of the Old Covenant is the Destruction of the Temple. Please notice carefully that Matthew 24:1 – 2 is distinct and “not” part of the Answer to the question describing the “end of the age” and the “Sign of Christ’s Second Coming” (Matthew 24:3) which only begins from Matthew 24:3 onward till Matthew 25:46.
The New Testament begins with “Today as the Day of Salvation” (this time period, 2 Corinthians 6:2 which has its ‘own hours’) whose beginning and end of that Day is described in Matthew 24:3 – 51. So Matthew 24:34’s “this generation” refers to the entire New Covenant Time Period under First Christianity’s Chiliasm Context.
Matthew 25:1 – 13 describes the Beginning of the Final Messianic Day, i. e. the First Resurrection. Matthew 25:14 – 31 the 1000 years Millennial Reign toward some of the mortals (e.g. “sinners” in Isaiah 65:20) among men toward fulfillment of Jewish Prophecies as Chiliasm has taught (Isaiah 65:20 – 25, NKJV).
Please notice carefully that at the start of this Millennial Reign “the false prophet” and “the beast/antichrist” are thrown into the “Lake of Fire” (Revelation 19:20) while “Satan” is locked up in a bottomless pit for this thousand years (Revelation 20:1 – 3). This 1000 years Millennial Reign ends with one last deception where ‘Satan is released at the end of this 1000 years’ for ‘one last deception’ and the ‘deceived’ nations are destroyed by the Fire of God (Revelation 20:7 – 10). Note that “Satan” is only cast into the “Lake of Fire” at the end of this 1000 years (Revelation 20:10).
Matthew 25:31 – 46 Describes Judgment Day toward Gentiles at the End of that Millennial Reign.
This is the “Last Day” (John 6:39 – 40) which is the “Hallowed Seventh Day Sabbath Rest of the Righteous” (Hebrews 4:3 – 10) in which the “First Resurrection” (1 Thessalonians 4:16, Revelation 20:4 – 6) happens on the “hour now is” on this Day (John 5:25) while the “Second Resurrection” happens on the “hour is coming” near the end of this 1000 years (Revelation 20:5, Revelation 20:11 – 15, Daniel 12:2, Matthew 25:31 – 46, John 5:28 – 29).
Some Preterism thoughts are discussed in post in link below too:
https://www.facebook.com/651792783/posts/10159479573052784/
Conclusion – How can Christ Centered Universalism Hope be Possible based on Matthew 25:46?
In this understanding, the word “Aeonian” in “Aeonian Kolasin” of Matthew 25:46 toward the Wicked can mean:
- age-during
or
- Eternal Sentence cancelled by God’s Mercy as per Mercy triumphs over judgment
or
- Eternal chastisement aspect relates to loss of gradation and inheritance of Kingdom Eternally living outside of the Kingdom on the new earth or other unnamed places.
or
- The punishment is only eternal (conditional) to non-repentance as the Book of Enoch suggests somewhat meaning that if repentance occurs, it’s not eternal anymore sir.
These possibilities are discussed with Bible Verses and First Christianity Quotes in free downloadable e-book in link below:
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Peace to you
Old Covenant to New Covenant to the Millennium – Timeline
1) When did the New Covenant Start?
“… Generally, Christians believe that the promised New Covenant was instituted at the Last Supper as part of the Eucharist [Luke 22:20], which in the Gospel of John includes the New Commandment. Based on the Bible teaching that, “For where a testament is, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator. For a testament is of force after men are dead: otherwise it is of no strength at all while the testator liveth [Hebrews 9:16 – 17]” …”
Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Covenant
Conclusion: The New Covenant Started on the Same Day Christ’s Most Precious Blood was Shed when He Died.
2) Overlapping Times
https://web.facebook.com/jonathan.ramachandran/posts/10159482734452784
In the previous post (in link above), we claimed that the “last hour” must refer to the ‘last hour in which Old Covenant Ends consummated by the Destruction of the Temple at 70 AD’.
In other words, this ‘same’ time period of 40 years (30AD to 70AD) has ‘two labels’ being part of the “Day” for each of the Old and New Covenants:
The ‘last hour’ (in 1 John 2:18) = 30 AD to 70 AD (40 years) = The End of the Old Covenant “Day” = The Start of the New Covenant’s “Day”. Why? discussed next.
3) Mystery of the number “40”
“16So let no one judge you in food or in drink, or regarding a festival or a new moon or sabbaths, 17which are a shadow of things to come, but the substance is of Christ.” (Colossians 2:16 – 17, NKJV)
The Verse above allows for a discussion relating certain numbers as a “type” to the Actual Events linked to Christ. The ‘Mystery of the number 40’ is a Key Mystery which I believe that the “Preterism” Theory views differently based on Verses below:
“27Then the Lord said to Moses, “Write these words, for according to the tenor of these words I have made a covenant with you and with Israel.” 28So he was there with the Lord forty days and forty nights; he neither ate bread nor drank water. And He wrote on the tablets the words of the covenant, the Ten Commandments.” (Exodus 34:27 – 28, NKJV)
“1The former account I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach, 2until the day in which He was taken up, after He through the Holy Spirit had given commandments to the apostles whom He had chosen, 3to whom He also presented Himself alive after His suffering by many infallible proofs, being seen by them during forty days and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God.” (Acts 1:1 – 3, NKJV)
Moses writing down the “Old Covenant” over “40” days is equivalent to Christ’s Resurrection & His Remaining on Earth for “40” days teaching and giving “commandments” to His Chosen Apostles for the “New Covenant”.
When Moses instituted the Old Covenant, there was no ‘older Covenant’s remnants’ for him to remove as it is the case with the New Covenant especially since the “Temple” was still standing at 30 AD. So, history seems to point to a second meaning of this number “40” where it took “40” years for that Temple (a physical place of practice & symbol of the ‘Old Covenant’) to be completely destroyed in 70 AD proving that God Chose to Destroy the Temple in a (70AD – 30AD) = “40” year time period.
So, whatever Laws that relate to be done in the Temple premises (e.g. ‘ritualistic acts’ such as the purification which apostle Paul himself did in Acts 21:26) ended ‘completely’ with the ‘complete destruction’ of this Temple at 70 AD as Christ Himself Prophesied fulfilling God’s Will:
“1Then Jesus went out and departed from the temple, and His disciples came up to show Him the buildings of the temple. 2And Jesus said to them, “Do you not see all these things? Assuredly, I say to you, not one stone shall be left here upon another, that shall not be thrown down.” (Matthew 24:1 – 2, NKJV)
“In that He says, “ A new covenant,” He has made the first obsolete. Now what is becoming obsolete and growing old is ready to vanish away.” (Hebrews 8:13, NKJV)
It is clear in Holy Scripture that during this “40” years two things was happening, namely the ‘Writing of the New Covenant Writings’ as well as the ‘nullifying big parts of the Old Covenant’ from 30 AD to 70 AD which God Proved ‘Physically’ by allowing the ‘Destruction of the Temple’ in 70 AD.
This means that the “Old Covenant Day” ended exactly on 70 AD while the “New Covenant Day” continued without any Old Covenant remnants on 70 AD onward. This also means that the “40” years between 30 AD to 70 AD consisted of a gradual ‘last hour’ (hence removal/nullifying of fulfilled Old Covenant things) overlapping with the ‘building of the New Covenant Writings & Commands’.
4) What about the Christian New Covenant Scripture Written after 70 AD then?
There is no rule stating that All Scripture must be Written within these 40 years. For example, majority of the ‘prophetic’ Old Covenant Writings (such as Psalms, Isaiah, Ezekiel, Daniel etc.) were only Written ‘after’ the “40” days Moses wrote the Old Covenant. This proves that no such rule exists even in the past.
What are the possible “Scripture” which were Written after 70 AD?
“… 22 | Jude | 60’s or 70’s |
23 | John | Late 80’s |
24 | 1 John | late 80’s – early 90’s |
25 | 2 John | late 80’s – early 90’s |
26 | 3 John | late 80’s – early 90’s |
27 | Revelation | late 80’s – early 90’s | …”
Source: https://www.alecsatin.com/whats-the-chronological-order-of-the-new-testament-books/
Special Focus: Book of Revelation
The abundant historical evidence pointing to the Book of Revelation Written ‘after 70 AD’ itself as testified by the Church Fathers who quoted it “first” (e.g. St. Papias, St. Justin Martyr, St. Ireneaous of Lyons) during the reign of the Roman emperor Domitian (AD 81–96). Example quote:
“… The author names himself as “John” in the text, but his precise identity remains a point of academic debate. Second-century Christian writers such as Justin Martyr, Irenaeus, Melito (the bishop of Sardis), Clement of Alexandria, and the author of the Muratorian fragment identify John the Apostle as the “John” of Revelation. … The bulk of traditional sources date the book to the reign of the Roman emperor Domitian (AD 81–96), which evidence tends to confirm. …”
Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Book_of_Revelation
The usual Preterists arguments (such as even the Protestant R. C. Sproul) does not hold water when compared to the earliest church leader’s testimony as discussed well in detail n post below:
http://www.evidenceunseen.com/bible-difficulties-2/nt-difficulties/jude/date-of-revelation/
For example,the article above clearly presents that St. Irenaeous of Lyons, Tertulian, St. Victorinus and even Eusebius all clearly stating that the Book of Revelation was Written during the reign of the Roman emperor Domitian (81 AD – 96 AD), which is clearly ‘after 70 AD’.
Since Preterists do not have ‘external evidence of such church fathers’, they quote the so called ‘internal evidences’ which are nothing more than ‘… how can it be statements …’ instead of ‘historical facts’ as demonstrated in link above too making their beliefs to be just ‘assumptions’ in regards to ‘when the Book of Revelation was Written’. Please note that since the ‘Book of Revelation’ was clearly written ‘after emperor Nero’s Time’ during ’emperor Domitian’s’ which is clearly ‘after 70 AD’, the preterists theory has nothing to do with the Book of Revelation which proves that being a Book of “Prophecy”, the Book of Revelation Speaks of events ‘after 70 AD’ proving ‘futurism’ as the most abundantly accurate view as per Church History of First Christianity too.
I like this Conclusion from this Site:
“… Since the early church fathers had already concluded that 1) the Apostle John was the author of Revelation, 2) the book of Revelation was written near the end of Domitian’s reign, and 3) that the book was written while John was on the Island of Patmos, we can conclude that Augustine of Hippo (A.D. 354 – 430) had no influence on the authorship, dating, or John’s location while writing the book. It is important to note that Augustine lived hundreds of years after these conclusions had already been reached. We can also conclude that John was imprisoned on the Island of Patmos. That is the testimony of both the internal and external evidence. …”
More is discussed in this link below too:
https://www.christiancourier.com/articles/1552-when-was-the-book-of-revelation-written
5) 7 Ages/Olam/Aeons Theory
- i) Early Christianity
“… The Six Ages, as formulated by Augustine of Hippo, are defined in De catechizandis rudibus (On the catechizing of the uninstructed), Chapter 22: The First Age “is from the beginning of the human race, that is, from Adam, who was the first man that was made, down to Noah, who constructed the ark at the time of the flood”, i.e. the Antediluvian period. The Second Age “extends from that period on to Abraham, who was called the father indeed of all nations”. The Third Age “extends from Abraham on to David the king”. The Fourth Age is “from David on to that captivity whereby the people of God passed over into Babylonia”. The Fifth Age is “from that transmigration down to the advent of our Lord Jesus Christ” The Sixth Age: “With His [Jesus Christ’s] coming the sixth age has entered on its process.” The Ages reflect the seven days of creation, of which the last day is the rest of Sabbath, illustrating the human journey to find eternal rest with God, a common Christian narrative. …”
Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Six_Ages_of_the_World
- ii) Jewish Wisdom
“… According to the Talmud,[2] the Midrash,[3] and the ancient Kabbalistic work, the Zohar,[4] the Messiah must arrive before the year 6000 from the time of creation. In Orthodox Jewish belief, the Hebrew calendar dates to the time of creation, making this correspond to the year 2240 on the Gregorian calendar. The Midrash comments: “Six eons for going in and coming out, for war and peace. The seventh eon is entirely Shabbat and rest for life everlasting.”[3] There is a kabbalistic tradition[5] that maintains that each of the seven days of the week, which are based upon the seven days of creation, correspond to the seven millennia of creation. The tradition teaches that the seventh day of the week, the Sabbath day of rest, corresponds to the seventh millennium, the age of universal ‘rest’ – the Messianic Era. …”
Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Messianic_Age
iii) First Christianity
Example quotes:
“… For he to erring men Gave, in seven ages for repentance, signs By the hands of a virgin undefiled. …” – Sibyline Oracles (Book II, (269-296.), {p. 50}, Point 380)
Source: https://www.sacred-texts.com/cla/sib/sib04.htm
“… He says that Origen, after having fabled many things concerning the eternity of the universe, adds this also: Nor yet from Adam, as some say, did man, previously not existing, first take his existence and come into the world. Nor again did the world begin to be made six days before the creation of Adam. But if any one should prefer to differ in these points, let him first say, whether a period of time be not easily reckoned from the creation of the world, according to the Book of Moses, to those who so receive it, the voice of prophecy here proclaiming: “Thou art God from everlasting, and world without end. . . . For a thousand years in Thy sight are but as yesterday: seeing that is past as a watch in the night.” For when a thousand years are reckoned as one day in the sight of God, and from the creation of the world to His rest is six days, so also to our time, six days are defined, as those say who are clever arithmeticians. Therefore, they say that an age of six thousand years extends from Adam to our time. For they say that the judgment will come on the seventh day, that is in the seventh thousand years. Therefore, all the days from our time to that which was in the beginning, in which God created the heaven and the earth, are computed to be thirteen days; before which God, because he had as yet created nothing according to their folly, is stripped of His name of Father and Almighty. But if there are thirteen days in the sight of God from the creation of the world, how can Wisdom say, in the Book of the Son of Sirach: “Who can number the sand of the sea, and the drops of rain, and the days of eternity ?” This is what Origen says seriously, and mark how he trifles. METHODIUS p. 381 …”
Source: https://www.creationism.org/english/EarlyChurchLit6Days_en.htm
- iv) What does the Bible Actually Say?
The Bible Teaches a literal Seven Days Creation:
“For in six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested the seventh day. Therefore the LORD blessed the Sabbath day and hallowed it.” (Exodus 20:11, NKJV)
However, it is possible that each “Day” God means can refer to an “age” (hence the ‘Seven Ages/Aeon/Olam’ Concept prior) keeping the Exodus’ ‘literal meaning intact’ whilst implying an allegorical meaning to our current time (based on the “type” argument of Scripture in Colossians 2:16) based on Verse below too:
“But do not let this one fact escape your notice, beloved, that with the Lord one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years like one day.” (2 Peter 3:8, NKJV, quoting Psalm 90:4)
Here’s an interesting Fact: The Old Covenant’s “Day” lasted more than 1000 years (some would contest that it may have lasted ‘few days’).
Here’s a more interesting Fact: However, similarly the New Testament begins with “Today as the Day of Salvation” (this time period, 2 Corinthians 6:2 which has its ‘own hours’) which clearly is ongoing since the time of Christ and so the “New Testament Day/Age” (the current ‘Sixth Age’) is clearly demonstrated by history itself to be more than 2000 years old. This means that 2 Peter 3:8 or Psalm 90:4’s “Day” for the “Lord’s Definition” may NOT always refer to ‘exactly 1000 years’. Only He Alone knows how long it is. And looking retrospectively, the ‘literal six day creation theory’ also may be viewed as longer based on this analogy. Nobody knows for sure but I’m always open to both views.
Here’s the most interesting fact: The “only Day” and hene “Age/Aeon/Olam” that is mentioned explicitly mentioned in the Bible to refer to ‘exactly 1000 years’ is ‘Christ’s Millennial Reign or Chiliasm Doctrine’, to quote:
“And I saw thrones, and they sat on them, and judgment was committed to them. Then I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for their witness to Jesus and for the word of God, who had not worshiped the beast or his image, and had not received his mark on their foreheads or on their hands. And they lived and reigned with Christ for a thousand years. 5But the rest of the dead did not live again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection. 6Blessed and holy is he who has part in the first resurrection. Over such the second death has no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with Him a thousand years.” (Revelation 20:4 – 6, NKJV)
and that this ‘1000 years Millennial Reign’ refers to the “Sabbath Rest” (or First Resurrection above for Christians only, 1 Thessalonians 4:16) as described ‘Allegorically’next gives the possibility that a “Day/Age” word in the Bible can be Viewed “Allegorically” as well whilst maintaining its literal meaning as true too at the same time (only God Knows) and this can be evidenced by understanding Revelation 20:4 – 6 with Hebrews 4:1, 3 – 11 below:
“1Therefore, since a promise remains of entering His rest, let us fear lest any of you seem to have come short of it. … 3For we who have believed do enter that rest, as He has said: “So I swore in My wrath, ‘They shall not enter My rest,’ ” although the works were finished from the foundation of the world. 4For He has spoken in a certain place of the seventh day in this way: “And God rested on the seventh day from all His works”; 5and again in this place: “They shall not enter My rest.” 6Since therefore it remains that some must enter it, and those to whom it was first preached did not enter because of disobedience, 7again He designates a certain day, saying in David, “Today,” after such a long time, as it has been said: “Today, if you will hear His voice, Do not harden your hearts.” 8For if Joshua had given them rest, then He would not afterward have spoken of another day. 9There remains therefore a rest for the people of God. 10For he who has entered His rest has himself also ceased from his works as God did from His. 11Let us therefore be diligent to enter that rest, lest anyone fall according to the same example of disobedience.” (Hebrews 4:1, 3 – 11, NKJV)
Here’s a First Christianity Chiliastic Quote agreeing to this Mystery:
“… Now we have understood that the expression used among these words, ‘According to the days of the tree[of life] shall be the days of my people; the works of their toil shall abound’ [Isaiah 65:22]obscurely predicts a thousand years. For as Adam was told that in the day he ate of the tree he would die [Genesis 2:17], we know that he did not complete a thousand years. We have perceived, moreover, that the expression, ‘The day of the Lord is as a thousand years,’ is connected with this subject [2 Peter 3:8, psalm 90:4]…” – Blessed St. Justin Martyr, a Great Early Christian Apologist who is a Foremost Exponent of the Divine Word, who Influenced Virtually all of subsequent Christian philosophy and Catholic theology, Martyr for Christ (c. 100 AD – c. 160 AD, ‘Dialogue with Trypho’, CHAPTER LXXX)
Source: http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/text/justinmartyr-dialoguetrypho.htm
Peace to you
Burdens and Giving Mystery
As the quote in image rings, “our burdens” includes ‘our personal burdens + the mandatory family burdens for those having family’ (as 1 Timothy 5:8 denies Salvation even if one does not fulfill it). Here is that Verse:
“But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.” (1 Timothy 5:8, NKJV)
It’s those who go ‘further’ and fulfill ‘other’s burdens’ (e. g. friends, strangers, enemies) who get to fulfill the Mysterious “Law of Christ” more “Perfectly” as Verse below Echoes:
“Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.” (Galatians 6:2, NKJV)
Conclusion
1) Give to the Right Person
As much as possible ‘let your alms sweat in your hands’ till you find the right person (who is truly suffering) to help instead of those who are ‘using you whilst they don’t share theirs when they have been better shows’ (selfish persons):
“… The way of life, then, is this: … And of these sayings the teaching is this: Bless those who curse you, and pray for your enemies, and fast for those who persecute you. For what reward is there for loving those who love you? Do not the Gentiles do the same? But love those who hate you, and you shall not have an enemy…… Give to every one who asks you, and ask it not back; for the Father wills that to all should be given of our own blessings (free gifts). Happy is he who gives according to the commandment, for he is guiltless. WOE to HIM WHO RECEIVES; for if one receives who has need, he is guiltless; but he who RECEIVES NOT having NEED shall PAY the PENALTY, why he received and for what. And coming into CONFINEMENT, he shall be EXAMINED concerning the THINGS which he HAS DONE, and he shall NOT ESCAPE from THERE until he PAYS back the LAST PENNY. And also concerning this, it has been said, Let your alms sweat in your hands, until you know to whom you should give…” – The Didache, The Lord’s Teaching Through the Twelve Apostles to the Nations. (1st Century, Chapter 1. The Two Ways and the First Commandment)
Source: http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/text/didache-roberts.html
2) What if you gave to the Wrong Person?
“Give to everyone who asks of you. And from him who takes away your goods do not ask them back.” – Most Blessed Lord Jesus Christ (Luke 6:30, NKJV)
Please note the phrase “Give to EVERYONE who asks of you” as Christ Commands (that is Perfection Level of which we all fall short but that’s what His Will is in this area).
So, it does not matter if ‘you gave to the ‘wrong person/ manipulative conman / scammer / etc.’ according to the Verse above as this is further explained below:
“ … 1[27]:4 But clothe thyself in reverence, wherein is no evil stumbling-block, but all things are smooth and gladsome. Work that which is good, and of thy labors, which God giveth thee, give to all that are in want freely, not questioning to whom thou shalt give, and to whom thou shalt not give. Give to all; for to all God desireth that there should be given of His own bounties. 1[27]:5 They then that receive shall render an account to God why they received it, and to what end; for they that receive in distress shall not be judged, but they that receive by false pretence shall pay the penalty. 1[27]:6 He then that giveth is guiltless; for as he received from the Lord the ministration to perform it, he hath performed it in sincerity, by making no distinction to whom to give or not to give. This ministration then, when sincerely performed, becomes glorious in the sight of God. He therefore that ministereth thus sincerely shall live unto God. …” – Shepherd of Hermas (Mandate 2)
Source:
http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/text/shepherd-lightfoot.html
Please note the ‘Promise’ to ‘such Givers’ who Practice to this Level “.. he hath performed it in sincerity, by making no distinction to whom to give or not to give. …” attains to this Reward which is “… He therefore that ministereth thus sincerely shall live unto God …”.
Summary
All Givers will get the reward for their giving on Reason of Love or Good Intention regardless some in this life or some in the afterlife or some in some proportion of both realms.
3) Giving helps you too toward ‘Judgment of one’s Sins’
“7 It’s a good idea to keep a king’s secret, but what God does should be told everywhere, so that he may be praised and honored. If you do good, no harm will come to you.8 It is better to pray sincerely and to please God by helping the poor than to be rich and dishonest. It is better to give to the poor than to store up gold. 9 Such generosity will save you from death and will wash away all your sins. … 15 I am Raphael, one of the seven angels who stand in the glorious presence of the Lord, ready to serve him.” (Good News Translation, Tobit 12:7 – 9, 15)
Source: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Tobit+12&version=GNT
4) True Bishops of the Church Practice this Helping the Needy/Poor/Widows in Leadership by Example
“… 27[104]:2 bishops, hospitable persons, who gladly received into their houses at all times the servants of God without hypocrisy. [These bishops] at all times without ceasing sheltered the needy and the widows in their ministration and conducted themselves in purity at all times. 27[104]:3 These [all] then shall be sheltered by the Lord for ever. They therefore that have done these things are glorious in the sight of God, and their place is even now with the angels, if they shall continue unto the end serving the Lord. …” – Shepherd of Hermas (Parable 9)
Source: http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/text/shepherd-lightfoot.html
Warning: If we are thinking that we have given much, please remember the ‘poor widow with two coins incident’ whom Christ Spoke Greatly of, in Verses below:
Yes, let us Remember that God doesn’t count by the Result or Amount of people you affected by the Giving but only the Disposition of your Will in your heart in Love (1 Corinthians 13:3) even as the Two Coins you give can be greater than all, hence a greater reward due to Percentage Count too (Fairness and Equality toward All in such a Divine Wisdom of God to Decide so), to quote “Bible Verses” agreeing to the Earlier First Christianity Quotes:
“1And He looked up and saw the rich putting their gifts into the treasury. 2And He saw a poor widow putting in two small copper coins. 3And He [Lord Jesus Christ Himself] said, “TRULY I say to you, this poor widow put in MORE than ALL of THEM; 4for they all out of THEIR SURPLUS put into the OFFERING; but she out of her POVERTY put in ALL that she had to LIVE ON.” (Luke 21:1 – 4, NASB)
Peace to you
Book of Revelation – Protestant Reformer Martin Luther Case FAQ
“Whoever guards his mouth and tongue Keeps his soul from troubles.” (Proverbs 21:23, NKJV)
1) Protestant Reformer Martin Luther hated the Jews
Martin Luther’s writing itself for his hate against the Jews has caused “Christians” believing in it in past history if not today (as the Case with John Calvin) to “murder” others which clearly raises the possibility of “no eternal life” for those who practiced such, for example, to quote:
“… In a paragraph from his On the Jews and Their Lies [Written in 1543*] he deplores Christendom’s failure to expel them. Moreover, he proposed “What shall we Christians do with this rejected and condemned people, the Jews”:[1]
“First, to set fire to their synagogues or schools … This is to be done in honor of our Lord and of Christendom, so that God might see that we are Christians …”
“Second, I advise that their houses also be razed and destroyed.”
“Third, I advise that all their prayer books and Talmudic writings, in which such idolatry, lies, cursing, and blasphemy are taught, be taken from them.”
“Fourth, I advise that their rabbis be forbidden to teach henceforth on pain of loss of life and limb …”
“Fifth, I advise that safe-conduct on the highways be abolished completely for the Jews. For they have no business in the countryside …”
“Sixth, I advise that usury be prohibited to them, and that all cash and treasure of silver and gold be taken from them …”
“Seventh, I recommend putting a flail, an ax, a hoe, a spade, a distaff, or a spindle into the hands of young, strong Jews and Jewesses and letting them earn their bread in the sweat of their brow … But if we are afraid that they might harm us or our wives, children, servants, cattle, etc., … then let us emulate the common sense of other nations such as France, Spain, Bohemia, etc., … then eject them forever from the country …” …” – Wikipedia (“Luther, Martin”, JewishEncyclopedia.com; cf. Luther’s Works, American Edition, 55 vols., (St. Louis and Philadelphia: Concordia Publishing House and Fortress Press, 1955–86) 47:267.)
Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Martin_Luther_and_antisemitism
Actual history: Example of a “mas murder” done in the name of Martin Luther and John Calvin’s Doctrine influence:
“… Vincenz Fettmilch, a Calvinist, reprinted On the Jews and Their Lies in 1612 to stir up hatred against the Jews of Frankfurt. Two years later, riots in Frankfurt saw the deaths of 3,000 Jews and the expulsion of the rest. Fettmilch was executed by the Lutheran city authorities, but Michael writes that his execution was for attempting to overthrow the authorities, not for his offenses against the Jews. …”
Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Martin_Luther_and_antisemitism
This Bible Verse below can question Martin Luther’s Salvation for both his “hate to the Jews” and the fact that his words has influenced someone to actually ‘commit murder toward the Jews’ (i.e. Vincenz Fettmilch) who reprinted Luther’s Book.
“Whoever hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him.” (1 John 3:15, NKJV)
In other words, if Vincenz Fettmilch has ‘no eternal life’ in him for killing those Jews due to reprinting Martin Luther’s Book which contained those exhortation to murder acts (list above), why should Martin Luther have ‘Eternal Life’ where even 1 John 3:15 doesn’t even allow ‘the hate’ even? [there is no way that Martin Luther was writing ‘love toward the Jews in this list’ and he was ‘misunderstood’ in the case of which he cannot be held accountable].
2) Protestant Reformer Martin Luther denied the Book of Revelation as Scripture
Martin Luther never acknowledged it as Scripture and the early church fathers who did so previously have their Salvation in question likewise.
The only reason he allowed the Book of Revelation is because many did not agree with such a removal and so he left it there even commenting that regardless if it’s there, “… It’s not right with his spirit… ” as he wrote meaning he could have committed the Blasphemy of the Holy Spirit too in the Same breath. Here is his quote:
“… “To my mind it (the book of the Apocalypse) bears upon it no marks of an apostolic or prophetic character… Everyone may form his own judgment of this book; as for myself, I feel an aversion to it, and to me this is sufficient reason for rejecting it.” (ref. ammtliche Werke, 63, pp. 169-170, ‘The Facts About Luther,’ O’Hare, TAN Books, 1987, p. 203). …”
Source:
or a more fuller quote:
“… The Works of Martin Luther Volume Six [(Philadelphia: Muhlenberg Press, 1932), p. 488-489] (pdf) About this book of the Revelation of John, I leave everyone free to hold his own ideas, and would bind no man to my opinion or judgment; I say what I feel. I miss more than one thing in this book, and this makes me hold it to be neither apostolic nor prophetic. First and foremost, the Apostles do not deal with visions, but prophesy in clear, plain words, as do Peter and Paul, and Christ in the Gospel. For it befits the apostolic office to speak of Christ and His deeds without figures and visions; but there is no prophet in the Old Testament, to say nothing of the New, who deals so out and out with visions and figures. And so I think of it almost as I do of the Fourth Book of Esdras, and can nohow detect that the Holy Spirit produced it. Moreover, he seems to me to be going much too far when he commends his own book so highly, — more than any of the other sacred books do, though they are much more important, — and threatens that if anyone takes away anything from it, God will deal likewise with him. Again, they are to be blessed who keep what is written therein; and yet no one knows what that is, to say nothing of keeping it. It is just the same as if we had it not, and there are many far better books for us to keep. Many of the fathers, too, rejected this book of old, though St. Jerome, to be sure, praises it highly and says that it is above all praise and that there are as many mysteries in it as words; though he cannot prove this at all, and his praise is, at many points, too mild. Finally, let everyone think of it as his own spirit gives him to think. My spirit cannot fit itself into this book. There is one sufficient reason for me not to think highly of it,-Christ is not taught or known in it; but to teach Christ is the thing which an apostle is bound, above all else, to do, as He says in Acts 1:8 , “Ye shall be my witnesses.” Therefore I stick to the books which give me Christ, clearly and purely, …”
Source:
http://beggarsallreformation.blogspot.com/2016/01/luther-on-revelation-i-feel-aversion-to.html
The possible blasphemy of the Holy Spirit which has ‘no forgiveness in this age or the one to come’ (Matthew 12:31 – 32) part: “… this makes me hold it to be neither apostolic nor prophetic …” or “… And so I think of it [the Book of Revelation] almost as I do of the Fourth Book of Esdras, and can nohow detect that the Holy Spirit produced it …” or “… My spirit cannot fit itself into this book [of Revelation]. …”.
Note: I didn’t say that he committed the Blasphemy of the Holy Spirit for sure but it is POSSIBLE in ‘his own words’ above.
This leaves us with an interesting question: Can God use a man who did not even recognize the Book of Revelation as Holy Scripture to ‘remove the other 7 Books from the Bible’ (i.e. namely Tobit, Judith, Additions to Esther, 1 Maccabees and 2 Maccabees, Wisdom of Solomon, Sirach, Baruch / Letter of Jeremiah) or was he cursed because he removed it?
It’s also interesting to see that God allowed a man who denied the Book of Revelation as Scripture (i.e. Martin Luther) to convert almost all of Protestantism (which somehow have a starting root back to him) proving possibly that ‘number of converts have nothing to do with one’s fruit/salvation but personal virtue only as First Christianity has taught’ agreeing to Galatians 5:22 as the “fruit” is the ‘9 fruits of the Holy Spirit a Christian ought to demonstrate with his faith & works in his life to be saved namely: “… 22But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23[g]gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. …” (Galatians 5:22, NKJV).
I don’t know for sure if Martin Luther is saved or not but I’m cautious not to Speak against these Books easily either and follow the safer route of using & acknowledging it as per First Christianity.
Conclusion
If Protestant Reformer Martin Luther is Saved (which I hope), then Salvation for the rest of Christians will be ‘way easier’ too because not many of us dare to even do these errors which has ‘direct verses’ condemning it to either ‘no eternal life’ and/or ‘your name removed from the Book of Life’ level of Judgment.
Peace to you
Is “Olam” necessarily unchangeable forever and does God Have a Son according to the Old Testament Scripture?
Peace to you
Third Temple Jewish Effort – No Eternal Temple either
Explanation
- God meant to Dwell in Solomon’s Temple (not any re-building temple places for ‘olam’) hence ‘olam is not forever’, for example:
“12Then Solomon spoke: “The Lord said He would dwell in the dark cloud. 13I have surely built You an exalted house, And a place for You to dwell in forever.” (1 Kings 8:12 – 13, NKJV)
This is the same word ‘olam’ used say in Daniel 12:2 below:
“And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, Some to everlasting [Olam] life, Some to shame and everlasting [Olam] contempt.” (Daniel 12:2, NKJV)
So, [Olam] = [Aeon] = [Age-during, pertaining to a highlight of a time period of an age], What happens next? God Decides for the ‘next Age/Aeon/Olam’.
During this New Testament times, the “Temple” is the ‘body of the believers in Christ’, Verse:
“Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own?” (1 Corinthians 6:19, NKJV)
There is a “Temple in heaven” (not earth) too:
“Then the temple of God was opened in heaven, and the ark of His covenant was seen in His temple. And there were lightnings, noises, thunderings, an earthquake, and great hail.” (Revelation 11:19, NKJV)
- Even the Third Temple won’t last and is where the Antichrist will Declare himself as God, Verses:
“1Then I was given a reed like a measuring rod. [a]And the angel stood, saying, “Rise and measure the temple of God, the altar, and those who worship there. 2But leave out the court which is outside the temple, and do not measure it, for it has been given to the Gentiles. And they will tread the holy city underfoot for forty-two months.” (Revelation 11:1 – 2, NKJV)
” 3Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first, and the man of [b]sin is revealed, the son of perdition, 4who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God or that is worshiped, so that he sits as God in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God.” (1 Thessalonians 2:3 – 4, NKJV)
God cannot be using the same “defiled” Temple where the Antichrist declared himself as God after He Returns & His Messianic Reign Begins.
In fact, God Will Rebuild His Own Temple after Christ Returns during the “times of the Kingdom” or ‘the 1000 years Millennial Reign of Christ Timeline’ as per First Christianity’s Chiliasm Doctrine, to quote, Timeline:
- Antichrist Helps Jews Build a Fake Temple now in which he will declare himself as ‘god’ eventually as per 1 Thessalonians 2:3 – 4 earlier – the Jews and Christians alike will be deceived by such a ‘violent zionism’ movement
“… But when this Antichrist shall have devastated all things in this world, he will reign for three years and six months, and sit in the temple at Jerusalem; and then the Lord will come from heaven in the clouds, in the glory of the Father, sending this man and those who follow him into the lake of fire; but bringing in for the righteous the times of the kingdom, that is, the rest, the hallowed seventh day; and restoring to Abraham the promised inheritance, in which kingdom the Lord declared, that “many coming from the east and from the west should sit down with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.” …” – Blessed St. Irenaeous of Lyons, a Hearer of Blessed St. Polycarp who is an Apostolic Father being the Disciple of Blessed St. John who wrote the Book of Revelation (c. 130 AD – c. 202 AD, Against Heresies, V. 30.4)
Source: http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/text/irenaeus-book5.html
and ‘such Zionist Christians and Jews who support them will be deceived in this rebuilding of the Third Temple’ as follows:
“… 4. The Lord also spoke as follows to those who did not believe in Him: “I have come in my Father’s name, and ye have not received Me: when another shall come in his own name, him ye will receive,” calling Antichrist “the other,” because he is alienated from the Lord. This is also the unjust judge, whom the Lord mentioned as one “who feared not God, neither regarded man,” to whom the widow fled in her forgetfulness of God,-that is, the earthly Jerusalem,-to be avenged of her adversary. Which also he shall do in the time of his kingdom: he shall remove his kingdom into that [city], and shall sit in the temple of God, leading astray those who worship him, as if he were Christ. To this purpose Daniel says again: “And he shall desolate the holy place; and sin has been given for a sacrifice, and righteousness been cast away in the earth, and he has been active (fecit), and gone on prosperously.” And the angel Gabriel, when explaining his vision, states with regard to this person: “And towards the end of their kingdom a king of a most fierce countenance shall arise, one understanding [dark] questions, and exceedingly powerful, full of wonders; and he shall corrupt, direct, influence (faciet), and put strong men down, the holy people likewise; and his yoke shall be directed as a wreath [round their neck]; deceit shall be in his hand, and he shall be lifted up in his heart: he shall also ruin many by deceit, and lead many to perdition, bruising them in his hand like eggs.” And then he points out the time that his tyranny shall last, during which the saints shall be put to flight, they who offer a pure sacrifice unto God: “And in the midst of the week,” he says, “the sacrifice and the libation shall be taken away, and the abomination of desolation [shall be brought] into the temple: even unto the consummation of the time shall the desolation be complete.” Now three years and six months constitute the half-week. …” – Blessed St. Irenaeous of Lyons, a Hearer of Blessed St. Polycarp who is an Apostolic Father being the Disciple of Blessed St. John who wrote the Book of Revelation (c. 130 AD – c. 202 AD, Against Heresies, Book 5, Chapter XXV, Point 4)
Source: http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/text/irenaeus-book5.html
- After Christ has Returned and Destroyed the Antichrist/Beast, the First Resurrection occurs and the Millennial Reign with Christians only Begins where an ‘earthly Jerusalem Temple’ will be ‘Re-Built’ for the ‘sinners/mortal Israelite who still dwell on the earth’ (Isaiah 65:20 – KJV).
“… But in the times of the kingdom, the earth has been called again by Christ [to its pristine condition], and Jerusalem rebuilt after the pattern of the Jerusalem above, of which the prophet Isaiah says, “Behold, I have depicted thy walls upon my hands, and thou art always in my sight,” And the apostle, too, writing to the Galatians, says in like manner, “But the Jerusalem which is above is free, which is the mother of us all.” He does not say this with any thought of an erratic Aeon, or of any other power which departed from the Pleroma, or of Prunicus, but of the Jerusalem which has been delineated on [God’s] hands. And in the Apocalypse John saw this new [Jerusalem] descending upon the new earth. …” – Blessed St. Irenaeous of Lyons, a Hearer of Blessed St. Polycarp who is an Apostolic Father being the Disciple of Blessed St. John who wrote the Book of Revelation (c. 130 AD – c. 202 AD, ‘Against Heresies’, Book 5, Chapter XXXV, Point 2)
Source: http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/text/irenaeus-book5.html
- God will not Dwell in a Temple made by ‘sinner’s hands’ anymore as Prophesied referring to the New Covenant Times and beyond
” 47But Solomon built Him a house. 48“However, the Most High does not dwell in temples made with hands, as the prophet says: 49‘Heaven is My throne, And earth is My footstool.
What house will you build for Me? says the Lord, Or what is the place of My rest?” (Acts 7:47 – 49, NKJV)
- After the 1000 Years Millennial Reign of Christ (Revelation 20:4 – 6) and after Judgment Day & the Lake of Fire Judgment (Revelation 20:11 – 15), God will make a “new Earth and a new Heaven”.
In this New Earth and New Heavens, there will no more be any Physical Temple ever Rebuilt by anyone [and this is not the Millennial Reign Time either which happens to a ‘restored old earth &b heavens first’ as during the ‘new earth, there will be no sea’], Verses:
“1Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also there was no more sea. 2Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. … 22But I saw no temple in it, for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple. 23The city had no need of the sun or of the moon to shine in it, for the glory of God illuminated it. The Lamb is its light.” (Revelation 21:1 – 2, 22 – 23, NKJV)
Peace to you
Devil – the Father of Murderers
Question
Protestant Reformers Martin Luther and John Calvin wrote to kill their enemies as a Judgment of God because that’s what Christ would do to stop evil.
Reply
That’s exactly how the Roman Catholics defend their reason for the Crusade Wars. However, I beg to differ as the Old Testament Ways of “hate your enemy” Verses are Cancelled by Christ Himself Who Established the New Covenant for “True Christians” to “obey” this instead:
“43“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, ” – Most Blessed Lord Jesus Christ (Matthew 5:43 – 44, NKJV)
Focus Phrases from the above:
“You have heard that it was said … hate your enemy” (any Old Testament Verses teaching this)
“44But I say to you, love your enemies” (Christ Cancels all the Old Testament hate your enemy Verses and establishes “only” [not a mix of] Love your enemies instead – please read carefully again and don’t be deceived)
- Not one ‘go and kill a Jew… ‘ phrase in Christ’s Words, so it’s a common wrong claim.
- Christ only warned the unbelieving Jews of afterlife Judgment and Christians should “only” do that if needed. Nothing more is Biblical in this Judgment Context.
- Yep, Christ would Say that to Martin Luther too because He taught us to Love our enemies, not kill our enemies even “cancelling” the hate your enemies verses in the Old Testament in Matthew 5:43 – 44.
- Christ only approved correction words and any hate/murder words/acts are from the Devil indeed as per 1 John 3:15 or John 8:44.
- Let’s strive to obey Christ in this aspect not only because “obedience is better than sacrifice” (1 Samuel 15:22) but also because if we fail in this particular Command in word/act, we can ‘lose our eternal life’ as per Verses below:
“Whoever hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him.” (1 John 3:15, NKJV)
- True Christians cannot kill in the name of religion at all but if they work as a Soldier or as a Police for a ‘secular government’, a sword can be wielded but toward “criminals only” (not religious enemies) and you must be right or if not that’s murder too, Verse:
“1Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. 2Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves. 3For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to evil. Do you want to be unafraid of the authority? Do what is good, and you will have praise from the same. 4For he is God’s minister to you for good. But if you do evil, be afraid; for he does not bear the sword in vain; for he is God’s minister, an avenger to execute wrath on him who practices evil.” (Romans 13:1 – 4, NKJV)
Note: The “Roman Government” Blessed Apostle St. Paul is commanding Christians to “obey” and ‘it’s from God’ is a Government which “kills Christians too at times”. Please read this again.
- Since I am a heretic by John Calvin or Martin Luther’s standards, if you truly believe that it is the Judgment of God, then I challenge you to come and kill me to put your foot where your mouth is instead of ‘just in words’ so that you can do the good of stopping a heretic like me. Why? You should obey God to kill me the heretic as per Martin Luther and John Calvin’s warning right instead of obeying men, right? Or have you decided to love your enemy (me) by refraining of which John Calvin or Martin Luther may say ‘you have disobeyed God’? I’m not making this up, here’s a quote:
“… Whoever shall now contend that it is unjust to put heretics and blasphemers to death, knowingly and willingly incur their guilt. It is not human authority that speaks, it is God who speaks and prescribes a perpetual rule for His Church.” …” – John Calvin
Source:
and
“First, to set fire to their synagogues or schools … This is to be done in honor of our Lord and of Christendom, so that God might see that we are Christians … “[w]e [Christians] are at fault in not slaying them [Jews]”. ..” – Martin Luther (He also seems to advocate their murder, writing this)
Source [Luther, Martin. On the Jews and Their Lies, cited in Michael, Robert. “Luther, Luther Scholars, and the Jews,” Encounter 46 (Autumn 1985) No. 4:343–344.]:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Martin_Luther_and_antisemitism
Oh ya, and I deserve ‘Eternal Hell’ for Preaching possible Christ Centered Universalism Hope toward ‘John Calvin and Martin Luther’ too, is it? ‘Think Biblically’.
A note on Martyrdom:
- i) Contrary to ‘Western Christianity’, if you die whilst trying to kill your enemies, that’s NOT Martyrdom but “death”.
- ii) Truth is “Martyrdom” is ONLY when you die but you did NOT intend/try to kill your enemies
“And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death.” (Revelation 12:11, NKJV)
Example Posts proving that Martin Luther and John Calvin taught such things:
- i) Martin Luther
https://web.facebook.com/jonathan.ramachandran/posts/10159503396462784
or
https://web.facebook.com/jonathan.ramachandran/posts/10159399659322784
or
https://web.facebook.com/jonathan.ramachandran/posts/10159399771867784
- ii) John Calvin
https://web.facebook.com/jonathan.ramachandran/posts/10159423090032784
or
https://web.facebook.com/jonathan.ramachandran/posts/10159450086027784
Truth is indeed hard to accept.
Peace to you
Most Blessed Lord Jesus Christ – was He a Jew or an Israelite?
Firstly, we must understand that every Jew is a Israelite but not every Israelite is a Jew.
Definition:
- Israelite
Descendants of Jacob. That is why He is called the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob highlighting this Particular lineage for the definition of an Israelite since it was Jacob’s Name (not Abraham’s) which was changed to “Israel”.
The fact that some Israelite are of mixed lineage (e.g. the children of Joseph as he married foreign women doesn’t really matter as long as they have Jacob’s blood somewhere though mixed marriage was discouraged at that time; the debate of maternal blood determining one is Jew or not is a later practice because as in Joseph’s case, his children are Israelite because they are from Paternal blood only being linked to Jacob since Joseph’s wife was a foreigner).
- Jew
A Jew refers specifically to those linked in blood to the particular lineage of Blessed Patriarch Judah, one of Blessed Patriarch Jacob’s son.
iii. Is Jesus a Jew or an Israelite only?
Based on these definitions (i and ii), Most Blessed Lord Jesus Christ is certainly a Jew as per example quote below:
“… Although His Father was God (through the agency of the Holy Spirit), His mother was a Jewish woman named Mary. Her husband, Joseph, was Jesus’ legal father or guardian. According to the genealogy from Mary, on His human side Christ is descended from the Israelite tribal patriarch Judah and his descendant King David (Luke 3:31, Luke 3:33; compare Acts 2:30; 2 Timothy 2:8). The biblical testimony is plain. The book of Hebrews tells us that “it is evident that our Lord arose from [the tribe of] Judah …” (7:14). And those descended from Judah are known by the abbreviated term Jews. The apostle John wrote that “He came to His own [the Jews], and His own did not receive Him” (John 1:11). Both a Samaritan woman and the Roman governor Pontius Pilate clearly recognized that Jesus was Jewish (John 4:9; John 18:35). We are further told that “the scepter shall not depart from Judah” (Genesis 49:10). The scepter symbolizes the promise of kingship and salvation. Jesus, the King of the Jews, is the Messiah. Christ (the Greek term for Messiah) is the ultimate fulfillment of the ruler mentioned prophetically in 1 Chronicles 5:2: “Yet Judah prevailed over his brothers, and from him came a ruler.” The Bible’s final book refers to Jesus as “the Lion of the tribe of Judah” (Revelation 5:5). On Jesus’ human side, David is called His father, meaning ancestor, in Luke 1:32. Romans 1:3 likewise says he “was born of the seed of David according to the flesh.” Thus, from numerous testimonies, He was certainly a Jew. …”
Source:
https://www.ucg.org/bible-study-tools/booklets/who-is-god/jesus-was-a-jew
Iv. Modern Definitions – Messianic Jew
The modern definition that a ‘born Gentile’ can become a ‘Jew’ in Judaism or the equivalent ‘Messianic Jew conversion practice’ has no Christian Biblical basis. A person is born Jewish by ‘blood’ only (i.e. it’s by race not conversion) as per Verses below:
“10Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya adjoining Cyrene, visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, 11Cretans and Arabs—we hear them speaking in our own tongues the wonderful works of God.” (Acts 2:10 – 11, NKJV)
The New Testament classification itself above refers to a ‘race-based’ definition where the “Jews” are mentioned separately (sometimes referring to Israelite as a whole too). Further, please notice that the phrase “Jews and proselytes” clearly distinguishes the ‘Israelite Jews’ vs ‘Gentile Proselytes’ meaning that even in Judaism at that time, no one can convert into Judaism to become a “Jew” unless he is an Israelite first. Also, a Gentile convert to Judaism is clearly still called a “proselyte” as distinctly mentioned in Acts 2:10 above.
Any such ancient practice of conversion to Judaism (e.g. Ruth 1:16, Leviticus 19:34) has NO value or application to Christians in the Context of Salvation (Acts 15:1, 5) where Gentile believers only need to follow Apostle St. Paul’s “Written” New Testament Commands as he is the Apostle to the Gentiles (1 Corinthians 14:37, 2 Peter 3:2, Acts 15:19 – 20) where the ‘Jewish by Blood believers can keep some Old Testament Customs if they wish to’ (e.g. Acts 21:24) but ‘Gentile Christians need to observe no such thing’ (Acts 21:25) and even it is dangerous for a Gentile Believer’s Salvation if they attempt to add to Blessed St. Paul’s Lord’s Commands (Galatians 1:6 – 10 refers to the this Context as Apostle Paul even corrected Apostle Peter in this in Galatians 2:14, Galatians 2:18). For example Apostle Paul warned Gentile believers to not practice circumcision (Galatians 5:2) but Timothy could be circumcised simply because he was ‘half-Jew’ (Acts 16:1 – 3).
Peace to you
Christian Faith – Which Prophetic Error can Cost your Salvation?
Some Christians view Matthew 7:22 to imply that ‘Lawlessness’ includes ‘False Prophecy’ as shown in Image. In light of that, I wish to discuss a little about “Prophecy”.
In Matthew 7:20 – 23, Christians are aware of “many” among them to be rejected from the First Resurrection when He Returns (Revelation 20:4 – 6). Here, I would like to focus on the “prophecy” part only. Prophecy is Speaking about the future.
Let’s consider these Top Christian Prophecy Views Today which surprising to most Christians, some of which has “no” basis at all in First Christianity:
1) Preterism
2) Universalism vs Eternal Hell vs Annihilation
3) Pre-Tribulation Rapture
4) Violent Zionism Agenda – Third Temple Rebuilding Effort by Jews and some Christians alike
The Details are discussed in posts below:
1) Preterism
https://web.facebook.com/jonathan.ramachandran/posts/10159479573052784
or
https://web.facebook.com/jonathan.ramachandran/posts/10159484912927784
2) Universalism vs Eternal Hell vs Annihilation
https://web.facebook.com/jonathan.ramachandran/posts/10159489975292784
or
https://web.facebook.com/jonathan.ramachandran/posts/10159410771327784
3) Pre-Tribulation Rapture
https://web.facebook.com/jonathan.ramachandran/posts/10159465864192784
4) Violent Zionism Agenda – Third Temple Rebuilding Effort by Jews and some Christians alike
https://web.facebook.com/jonathan.ramachandran/posts/10159504520427784
Conclusion
Honestly, I cannot tell either way if any Christian will be rejected from the First Resurrection if they got the ‘Prophecy Belief’ part wrong. I personally feel that if they lived a sincere life of loving others in action (especially taking care of the poor with their money & preaching the Gospel to as many within their reach, Matthew 19:21’s Perfection Call), such a one can surely be Saved I believe as per Galatians 5:14’s ‘entire Law is fulfilled in Loving your neighbour as yourself’ (hence ‘no Lawlessness’ remains – Can you see it?).
I am confident in this Hope for such Christians who err in such Prophecy Beliefs because First Christianity was more focused on identifying ‘false prophets’ based on ‘different traits’ instead especially ‘money’ as discussed in post below:
https://web.facebook.com/jonathan.ramachandran/posts/10159494356697784
For Protestants, the fact that their Reformers John Calvin and Martin Luther have more serious doctrinal errors and ‘serious life errors in action’ gives more hope for the common misled sheep to be Saved as highlighted in post below:
https://web.facebook.com/jonathan.ramachandran/posts/10159507110132784
“knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation,” (2 Peter 1:20, NKJV)
To obey 2 Peter 1:20 above, for points 1), 3) and 4), it is very clear that Blessed St. Irenaeous of Lyons did NOT believe in it and so I feel safe likewise to emulate his faith (Hebrews 13:7). Regarding point 2), all three schools of thought (i.e. Universalism vs Eternal Hell vs Annihilation) have quoted Blessed St. Irenaeous of Lyons on it (though I think he believed in Christ Centered Universalism as I have plenty of his quotes pointing to that as well as discussed further in the free downloadable e-book below):
Click the button above to Download as PDFClick the button above to Download as in Google Book App
Regarding Blessed St. Irenaeous of Lyons as a Universally accepted Apostolic Witness of First Christianity, please consider the link below:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Irenaeus
Source Web-Post for this write-up:
https://www.anonymouschristian.org/blog/olam-and-lake-of-fire-mystery-in-the-book-of-1enoch/amp
Peace to you
Did St. Ireneaous of Lyons believe in Pre-Tribulation Rapture?
“… Often Irenaeus is grouped with other early church fathers as teaching historic premillennialism which maintain a belief in the earthly reign of Christ but differ from dispensational premillennialism in their view of the rapture as to when the translation of saints occurs. In Against Heresies (V.XXIX.1) he says “And therefore, when in the end the Church shall be suddenly caught up from this, it is said, ‘There shall be tribulation such as has not been since the beginning, neither shall be.'” …”
Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Irenaeus
In the Wikipedia Link above, it incorrectly quotes Blessed St. Irenaeous of Lyons as believing in a ‘Pre-Mid-Tribulation Rapture’. Truth is, Blessed St. Irenaeous of Lyons only believeed in post-Tribulation Rapture which is a well known fact among scholars too. Here is that quote in full:
“… 1. In the previous books I have set forth the causes for which God permitted these things to be made, and have pointed out that all such have been created for the benefit of that human nature which is saved, ripening for immortality that which is [possessed] of its own free will and its own power, and preparing and rendering it more adapted for eternal subjection to God. And therefore the creation is suited to [the wants of] man; for man was not made for its sake, but creation for the sake of man. Those nations however, who did not of themselves raise up their eyes unto heaven, nor returned thanks to their Maker, nor wished to behold the light of truth, but who were like blind mice concealed in the depths of ignorance, the word justly reckons “as waste water from a sink, and as the turning-weight of a balance-in fact, as nothing; ” so far useful and serviceable to the just, as stubble conduces towards the growth of the wheat, and its straw, by means of combustion, serves for working gold. And therefore, when in the end the Church shall be suddenly caught up from this, it is said, “There shall be tribulation such as has not been since the beginning, neither shall be.” For this is the last contest of the righteous, in which, when they overcome they are crowned with incorruption. …” – Blessed St. Irenaeous of Lyons, a Hearer of Blessed St. Polycarp who is an Apostolic Father being the Disciple of Blessed St. John who wrote the Book of Revelation (c. 130 AD – c. 202 AD, ‘Against Heresies’, Book 5, Chapter XXIX, Point 1)
Translation Source:
http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/text/irenaeus-book5.html
The Church is clearly caught “from this” where the “this” refers to the “Final Great Tribulation” does not mean that it escapes it but Its Salvation comes suddenly during when this Tribulation occurs as Christ Returns ‘Suddenly’.
This correct context is clear from St. Irenaeous’ other writings as follows:
“… For all these and other words were unquestionably spoken in reference to the resurrection of the just, which takes place after the coming of Antichrist, and the destruction of all nations under his rule; in [the times of] which [resurrection] the righteous shall reign in the earth, waxing stronger by the sight of the Lord: and through Him they shall become accustomed to partake in the glory of God the Father, and shall enjoy in the kingdom intercourse and communion with the holy angels, and union with spiritual beings; and [with respect to] those whom the Lord shall find in the flesh, awaiting Him from heaven, and who have suffered tribulation, as well as escaped the hands of the Wicked one which, when they overcome they are crowned with incorruption. …” – Blessed St. Irenaeous of Lyons, a Hearer of Blessed St. Polycarp who is an Apostolic Father being the Disciple of Blessed St. John who wrote the Book of Revelation (c. 130 AD – c. 202 AD, ‘Against Heresies’, Book 5, Chapter XXXV, Point 1)
Translation Source:
http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/text/irenaeus-book5.html
Focus Phrases: “… who have suffered tribulation, as well as escaped the hands of the Wicked one which, when they overcome they are crowned with incorruption. …”
“who have suffered tribulation” = Those Christians who were tortured or died in the hands of the Antichrist.
” as well as escaped the hands of the Wicked one which” = Some Christians who are still alive when Christ Returns to Destroy the Antichrist
Don’t believe the ‘Wikipedia’ —> Research its source.
More is discussed in link below:
https://web.facebook.com/jonathan.ramachandran/posts/10159508028537784
Peace to you
Pre-tribulation and mid-tribulation Rapture refuted by One Verse
“so Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many. To those who eagerly wait for Him He will appear a second time, apart from sin, for salvation.” – Hebrews (Hebrews 9:28, NKJV)
Please ‘think’ about this Verse ‘carefully’: If there was a Pre-tribulation Rapture or Mid-tribulation Rapture, wouldn’t this be “His coming for the THIRD time?”
Please also note ‘carefully’ that the His Coming for a “SECOND time” Spoken of in Verse above refers NOT for unbelievers but believers as the phrase “… To those who eagerly wait for Him ..” in “… To those who eagerly wait for Him He will appear a second time …” means. Can you see it? Please read this again. Let us not remain deceived.
Please compare with the “Blessed Hope” Verses below toward His Return for believers which is Speaking of this Same Second Coming:
“13looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, 14who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works.15Speak these things, exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no one despise you.” (Titus 2:13 – 15, NKJV)
Listen to the Angels Speaking this Same Truth below where He Comes back in the Same Way (in Reverse, i. e. from the “Heavens” to the “Clouds” till “His Feet Touches Mount Olive”) in Verses below:
“9Now when He had spoken these things, while they watched, He was taken up, and a cloud received Him out of their sight. 10And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as He went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel, 11who also said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven.” (Acts 1:9 – 11, NKJV)
Last but not least, both the “[Second] Coming of our Lord” and “our Gathering with Him” (including Rapture for living believers for this One ‘Gathering of the Elect’, 1 Thessalonians 13 – 18) only occurs AFTER the Antichrist Declares himself as “god” which again clearly points to after the mid-week and after the Final Great Tribulation in Verses below:
“1Now, brethren, concerning the COMING of our LORD JESUS CHRIST and OUR GATHERING TOGETHER to HIM, we ask you, 2not to be soon shaken in mind or troubled, either by spirit or by word or by letter, as if from us, as though the day of Christ had come. 3Let no one deceive you by any means; for THAT DAY will NOT COME UNLESS the FALLING AWAY COMES FIRST, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition, 4who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God or that is worshiped, so that he sits as God in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God.” (2 Thessalonians 2:1 – 3, NKJV)
In Verses above, please notice carefully that on THAT DAY (1 Same Day) two Events Happen namely:
- COMING of our LORD JESUS CHRIST = His Second Coming (Hebrews 9:28, Matthew 24:29-after the tribulation-Matthew 24:30)
- OUR GATHERING TOGETHER to HIM = First Resurrection for the Dead Christias being Resurrected (Revelation 20:4 – 6, 1 Thessalonians 4:16) which happens first (1 Thessalonians 4:15) where only after that the ‘Rapture’ for the still living Christians on Earth occurs (1 Thessalonians 4:17). Matthew 24:31
Compare:
“29“Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. 30Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. 31And He will send His angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they will gather together His [d]elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.” – Most Blessed Lord Jesus Christ (Matthew 24:29 – 31, NKJV)
The Gathering on “earth” part is ‘Rapture for the Elect who are alive’ (1 Thessalonians 4:17) while the Gathering in the Heavens is the souls of the Elect who are dead in Christ who Participate in the First Resurrection which occurs first according to 1 Thessalonians 4:15 – 16 which is the only one highlighted in Matthew 24:31 above (can you now why Blessed Matthew did not write the ‘Gathering on earth’ part as Blessed Mark does in Verse below because this happens ‘later’, next):
“And then He will send His angels, and gather together His elect from the four winds, from the farthest part of earth to the farthest part of heaven.” – Most Blessed Lord Jesus Christ (Mark 13:27, NKJV)
That’s why in Verses below, Christ Himself assures this Same Order of Events in that after His Second Coming, He exhorts believers who are still alive on Earth to be Ready in that ‘anytime’ the Angel is going to come for you where you will experience the “Rapture” (change into the ‘Immortal Resurrection Body’ but without dying), to quote:
“25“And there will be signs in the sun, in the moon, and in the stars; and on the earth distress of nations, with perplexity, the sea and the waves roaring; 26men’s hearts failing them from fear and the expectation of those things which are coming on the earth, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. 27Then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. 28Now when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near.” – Most Blessed Lord Jesus Christ (Luke 21:25 – 28, NKJV)
Notice carefully He Says that “your redemption draws near” (meaning you referring to “Christians” are still not Saved yet, not Redeemed till after His Second Coming, but anytime now) where “Redemption” is nothing else than Attaining to that Glorious Immortal Body (Romans 8:23).
More regarding only Post-Tribulation Rapture being Taught in First Christianity is Discussed in links below:
1) Did St. Ireneaous of Lyons believe in Pre-Tribulation Rapture?
https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=10159508215297784&id=651792783
2) Christian Faith – Which Prophetic Error can Cost your Salvation?
https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=10159508028537784&id=651792783
Peace to you
7th Trumpet Proves Post Tribulation Rapture
Bible Verses:
- i) The 7th Trumpet Prophesied as relating to the “Mystery of God” known to “His Prophets”
“5The angel whom I saw standing on the sea and on the land raised up his [c]hand to heaven 6and swore by Him who lives forever and ever, who created heaven and the things that are in it, the earth and the things that are in it, and the sea and the things that are in it, that there should be delay no longer, 7but in the days of the sounding of the seventh angel, when he is about to sound, the mystery of God would be finished, as He declared to His servants the prophets.” (Revelation 10:5 – 7, NKJV)
- ii) The 7th Trumpet cannot be ‘Pre-Tribulation nor Mid-Tribulation Rapture’ nor a ‘Secret Coming’ but the “Second Coming of Christ” as Echoed in Verses below of which Immediate Judgment follows (Matthew 7:20 – 23, as “the dead” & “the wicked” are judged as the rejection of “many” from the First Resurrection too) with His Millennial Reign Prophesied here as ‘the Kingdoms of this World has now become Christ’s’ (Revelation 20:4 – 6, Revelation 19:1 – 10, Revelation 7:9 – 17 as the Book of Revelation often Gives a Glimpse of ‘this End’ in these Verses).as He has Destroyed the Antichrist and his kingdom (Revelation 19:11 – 21)
“15Then the seventh angel sounded: And there were loud voices in heaven, saying, “The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever!” 16And the twenty-four elders who sat before God on their thrones fell on their faces and worshiped God, 17saying: “We give You thanks, O Lord God Almighty, The One who is and who was and who is to come, Because You have taken Your great power and reigned. 18The nations were angry, and Your wrath has come, And the time of the dead, that they should be judged, And that You should reward Your servants the prophets and the saints, And those who fear Your name, small and great, And should destroy those who destroy the earth.” (Revelation 11:15 – 18, NKJV)
iii) The 7th Trumpet = the Last Trumpet in which the Rapture Happens after Christ Destroys the Antichrist as explained Prior
“15For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are [d]asleep. 16For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the TRUMPET of GOD. And the dead in Christ will rise first. 17Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. 18Therefore comfort one another with these words.” (1 Thessalonians 4:15 – 17, NKJV)
“50Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; nor does corruption inherit incorruption. 51Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed— 52in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the LAST TRUMPET. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. 53For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.” (1 Corinthians 15:50 – 53, NKJV)
This ‘dead’ only refers to the ‘dead in Christ’ (1 Thessalonians 4:13, 16) and refers to the First Resurrection (Revelation 20:4 – 6) apart from the alive ones who are Raptured as described in Verses above as the Rapture only happens after the First Resurrection (1 Thessalonians 4:15, 17) for that “Millennial Reign Age/Aeon = 1000 Years” in Christ’s Own Most Blessed Words below:
“34Jesus answered and said to them, “The sons of this age marry and are given in marriage. 35But those who are counted worthy to attain that age, and the resurrection from the dead, neither marry nor are given in marriage; 36nor can they die anymore, for they are equal to the angels and are sons of God, being sons of the resurrection.” (Luke 20:34 – 36, NKJV):
Conclusion
There are only “Seven Trumpets” mentioned in the Book of Revelation and so The 7th Trumpet = the Last Trumpet Which clearly Sounds at the “Rapture”. The above is a well known explanation, to quote:
“… Christians who follow the Posttribulation rapture doctrine, argue that the seventh trumpet is the last trumpet mentioned in I Corinthians 15:52,[19] and that there is a strong correlation between the events mentioned in Isaiah 27:13,[20] Matthew 24:29-31,[21] and I Thessalonians 4:16.[22] These parallels are used to support the doctrine of the rapture occurring after the tribulation. Therefore, Posttribulationists see the rapture happening during the seventh trumpet. The nature of the 7th trumpet shows that “time is no more, and that the mystery of God is finished, Rev. 10:6,7. At the 7th trumpet, Jesus rules and reigns forevermore,[23] He has taken His great power and reigned,[24] and He rewards the righteous, and judges the wicked. …”
Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seven_trumpets
More related Reading:
https://web.facebook.com/jonathan.ramachandran/posts/10159510723492784
Peace to you
Aeon/Age/Olam used to Denote Exactly 1000 Years by Christ Himself and so it is NOT always forever
“Millennial Reign Age/Aeon = 1000 Years” in Christ’s Own Most Blessed Words below:
“34Jesus answered and said to them, “The sons of this age marry and are given in marriage. 35But those who are counted worthy to attain that age, and the resurrection from the dead, neither marry nor are given in marriage; 36nor can they die anymore, for they are equal to the angels and are sons of God, being sons of the resurrection.” (Luke 20:34 – 36, NKJV)
That Age/Aeon is referring to this “First Resurrection Age”:
“And I saw thrones, and they sat on them, and judgment was committed to them. Then I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for their witness to Jesus and for the word of God, who had not worshiped the beast or his image, and had not received his mark on their foreheads or on their hands. And they lived and reigned with Christ for a thousand years. 5But the rest of the dead did not live again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection. 6Blessed and holy is he who has part in the first resurrection. Over such the second death has no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with Him a thousand years.” (Revelation 20:4 – 6, NKJV)
This “age to come” where “those worthy” (among Christians) attain to “age-during life” as the ‘same word’ is used as a noun and adjective to describe this ‘same 1000 Years Millennial Reign Time Period’ may be referred to by Christ in Verses below Proving this Definition as “possibly” most accurate, to quote:
“who shall not receive a hundredfold now in this time—houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions—and in the age [Aeon-Noun ]to come, eternal [Aeonian-Adjective] life.” – Most Blessed Lord Jesus Christ (Mark 10:30, NKJV)
and
“who shall not receive many times more in this present time, and in the age [Aeon] to come eternal [Aeonian] life.””(Luke 18:30, NKJV)
[Emphasis Mine]
Summary
“… 35But those who are counted worthy to attain that age, and the resurrection from the dead …” (Luke 20:35) = “… . And they lived and reigned with Christ for a thousand years. 5But the rest of the dead did not live again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection. …” (Revelation 20:4 – 5) = “and in the age to come, eternal life.” (Mark 10:30) = “and in the age to come eternal life.” (Luke 18:30)
This is the Same “Aeon” (Greek) or “Olam” (Hebrew) Word found in these Verses too:
“And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, Some to everlasting [Olam] life, Some to shame and everlasting [Olam] contempt.” (Daniel 12:2, NKJV)
“And these will go away into everlasting [Aeonian] punishment, but the righteous [Aeonian] into eternal life.” (Matthew 25:46, NKJV)
First Christianity Defined the ‘Eternal Life’ (equivalent term ‘Zoe Aionion, Matthew 25:46’) if it refers to the ‘Same Life after Partaking of the Tree of Life’ (Genesis 3:22, or in Revelation 2:7) as ‘Exactly 1000 years Time Period of His Millennial Reign where only Christians will be Resurrected’ (Revelation 20:4 – 6).
Says who?
One of the First kings of Christian Theology and a leading Marytr after the Apostles themselves, St. Justin Martyr below:
“… Now we have understood that the expression used among these words, ‘According to the days of the tree[of life] shall be the days of my people; the works of their toil shall abound’ obscurely predicts a thousand years. For as Adam was told that in the nay fie ate of the tree he would die, we know that he did not complete a thousand years. We have perceived, moreover, that the expression, ‘The day of the Lord is as a thousand years,’ is connected with this subject…” ) – Blessed St. Justin Martyr, a Great Early Christian Apologist who is a Foremost Exponent of the Divine Word, who Influenced Virtually all of subsequent Christian philosophy and Catholic theology, Martyr for Christ (c. 100 AD – c. 160 AD) (c. 100 AD – c. 160 AD, ‘Dialogue with Trypho’, CHAPTER LXXX)
Source: http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/text/justinmartyr-dialoguetrypho.htm
Proof Quote:
“According to the days of the tree[of life] shall be the days of my people; the works of their toil shall abound’ obscurely predicts a thousand years.” – St. Justin Martyr
Not only him, but the king of Orthodoxy after him who was sent by God to correct even the Roman Church at that time testifies to this same definition that the “days of the tree of life” (Olam or Aeon or Age-during) refers exactly to this ‘1000 years only and not forever’.
Please note carefully that ‘sinners’ (mortals) are still present on earth during that time and Judgment Day & the Lake of Fire Judgment is only ‘after’ this ‘1000 years Aeonian Life’ is finished with the Tree of Life, to quote from a previous write up:
Does it mean that after the 1000 years, they die?
No, they obtain “Immortality” (an entirely different word in New Testament Greek) but only after that 1000 years part as part of the ‘Glorification Process’, to quote (this fine detail explanation from First Christianity):
Yes, it’s during the 1000 years Millennial Reign of Christ (Revelation 20:4 – 6) alongside ‘sinful’ mortals too though the ‘First Resurrection ones’ (Sheepfold1, Christians) never sin again nor marry (Luke 20:35 – 36), to quote:
” Also there shall not be there any immature [one], nor an old man who does not fulfil his time: for the youth shall be of a hundred years; and the sinner shall die a hundred years old, yet shall be accursed. And they shall build houses, and inhabit them themselves; and shall plant vineyards, and eat the fruit of them themselves, and shall drink wine. And they shall not build, and others inhabit; neither shall they prepare the vineyard, and others eat. For as the days of the tree of life shall be the days of the people in thee; for the works of their hands shall endure.”– Blessed St. Irenaeous, Bishop of Lyons, a Hearer of Blessed St. Polycarp the Disciple of Blessed St. John who wrote the Book of Revelation (‘Against Heresies’, Book 5)
Please note this phrase carefully from the above which proves that the ‘fruit of the Tree of Life’ gives ‘age-during (Aeonian life)’ for ‘a thousand years and NOT forever’:
“For as the days of the tree of life shall be the days of the people in thee;” – St. Irenaeous
Please note that the phrase ‘immortality is conferred also’ in the quote below proofs that these ones do not die after the ‘age-during length of days due to the Tree of Life’:
“As we at once perceive that the Creator (Demiurgo) is in this passage represented as vivifying our dead bodies, and promising resurrection to them, and resuscitation from their sepulchres and tombs, conferring upon them immortality also (He says, “For as the tree of life, so shall their days be” ), He is shown to be the only God who accomplishes these things, and as Himself the good Father, benevolently conferring life upon those who have not life from themselves.” – St. Irenaeous of Lyons (c. 130 AD – c. 202 AD, ‘Against Heresies’, Book 5)
Translation source for St. Irenaeous’ quotes above:
http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/text/irenaeus-book5.html
Conclusion – First Christianity Taught the Concept of “Ages (Aeons) to Come” literally (Ephesians 2:7)
Example: from the Testimony of Blessed St. Ireneaous of Lyons
“… we [True Christians] ourselves, when at the giving of thanks we pronounce the words, “To Aeons of Aeons” [Revelation 20:10] do set forth these Aeons. And, in fine, wherever the words Aeon or Aeons occur, they at once refer them to these beings.” – Blessed St. Irenaeous, Bishop of Lyons, a Hearer of Blessed St. Polycarp the Disciple of Blessed St. John who wrote the Book of Revelation (c. 130 AD – c. 202 AD, ‘Against Heresies’, Chapter III, Book I)
Translation Source:
http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/text/irenaeus-book1.html
The quote above is from Page 1282 from this book:
Click the button above to Download as PDFClick the button above to Download as in Google Book App
And here’s a quote from Page 1045 in this book from the ‘Mysterious Lost Writings of Blessed St. Ireneaeous of Lyons’ who was the last link to First Apostolic Christianity:
And What God’s Will is in the Ages (Aeons)?
“… Christ, who was called the Son of God before the ages [Aeons], was manifested in the fulness of time, in order that He might cleanse us through His blood, who were under the power of sin, presenting us as pure sons to His Father, if we yield ourselves obediently to the chastisement of the Spirit. And in the end of time He shall come to do away with all evil, and to reconcile all things [Colossians 1:16, 20], in order that there may be an end of all impurities. … ” – Blessed St. Irenaeous, Bishop of Lyons, a Hearer of Blessed St. Polycarp the Disciple of Blessed St. John who wrote the Book of Revelation (c. 130 AD – c. 202 AD, Fragment XXXIX, FRAGMENTS FROM THE LOST WRITINGS OF IRENAEUS)
Translation Source:
http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/text/irenaeus-fragments.html
Regarding Blessed St. Ireneaous of Lyons who is often quoted as the ‘Demonstration of the Apostolic Preaching’ by many conventional scholars from the Roman Catholics to Protestantism too: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Irenaeus
This ‘Elect Salvation’ and ‘non-Elect Salvation’ (including for the Wicked or His enemies being made subject to Him may also be echoed by this undisputed Great Saint in First Christianity likewise), to quote:
“… The command of circumcision, again, bidding [them] always circumcise the children on the eighth day, was a type of the true circumcision, by which we are circumcised from deceit and iniquity through Him who rose from the dead on the first day after the Sabbath, [namely through] our Lord Jesus Christ. For the first day after the Sabbath, remaining the first of all the days, is called, however, the eighth, according to the number of all the days of the cycle, and [yet] remains the first. “Moreover, the prescription that twelve bells be attached to the [robe] of the high priest, which hung down to the feet, was a symbol of the twelve apostles, who depend on the power of Christ, the eternal Priest; and through their voice it is that all the earth has been filled with the glory and grace of God and of His Christ. Wherefore David also says: ‘Their sound has gone forth into all the earth, and their words to the ends of the world.’ And Isaiah speaks as if he were personating the apostles, when they say to Christ that they believe not in their own report, but in the power of Him who sent them. And so he says: ‘Lord, who hath believed our report? and to whom is the arm of the Lord revealed? We have preached before Him as if [He were] a child, as if a root in a dry ground.’ (And what follows in order of the prophecy already quoted.) But when the passage speaks as from the lips of many, ‘We have preached before Him,’ and adds, ‘as if a child,’ it signifies that the wicked shall become subject to Him, and shall obey His command, and that all shall become as one child. Such a thing as you may witness in the body: although the members are enumerated as many, all are called one, and are a body. For, indeed, a commonwealth and a church, though many individuals in number, are in fact as one, called and addressed by one appellation. And in short, sirs,” said I, “by enumerating all the other appointments of Moses I can demonstrate that they were types, and symbols, and declarations of those things which would happen to Christ, of those who it was foreknown were to believe in Him, and of those things which would also be done by Christ Himself. But since what I have now enumerated appears to me to be sufficient, I revert again to the order of the discourse.” – Blessed St. Justin Martyr, a Great Early Christian Apologist who is a Foremost Exponent of the Divine Word, who Influenced Virtually all of subsequent Christian philosophy and Catholic theology, Martyr for Christ (c. 100 AD – c. 160 AD, CHAPTER XLI & CHAPTER XLII, ‘Dialogue with Trypho’)
Source: http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/text/justinmartyr-dialoguetrypho.html
Please also notice ‘carefully’ how Blessed St. Justin Martyr distinguishes the Church as One Body vs the Wicked converted as ‘One Child’ as two different entities as follows:
- i) The Wicked becoming Obedient/Subjected – as One Child – The “non-Elect Salvation” as per “all His Enemies” (1 Corinthians 15:25) in the End till God becomes All in All (1 Corinthians 15:24 – 28)
“…We have preached before Him as if [He were] a child, as if a root in a dry ground.’ (And what follows in order of the prophecy already quoted.) But when the passage speaks as from the lips of many, ‘We have preached before Him,’ and adds, ‘as if a child,’ it signifies that the wicked shall become subject to Him, and shall obey His command, and that all shall become as one child … and of those things which would also be done by Christ Himself …” – Blessed St. Justin Martyr
- ii) The Church compared as an Analogy to that – The “Elect Salvation”
“… Such a thing as you may witness in the body: although the members are enumerated as many, all are called one, and are a body. For, indeed, a commonwealth and a church, though many individuals in number, are in fact as one, called and addressed by one appellation … of those who it was foreknown were to believe in Him,…” – Blessed St. Justin Martyr
” … And Justin of Neapolis, a man who was not far separated from the apostles either in age or excellence, says that that which is mortal is inherited, but that which is immortal inherits; and that the flesh indeed dies, but the kingdom of heaven lives. …” — From METHODIUS On the Resurrection, in Photius. (Fragment V, St. Justin Martyr’s Lost Writings)
Source: http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/text/justinmartyr-fragments.html
Note: Justin of Neapolis = Blessed St. Justin Martyr
I remain in Wonder of God’s Plan of the Ages.
Peace to you
Indian Christianity Perspective – Rapture – Pre-tribulation, Mid-tribulation or Post-tribulation?
Here I present three popular Indian preachers where at least two of whom have claimed to have seen Most Blessed Lord Jesus Christ many times.
1) Dr. Paul Dhinakaran
Dr. DGS Dhinakaran’s son Dr. Paul Dhinakaran – Preaches Pre-tribulation Rapture
Example Video of Dr. Paul Dhinakaran (Head of “Jesus Calls” Ministry now in India) teaching it (some say that he cannot believe this differently from his father right?):
About Dr. Paul Dhinakaran:
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_Dhinakaran
Mrs. Choo Nam Thomas claimed likewise that Lord Jesus Christ showed her ‘Pre-tribulation Rapture’ as per her Visits to heaven (in her widely accepted book ‘Heaven is so Real’ as may have been translated by Rev. Dr. David Yonggi Cho, head of the Assemblies of God Churches, even the biggest church in the world now too) as discussed in a ‘later part’ in link below:
https://www.facebook.com/651792783/posts/10159455296362784/
2) Dr. DGS Dhinakaran
Dr. DGS Dhinakaran (Founder of “Jesus Calls” Ministry in India) – Preached Mid/Post – Tribulation Rapture (to happen within 20 to 30 years from latest 2008, because he passed away/died in 2008 – this means that Dr. DGS Dhinakaran’s Prophecy in Video implies that the Rapture must happen latest by 2038).
Example Video:
About Dr DGS Dhinakaran:
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/D._G._S._Dhinakaran
Note: This must be Mid/Post Tribulation Rapture because he describes many ‘Christians being killed first’ before that happens in Video above clearly.
Please also take note that Dr. DGS Dhinakaran has confirmed seeing Blessed Sadhu Sundar Singh saved in heaven in his book, details and proof in link below:
https://www.facebook.com/651792783/posts/10159143902292784/
A difficult thing about Dr. DGS Dhinakaran’s visit to heaven is shown in image where in his own words, he states that he has seen ‘God the Father’s Face for a fraction of a Second’ which seems difficult as discussed in the ‘later part’ in link below:
https://www.facebook.com/651792783/posts/10159516320652784/
3) Sadhu Sundar Selvaraj
Sadhu Sundar Selvaraj greatly admires the late Blessed Sadhu Sundar Singh, example quote:
“… When the Lord Jesus spoke those words he just stretched out his hands like that and there was a vast space of emptiness and from the left corner of the place that Jesus Christ was standing Moses walked in, Jeremiah the prophet walked in, then Elijah, Elisha, the Apostle Paul and Peter and the SAINT SADHU SUNDAR SINGH and Smith Wigglesworth was walked in. They came and stood by the side of the Lord Jesus Christ and the Lord Jesus said, these are the saints, I will give you a place among them if you will continue to be obedient to do my work. You see, this is what is written in Zechariah 3:5-8, when you walk the life of obedience heaven is your home. Amen …” – Sadhu Sundar Selvaraj
Source:
https://www.gospelstation.net/BibleAndTools/Wait_on_God/waiting_text_1_en.html
Sadhu Sundar Selvaraj – Preaches Post-tribulation Rapture, Example Video:
Or
About Sadhu Sundar Selvaraj:
https://www.christian-faith.com/sadhu-sundar-selvaraj/
About Blessed Sadhu Sundar Singh:
https://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Sadhu_Sundar_Singh
As usual, I present the evidence and you decide for yourselves what you wish to believe. As for me, I believe in Post-tribulation Rapture and Blessed Sadhu Sundar Singh’s Visions more than these others. Did you notice that both Dr. DGS Dhinakaran and Sadhu Sundar Selvaraj both have high regard for the Christian Universalist Blessed Sadhu Sundar Singh and obviously imply that he is Saved? Interesting Indeed.
My Beliefs for Post-tribulation Rapture as it was Taught in First Christianity even in Blessed St. Irenaeous of Lyons’ writings onward can be seen in detail in various posts below:
0) 7th Trumpet Mystery
https://www.facebook.com/651792783/posts/10159511577422784/
Or
https://www.facebook.com/651792783/posts/10159510723492784/
Or
https://www.facebook.com/651792783/posts/10159465864192784/
Or more details:
- i) Pre-Tribulation Rapture Impossibility?
https://web.facebook.com/jonathan.ramachandran/posts/10159456468237784
- ii) Sola Scriptura – No Rapture Theory in Christianity
https://web.facebook.com/jonathan.ramachandran/posts/10159455296362784
iii) Overcomers without Pre-Tribulation Rapture
https://web.facebook.com/jonathan.ramachandran/posts/10159459809557784
- iv) First Christianity – did anyone Teach Pre-tribulation Rapture Theory?
https://web.facebook.com/jonathan.ramachandran/posts/10159460167692784
- v) Rapture – Left Behind last chance Theory
https://www.facebook.com/jonathan.ramachandran/posts/10159462141417784
- vi) Christ’s Own Words Explain the Rapture
https://www.facebook.com/jonathan.ramachandran/posts/10159465616907784
vii) Example of other Christians in Malaysia believing in “Post-tribulation Rapture”
https://christianitymalaysia.com/wp/rapture-before-tribulation
ABOUT the Author for the Article in link above: Dr Lim Poh Ann is a medical practitioner. He was the former editor of Asian Beacon magazine (December 2008 – October 2011)
Peace to you
Pre-Tribulation Rapture in First Christianity?
Question
The image shows proof that the ‘Pre-Tribulation Rapture’ Theory was believed by some early Christians.
Reply
Here’s a simple “Biblical” logic: If the Rapture occurred before the Final Tribulation, who is the Antichrist “anti” or persecuting then since all the remaining ones are on his camp?
Also, Revelation 20:4 – 6 clearly mentions ‘Priests of God’ who will be chosen from among those who ‘did not receive the mark of the beast & were killed/beheaded during the Antichrist’s Reign itself’ – so is there ‘Christian Salvation’ after the Rapture? If so, this contradicts 1 Thessalonians 4:15 which clearly states that ‘the First Resurrection of the Dead in Christ must happen first’ (1 Thessalonians 4:16) before the Rapture for those Christians who are alive (1 Thessalonians 4:17).
Now, if the ‘dead in Christ who did not receive the mark of the beast & were beheaded’ rising ‘after’ the Great Tribulation in Revelation 20:4 – 6 is ‘another resurrection’ different from the ‘dead in Christ Rise First’ (1 Thessalonians 4:16) which occurs ‘before the Rapture’ (1 Thessalonians 4:15), then Revelation 20:4 – 6 should be called the ‘Second Resurrection’ right? Contradiction again.
Regarding the quotes in image, please consider:
1) Shepherd of Hermas Quote in image
Among first Christianity writings, pre-tribulation rapture theorists claim that St. Irenaeous of Lyons, the Shepherd of Hermas and the Apocalypse of Elijah taught Pre-Tribulation Rapture Doctrine. Is this true?
Too much details, but it is refuted in link below:
https://web.facebook.com/jonathan.ramachandran/posts/10159460167692784
2) St. Cyprian’s Quote in image
Blessed St. Cyprian is not teaching pre-tribulation rapture either in his quote in image but that it is better that one dies before the Great Tribulation occurs itself.
3) St. Ephrem’s quote in image
Even the Pseudo-Ephraim quote you have does not prove Rapture as it is not quoted in full nor accurately discussed with ‘other quotes’ from this same manuscript, to quote:
Pseudo-Ephraem teaches that Christians escape tribulation by death not rapture!
Saints escape tribulation by death not rapture:
“For all the saints and elect of God are gathered, prior to the tribulation that is to come, and are taken to the Lord lest they see the confusion that is to overwhelm the world because of our sins.” (Latin Pseudo-Ephraem)
or
“Pronouncing the good fortune of the deceased Who had avoided the calamity: ‘Blessed are you for you were borne away (to the grave) And hence you escaped from the afflictions!” (Syraic Pseudo-Ephraem)
Source (with detailed explanation):
https://www.bible.ca/rapture-pseudo-ephraem-latin-syraic-texts.htm
Conclusion
If any of these quotes mean as they are misrepresented or ‘not accurately translated’ as demonstrated in that book in image, then the Roman Catholics and Eastern Orthodox themselves who revere these writings will have at least some pre-tribulation rapture believers among them which is certainly not the case either as discussed in posts below:
- i) Sola Scriptura – No [Pre-Tribulation] Rapture Theory in Christianity
https://web.facebook.com/jonathan.ramachandran/posts/10159455296362784
- ii) Did St. Ireneaous of Lyons believe in Pre-Tribulation Rapture?
https://web.facebook.com/jonathan.ramachandran/posts/10159508215297784
iii) Rapture before the Tribulation?
https://christianitymalaysia.com/wp/rapture-before-tribulation/
Peace to you
Sadhu Sundar Singh – A Mysterious Christian
- Regarding Sundar Singh’s Gift of Spiritual Ecstasy
“… To the Sadhu, as has been already indicated, the great source of illumination, solace and physical refreshment is the recurrent state of Ecstasy in which he feels him
self caught up to what he believes to be the place alluded to by St. Paul as “the third heaven” (II Cor. xii. 2). “I never try to go into Ecstasy; nor do I advise other people to try. It is a gift to be accepted, but it should not be sought; if given, it is a pearl of great price. During the fourteen years of my life as a sadhu there have been many times when, suffering from hunger, thirst or persecution, I might have been tempted to give it up but for the gift of these times of Ecstasy, but these I would not give up for the whole world. Clearly, a study of the Sadhu s religion would be gravely misleading which did not include an account of experiences to which he himself attaches such importance. Equally clearly the attempt to give one raises grave difficulties. Educated people, unless indeed they have studied the lives of the Mystics, are apt to question the mental balance of any one who not only sees Visions, but takes them seriously. The uneducated, on the other hand, especially in the East, may be inclined to regard both the seer and his revelations with that kind of superstitious veneration which the Sadhu himself is studiously anxious to preclude. The Sadhu is quite alive to the danger. In public addresses he never alludes to his Visions ; he only mentions them, and that but rarely, when speaking to friends whose discernment and discretion he trusts. Giving an explanation of a certain religious difficulty 1 he remarked, “This is a thing I often say in preaching, but I never say that I heard it in an Ecstasy, because people would not understand what I meant without long and elaborate explanation.” Similarly, after attempting to give us an account of the things he had seen, he explained St. Paul s reticence about what he saw in the Third Heaven. “St. Paul was afraid people would misunderstand his meaning; and that is why he spoke of the experience as if it had been not his own but somebody elses, saying, I know a man in Christ who/ This was because he knew that, if he spoke of the Visions as his own, people would have come and bothered him by asking foolish questions, and would have misunderstood the answers he had given them.” . . . “lie was very wise not to try and tell them,” added the Sadhu, with a smile that possibly expressed a half misgiving that he had been wiser had he imitated the Apostle’s silence. …” – The Message of Sundar Singh (Pages 86 – 87)
Source:
https://archive.org/stream/themessageofsadh00streuoft/themessageofsadh00streuoft_djvu.txt
- Sundar Singh doesn’t like to talk about the miracles much – Why?
“… his ministry was accompanied by very spectacular miracles, he did not pay much attention … Sundar Singh decided to stop exercising the gift, as ‘it would encourage superstition and distract from the Gospel … ” Simon Chan’s Book Titled (Pentecostal Theology and the Christian Spiritual Tradition, Page 66)
Source:
https://www.amazon.com/s?k=9781610970846&i=stripbooks&linkCode=qs
Many people claim to have experienced miracles but not many have a person who once was their enemy or tried to kill them testify to it. Example: His own brother Rajender Singh who once tried to kill him testified to ‘many miracles’ God has Done through Sadhu Sundar Singh:
“… He asked that whosoever is the ‘True God’ would appear before him, or else he would kill himself; that very night he had a vision of Jesus. Sundar announced to his father, Sher Singh, that henceforth he would get converted into the missionary work of Christ. His father officially rejected him, and his brother Rajender Singh attempted to poison him. He was not poisoned just once but a number of times. People of that area threw snakes in his house, but he was rescued from mistreatment by the help of a nearby British Christian. … In the early 1940s, Bishop Augustine Peters, another converted missionary from South India, sought out Singh’s brother Rajender, led him to the Christian faith and baptised him in Punjab. Rajender Singh referred to many reputed miracles performed by Singh and people converted to Christ under his ministry …” – Wikipedia
Source: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sadhu_Sundar_Singh
Conclusion – Art of Perfection of Faith
Why do I believe in Blessed Sadhu Sundar Singh’s Spirit World Visions?
Among some of the modern times who have claimed to have seen Christ, he is one of the only ones I know of who did not carry any money at all and did not live by a support of any Church truly just walking out & living the Gospel as per Christ’s Perfection Command (Matthew 19:21) as Fulfilled by His Apostles too (Matthew 19:27 – 30) with plenty of miracles before disappearing into the Himalayas never to be seen again (no cult leader or heretic can ever imitate ‘no money, no support sincere faith lifestyle’):
“… Or perhaps it is partly the result of still living in the body, but I wish it were not so. Before the fast, I suffered also from other temptations. When suffering from hunger and thirst, I used to complain, and to ask why the Lord did not provide. He had told me not to take any money with me. If I had taken money I could have bought what I needed. Since the fast, however, when overtaken by physical hardships, I say, It is my Father’s will, perhaps I have done something to deserve it. Again before the fast, I was sometimes tempted to give up the life of a sadhu with its hardships, to go back to the luxury of my father s house, to get married and live in comfort. Could I not be a good Christian and live a life of communion with God there also? But then I saw that, though it was no sin for others to live in com fort and have money and home, God s call for me was different; and the gift of Ecstasy which he had given me is better than any home. Here I find wonderful joys which transcend all others. My real marriage is with Christ. I do not say that marriage is not good for others. If I am already bound to Christ, how can I marry another ? …” – Blessed Sadhu Sundar Singh (Pages 23 – 24)
Source [The Message of Sundar Singh]:
https://archive.org/stream/themessageofsadh00streuoft/themessageofsadh00streuoft_djvu.txt
Peace to you
Third Heaven Mystery
Question
Apostle Paul said that he ‘knew a man who was caught up in the Third Heaven’ clearly referring to someone else and not himself in 2 Corinthians 12:2. So, how can Sadhu Sundar Singh be telling that it was Apostle Paul himself?
Reply
If Sadhu Sundar Singh lied, then all these Great Christians of First Christianity lied to regarding the claim that ‘it was actually Apostle Paul himself’. to quote (please compare these):
1) Blessed Sadhu Sundar Singh
“… To the Sadhu, as has been already indicated, the great source of illumination, solace and physical refreshment is the recurrent state of Ecstasy in which he feels him self caught up to what he believes to be the place alluded to by St. Paul as “the third heaven” (II Cor. xii. 2). “I never try to go into Ecstasy; nor do I advise other people to try. It is a gift to be accepted, but it should not be sought; … Similarly, after attempting to give us an account of the things he had seen, he explained St. Paul’s reticence about what he saw in the Third Heaven. “St. Paul was afraid people would misunderstand his meaning; and that is why he spoke of the experience as if it had been not his own but somebody elses, saying, I know a man in Christ who/ This was because he knew that, if he spoke of the Visions as his own, people would have come and bothered him by asking foolish questions, and would have misunderstood the answers he had given them.” . . . “lie was very wise not to try and tell them,” added the Sadhu, with a smile that possibly expressed a half misgiving that he had been wiser had he imitated the Apostle’s silence. …” – The Message of Sundar Singh (Pages 86 – 87)
Source:
https://archive.org/stream/themessageofsadh00streuoft/themessageofsadh00streuoft_djvu.txt
2) Blessed St. John Chrysostom
“… Wherefore also he goes on to say, Of such an one will I glory; not meaning that he who was caught up was some other person, but he so frames his language in the best manner he possibly could, so as at once to mention the fact, and to avoid speaking of himself openly. For what sequence would there be in bringing some one else forward, when discoursing about himself? Wherefore then did he so put it? It was not all one to say, ‘I was caught up,’ and, I knew one that was caught up; and ‘I will glory of myself,’ and, I will glory of such an one. Now if any should say, ‘And how is it possible to be caught up without a body?’ I will ask him, ‘How is it possible to be caught up with a body?’ for this is even more inexplicable than the other, if you examine by reasonings and do not give place to faith. 2. But wherefore was he also caught up? As I think, that he might not seem to be inferior to the rest of the Apostles. For since they had companied with Christ, but Paul had not: He therefore caught up unto glory him also. Into Paradise. For great was the name of this place, and it was everywhere celebrated. Wherefore also Christ said, Today you shall be with Me in Paradise. Luke 23:43. On behalf of such an one will I glory? wherefore? For if another were caught up, wherefore do you glory? Whence it is evident that he said these things of himself. And if he added, but of myself I will not glory, he says nothing else than this, that, ‘when there is no necessity, I will say nothing of that kind fruitlessly and at random;’ or else he is again throwing obscurity over what he had said, as best he might. For that the whole discourse was about himself, what follows also clearly shows; for he went on to say, “But if I should even desire to glory, I shall not be foolish; for I shall speak the truth”. …” – Blessed St. John Chrysostom, Archbishop of Constantinople, Doctor of the Church, one of the Three Holy Hierarchs (c. 349 AD – c. 407 AD, Commentary on 2 Corinthians 12:2 – 6)
Source:
3) Direct Disciples of the Blessed Apostles and Blessed St. Ireneaous of Lyons
“… 1. [In order to learn] that bodies did continue in existence for a lengthened period, as long as it was God’s good pleasure that they should flourish, let [these heretics] read the Scriptures, and they will find that our predecessors advanced beyond seven hundred, eight hundred, and nine hundred years of age; and that their bodies kept pace with the protracted length of their days, and participated in life as long as God willed that they should live. But why do I refer to these men? For Enoch, when he pleased God, was translated in the same body in which he did please Him, thus pointing out by anticipation the translation of the just. Elijah, too, was caught up [when he was yet] in the substance of the [natural] form; thus exhibiting in prophecy the assumption of those who are spiritual, and that nothing stood in the way of their body being translated and caught up. For by means of the very same hands through which they were moulded at the beginning, did they receive this translation and assumption. For in Adam the hands of God had become accustomed to set in order, to rule, and to sustain His own workmanship, and to bring it and place it where they pleased. Where, then, was the first man placed? In paradise certainly, as the Scripture declares “And God planted a garden [paradisum] eastward in Eden, and there He placed the man whom He had formed.” And then afterwards when [man] proved disobedient, he was cast out thence into this world. Wherefore also the elders who were disciples of the apostles tell us that those who were translated were transferred to that place (for paradise has been prepared for righteous men, such as have the Spirit; in which place also Paul the apostle, when he was caught up, heard words which are unspeakable as regards us in our present condition ), and that there shall they who have been translated remain until the consummation [of all things], as a prelude to immortality. …” – Blessed St. Irenaeous of Lyons, Hearer of St. Polycarp, Bishop of Smryna, who is also an Apostolic Father being the Disciple of the Blessed St. John the Apostle (c. 130 AD – c. 202 AD, ‘Against Heresies’, Book 5, Chapter V, Point 1)
Source: http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/text/irenaeus-book5.html
Please notice carefully the phrases “… in which place also Paul the apostle, when he was caught up, heard words which are unspeakable as regards us in our present condition ) …” and “… Wherefore also the elders who were disciples of the apostles tell us that …” implies that this is not ‘St. Irenaeous’ opinion’ but something that was Taught directly by the very ‘direct disciples of the Blessed Apostles of Christ themselves’.
Therefore, I would learn to guard my tongue and be fascinated by this Mystery rather than risk ‘mouthing which can condemn me’. Indeed, such a Mystery fulfills the Verse below which clearly implies that ‘especially the Secret of the Kingdom of Heaven Type of Knowledge’ (was not Written in the Bible – for if it was so, it would not be a Secret but was Given to the Apostles & their most Trusted Successors):
“… “Because it has been given to you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given. …” – Most Blessed Lord Jesus Christ (Matthew 13:8, NKJV)
Another Example post discussing such ‘Secrets’ (it’s only a loss to those ‘who don’t know’ about it – we will see whether ‘all these Church Leaders of First Christianity lied or spoke the Truth’):
https://web.facebook.com/jonathan.ramachandran/posts/10159512904322784
Peace to you
Blessed St. Ignatius of Antioch the Disciple of Blessed St. John the Apostle
Who is he?
“… Ignatius of Antioch (/ɪɡˈneɪʃəs/; Greek: Ἰγνάτιος Ἀντιοχείας, Ignátios Antiokheías; died c. 108/140 AD),[3][4][7][8][9] also known as Ignatius Theophorus (Ιγνάτιος ὁ Θεοφόρος, Ignátios ho Theophóros, lit. “the God-bearing”) or Ignatius Nurono (lit. “The fire-bearer”), was an early Christian writer and bishop of Antioch. While en route to Rome, where he met his martyrdom, Ignatius wrote a series of letters. This correspondence now forms a central part of a later collection of works known to be authored by the Apostolic Fathers. He is considered to be one of the three most important of these, together with Pope Clement I and Polycarp. …” – Wikipedia
Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ignatius_of_Antioch
Here are two rarely known quotes by Blessed St. Ignatius of Antioch which may point toward the Christ Centered Universalism Hope:
1) John 12:32 Meaning
“And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to Myself.” – Most Blessed Lord Jesus Christ (John 12:32, NASB)
Note: The actual Biblical Koine Greek Word for John 12:32 only has the phrase “Draw All” and not “Draw All Men” which implies a more wholistic impact of Christ’s Redemption toward Creation as well or it’s a shorthand to refer to “all men” (as it’s done say in possibly 1 Timothy 2:6, only God Alone knows which He Means) but Bible translators often translate it as “All Men” because that’s how even the “Apostolic Fathers” of the Church especially the ones who were direct disciples of the Blessed Apostles of Christ Himself wrote it when quoting John 12:32 as seen in the example next.
Christ Draws (Drags as in Catching Fish in a Net as it means in Koine Greek) ‘All Men’ as St. Ignatius applies the General Word ‘Draw All’ or ‘Draw All things’ in John 12:32 to the Subset of ‘All Men’ as follows:
“… and once more, “If I be lifted up from the earth, I will draw all men unto Me [John 12:32].” The Word therefore did dwell in flesh, for “Wisdom built herself an house.” The Word raised up again His own temple on the third day, when it had been destroyed by the Jews fighting against Christ. The Word, when His flesh was lifted up, after the manner of the brazen serpent in the wilderness [John 3:14], drew all men to Himself for their eternal salvation [John 12:32]…” – Blessed St. Ignatius, Bishop of Antioch, nicknamed ‘God-Bearing’, An Apostolic Father being the direct Disciple of the Blessed Apostle St. John, Martyr for Christ (c. 35 AD – c. 108 AD, Epistle to the Smyrnaeans, Chapter II)
Source: http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/text/ignatius-smyrnaeans-longer.html
Please notice carefully that St. Ignatius mentions that this ‘Drawing of All [Men]’ by Christ in John 12:32 results in the Final Salvation of ‘All Men’, in his words, “… drew all men to Himself for their eternal salvation…” as Stated in a past tense Prophetically as a Done Reality to Him.
2) 1 Timothy 2:4, 1 Timothy 2:6, 1 Timothy 2:1 and 1 Timothy 4:10 meaning
Perfection of God Means God Saves ‘All Men’ eventually as Basic or General Salvation is likened to the ‘Rain falling both on the Just & Unjust’ and so ‘enmity on account of faith is with Love’
“… ” You ought therefore to “hate those that hate God, and to waste away [with grief] on account of His enemies.” I do not mean that you should beat them or persecute them, as do the Gentiles “that know not the Lord and God; ” but that you should regard them as your enemies, and separate yourselves from them, while yet you admonish them, and exhort them to repentance, if it may be they will hear, if it may be they will submit themselves. For our God is a lover of mankind, and “will have all men to be saved, and to come to the knowledge of the truth.” [1 Timothy 2:4] Wherefore “He makes His sun to rise upon the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust; ” of whose kindness the Lord, wishing us also to be imitators, says, “Be ye perfect, even as also your Father that is in heaven is perfect.” [Matthew 5:44 – 48]…” – Blessed St. Ignatius, Bishop of Antioch, nicknamed ‘God-Bearing’, An Apostolic Father being the direct Disciple of the Blessed Apostle St. John, Martyr for Christ (c. 35 AD – c. 108 AD, Epistle to the Philadelphians, Chapter III)
Source: http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/text/ignatius-philadelphians-longer.html
Context: The phrase “… our God is a lover of mankind, and “will have all men to be saved … His sun to rise upon the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust; …even as also your Father that is in heaven is perfect…” clearly Proves that St. Ignatius Believes that ‘All Men’ (in the Context of ‘God being a Lover of Mankind’, hence it means all human beings ever created) will be Saved eventually (as Hebrews 2:8 also implies clearly regarding 1 Corinthian 15:24 – 28 toward His Enemies too as 1 Corinthians 15:25 Mentions).
Comment: The phrase “… By their subjection, conceived as already past, is expressed the immutable power of Christ: by their subjection, as future, is signified their consummation at the end of the ages as the result of the fulness of time…” in quote below proves that Christ’s Prophetic Words can Mean being Fulfilled (as a Done Reality to Him) in the Context of Subjecting All Things to Him even though it may not be Done yet in Time now (Hebrews 2:8 at the end).
Peace to you
Bible Story – Which Old Testament is most Accurate?
[Possible Doctrinal Changes are illustrated in Image as a comparison for the Hebrew Masoretic Text vs Greek Septuagint]
Note: I’m not Roman Catholic nor Eastern Orthodox and I do not Pray to Virgin Mary nor the Saints. However, God did use them to preserve Scripture and the ancient writings well for us to read it today in the same way God used the ‘unbelieving Jews’ to preserve Scripture as well.
However, the Verse below has prophesied that some Scribes would alter some words of the Original Hebrew Scripture:
“How can you say, ‘We are wise, And the law of the LORD is with us’? Look, the false pen of the scribe certainly works falsehood.” (Jeremiah 8:8, NKJV)
So, before condemning the Septuagint as corrupted (as the arguments can go both ways), please consider these facts:
- a) Christ quoted the Septuagint and not the Masoretic?
Comparison of slight differences in these Preserved Texts, please consider:
“… For those who may not know, the Septuagint was the Greek translation of the Hebrew Old Testament. The common abbreviation for it—LXX, or the Roman numerals for 70—come from a legend that the first part of the Septuagint was done by 70 translators. By the first century, the LXX was the Bible of Greek-speaking Jews and so was the most frequently used version of the Old Testament in the early Church. … here is an example where the Greek gospels present Jesus as quoting the Septuagint: In Mark 7:6–7, Jesus quotes the LXX of Isaiah 29:13 when he says, “Well did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written, ‘This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me; in vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines the precepts of men.’” …”
- b) Has ever the Septuagint proved more accurate than the Original Claimed “Masorectic ” Hebrew Text?
How is this possible? It is believed that the Hebrew Text used by the translators of the Septuagint may have used an ‘Earlier more reliable Original Hebrew Text’ where the later preserved one called the ‘Masoretic Text’ (used by say the King James Version translators) may have undergone some ‘edits’ as per Jeremiah 8:8’s Prophecy. Notice that the oldest Masoretic Texts only date to about 9th Century while the LXX or Septuagint are quoted by the New Testament authors too. Hence the Original Hebrew Text at the time of the New Testament could differ from the Masoretic Text in some parts as the Septuagint suggests but the debate is ongoing and no one can prove either way for certain.
Regarding the Masorectic Text:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Masoretic_Text
Regarding the Septuagint :
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Septuagint
Example, to quote:
“… An interesting case in point is the citation of Isa 7.14, the famous words of the prophet Isaiah to Ahaz, in Matt 1.23:
Hebrew: “Behold, the young woman [‘almah] shall conceive.”
Septuagint: “Behold, the virgin [parthenos] shall conceive.”
Matthew 1.23: “Behold, the virgin [parthenos] shall conceive.” …”
Source: https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/what-is-the-septuagint/
Note: This was first pointed out by Blessed St. Irenaeous of Lyons, a Hearer of Blessed St. Polycarp who is an Apostolic Father being the Disciple of Blessed St. John who wrote the Book of Revelation (c. 130 AD – c. 202 AD, ‘Against Heresies’, Book 3, Chapter IX, Point 2) in link below: Source: http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/text/irenaeus-book3.html
- c) Why do the Eastern Orthodox Christians prefer the Septuagint?
http://orthochristian.com/81224.html
Continued from the above:
- d) Does the KJV have missing Verses too?
“… In addition to these intentional changes by Hebrew scribes, there also appear to be a number of accidental changes which they allowed to creep into the Hebrew text. For example, consider Psalm 145 . . . Psalm 145 is an acrostic poem. Each line of the Psalm starts with a successive letter of the Hebrew alphabet. Yet in the Masoretic Text, one of the lines is completely missing: Yet the Septuagint (LXX) Greek translation of the Old Testament does include the missing verse. And when that verse is translated back into Hebrew, it starts with the Hebrew letter נ (nun) which was missing from the Masoretic Text. In the early 20th century, the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered in caves near Qumran. They revealed an ancient Hebrew textual tradition which differed from the tradition preserved by the Masoretes. Written in Hebrew, copies of Psalm 145 were found which include the missing verse: The missing verse reads, “The Lord is faithful in His words and holy in all His works.” This verse can be found in the Orthodox Study Bible, which relies on the Septuagint. But this verse is absent from the King James Version (KJV), the New King James Version (NKJV), the Complete Jewish Bible, and every other translation which is based on the Masoretic Text….”
Source:
https://theorthodoxlife.wordpress.com/2012/03/12/masoretic-text-vs-original-hebrew/
- e) Testimony of the Masoretic Jewish Scribes themselves
“… Many people believe that the ancient Hebrew text of Scripture was divinely preserved for many centuries, and was ultimately recorded in what we now call the “Masoretic Text”. But what did the Masoretes themselves believe? Did they believe they were perfectly preserving the ancient text? Did they even think they had received a perfect text to begin with? History says “no” . . .Scribal emendations – Tikkune Soferim . Early rabbinic sources, from around 200 CE, mention several passages of Scripture in which the conclusion is inevitable that the ancient reading must have differed from that of the present text. . . . Rabbi Simon ben Pazzi (3rd century) calls these readings “emendations of the Scribes” (tikkune Soferim; Midrash Genesis Rabbah xlix. 7), assuming that the Scribes actually made the changes. This view was adopted by the later Midrash and by the majority of Masoretes. In other words, the Masorites themselves felt they had received a partly corrupted text. A stream cannot rise higher than its source. If the texts they started with were corrupted, then even a perfect transmission of those texts would only serve to preserve the mistakes. Even if the Masoretes demonstrated great care when copying the texts, their diligence would not bring about the correction of even one error. …”
Source:
https://theorthodoxlife.wordpress.com/2012/03/12/masoretic-text-vs-original-hebrew/
- f) Excluding Books of Scripture from the Old Testament
“… The Masoretic Text promotes a canon of the Old Testament which is significantly shorter than the canon represented by the Septuagint. Meanwhile, Orthodox Christians and Catholics have Bibles which incorporate the canon of the Septuagint. The books of Scripture found in the Septuagint, but not found in the Masoretic Text, are commonly called either the Deuterocanon or the anagignoskomena. While it is outside the scope of this article to perform an in-depth study of the canon of Scripture, a few points relevant to the Masoretic Text should be made here: With the exception of two books, the Deuterocanon was originally written in Hebrew. In three places, the Talmud explicitly refers to the book of Sirach as “Scripture”. Jesus celebrated Hanukkah, a feast which originates in the book of 1 Maccabees, and nowhere else in the Old Testament. The New Testament book of Hebrews recounts the stories of multiple Old Testament saints, including a reference to martyrs in the book of 2 Maccabees. The book of Wisdom includes a striking prophecy of Christ, and its fulfillment is recorded in Matthew 27. Numerous findings among the Dead Sea Scrolls suggest the existence of 1st century Jewish communities which accepted many of the Deuterocanonical books as authentic Scripture. Many thousands of 1st-century Christians were converts from Judaism. The early Church accepted the inspiration of the Deuterocanon, and frequently quoted authoritatively from books such as Wisdom, Sirach, and Tobit. This early Christian practice suggests that many Jews accepted these books, even prior to their conversion to Christianity. Ethiopian Jews preserved the ancient Jewish acceptance of the Septuagint, including much of its canon of Scripture. Sirach, Judith, Baruch, and Tobit are among the books included in the canon of the Ethiopian Jews.
These reasons, among others, suggest the existence of a large 1st-century Jewish community which accepted the Deuterocanon as inspired Scripture. …”
Source:
https://theorthodoxlife.wordpress.com/2012/03/12/masoretic-text-vs-original-hebrew/
- g) Testimony of Blessed St. Justin Martyr
“… In the 2nd century A.D., hundreds of years before the time of the Masoretes, Justin Martyr investigated a number of Old Testament texts in various Jewish synagogues. He ultimately concluded that the Jews who had rejected Christ had also rejected the Septuagint, and were now tampering with the Hebrew Scriptures themselves:
“But I am far from putting reliance in your teachers, who refuse to admit that the interpretation made by the seventy elders who were with Ptolemy [king] of the Egyptians is a correct one; and they attempt to frame another. And I wish you to observe, that they have altogether taken away many Scriptures from the [Septuagint] translations effected by those seventy elders who were with Ptolemy, and by which this very man who was crucified is proved to have been set forth expressly as God, and man, and as being crucified, and as dying” (~150 A.D., Justin Martyr, Dialogue with Trypho the Jew, Chapter LXXI)
If Justin Martyr’s findings are correct, then it is likely that the Masoretes inherited a Hebrew textual tradition which had already been corrupted with an anti-Christian bias. …”
Source:
https://theorthodoxlife.wordpress.com/2012/03/12/masoretic-text-vs-original-hebrew/
- h) Example of Differences
“… I offer here ten New Testament quotes in which the Jewish Septuagint most directly contradicts the new Masoretic version:
Matthew in 1:23 of his gospel quoted the pivotal prophecy of Isaiah 7:14 that the “virgin” will conceive a child, referring to Jesus. As the Masorete scholars had it, a “maiden” will conceive, avoiding the obvious Hebrew word for “virgin.”
In Luke 4:18, Jesus quotes the crucial gospel passage of Isaiah 61:1, “The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me to preach the gospel to the poor …” As Jesus quotes it and as the Jewish Septuagint reads, this passage includes “recovering of sight to the blind,” a phrase the Masoretes did not include in their text. Then as Jesus quotes it and as the Jewish Septuagint reads, the verse ends with, “let the oppressed go free.” The Masoretic ends instead with, “release to the prisoners.”
In Acts 7:14, Luke quotes the Jewish Septuagint saying Jacob had 75 descendents. The Masorete compilers gave him 70 descendents in their version.
In Acts 15:16-18, James the brother of Jesus quotes Amos 9:11-12 from the Jewish Septuagint, stating that other nations than Israel may seek the Lord. The Masoretes rendered Amos 9:11-12 as saying the house of David (Israel) will possess the nations, entirely robbing the text of the meaning which James quoted.
In Romans 9:33, Paul quotes Isaiah 28:16 of the Jewish Septuagint. In this crucial passage, holy scripture calls Jesus the foundation stone which God lays in Zion, then, “whoever believes in Him will not be put to shame.” In contrast, the Masoretes rendered the stone not as a person in Whom one should trust. Instead, their version makes the stone a promise from God followed with, “one who trusts will not panic.”
In the great gospel passage of Romans ten, Paul in 10:15 quotes Isaiah 52:7 of the Jewish Septuagint in which a messenger announces “the gospel” or “good news,” literally “evangelion.” The Masoretic does not announce good news or gospel, but peace. While peace is certainly good news, Paul has distinctly quoted the Jewish Septuagint in contrast with the text which the Masoretes developed centuries after his death.
Five verses later in Romans 10:20, Paul returns to the Jewish Septuagint of Isaiah 65:1-2. As Paul quotes the Septuagint, God is found by people who did not look for Him. Those people in Paul’s version are Gentiles. The Masoretic of Isaiah 65:1-2 only indicates God is ready for Israel to find Him. Masorete scholars gave no place to Gentiles in their new version of Isaiah 65:1-2.
In the very next verse, Paul quotes the Jewish Septuagint of Isaiah 11:10 including, “the One who rises to rule.” Again, these words do not exist in the Old Testament offered later on by Masoretic Jews.
The first epistle of Peter stands out by containing more Old Testament references per verse than any other New Testament writing. Peter’s emphasis in the letter is Psalm 33. Not one of his references reflect the Masoretic version.
In Revelation 2:26-27, Jesus quotes Psalm two, the great Psalm of the Christos or Christ King. Jesus in verse 26 promises to extend His own power over the nations to the believer who endures to the end, then in verse 27 as He quotes Psalm 2:9 and the early Jewish Septuagint reads, He will “rule” the nations. The Masoretes rendered Psalm 2:9 as, “break” the nations. Again in the visions of Revelation 12:5 and 19:15 John quotes the Jewish Septuagint of Psalm 2:9, prophecying Jesus will “rule,” not “break” them with His rod of iron. …”
Source: http://www.matthewbryan.net/lxx3.html
- i) Example of a free online Septuagint Translation of the Old Testament [Brenton Septuagint Translation]
- j) Isaiah 9 Comparison
To quote:
“… THE ISAIAHINE COMMA
- Returning to the topic at hand, I offer the earliest extant quotes of the questioned passage in Isaiah 9. The Masoretic states, “his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” The Septuagint reads, “His name shall be called Messenger of great wisdom, for I will bring peace upon the rulers, peace and health by Him.” The first and last titles (Wonderful Counselor and Prince of Peace) pose less of a problem. Where the Septuagint says “messenger of great wisdom,” we see a translation of words for “counselor” would roughly equate to “messenger of wisdom,” and “wonderful” roughly equates with “great.” Likewise where the Masoretic states “prince of peace,” we find in the Septuagint ends with, “peace and health by Him,” a very rough equivalence which could be explained by the translation process.
- The middle phrase remains the greatest discrepancy between the Jewish Septuagint and not only the Masoretic, but also the Peshitta and the Vulgate. The Masoretic, the Peshitta, and the Vulgate all finish the sentence as a series of titles. The Septuagint sees “Messenger of great wisdom” as the final title of the promised Son, followed with the words, “for I will bring peace upon the rulers …”
- Justin Martyr in “Dialogue with Trypho” circa AD 150 referred to Jesus as the Angel of Mighty Counsel. “Angel” in Greek is the same word as “messenger,” thus Justin’s use favors the Septuagint. Justin provided our earliest known quote of the passage. One earlier quote is attributed to Ignatius, but in a spurious letter addressed to Antioch and not in any of his authentic works.
- Irenaeus of Lugdunum, a few decades after Justin, added various words on various occassions so that we cannot accuse him of quoting the verse in its entirety, but we do see coincidences with the alternate form. Perhaps Irenaeus had read and been influenced by the alternate form. In “Against Heresies” 3.16.3, he called Jesus, “the messenger of great counsel of the Father.” In 3.20.2 of the same work, “the holy Lord, the Wonderful, the Counselor, the Beautiful in appearance, and the Mighty God, coming on the clouds as the judge of all men.” As obviously as he had pulled together several passages in 3.20.2, he even more obviously pulls together multiple passages in 4.33.11, saying, “I came unto the prophetess; and she bare a son, and his name is called Wonderful, Counselor, the Mighty God.”3
- Clement of Alexandria, writing not long after Irenaeus, gave the earliest extant quote of the version of this verse which we find in the Masoretic, Peshitta, and the Vulgate. Even after Clement of Alexandria used the majority version, the Septuagint wording continued to be quoted. In the next 100 years, we get the Septuagint version from Origen, Cyprian, Peter of Alexandria, and Methodius.
TRINITY IN THE ISAIAHINE COMMA
If we lose an apparent affirmation of the Trinity in the Septuagint, the Septuagint replaces it with Amos 4:13. When Tertullian explained the Trinity early in the third century, he did not use Isaiah 9. Instead, Tertullian quoted Amos 4:13 from the Jewish Septuagint which says God, “creates the wind and announces to men His anointed.” Tertullian used the reference to God as the Father, rendering the “wind” or “Pneuma” in the Septuagint as the Spirit of God, and the “anointed” or “Christos” in the Greek as the Son. Notably, the Masoretic has God announcing His thoughts to man, not announcing His Christ/Anointed.
Finally, we might ask whether the majority wording of Isaiah 9 agrees with Christian doctrine. We do not generally call the Son the “Wonderful Counselor,” but typically reserve the title of “Counselor” for the Holy Spirit. Neither do we call Jesus, “Everlasting Father,” reserving the title of “Father” primarily for God the Father. If we must cling to the majority version of Isaiah 9, perhaps we should begin calling Jesus the eternal Father? Perhaps instead, this form of the verse which is found in all texts other than the Septuagint would actually fit better with modalism rather than orthodoxy? These are questions, not accusations, which I sincerely ask and for which I desire input from others. …”
Source: http://www.matthewbryan.net/lxx4.html
However, there Septuagint may Solve this difference by itself as follows, to quote:
“… It must also be noted that there is a longer version of Isaiah 9:6 within the Septuagint manuscript tradition which was the version quoted by a number of early Christians (though certainly not all). It reads:
“…He shall be called the angel of great counsel, God the mighty, the Father of the world to come, the prince of peace,” (Isaiah 9:6, some LXX manuscripts).3
Thus, even the Septuagint tradition, taken as a whole, does identify the Messiah as the “mighty God” and not merely a lesser messenger. …”
Source:
https://carm.org/does-the-septuagints-rendering-isaiah-9-6-vindicate-watchtower
So a ‘minority manuscript’ may not ‘necessarily’ mean that ‘that was not the more accurate Copy of the Original Truth’ as the ‘above minority Version of the Septuagint’ was quoted & used by these Great Names of First Christianity [Source Point 3 from the same source above]:
“… In addition to being found in a minority of Septuagint manuscripts, the is the version quoted in sources like: Athanasius, On Luke 10:22, Chapter 5; Pseudo-Ignatius, Epistle to the Antiochians, Chapter 3; Constitutions of the Holy Apostles, Book 5, Section 3; John Chrysostom, Homilies on Philippians, Homily 6; John Cassian, Against Nestorius On the Incarnation of the Lord, Book 2, Chapter 3 (also in book 7, chapter 10); Theodoret, Counter Statements to the Anathemas of Cyril, Against Anathema 6; Leo the Great, Letter to Flavian (or “the Tome”), Section 2; and others. It seems to be the version possessed by Irenaeus of Lyons in the late second century, who cites both titles ‘messenger of great counsel’ and ‘mighty God’ in Against Heresies, Book 4, Chapter 33, Section 11, etc. …”
Source: https://carm.org/does-the-septuagints-rendering-isaiah-9-6-vindicate-watchtower
- k) The Incarnation Passage
To quote:
“… But there are a couple times when it’s nearly irrefutable that Jesus Himself used the Greek version. For example:
Hebrews 10:5-7 and the Incarnation – The most important passage to know on the question of Jesus’ use of the Greek version of Scripture is Hebrews 10:5-7, which says:
5Therefore, when Christ came into the world, He said:
“Sacrifice and offering you did not desire,
but a body you prepared for me;
6with burnt offerings and sin offerings
you were not pleased.
7Then I said, ‘Here I am—it is written about me in the scroll—
I have come to do your will, O God.’ “
Even the NIV notes that this is a quotation from the Greek version of Psalm 40:6-8. Here’s why that’s important. In the Hebrew versions, Psalm 40:6 says, “Sacrifice and offering you did not desire, but my ears you have pierced.” But all three major Greek versions, the Septuagint, Symmachus and Theodotion translations, list it as “a Body You prepared for Me.” What may have happened, as one author explores here, is that the Hebrew expression is an obscure idiom, and the Greek translations were intentionally non-literal. The theory is that since slaves often wore an earring showing who their master was in the Near East, that offering your ears to God could mean either listening or offering your whole body.
Now, if Psalm 40:6 is a prophesy of Christ, it’s not because God opened His ears, but because Jesus is God-in-the-flesh, with a Body prepared for Him by His Father. So how and why the Greek and MT versions came to be distinct isn’t particularly important, compared to the fact that (a) they are distinct, and (b) Hebrews 10:5 only makes sense with the Greek. Significantly, the author of Hebrews isn’t just saying that the Greek version of the Psalm is a prophesy of Christ. He’s saying that Jesus Himself said it was. …”
Source:
https://shamelesspopery.com/did-jesus-use-the-greek-version-of-the-bible/
- l) Lord Jesus Christ Himself – did He Choose the Septuagint over the Hebrew Masoretic Text?
Compare:
“6He answered and said unto them, Well hath Esaias prophesied of you hypocrites, as it is written, This people honoureth me with their lips, but their heart is far from me. 7Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. 8For laying aside the commandment of God, ye hold the tradition of men, as the washing of pots and cups: and many other such like things ye do. 9And he said unto them, Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition.” (Mark 7:6 – 9, KJV)
Source: https://biblehub.com/kjv/mark/7.htm
“Wherefore the Lord said, Forasmuch as this people draw near me with their mouth, and with their lips do honour me, but have removed their heart far from me, and their fear toward me is taught by the precept of men:” (Isaiah 29:13, KJV, based on the Masoretic Text)
Source: https://biblehub.com/isaiah/29-13.htm
“13And the Lord has said, This people draw nigh to me with their mouth, and they honour me with their lips, but their heart is far from me: but in vain do they worship me, teaching the commandments and doctrines of men.” (Isaiah 29:13, Brenton Septuagint Translation, based on the Septuagint)
Source: https://biblehub.com/sep/isaiah/29.htm
Example Analysis, to quote:
“… Jesus quotes the LXX version of Isaiah 29:13 in Mark 7:6-8; the MT version says “their worship of me is made up only of rules taught by men,” with no reference to the worship being vain; the LXX version says “They worship me in vain; their teachings are but rules taught by men.” Jesus chooses the LXX, which makes a difference. The context of Mark 7 is not on worship, but on the way they’re living and expecting others to live (ceremonial washing before eating, the Corban, etc.), so the MT version of Isaiah 29:13 doesn’t fit very well, while the LXX version is directly on point, since it deals with both vain worship and teachings. In Matthew 21:16, Jesus asks, “have you never read, ‘From the lips of children and infants, you have ordained praise’?” That’s the Greek version. The Hebrew version says “ordained strength.” And note that Jesus is responding to the chief priests and scribes of Jerusalem, who were upset at the children praising Jesus, “Hosanna to the Son of David” (Matthew 21:15). …”
Source:
https://shamelesspopery.com/did-jesus-use-the-greek-version-of-the-bible/
Peace to you
Isaiah 9:6 – Olam Ha Ba Mystery Pointing to the Messianic Age to Come?
Olam (Hebrew) = Age/Ages (English) = Aeon/Aeons (Koine Greek)
And so, perhaps Isaiah 9:6 points to Christ being the “Father of the Age (Aeon/Olam) to Come” signifying the Beginning of His Messianic Reign for that ‘1000 years’ (Revelation 20:4 – 6) which then extends into the “Ages (Aeons)” (Ephesians 2:7) with “no end” (Ages/Aeons extending forever, Luke 1:33)?
Let’s see the Various Textual Variants of Isaiah 9:6 and please note that the word translated as “everlasting” is the Hebrew “Olam” (Greek-Aeon(s), English-Age(s)):
- i) KJV and the Masoretic Text
“For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counseller, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.” (Isaiah 9:6, KJV, based on the Masoretic Text whose earliest Texts only date to the 9th century, about a thousand years after Christ)
Source: https://biblehub.com/isaiah/9-6.htm
- ii) Majority Septuagint Translation
“6For a child is born to us, and a son is given to us, whose government is upon his shoulder: and his name is called the Messenger of great counsel: for I will bring peace upon the princes, and health to him.” (Isaiah 9:6, Brenton Septuagint Translation, based on the ‘Majority LXX’ or Septuagint which are generally dated to about 1st – 2nd Century BC, i.e. about at least 100 to 200 years before Christ)
Source: https://biblehub.com/sep/isaiah/9.htm
Note: “LXX” is an abbreviation for the “Septuagint”.
Here are more rarely known translations or textual variants:
iii) Minority Septuagint Translations
“He shall be called the angel of great counsel, God the mighty, the Father of the world to come, the prince of peace,” (Isaiah 9:6, some LXX manuscripts, about 100 to 200 years BC or before Christ).
Source: https://carm.org/does-the-septuagints-rendering-isaiah-9-6-vindicate-watchtower
Note: the phrase “world to come” is a traditional Jewish Phrase (‘Olam Ha-ba’) indicating the ‘Messianic Reign’, hence it is more accurately, “age to come” or “aeon to come” as Christ Himself used this phrase in Mark 10:30 or Luke 18:30 pointing to His 1000 Year Reign distinctly as the “First Resurrection” (Revelation 20:4 – 6). This particular aspect is discussed further in link below:
https://web.facebook.com/jonathan.ramachandran/posts/10159511823387784:0
Here is an interesting comment for further edification:
“… There is also, following the statement “I will bring peace to the rulers” in v. 6, and preceding “peace and health to him,” the insertion in some Septuagint manuscripts of a close and accurate translation of the traditional Hebrew text:
“Wonderful advisor, strong God, authority, ruler of peace, father of the coming age”
According to the editions of Rahlfs and of Swete in their notes on Isaiah 9:5 (6), this insertion is found (with some variations) in Septuagint manuscripts A, Aleph, Q, Gamma, the Lucian recension of the Septuagint, and Origen’s Hexapla (in this latter, being marked with an asterisk indicating that it is a non-original part of the Septuagint but is a later insertion). No doubt other manuscripts read the same. This, if I understand the situation correctly, means that the supplementary words—essentially a literal translation added as a correction or alternate (and improved) translation of the eight-part “name” of the Messiah which the LXX failed to adequately and accurately translate—is an insertion (and marked as such) made by Origen and his co-laborers into the original LXX text in the massive 6-columned “Hexapla” OT edition.
And, be it noted that we know how the three now-mostly-lost Jewish LXX revisions made in the 2nd century A.D.—those of Aquila, Symmachus and Theodotion (which together occupied three of the six columns of the Hexapla)—translated this verse. Swete gives their translations, as preserved in the margin of manuscript Q, in his notes to v. 5 [6] (which see). The revised “Septuagint” insertion agrees quite closely with Aquila’s rendering, and only slightly less so with Theodotion, and Symmachus, all of which to varying degrees improve on what the LXX here left so poor. None of these—Aquila, Symmachus, Theodotion or Origen’s “revised LXX”— were available for quoting or consultation in the first century A.D. …”
Source:
https://sharperiron.org/article/isaiah-96-7-hebrew-text-ancient-versions
Comment: Please notice the phrase “father of the coming age” referring to Christ in some LXX of Isaiah 9:6 which agrees to the Messianic 1000 year reign of Christ view in the Coming Age/Aeon/Olam as per Revelation 20:4 – 6. Perhaps the Bible Verses are pointing to accuracy when an “Age/Aeon/Olam” is mentioned highlighting “God’s Plan of the Ages/Aeons/Olams” such as the phrases and description found in “not only in this age [Aeon/Olam] but also in that which is to come.” (Ephesians 1:21, NKJV) or “that in the ages [Aeons, Olams] to come” (Ephesians 2:7, NKJV) where His Intention is to Gather all things in Christ but Christians are more special (as Ephesians 1:9 – 12 describes, an example).
- iv) Christian OT translation: the Peshitta Syriac version
“For the child was born to us, the son was given to us. And his authority was upon his shoulder, and his name was called the wonder and the advisor, the mighty God of the ages (or, forever), the prince of peace. For the multiplying of his authority and for his peace there is no end. Upon the throne of David and upon his kingdom so that he may establish it and sustain it with the judgment and in the righteousness from then and until for ever. The zeal of the Lord the mighty one did this.” (Isaiah 9:6 – 7, The Peshitta Syriac version, made directly from the Hebrew text but in consultation with the Septuagint Greek version, and in its present form dating to perhaps the 3rd or 4th century A.D.)
Source:
https://sharperiron.org/article/isaiah-96-7-hebrew-text-ancient-versions
The authour in that Source adds, ‘… The eight-fold “name” of the Messiah is given literally (except for “father of eternity”). It is evident here that the Peshitta was influenced by neither the original form of the Septuagint nor by the Targum. Influence from Aquila, et al. is naturally a possibility, even perhaps a probability. …’.
Comment: The brackets found here () or [] are either ‘added by the various authors’ or by ‘me’ too. The original translation of these texts are the words ‘without the brackets’. Please take note.
Note: The phrase “God of the ages” = “God of the Ages/Aeons/Olams” signifying the ‘unending ages’ again here.
- v) Christian OT translation: Jerome’s Latin Vulgate translation
“For a CHILD IS BORN to us, and a son is given to us, and the government is upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called, Wonderful, Counsellor, God the Mighty, Father of the world to come (or, the future age), the Prince of Peace. His empire shall be multiplied, and there shall be no end of peace: he shall sit upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom; to establish it with judgment and with justice, from henceforth and for ever: the zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.” (Isaiah 9:6 – 7, the Latin Vulgate translation of Jerome, dating to circa 400 A.D.)
Source:
https://sharperiron.org/article/isaiah-96-7-hebrew-text-ancient-versions
The authour in that Source adds, ‘… Jerome’s independent knowledge of Hebrew, as well as his knowledge of the contents of the Hexapla no doubt guided him away from the Septuagint’s inaccurate version (which he also knew) to a more accurate representation of the Hebrew. It is immediately evident that these latter two Christian translations, the Peshitta Syriac and the Latin Vulgate, both made from the Hebrew text (though no doubt with consultation of the Septuagint and likely other Greek versions) more faithfully render this passage, especially the latter part of v. 6, than did the pre-Christian Septuagint on the one hand, and the paraphrastic, interpretive Targum Jonathan on the other. …’.
Note: Even in Blessed St. Jerome’s translation, we find the more accurate phrase “… Father of the world to come (or, the future age) …” as per the ‘minority LXX/Septuagint translations’ as per point “iii)” earlier implying a more accurate ‘Christ’s Messianic Reign Focus first for the thousand years’ well into eternity implied intrinsically in each of these accurate translations by the equivalent phrase “… His empire shall be multiplied, and there shall be no end of peace …” here.
Conclusion – Testimony of the Church Fathers
Which translation of Isaiah 9:6 do some of the most accurate “Earliest” Church Fathers refer to as possibly the Original?
According to CARM (a famous Christian Apologetic Site), this ‘Minority Septuagint Translation’ which Preserves the Hidden Meaning of the Most Blessed Trinity as per point “iii)” earlier was Testified to be used by the following Church Leaders, to quote:
“… In addition to being found in a minority of Septuagint manuscripts, the is the version quoted in sources like: Athanasius, On Luke 10:22, Chapter 5; Pseudo-Ignatius, Epistle to the Antiochians, Chapter 3; Constitutions of the Holy Apostles, Book 5, Section 3; John Chrysostom, Homilies on Philippians, Homily 6; John Cassian, Against Nestorius On the Incarnation of the Lord, Book 2, Chapter 3 (also in book 7, chapter 10); Theodoret, Counter Statements to the Anathemas of Cyril, Against Anathema 6; Leo the Great, Letter to Flavian (or “the Tome”), Section 2; and others. It seems to be the version possessed by Irenaeus of Lyons in the late second century, who cites both titles ‘messenger of great counsel’ and ‘mighty God’ in Against Heresies, Book 4, Chapter 33, Section 11, etc. …”
Source:
https://carm.org/does-the-septuagints-rendering-isaiah-9-6-vindicate-watchtower
I’m just going to give two quotes from the above which are sufficient as these are ‘Champions of Faith’ which no Christians will deny, please consider:
1) Blessed St. Irenaeous of Lyons
“… Again, there are those who say, “He is a man, and who shall know him? ” and, “I came unto the prophetess, and she bare a son, and His name is called Wonderful, Counsellor, the Mighty God; ” and those [of them] who proclaimed Him as Immanuel, [born] of the Virgin, exhibited the union of the Word of God with His own workmanship, [declaring] that the Word should become flesh, and the Son of God the Son of man (the pure One opening purely that pure womb which regenerates men unto God, and which He Himself made pure); and having become this which we also are, He [nevertheless] is the Mighty God, and possesses a generation which cannot be declared. And there are also some of them who say, “The Lord hath spoken in Zion, and uttered His voice from Jerusalem; and, “In Judah is God known; ” -these indicated His advent which took place in Judea. Those, again, who declare that “God comes from the south, and from a mountain thick with foliage,” announced His advent at Bethlehem, as I have pointed out in the preceding book. …” – Blessed St. Irenaeous of Lyons, a Hearer of Blessed St. Polycarp who is an Apostolic Father being the Disciple of Blessed St. John who wrote the Book of Revelation (c. 130 AD – c. 202 AD, ‘Against Heresies’, Book 4, Chapter 33, Section 11)
Source:
http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/text/irenaeus-book4.html
or from another Source below:
“… Again, there are those who say, “He is a man, and who shall know him?”4303 and, “I came unto the prophetess, and she bare a son, and His name is called Wonderful, Counsellor, the Mighty God;”4304 and those [of them] who proclaimed Him as Immanuel, [born] of the Virgin, exhibited the union of the Word of God with His own workmanship, [declaring] that the Word should become flesh, and the Son of God the Son of man (the pure One opening purely that pure womb which regenerates men unto God, and which He Himself made pure); and having become this which we also are, He [nevertheless] is the Mighty God, and possesses a generation which cannot be declared. And there are also some of them who say, “The Lord hath spoken in Zion, and uttered His voice from Jerusalem;”4305 and, “In Judah is God known;”4306— these indicated His advent which took place in Judea. Those, again, who declare that “God comes from the south, and from a mountain thick with foliage,”4307 announced His advent at Bethlehem, as I have pointed out in the preceding book.4308 …”
Source [via the Infamous Protestant Historian Mr. Philip Schaff]:
https://ccel.org/ccel/schaff/anf01/anf01.ix.vi.xxxiv.html
Notes:
4303 Jer. xvii. 9 (LXX.). Harvey here remarks: “The LXX. read אֱנֹושׁ instead of אָנֹושׁ. Thus, from a text that teaches us that the heart is deceitful above all things, the Fathers extract a proof of the manhood of Christ.”
4304 Isa. viii. 3, Isa. ix. 6, Isa. vii. 14. [A confusion of texts.]
4305 Joel iii. 16.
4306 Ps. lxxvi. 1.
4307 Hab. iii. 3.
4308 See III. xx. 4.
2) Blessed St. Athanasius the Great
In his infamous quote below, St. Athanasius is clearly using this “LXX minority manuscript in iii) earlier” as the ‘Original Old Testament Scripture in his time for Isaiah 9:6 or Isa ix:6’ and further validates our usage that the phrase “Father of the Coming Age/Aeon/Olam” interpretation in light of His 1000 year Messianic Reign toward the “First resurrection” (Revelation 20:4 – 6, John 5:25) toward ‘Christians only’ as ‘possibly’ most accurate, to quote:
“… For His Only-begotten Son might, ye Arians, be called ‘Father’ by His Father, yet not in the sense in which you in your error might perhaps understand it, but (while Son of the Father that begat Him) ‘Father of the coming age’ (Isa. ix. 6, LXX). For it is necessary not to leave any of your surmises open to you. Well then, He says by the prophet, ‘A Son is born and given to us, whose government is upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Angel of Great Counsel, mighty God, Ruler, Father of the coming age’ (Isa. ix. 6). The Only-begotten Son of God, then, is at once Father of the coming age, and mighty God, and Ruler. And it is shewn clearly that all things whatsoever the Father hath are His, and that as the Father gives life, the Son likewise is able to quicken whom He will. For ‘the dead,’ He says, ‘shall hear the voice of the Son, and shall live’ (cf. John v. 25), and the will and desire of Father and Son is one, since their nature also is one and indivisible. …” – Blessed St. Athanasius the Great, the Father of Orthodoxy, Patriarch of Alexandria and Champion of Trinity, Doctor of the Church and Confessor, Coptic Pope (c. 296 AD – c. 373 AD, Commentary On Luke 10:22, Chapter 5)
Source [via the Infamous Protestant Historian Mr. Philip Schaff]:
https://ccel.org/ccel/schaff/npnf204/npnf204.xi.ii.v.html
Note: Blessed St. Athanasius the Great’s Christ Centered Universalism Hope may be explored further in link below too:
https://salvationforall.org/7_History/4b-alexandria-athanasius.html
Peace to you
Mystery of the Most Blessed Holy Trinity
“And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.” (1 Timothy 3:16,KJV)
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. … 14And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.” (John 1:1, 14, KJV)
How do I believe and understand it?
As per these True First Christian Champions of Faith (listed next) but let’s see who are they first?
1) Blessed St. Ignatius, Bishop of Antioch, nicknamed ‘God-Bearing’, An Apostolic Father being the direct Disciple of the Blessed Apostle St. John, Martyr for Christ (c. 35 AD – c. 108 AD)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ignatius_of_Antioch
2) Blessed St. Polycarp, Bishop of Smryna, an Apostolic Father being the Disciple of the Blessed St. John the Apostle (c. 69 AD – c. 155 AD)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polycarp
3) Blessed St. Justin Martyr, a Great Early Christian Apologist who is a Foremost Exponent of the Divine Word, who Influenced Virtually all of subsequent Christian philosophy and Catholic theology, Martyr for Christ (c. 100 AD – c. 160 AD)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Justin_Martyr
4) Blessed St. Melito, Jewish Bishop of Sardis, of whom Polycrates of Ephesus to Pope Victor about 194 (Eusebius, Church History V.24) states that “Melito the eunuch [this is interpreted “the virgin” by Rufinus in his translation of Eusebius], whose whole walk was in the Holy Spirit”, was buried at Sardis and Jerome, speaking of the Old Testament canon established by Melito, quotes Tertullian to the effect that he was esteemed as a prophet by many of the faithful (Died c. 180 AD)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Melito_of_Sardis
5) Blessed St. Irenaeous of Lyons, Hearer of St. Polycarp, Bishop of Smryna, who is also an Apostolic Father being the Disciple of the Blessed St. John the Apostle (c. 130 AD – c. 202 AD)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Irenaeus
6) Blessed St. Clement of Alexandria, Head of the Cathecathical School At Alexandria (c. 150 AD – c. 215 AD)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clement_of_Alexandria
7) Blessed Tertullian (155 AD – 222 AD), the founder of Western theological scholarship.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tertullian
8) Blessed St. Hippolytus of Rome, Hearer of Blessed St. Irenaeous of Lyons (c. 170 AD –235 AD)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hippolytus_of_Rome
9) Blessed Origen of Alexandria, the Great but surprisingly Modest Exegete of the Eastern Church, “Nicknamed: Admantius or Man of Steel”, Tortured and Martyred for Christ (c. 184 AD – c. 253 AD)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Origen
Note: NONE of these Church Fathers listed here has any prayer to Mary or equivalent in any of their writings. Please take note carefully and thus we need “not” practice those things at all to be like the ‘First Christians’. Are we supposed to Imitate their faith in Christ?
“Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.” (1 Corinthians 11:1, KJV)
“that you do not become sluggish, but imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.” (Hebrews 6:12, NKJV)
“Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample.” (Philippians 3:17, KJV)
“Therefore I exhort you, be imitators of me.” (1 Corinthians 4:16, NASB)
“Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.” (Philippians 4:9, KJV)
Conclusion
Example Quotes from them as ‘how to understand this Mystery (Secret) of the Most Holy Trinity’ accurately, to quote:
- Ignatius of Antioch (c. 50–117): For our God, Jesus the Christ, was conceived by Mary according to God’s plan, both from the seed of David and of the Holy Spirit. (Ignatius, Letter to the Ephesians, 18.2. Translation from Michael Holmes, Apostolic Fathers, 197)
- Ignatius (again): Consequently all magic and every kind of spell were dissolved, the ignorance so characteristic of wickedness vanished, and the ancient kingdom was abolished when God appeared in human form to bring the newness of eternal life. (Ibid., 19.3. Holmes, AF, 199)
- Ignatius (again): For our God Jesus Christ is more visible now that he is in the Father. (Ignatius, Letter to the Romans, 3.3. Holmes, AF, 229)
- Ignatius (again): I glorify Jesus Christ, the God who made you so wise, for I observed that you are established in an unshakable faith, having been nailed, as it were, to the cross of the Lord Jesus Christ. (Ignatius, Letter to the Smyrnaeans, 1.1. Holmes, AF, 249.)
- Ignatius (again): Wait expectantly for the one who is above time: the Eternal, the Invisible, who for our sake became visible; the Intangible, the Unsuffering, who for our sake suffered, who for our sake endured in every way. (Ignatius, Letter to Polycarp, 3.2. Holmes, AF, 265.)
- Polycarp of Smyrna (69–155): Now may the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the eternal high priest himself, the Son of God Jesus Christ, build you up in faith and truth . . ., and to us with you, and to all those under heaven who will yet believe in our Lord and God Jesus Christ and in his Father who raised him from the dead. (Polycarp, Philippians, 12:2. Holmes, AF, 295)
- Epistle of Barnabas (written c. 70–130): “If the Lord submitted to suffer for our souls, even though he is Lord of the whole world, to whom God said at the foundation of the world, “Let us make humankind according to our image and likeness,” how is it, then, that he submitted to suffer at the hands of humans?” (Epistle of Barnabas, 5.5. Holmes, AF, 393)
- Justin Martyr (100–165): And that Christ being Lord, and God the Son of God, and appearing formerly in power as Man, and Angel, and in the glory of fire as at the bush, so also was manifested at the judgment executed on Sodom, has been demonstrated fully by what has been said. (Justin Martyr, Dialogue with Trypho, 128. Translation from Alexander Roberts and James Donaldson, Ante-Nicene Fathers, I:264)
- Justin (again): “Permit me first to recount the prophecies, which I wish to do in order to prove that Christ is called both God and Lord of hosts.” (Ibid., 36. ANF, I:212.)
- Justin (again): Therefore these words testify explicitly that He [Jesus] is witnessed to by Him [the Father] who established these things, as deserving to be worshipped, as God and as Christ. (Ibid., 63. ANF, I:229)
- Justin (again): The Father of the universe has a Son; who also, being the first-begotten Word of God, is even God. And of old He appeared in the shape of fire and in the likeness of an angel to Moses and to the other prophets; but now in the times of your reign, having, as we before said, become Man by a virgin . . .” (Justin Martyr, First Apology, 63. ANF, I:184)
- Justin (again): For if you had understood what has been written by the prophets, you would not have denied that He was God, Son of the only, unbegotten, unutterable God. (Justin Martyr, Dialogue with Trypho, 126. ANF, I:263)
- Melito of Sardis (d. c. 180): “He that hung up the earth in space was Himself hanged up; He that fixed the heavens was fixed with nails; He that bore up the earth was born up on a tree; the Lord of all was subjected to ignominy in a naked body – God put to death! . . . [I]n order that He might not be seen, the luminaries turned away, and the day became darkened—because they slew God, who hung naked on the tree. . . . This is He who made the heaven and the earth, and in the beginning, together with the Father, fashioned man; who was announced by means of the law and the prophets; who put on a bodily form in the Virgin; who was hanged upon the tree; who was buried in the earth; who rose from the place of the dead, and ascended to the height of heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of the Father.” (Melito, 5. ANF, VIII:757)
- Irenaeus of Lyons (120–202): “For I have shown from the Scriptures, that no one of the sons of Adam is as to everything, and absolutely, called God, or named Lord. But that He is Himself in His own right, beyond all men who ever lived, God, and Lord, and King Eternal, and the Incarnate Word, proclaimed by all the prophets, the apostles, and by the Spirit Himself, may be seen by all who have attained to even a small portion of the truth. Now, the Scriptures would not have testified these things of Him, if, like others, He had been a mere man. . . . He is the holy Lord, the Wonderful, the Counselor, the Beautiful in appearance, and the Mighty God, coming on the clouds as the Judge of all men; — all these things did the Scriptures prophesy of Him.” (Irenaeus, Against Heresies, 3.19.2. ANF, I:449)
- Irenaeus (again): “He received testimony from all that He was very man, and that He was very God, from the Father, from the Spirit, from angels, from the creation itself, from men, from apostate spirits and demons.” (Ibid., 4.6.7. ANF, I:469)
- Irenaeus (again): “Christ Jesus [is] our Lord, and God, and Savior, and King, according to the will of the invisible Father.” (Ibid., 1.10.1. ANF, I:330)
- Irenaeus (again): “Christ Himself, therefore, together with the Father, is the God of the living, who spoke to Moses, and who was also manifested to the fathers.” (Ibid., 4.5.2. ANF, I:467)
- Clement of Alexandria (c. 150–215): “This Word, then, the Christ, the cause of both our being at first (for He was in God) and of our well-being, this very Word has now appeared as man, He alone being both, both God and man—the Author of all blessings to us; by whom we, being taught to live well, are sent on our way to life eternal. . . . . . . The Word, who in the beginning bestowed on us life as Creator when He formed us, taught us to live well when He appeared as our Teacher; that as God He might afterwards conduct us to the life which never ends” (Clement of Alexandria, Exhortation to the Heathen, 1. ANF, II:173)
- Tertullian (c. 160–225): For God alone is without sin; and the only man without sin is Christ, since Christ is also God.” (Tertullian, Treatise on the Soul, 41. ANF, III:221)
- Tertullian (again): “Thus Christ is Spirit of Spirit, and God of God, as light of light is kindled. . . . That which has come forth out of God is at once God and the Son of God, and the two are one. In this way also, as He is Spirit of Spirit and God of God, He is made a second in manner of existence—in position, not in nature; and He did not withdraw from the original source, but went forth. This ray of God, then, as it was always foretold in ancient times, descending into a certain virgin, and made flesh in her womb, is in His birth God and man united.” (Tertullian, Apology, 21. ANF, III:34–35)
- Hippolytus (170–235): “The Logos alone of this God is from God himself; wherefore also the Logos is God, being the substance of God.” (Hippolytus, Refutation of All Heresies, 10.29. ANF, V:151)
- Origen (c. 185–254): “Jesus Christ . . . in the last times, divesting Himself (of His glory), became a man, and was incarnate although God, and while made a man remained the God which He was.” (Origen, De Principiis, Preface, 4. ANF, IV:240)
Source for each of these “22 quotes”:
https://thecripplegate.com/did-the-early-church-affirm-jesus-deity/
Peace to you
Mystery of the Most Blessed Holy Spirit in the Trinity
Warning: If you are unsure about this Topic, please do not throw ‘vain words’ less they become ‘blasphemy against His Holy Spirit’ which has ‘no forgiveness in this age or the next’ (Matthew 12:31 – 32 – Verse in image too).
1) Holy Spirit in the Bible – is He God?
To quote:
“… Acts 5:3–4 teaches us that the Holy Spirit is God. Remember the story of Ananias and Sapphira? Before Ananias was struck dead, Peter told him, “Why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit? . . . You have not lied to men; but to God.” From this event we can see that lying to the Holy Spirit is the same as lying to God; therefore, the Holy Spirit is God. There is more Scriptural evidence that the Holy Spirit is God. We see from the Bible that: The words of God are the words the Holy Spirit inspired (2 Timothy 3:16 , 2 Peter 1:21). We are the temple of God because the Spirit indwells us (1 Corinthians 6:19). The one born of the Spirit is said to be born of God (John 3:5–8). …”
Source:
https://answersingenesis.org/who-is-god/the-trinity/god-the-holy-spirit/
2) God the Holy Spirit – is He a Distinct Person Biblically?
To quote:
“… A real person has the attributes of personality, which include mind, will, and emotions. Does the Holy Spirit have a will? He distributes spiritual gifts to Christians “as He [Holy Spirit] wills.” (1 Corinthians 12:11). Does the Holy Spirit have a mind? He “searches . . . the deep things of God” and knows them. (1 Corinthians 2:10 “) Does the Holy Spirit have emotions? We are told to “grieve not the Holy Spirit.”(Ephesians 4:30). If the Holy Spirit can be grieved, then He has emotions. Because the Holy Spirit has a mind, a will, and emotions, we know that He is a Person as He does some things which only a Person can do. ( Acts 8:28, 16:6; Matthew 10:16–20; Romans 8:26.). A real person also has the capacity to have relationships with others. That’s the primary reason we have mind, will, and emotions. According to Philippians 2:1, the Spirit is able to have fellowship with us. According to 2 Corinthians 13:14, the Holy Spirit can have communion with us. One who is able to commune and to have fellowship is capable of personal relationships. Therefore, the Holy Spirit is a person. …”
Source: https://answersingenesis.org/who-is-god/the-trinity/god-the-holy-spirit/
3) God the Holy Spirit in the Bible – is He a Different Person from God the Father and God the Son?
“… One person I talked to declared, “The Holy Spirit is Jesus.” Some people think that the Holy Spirit is actually the same Person as the Father and the Son. But the Scriptures clearly teach a distinction between the Persons of the Trinity. For example, again and again in John 14–16, Jesus referred to a Helper (“Comforter” in the KJV) that He would send when He went back to the Father. (John 15:26 , John 16:7). This Helper would guide the disciples and teach them.(John 16:13). If Jesus and the Holy Spirit were one and the same Person, Jesus’s reference to the Holy Spirit as another Helper would not make sense. Jesus must have been referring to another Person distinct from Himself. Look at the account of Jesus’s baptism.(Mark 1:10–11). Here the Son is baptized; a voice from Heaven says, “This is my beloved Son”; and the Holy Spirit, like a dove, rests upon Jesus. All of this occurs simultaneously. All three of the members of the Trinity are seen here at the same time, obviously distinct from one another. As a distinct person, the Holy Spirit has lived in a loving relationship with the Father and Son from all eternity. God created us to participate in that love relationship. God wants us to enjoy fellowship with Him,(1 John 1:4, Philippians 2:1) as each member of the Trinity has enjoyed fellowship with each other from before the beginning of time.(John 17:22–23) …”
Source: https://answersingenesis.org/who-is-god/the-trinity/god-the-holy-spirit/
4) God the Son Mystery
This has been discussed previously in post below:
https://web.facebook.com/jonathan.ramachandran/posts/10159556058397784
or even well listed with First Christianity quotes prior to Council of Nicea in post below too:
https://www.str.org/w/nine-early-church-fathers-who-taught-jesus-is-god
or in this post too:
https://www.bible.ca/H-trinity.htm
5) Trinity
Since these posts individually show with Bible Verses and First Christianity quotes of “God the Father”, “God the Son” and “God the Holy Spirit” distinctly, we understand that the One God is thus Manifested in Three Persons as was Concluded formally in the Councils of Nicea. It is interesting to note that only in the “Doctrine of Trinity” the Roman Catholics, Eastern Orthodox or other Orthodox branches together with Protestantism “all agree”.
The parts of Christianity which do not agree to the ‘Trinity Doctrine’ or has variations (such as ‘Oneness Pentecostalism’ or ‘Jehovah Witness’, ‘Mormons’ etc.) may have their ‘Salvation being doubted too’ and so I take no such risks in this Belief. May God have Mercy on whom He Wills.
Example: Isn’t the Father Greater than the Son disprove the Equality of the GodHead in the Trinity? (John 14:28)
Lord Jesus Christ is Equal to God the Father (Philippians 2:6, John 10:30).
And He left His Equality to Fulfill the Law & Father’s Will in Philippians 2.
Hebrews 7:3, Christ the Actual of the Melchizedek Type has “no” Father, nor beginning of days, nor end of life proving that He is Not a Creation & that Trinity is True. More details is discussed in post below too:
https://web.facebook.com/jonathan.ramachandran/posts/10159516320652784
Comment: The Equality with God the Father is mentioned in Philippians 2:6 and since Christ Willingly left that, it is understood that the Father is Greater till Be Rises again to Full Glory at the End of the Ages after every knee bows as Philippians 2:9 – 11 concludes. Perhaps this is the Mysterious Full Glory of back to Equality to God the Father Christ Prophesies of in John 17:5. Please note carefully that John 17:1 – 5 is a Prophecy as Christ hasn’t died and Resurrected even but sees it as a Done Reality where John 17:2 is sometimes argued by Christians with a Universalism Hope that all men (or all mankind) may eventually attain to an “Eternal Life” of some level by His Mercy as His Complete Will.
Conclusion – did the First Christians Understand it this Way even before the Council of Nicea?
Please consider these quotes:
- i) Genesis 1:26 – The Mystery of the “Plural-Us” referring to “God”?
God being referred to as “Plural-Us” is also found in Genesis 3:22 and Genesis 11:7. Example:
“And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.” (Genesis 1:26, KJV)
The shallow claim that ‘Plural-Us’ is used when God Speaks is not true at all as God also refers to ‘Singular – I’ more in Holy Old Testament Scripture itself (e.g. Isaiah 45:5, Isaiah 46:9, Isaiah 43:11, Isaiah 45:22, Isaiah 44:6, Isaiah 45:18 etc.) proving that this is not a Grammatical Issue at all.
Truth is, First Christians believed that this “Plural – Us” refers to the Mystery of the Most Holy Trinity as “God the Spirit was there” (Genesis 1:2) and so was “God the Son” (Colossians 1:13 – 16) with “God the Father” (John 1:3) during ‘Creating itself’.
Example First Christianity quotes prior to the Council of Nicea indicating ‘Distinct Persons in the Us of the Trinity’ based on Genesis 1:26 only:
“…
- 74 AD Epistle of Barnabas: “For the Scripture says concerning us, while He speaks to the Son, “Let Us make man after Our image, and after Our likeness” (Epistle of Barnabas, Chapter VI.—The Sufferings of Christ, and the New Covenant, Were Announced by the Prophets.)
- 150 AD Justin Martyr: Speaking of Jewish theologians Justin calls the Jewish teaching that God spoke to angels a hersey: “In saying, therefore, ‘as one of us, ‘[Moses] has declared that [there is a certain] number of persons associated with one another, and that they are at least two. For I would not say that the dogma of that heresy which is said to be among you (The Jews had their own heresies which supplied many things to the Christian heresies) is true, or that the teachers of it can prove that [God] spoke to angels, or that the human frame was the workmanship of angels. But this Offspring, which was truly brought forth from the Father, was with the Father before all the creatures.” (Dialogue of Justin Martyr, with Trypho, a Jew: Chapter LXII.—The Words “Let Us Make Man”)
- 180 AD Irenaeus “It was not angels, therefore, who made us, nor who formed us, neither had angels power to make an image of God, nor any one else, except the Word of the Lord, nor any Power remotely distant from the Father of all things. For God did not stand in need of these [beings], in order to the accomplishing of what He had Himself determined with Himself beforehand should be done, as if He did not possess His own hands. For with Him were always present the Word and Wisdom, the Son and the Spirit, by whom and in whom, freely and spontaneously, He made all things, to whom also He speaks, saying, “Let Us make man after Our image and likeness; ” [Gen. 1:26]” (Against Heresies 4:20:1).
…”
Source: https://www.bible.ca/H-trinity.htm
- ii) Genesis 19:24 – Two YHWH’s mentioned?
Yes:
“24Then the LORD [YHWH] rained upon Sodom and upon Gomorrah brimstone and fire from the LORD [YHWH] out of heaven; 25And he overthrew those cities, and all the plain, and all the inhabitants of the cities, and that which grew upon the ground.” (Genesis 1:24 – 25, KJV)
There is no corruption in Genesis 1:24 as even the Septuagint or the LXX for this Verse reads the same, link below:
https://biblehub.com/sep/genesis/19.htm
Comment: Please notice carefully that there is ‘one YHWH standing on earth who called the Fire upon Sodom & Gomorrah’ while ‘Another YHWH in Heaven’ as ‘it is Written’ in Verses above.
We understand that the ‘Visible YHWH on Earth is God the Son, Lord Jesus Christ’ (Colossians 1:18) while the ‘Invisible YHWH in Heaven is God the Father’ ( 1 Timothy 6:16, Colossians 1:15, 1 Timothy 1:17) as this is how this ‘Champion of Faith’ himself explains, to quote:
“… “And now I shall again recite the words which I have spoken in proof of this point. When Scripture says,’ The Lord rained fire from the Lord out of heaven,’ the prophetic word indicates that there were two in number: One upon the earth, who, it says, descended to behold the cry of Sodom; Another in heaven, who also is Lord of the Lord on earth, as He is Father and God; the cause of His power and of His being Lord and God. Again, when the Scripture records that God said in the beginning, ‘Behold, Adam has become like one of Us,’ this phrase, ‘like one of Us,’ is also indicative of number; and the words do not admit of a figurative meaning, as the sophists endeavour to affix on them, who are able neither to tell nor to understand the truth. And it is written in the book of Wisdom: ‘If I should tell you daily events, I would be mindful to enumerate them from the beginning. The Lord created me the beginning of His ways for His works. From everlasting He established me in the beginning, before He formed the earth, and before He made the depths, and before the springs of waters came forth, before the mountains were settled; He begets me before all the hills.'” When I repeated these words, I added: “You perceive, my hearers, if you bestow attention, that the Scripture has declared that this Offspring was begotten by the Father before all things created; and that which is begotten is numerically distinct from that which begets, any one will admit.” …” – Blessed St. Justin Martyr, a Great Early Christian Apologist who is a Foremost Exponent of the Divine Word, who Influenced Virtually all of subsequent Christian philosophy and Catholic theology, Martyr for Christ (c. 100 AD – c. 160 AD, ‘Dialogue with Trypho the Jew’, CHAPTER CXXIX)
Source:
http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/text/justinmartyr-dialoguetrypho.html
Here is another two quotes (and more in link below) from First Christianity prior to the Council of Nicea which also proves this understanding o “Two YHWH’s” distinctly mentioned in Genesis 19:24, to quote:
“…
- a) 150 AD Justin Martyr: In this text, Justin the Christian is trying to convince Trypho the Jew that Jesus is God, by showing one of the three men who appeared to Abraham, was Yahweh himself: ” I [Justin] inquired. And Trypho said, “Certainly; but you have not proved from this that there is another God besides Him who appeared to Abraham, and who also appeared to the other patriarchs and prophets. You have proved, however, that we [the Jews] were wrong in believing that the three who were in the tent with Abraham were all angels.” I [Justin] replied again, “If I could not have proved to you from the Scriptures that one of those three is God, because, as I already said, He brings messages to those to whom God the Maker of all things wishes [messages to be brought], then in regard to Him who appeared to Abraham on earth in human form in like manner as the two angels who came with Him, and who was God even before the creation of the world, it were reasonable for you to entertain the same belief as is entertained by the whole of your nation.” “Assuredly,” he said, “for up to this moment this has been our [the Jews] belief.” … “And now have you not perceived, my friends, that one of the three, who is both God and Lord, and ministers to Him who is in the heavens, is Lord of the two angels? For when [the angels] proceeded to Sodom, He remained behind, and communed with Abraham in the words recorded by Moses; and when He departed after the conversation, Abraham went back to his place. And when he came [to Sodom], the two angels no longer conversed with Lot, but Himself, as the Scripture makes evident; and He is the Lord who received commission from the Lord who [remains] in the heavens, i.e., the Maker of all things, to inflict upon Sodom and Gomorrah the [judgments] which the Scripture describes in these terms: ‘The Lord rained down upon Sodom and Gomorrah sulphur and fire from the Lord out of heaven.’ “(Dialogue of Justin Martyr, with Trypho, a Jew, Chapter LVI.—God Who Appeared to Moses is Distinguished from God the Father.)
- b) 180 AD Irenaeus “Therefore neither would the Lord, nor the Holy Spirit, nor the apostles, have ever named as God, definitely and absolutely, him who was not God, unless he were truly God; nor would they have named any one in his own person Lord, except God the Father ruling over all, and His Son who has received dominion from His Father over all creation, as this passage has it: “The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit Thou at my right hand, until I make Thine enemies Thy footstool.” Here the [Scripture] represents to us the Father addressing the Son; He who gave Him the inheritance of the heathen, and subjected to Him all His enemies. Since, therefore, the Father is truly Lord, and the Son truly Lord, the Holy Spirit has fitly designated them by the title of Lord. And again, referring to the destruction of the Sodomites, the Scripture says, “Then the LORD rained upon Sodom and upon Gomorrah fire and brimstone from the LORD out of heaven.” For it here points out that the Son, who had also been talking with Abraham, had received power to judge the Sodomites for their wickedness. And this [text following] does declare the same truth: “Thy throne, O God; is for ever and ever; the scepter of Thy kingdom is a right scepter. Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated iniquity: therefore God, Thy God, hath anointed Thee.” For the Spirit designates both [of them] by the name, of God — both Him who is anointed as Son, and Him who does anoint, that is, the Father.” (Irenaeus, Book 3, ch 6)
…”
Source: https://www.bible.ca/H-trinity.htm
iii) Two YHWH’s are also mentioned in Zechariah 3:2 which must mean likewise and Blessed St. Ireneaous of Lyons understanding it that way is discussed somewhere in posts below:
https://www.anonymouschristian.org/blog/trinity-did-st-irenaeous-of-lyons-believe-in-the-trinity/
or
https://web.facebook.com/jonathan.ramachandran/posts/10159516320652784
- iv) Ancient Jews
Some ancient Jews may have understood this same Mystery of the “Plural – Us” referring to God as pertaining to the Mystery of the Most Blessed Trinity as discussed a little in link below:
https://web.facebook.com/jonathan.ramachandran/posts/10159521111052784
- v) Are the Testimonies of Blessed St. Justin Martyr and Blessed St. Irenaeous of Lyons reliable?
Surely, more reliable than any Christian living today or after them. Only the Testimonies of the Apostles of Christ and very Select Leaders in First Christianity may exceed them in their Faith in Christ. About them, to quote:
v.i. Blessed St. Justin Martyr, a Great Early Christian Apologist who is a Foremost Exponent of the Divine Word, who Influenced Virtually all of subsequent Christian philosophy and Catholic theology, Martyr for Christ (c. 100 AD – c. 160 AD)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Justin_Martyr
” … And Justin of Neapolis, a man who was not far separated from the apostles either in age or excellence, says that that which is mortal is inherited, but that which is immortal inherits; and that the flesh indeed dies, but the kingdom of heaven lives. …” — From METHODIUS On the Resurrection, in Photius. (Fragment V, St. Justin Martyr’s Lost Writings)
Source: http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/text/justinmartyr-fragments.html
Note: Justin of Neapolis = Blessed St. Justin Martyr
v.ii. Blessed St. Irenaeous of Lyons, Hearer of St. Polycarp, Bishop of Smryna, who is also an Apostolic Father being the Disciple of the Blessed St. John the Apostle (c. 130 AD – c. 202 AD)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Irenaeus
Even Blessed St. Irenaeous of Lyons’ views Blessed St. Justin Martyr very highly, to quote:
“.. For as we do direct our faith towards the Son, so also should we possess a firm and immoveable love towards the Father. In his book against Marcion, Justin [Martyr] does well say: “I would not have believed the Lord Himself, if He had announced any other than He who is our framer, maker, and nourisher. But because the only-begotten Son came to us from the one God, who both made this world and formed us, and contains and administers all things, summing up His own handiwork in Himself, my faith towards Him is steadfast, and my love to the Father immoveable, God bestowing both upon us.” …” – Blessed St. Irenaeous of Lyons, Hearer of St. Polycarp, Bishop of Smryna, who is also an Apostolic Father being the Disciple of the Blessed St. John the Apostle (c. 130 AD – c. 202 AD, ‘Against Heresies’, Book IV, Chapter VI, Point 2)
Source:
http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/text/irenaeus-book4.html
One final note: Neither Blessed St. Justin Martyr nor Blessed St. Irenaeous of Lyons’ writings contain any prayer to Virgin Mary. Very Interesting indeed.
- vi) St. Justin Martyr affirms that the Most Blessed Holy Spirit is a Distinct Person of the Trinity
“… not recognising Him, they inquired, ‘Who is this King of glory?’ And the Holy Spirit, either from the person of His Father, or from His own person, answers them, ‘The Lord of hosts, He is this King of glory.’ …” – Blessed St. Justin Martyr, a Great Early Christian Apologist who is a Foremost Exponent of the Divine Word, who Influenced Virtually all of subsequent Christian philosophy and Catholic theology, Martyr for Christ (c. 100 AD – c. 160 AD, ‘Dialogue with Trypho the Jew’, CHAPTER XXXVI)
Source:
http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/text/justinmartyr-dialoguetrypho.html
Proof quote from the above:
“… And the Holy Spirit, either from the person of His Father, or from His own person, answers them …” = Most Blessed Holy Spirit is a Person Speaking of His Own Will or as per the Father’s Instruction.
Mysterious Indeed. Indeed, ‘Faith is to remain in Wonder of the Incomprehensible God’ because if He is to be Bound by ‘our logic or limits’ of ‘how can God be Three Persons but yet One etc.’, then He is ‘limited’. The Mystery of the Most Holy Trinity Proves that nothing is Impossible with God.
Peace to you
Some Type of Christ Centered Universalism Hope in Book of 1Enoch – is it Scripture?
Someone Said: “… as far as your last statement goes, we do know that Enoch is Scripture. Not just from the writings from the early church but more importantly from the words of our own Saviour (Mathew 22:29-30/Enoch 15:6-7 ironically in the one verse most often used against Enoch) …”
How? [Discussed in Point 3 later]
Please consider:
1) Christ Centered Universalism Hope
Some type of Christ Centered Universalism Hope is Echoed in the Book of 1Enoch as follows, Example:
“… [Chapter 50] 1 And in those days a change shall take place for the holy and elect, And the light of days shall abide upon them, And glory and honour shall turn to the holy, 2 On the day of affliction on which evil shall have been treasured up against the sinners. And the righteous shall be victorious in the name of the Lord of Spirits: And He will cause the others to witness (this) That they may repent And forgo the works of their hands. 3 They shall have no honour through the name of the Lord of Spirits, Yet through His name shall they be saved, And the Lord of Spirits will have compassion on them, For His compassion is great. 4 And He is righteous also in His judgement, And in the presence of His glory unrighteousness also shall not maintain itself: At His judgement the unrepentant shall perish before Him. 5 And from henceforth I will have no mercy on them, saith the Lord of Spirits. …” – Book of 1Enoch (Chapter 50, All Verses 1 – 5)
Hope for the Sinners/Wicked?
Focus Phrase from the above: “… And He will cause the others [the sinners and/or Wicked] to witness (this) That they may repent And forgo the works of their hands. 3 They shall have NO HONOUR through the NAME of the LORD of SPIRITS, Yet THROUGH HIS NAME [John 14:6] SHALL THEY BE SAVED [Joel 2:32, Romans 10:13, Matthew 12:21], And the Lord of Spirits will have compassion on them …” – Book of 1Enoch.
Source: http://wesley.nnu.edu/index.php?id=2126
2) First Christianity
First Christianity – did it consider the Book of 1Enoch as Scripture?
There is a possibility to argue it but whether it is true or not, no one can be certain. The quote I gave above is not the division of Sheol but “Judgment Day” (please read it carefully again).
Regarding the Canonicity of Book of 1Enoch, none of the earliest Church Fathers doubted it. Only the ‘later fathers’ were not fond of it. So, we are just following either these ‘early church leaders’ or ‘later church leader’s decision’ as to whether it is at Scripture Level or not.
To quote:
- i) Canonicity of the Book of 1Enoch
Note: “… The Book of 1Enoch was considered as scripture in the Epistle of Barnabas (16:4)[26] and by many of the early Church Fathers, such as Athenagoras,[27] Clement of Alexandria,[28] Irenaeus[29] and Tertullian,[30] who wrote c. 200 that the Book of Enoch had been rejected by the Jews because it contained prophecies pertaining to Christ.[31] However, later Fathers denied the canonicity of the book, and some even considered the Epistle of Jude uncanonical because it refers to an “apocryphal” work …”
Source: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Book_of_Enoch
The Bible’s Jude 14 is a direct quote by Apostle Jude to this Book of 1Enoch as it is word to word to this only and not even the midrash which has different words.
- ii) Example of First Christians who considered the Book of 1Enoch as “Scripture”?
- Epistle of Jude
Jude 14 quotes Enoch who as “the seventh from Adam, prophesied,” indicating that the book is true and was written by Enoch himself, and thus its composition was of great antiquity. The citation has been taken by some to mean that Jude accepts it as Scripture.
- Epistle of Barnabas
The Epistle of Barnabas (ca 30 AD – 70 AD), a primer used for teaching new Christian converts in the early church, names and quotes Enoch as “Scripture” and elsewhere cites it as Scripture with the formula “it is written.”[11]
iii. Justin Martyr
Justin Martyr (110 AD – 165 AD) accepts Enoch as Scripture and in his Second Apology discusses Enoch in depth and uses it to establish doctrine on fallen angels and the origin of demons from angels’ adulteration with women.[12] (In his Dialogue with Trypho, Justin charges that some were removing passages of Scripture that prophetically identified Jesus as the Messiah, from Jeremiah and Isaiah.)[13]
- Athenagoras
Athenagoras (133 AD – 190 AD) in his Plea for the Christians uses Enoch to establish doctrine about Genesis 6:1-4, grouping it as one of the books of Prophets of the Old Testament: “you know that we say nothing without witnesses, but state the things which have been declared by the prophets.”[14]
- Irenaeus
Irenaeus (d. 202 AD), the famous apologist, accepts Enoch as Scripture and, in Against Heresies, discusses the doctrine that Enoch was God’s legate to fallen angels, which is unique to Enoch,[15] and that a group of fallen angels devised methods of sorcery to adulterate with women.[16] Also in Against Heresies, Book III, 21.2, Irenaeus treats the books of Chronicles and Ezra as a single book written by Ezra. That would reduce the tally of books in the canon from 22 to 21 unless Enoch was included as part of the canon, as Irenaeus does.
vi.Clement of Alexandria
Clement of Alexandria (ca 150 AD – ca 215 AD) accepts Enoch as Scripture and writes that both Daniel and Enoch taught the same thing regarding the blessing of the faithful (Eclogue 2.1) and that the fallen angels were the source of the black arts (53.4).[17] . See also Clement’s Homilies XI–XVI for great detail used from Enoch.
vii. Tertullian
Tertullian (155 AD – 222 AD), the founder of Western theological scholarship, in On the Apparel of Women (Book I), names and cites Enoch as “Scripture,” part of “the canon” and “divinely inspired.” He names Enoch as its genuine, human author. He states that its quotation in Jude 14 is an attestation in the New Testament to its authenticity and that “some” had removed it . from the closed canon.[18] In Book II, Tertullian uses Enoch to establish doctrine against the excessive ornamentation of women, attributing its origin to demons who cohabitated with them before the Great Flood.[19] Within his Apologetic, in On Idolatry, he uses Enoch to establish the doctrine that idolatry and astrology originated from demons[20] and that demons are the supernatural issue of fallen angels adulterating with women.[21]
viii. Commodianus
Commodianus (ca 240) accepts Enoch as Scripture and, in his Instructions, uses information unique to Enoch to establish doctrine on the origin of demons from angels adulterating with women and on the wicked arts they taught. Thus, he shows that heathen gods were actually the same demons.[22]
- Origen
Origen (185 AD – 254 AD), in De Principiis, names and quotes Enoch as “Holy Scripture” and notes that the church did not accept the several other books called “Enoch” were at all “divine” (Against Celsus). (However, Enoch is missing in the quotation of a canonical list from Eusebius’s Church History attributed to Origen.)[23]
- Anatolius
Anatolius (early 3rd c AD – July 3, 283 AD) cites Enoch to interpret the ancient Jewish calendar (in a reference to Enoch, Book of Starlight).[24]
- Cassiodorus
Cassiodorus (ca 485 AD – ca 585 AD), authenticates Enoch as Scripture by quoting Jude 14 (“In these words he (Jude) verifies the prophecy”) and that Enoch was inspired and was integral to the Old Testament. In the same Latin translation of comments on the First Epistle of Peter attributed to Clement of Alexandria (ca.150 – 211/216), Cassiodorus also uses Enoch to establish doctrine that fallen angels are apostates from God.[25]
Source for this list:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reception_of_Enoch_in_antiquity
Conclusion
It is thus “possible” to be true though no one can be certain and hence we need not teach it as doctrine but hope.
3) Most Blessed Lord Jesus Christ
Did Most Blessed Lord Jesus Christ Imply indirectly that Book of 1Enoch as Scripture?
Please consider the quote and Bible Verses below [Please see image too]:
“… 1 And He answered and said to me, and I heard His voice: ‘Fear not, Enoch, thou righteous 2 man and scribe of righteousness: approach hither and hear my voice. And go, say to the Watchers of heaven, who have sent thee to intercede for them: “You should intercede” for men, and not men 3 for you: Wherefore have ye left the high, holy, and eternal heaven, and lain with women, and defiled yourselves with the daughters of men and taken to yourselves wives, and done like the children 4 of earth, and begotten giants (as your) sons And though ye were holy, spiritual, living the eternal life, you have defiled yourselves with the blood of women, and have begotten (children) with the blood of flesh, and, as the children of men, have lusted after flesh and blood as those also do who die 5 and perish. Therefore have I given them wives also that they might impregnate them, and beget 6 children by them, that thus nothing might be wanting to them on earth. But you were formerly 7 spiritual, living the eternal life, and immortal for all generations of the world. And therefore I have not appointed wives for you; for as for the spiritual ones of the heaven, in heaven is their dwelling. 8 And now, the giants, who are produced from the spirits and flesh, shall be called evil spirits upon 9 the earth, and on the earth shall be their dwelling. Evil spirits have proceeded from their bodies; because they are born from men and from the holy Watchers is their beginning and primal origin; 10 they shall be evil spirits on earth, and evil spirits shall they be called. [As for the spirits of heaven, in heaven shall be their dwelling, but as for the spirits of the earth which were born upon the earth, on the earth shall be their dwelling.] And the spirits of the giants afflict, oppress, destroy, attack, do battle, and work destruction on the earth, and cause trouble: they take no food, but nevertheless 12 hunger and thirst, and cause offences. And these spirits shall rise up against the children of men and against the women, because they have proceeded from them. …” – Book of 1Enoch (Chapter 15)
Source: http://wesley.nnu.edu/index.php?id=2126
and
“29Jesus answered and said to them, “You are mistaken, not knowing the Scriptures nor the power of God. 30For in the resurrection they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like angels of God in heaven. 31But concerning the resurrection of the dead, have you not read what was spoken to you by God, saying, 32‘I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob’? God is not the God of the dead, but of the living.” 33And when the multitudes heard this, they were astonished at His teaching.” (Matthew 22:29 – 33, NKJV)
Comment: Please note carefully that Most Blessed Lord Jesus Christ quotes the phrase “…29 … You are mistaken, not knowing the Scriptures nor the power of God …” in the Context of those being part of the First Resurrection do not marry —> “… 30For in the resurrection they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like angels of God in heaven …”. Please compare this with the quote from 1Enoch prior which states “… But you were formerly 7 spiritual, living the eternal life, and immortal for all generations of the world. And therefore I have not appointed wives for you; for as for the spiritual ones of the heaven …”.
Here is the most interesting part: Christ’s quote of “… You are mistaken, not knowing the Scriptures …” when He Taught regarding the aforementioned ‘no marriage in heaven’ aspect means that this must be revealed somewhat in a “Scripture” existing at that time. However, this is ONLY found in the Book of 1Enoch among the Jewish Scripture Level Writings at that time in the Context of ‘angels do not marry wives’ meaning most likely that Christ is quoting the Book of 1Enoch as Scripture indirectly as some scholars have remarked!
Indeed, not everyone in Judaism at that time considered Book of 1Enoch as Scripture which agrees further to Christ’s quote earlier that ” … you… not knowing the Scriptures [inclusive of the Book of 1Enoch?]…”.
Fascinating indeed.
Peace to you
Apocrypha Mystery – Are there lost Books of the Bible?
1) Apocrypha means “Hidden” or “Secret”.
“The secret things belong unto the LORD our God: but those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children for ever, that we may do all the words of this law.” (Deuteronomy 29:29, KJV)
2) Jewish Old Testament Canon History
It is well known that Blessed Prophet Ezra Sealed the Books for the Old Testament and the Canon was closed thereafter. In fact, some books/parts were believed to be missing but were given under the Inspiration of God to be Written again as Jewish Tradition relates to Bible Verses below:
“1And all the people gathered themselves together as one man into the street that was before the water gate; and they spake unto Ezra the scribe to bring the book of the law of Moses, which the LORD had commanded to Israel. 2And Ezra the priest brought the law before the congregation both of men and women, and all that could hear with understanding, upon the first day of the seventh month. 3And he read therein before the street that was before the water gate from the morning until midday, before the men and the women, and those that could understand; and the ears of all the people were attentive unto the book of the law. … 9And Nehemiah, which is the Tirshatha, and Ezra the priest the scribe, and the Levites that taught the people, said unto all the people, This day is holy unto the LORD your God; mourn not, nor weep. For all the people wept, when they heard the words of the law.” (Nehemiah 8:1 – 3, 9, KJV)
3) Lost Books of the Jewish Canon
However, what is not widely known among Christians is that Blessed Prophet Ezra was told by God to Write another “70 Secret Books” which were only for the “Wise”, to quote:
“… Finally, there is a vision of the restoration of scripture. God appears to Ezra in a bush and commands him to restore the Law. Ezra gathers five scribes and begins to dictate. After forty days, he has produced ninety-four books: the twenty-four books of the Tanakh and seventy secret works: Make public the twenty-four books that you wrote first, and let the worthy and the unworthy read them; but keep the seventy that were written last, in order to give them to the wise among your people.” (2 Esdras 14:45–46 RSV; 4 Ezra 12:45–46) …”
Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2_Esdras
Note: The Book of Esdras is still kept in the apocrypha section of the KJV Bible as you may read about it in link above (why would the original first “KJV Bible” even translate and keep a ‘false work’ if they think so for 100% certainty?)
Please note that the Jews did “not” include the”2 Esdras” Book as Scripture probably based on Verse above which also prohibits the ’70 Books’ to remain ‘hidden’ and hence cannot be declared openly as Canonical Scripture. Can you see it?
Example Verses from 2 Esdras:
“38 So it happened to me on the next day that a voice called me: “Ezra, open your mouth and drink what I give you to drink.” 39 So I opened my mouth, and a full cup was set before me. It was full of something like water, but its color was like fire. 40 I took it and drank, and when I had drunk it my heart poured forth understanding, and wisdom increased in my heart, for my spirit retained memory. 41 My mouth was opened and wasn’t shut anymore. 42 The Most High, moreover, gave understanding to the five men, and they wrote in turns what was dictated, in characters that they didn’t know, and they sat for forty days. They wrote by day, 43 but by night they ate bread; however, I spoke by day and wasn’t silent by night. 44 Ninety-four scrolls were written in the forty days. 45 Then when the forty days were completed, the Most High said to me, “Make public the ones you wrote first so that the worthy and unworthy may read them. 46 But keep the last seventy so that you may transmit them to the wise among your people. 47 In these are the fountains of understanding, the source of wisdom, and the river of knowledge.” 48 And so I did.” (2 Esdras 14:38 – 38, CEB)
Source:
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2%20Esdras+14&version=CEB
4) What are these 70 Lost Books?
It is also well known that ‘what are the names of these 70 Books’ to the “Wise” as God Instructed Blessed Prophet Ezra to Write may have been ‘lost to time’. However, some scholars attempt to find these books such as the example list below, to quote:
“…
1.Book of the Words of Adam and Eve (Life of Adam and Eve)
2.Book of the Visions of Enoch (2 Enoch)
3.Book of the Words of Enoch the Prophet (1 Enoch)
4.Book of the Words of the Fallen Ones (Book of Giants)
5.Book of the Divisions of the Jubilees Revealed to Abraham (Proto-Jubilees)
6.Book of the Words of Lamech (Genesis Apocryphon)
7.Book of the Words of Noah (Genesis Apocryphon)
8.Book of the Words of Abraham (Genesis Apocryphon)
9.Book of the Words of Jacob
10.Book of the Words of Joseph
11.Book of the Divisions of the Jubilees Revealed to Moses (Book of Jubilees)
12.Book of the Words of Aseneth (Joseph and Aseneth)
13.Book of the Words of Jannes and Jambres (Jannes and Jambres)
14.Book of the Words of Eldad and Medad (Eldad and Medad)
15.Book of the Words of Balaam (Balaam Inscription)
16.Book of the Last Words of the Patriarchs Compiled by Shem
17.Book of the Last Words of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (Testaments of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob)
18.Book of the Last Words of Joseph (Testaments of the Twelve Patriarchs)
19.Book of the Last Words of Simeon (Testaments of the Twelve Patriarchs)
20.Book of the Last Words of Reuben (Testaments of the Twelve Patriarchs)
21.Book of the Last Words of Judah (Testaments of the Twelve Patriarchs)
22.Book of the Last Words of Zebulun (Testaments of the Twelve Patriarchs)
23.Book of the Last Words of Dan (Testaments of the Twelve Patriarchs)
24.Book of the Last Words of Gad (Testaments of the Twelve Patriarchs)
25.Book of the Last Words of Issachar (Testaments of the Twelve Patriarchs)
26.Book of the Last Words of Asher (Testaments of the Twelve Patriarchs)
27.Book of the Last Words of Naphtali (Testaments of the Twelve Patriarchs)
28.Book of the Last Words of Benjamin (Testaments of the Twelve Patriarchs)
29.Book of the Last Words of Levi (Testaments of the Twelve Patriarchs)
30.Book of the Last Words of Kohath (Testament of Kohath)
31.Book of the Last Words of Amram (Visions of Amram)
32.Book of the Last Words of Aaron
33.Book of the Last Words of Job (Testament of Job)
34.Book of the Last Words of Moses (Testament of Moses)
35.Book of the Words of Moses (Assumption of Moses)
36.Book of the Last Words of David
37.Book of the Last Words of Solomon (Testament of Solomon)
38.Book of the Visions of Joshua (Apocryphon of Joshua)
39.Book of the Words of Salmon
40.Book of the Words of Boaz
41.Book of the Words of Obed
42.Book of the Visions of Samuel the Seer (Book of Samuel)
43.Book of the Visions of Gad the Seer (Book of Gad)
44.Book of the Words of Nathan the Prophet (Book of Nathan)
45.Book of the Words of Ahijah the Shilonite (Book of Ahijah)
46.Book of the Visions of Iddo the Seer (Book of Iddo)
47.Book of the Words of Shemaiah the Prophet (Book of Shemaiah)
48.Book of the Words of Jehu (Book of Jehu)
49.Book of the Words of Elijah (Apocalypse of Elijah)
50.Book of the Words of Elisha
51.Book of the Words of Tobit (Tobit)
52.Book of the Visions of Amos
53.Book of the Visions of Obadiah
54.Book of the Visions of Jonah
55.Book of the Visions of Micah
56.Book of the Visions of Hosea
57.Book of the Visions of Joel
58.Book of the Visions of Nahum
59.Book of the Visions of Isaiah (Martyrdom and Ascension of Isaiah)
60.Book of the Visions of the Seers (Sayings of the Seers)
61.Book of the Chronicles of the Priestly Calendar (Calendar Texts)
62.Book of the 80 Books of the Psalms of David (Apocryphal Psalms of David)
63.Book of the 15 Books of the Odes of David (Songs of the Sabbath Sacrifice and Songs For Each Day of the Year and Other Lost Songs of David)
64.Book of the 39 Books of the Odes and Psalms of Solomon (Odes and Psalms of Solomon and Other Lost Songs of Solomon)
65.Book of the Wisdom of Solomon (Wisdom of Solomon)
66.Book of the Four Books of the Proverbs and Riddles of Solomon (Apocryphal Proverbs and Apocryphal Riddles of Solomon)
67.Book of the Wisdom of Ahikar (Ahikar)
68.Book of the 35 Books of the Songs of Israel (Royal Psalms)
69.Book of the 24 Books of the Lamentations of Israel (Book of the Laments)
70.Book of the Chronicles of the Kings of Israel (Chronicles of the Kings of Israel)
…”
Source:
5) Christ Centered Universalism Hope among some of these 70 Books?
- i) Book of 1Enoch
Most scholars agree that the Book of 1Enoch must certainly be one of these books as listed as “No. 3” on the example list above. In it, we find possible Christ Centered Universalism Hope as discussed in post below:
https://web.facebook.com/jonathan.ramachandran/posts/10159548315757784
or a ‘Possible’ Judgment Day View based on the Book of 1Enoch and the Millennial Reign Doctrine is discussed in post below:
https://web.facebook.com/jonathan.ramachandran/posts/10159489970167784
Note: Blessed Tertullian (the ‘father of Latin/Western Christianity’) is very confident that the Book of 1Enoch is Holy Scripture as discussed in his own words in link below:
https://ccel.org/ccel/schaff/anf04/anf04.iii.iii.i.iii.html
- ii) Testament of the Twelve Patriarchs
These are listed as Books “No. 18 to No. 29” in list above. Possible Christ Centered Universalism Hope (with possibly albeit edits by First Jewish Christians or did they preserve the Original as it is? only God knows) is discussed in post below:
https://web.facebook.com/jonathan.ramachandran/posts/10159193691397784
The Original Hebrew Word meaning “Olam” may refer to its literal meaning of “Age” only in such cases is discussed further in post below:
https://web.facebook.com/jonathan.ramachandran/posts/10159410771327784
Or the Concept of “Olam Ha’ba” or the “Age to Come” in posts below:
https://web.facebook.com/jonathan.ramachandran/posts/10159555996907784
and
https://web.facebook.com/jonathan.ramachandran/posts/10159511823387784:0
iii) Jewish Targums and Ancient Commentaries regarding Gehenna being not Eternal
Example – the Targums
The ancient Aramaic paraphrase-translations of the Hebrew Bible known as Targums supply the term “Gehinnom” frequently to verses touching upon resurrection, judgment, and the fate of the wicked. This may also include addition of the phrase “second death”, as in the final chapter of the Book of Isaiah, where the Hebrew version does not mention either Gehinnom or the Second Death, whereas the Targums add both. In this the Targums are parallel to the Gospel of Mark addition of “Gehenna” to the quotation of the Isaiah verses describing the corpses “where their worm does not die”.[20]
Example – Rabbinical Judaism
The picture of Gehenna as the place of punishment or destruction of the wicked occurs frequently in the Mishnah in Kiddushin 4.14, Avot 1.5; 5.19, 20, Tosefta t. Bereshith 6.15, and Babylonian Talmud b.Rosh Hashanah 16b:7a; b. Bereshith 28b. Gehenna is considered a Purgatory-like place where the wicked go to suffer until they have atoned for their sins. It is stated that the maximum amount of time a sinner can spend in Gehenna is one year. There are also four people who do not get a share in Olam Ha-Ba.[21] Those people are Doeg the Edomite, Ahitophel, Balaam, and Gehazi.
Source: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gehenna
Note: If their concept of Gehenna is wrong, Christ wouldn’t have mentioned it. But does it mean that Rabbinical Judaism got the facts regarding Gehenna right? The Rabbinical writings contain some truth but they missed some part of it. That’s why when Lord Jesus Christ spoke of Gehenna, He is referring to what they know but corrected their understanding of it and revealed more details as it is Written in New Testament verses.
Two more Examples:
(a) What’s the Difference between Gehenna and Sheol (Hades)?
To quote (Page 34):
“Hanhart (1966:32) states that according to Jeremias, however, it is fundamental for our understanding of the New Testament to make a sharp distinction between Hades and Gehenna. Hades is used exclusively for the interim period, Gehenna on the other side for a state of punishment after the last judgment. In Hades, the punishment is provisional, in Gehenna eternal.”
(b) Can the Messiah [Lord Jesus Christ] Save from Gehenna (the Final Judgment, Lake of Fire) itself?
To quote (Page 38):
“Bernard (1915:290) quotes two passages from the Bereshith Rabba to show that this idea was prominent in Jewish literature. He is, however, unsure of the dating of the literature. Nevertheless, it still demonstrates the basic purpose of the descent: ‘When they are bound, they that are in Gehinnom, saw the light of the Messiah, they rejoiced to receive him’; and ‘This is that which stands written, We shall rejoice and exult thee. When? When the captives climb out of hell, and the Shechinah at their head.’ The only difference here is that the captives are in Gehinnom and not Sheol.”
Source for both quotes (a) and (b) above:
https://repository.up.ac.za/bitstream/handle/2263/27130/dissertation.pdf?sequence=1
Could it be that they understood these parts from some lost writing among the 70 Secret Books of Ezra of which it may not be any one of the ones listed earlier? God Alone knows.
- iv) Apocalypse of Elijah
This is Book “No. 49” on that list. The Christ Centered Universalism part after the Prayer of the Righteous for the wicked to be Saved into a lower outside the Kingdom of the Heavens abodes (as the Christian Apocalypse of Peter Scripture in First Christianity) may be seen in quote below:
“… Then the sinners [ in torment ] will see the place of the righteous. And thus GRACE WILL OCCUR. In THOSE DAYS, that which the RIGHTEOUS will ASK for MANY TIMES WILL BE GIVEN to them. …” – Apocalypse of Elijah (Verses 28 – 29)
Source:
http://www.3-in-1.net/Pseudepigrapha/Apocalypse%20of%20Elijah/The%20Apocalypse%20of%20Elijah.htm
*Compare with the ‘Apocalypse of Peter’ Prophecy as it is discussed in link below:
https://web.facebook.com/jonathan.ramachandran/posts/10158849943722784
- v) Book of Tobit
This book is “No. 51” on that list which clearly speaks hope toward those who do ‘Charity Works’ being kept safe from the ‘Dark World of the Dead’:
“6 Then he said to them secretly: Bless ye the God of heaven, give glory to him in the sight of all that live, because he hath shewn his mercy to you. 7 For it is good to hide the secret of a king: but honourable to reveal and confess the works of God. 8 Prayer is good with fasting and alms more than to lay up treasures of gold: 9 For alms delivereth from death, and the same is that which purgeth away sins, and maketh to find mercy and life everlasting. … 15 For I am the angel Raphael, one of the seven who stand before the Lord.” (Bible Scripture.Net Translation, Tobit 12:6 – 9, 15)
Source: https://biblescripture.net/Tobias.html
A type of non-Elect Salvation may be “possible” toward the ‘Good non-Christian righteous based on works’ as discussed in post in link below:
https://web.facebook.com/jonathan.ramachandran/posts/10159472747592784
Compare:
“And every one that shall be saved, and shall be able to escape by his works, and by faith, whereby ye have believed,” (2 Esdras 9:7, KJV)
Source:
https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/2-Esdras-9-7/
or
“7 All this—who will be saved, who will be able to escape through their works or through the faith with which they believe—” (2 Esdras 9:7, CEB)
“It shall be that all who will be saved and will be able to escape on account of their works, or on account of the faith by which they have believed,” (2 Esdras 9:7, NRSV)
“It shall be that all who will be saved and will be able to escape on account of their works, or on account of the faith by which they have believed,” (2 Esdras 9:7, NRSVA)
“And it shall be that every one who will be saved and will be able to escape on account of his works, or on account of the faith by which he has believed,” (2 Esdras 9:7, RSV )
Source for the last 4 translations:
https://www.biblegateway.com/verse/en/2%20Esdras%209:7
Comment: Only the “King James Version (KJV)” translates the connecting word between faith & works as an “and” instead of a “or”. If it is a “or” perhaps this Verse Speaks of the following possibilities:
” who will be able to escape through their works ” = Non-Elect Salvation toward relatively Good non-Christians shown Mercy on that Day.
and
“who will be able to escape … or through the faith with which they believe” = Elect Salvation toward believers in Christ only.
Peace to you
Bible Mystery – Masoretic to Septuagint – Comparison
0) Is the Bible Inerrant?
Only the ‘Original Bibles’ were Inerrant. Surprising to most Christians, not all parts of the Original Bible might have survived and more surprisingly, it doesn’t mean that God has Failed because it is God Who Willed it that Way as we shall discuss next.
God Warned:
“Do not add to His words, Lest He rebuke you, and you be found a liar.” (Proverbs 30:6, NKJV)
God Prophesied that the ‘Old Testament’ will eventually have some errors/alterations:
“How can you say, ‘We are wise, And the law of the LORD is with us’? Look, the false pen of the scribe certainly works falsehood.” (Jeremiah 8:8, NKJV)
The Verse above clearly proves that God never Promised to keep His Word Inerrant throughout all time in a single writing. So, when someone points to some errors in the ‘Old Testament’, they are proving the Bible right as Jeremiah 8:8 above clearly states that this would happen.
So, if you have two different words meaning for a Verse, how do you know which is the “Original Bible”?
We can’t and we choose among the available options and that’s why we have different translations of the Bible among “Christian” scholars as they pick and choose according to their reasons & personal belief the sources they think is preserving the most accurate to the Original.
What about the ‘New Testament’?
I believe that the New Testament Writings are Inerrant. If ever the New Testament contradicts the Old Testament, it is because the Old Testament has that ‘Scribal Error’ (Jeremiah 8:8). I believe that Most Blessed Lord Jesus Christ Himself Mysteriously Proves this Perspective which I have Written above as Right as it is from Him that I learnt this in Verses below, please consider:
- Masoretic (Hebrew) Text – Old Testament
“The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound;” (Isaiah 61:1, KJV)
Source: https://biblehub.com/isaiah/61-1.htm
- Septuagint (Greek) LXX Text – Old Testament
“1The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me; he has sent me to preach glad tidings to the poor, to heal the broken in heart, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and recovery of sight to the blind;” (Isaiah 61:1, Brenton Septuagint Translation)
Source: https://biblehub.com/sep/isaiah/61.htm
iii. New Testament
“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised,” – Most Blessed Lord Jesus Christ (Luke 4:18, KJV)
Source: https://biblehub.com/luke/4-18.htm
What do you see?
Firstly, the KJV argument for this Verse does not list out all the aspects honestly in link below (as you can compare with what’s written next):
http://www.kjvtoday.com/home/reliable-hebrew-text/did-jesus-quote-luke-418-19-in-the-septuagint
- The Septuagint text is far more accurate in a ‘word to word’ quotation to Christ’s Own Words in Luke 4:18 than the Masoretic Text.
- In Luke 4:18, Christ was Reading from the Great Isaiah Scroll as Verses below reveal:
“16And he [Most Blessed Lord Jesus Christ]* came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up: and, as his custom was, he went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and stood up for to read. 17And there was delivered unto him the book of the prophet Esaias [Isaiah]. And when he had opened the book, he found the place where it was written,” (Luke 4:16 – 17, KJV)
Source: https://biblehub.com/kjv/luke/4.htm
*[Emphasis Mine throughout]
- Differences
- Luke 4:18 has “to set at liberty them that are bruised” while the Septuagint is missing this phrase entirely while the Masoretic Text is corrupted with a different phrase namely “and the opening of the prison to them that are bound”. So, the Septuagint is corrupted for this phrase. Liberty is the Greek ἄφεσις Aphesis meaning to release. Bruised is θραύω thrauó and can mean ‘bound’ as some claim but the word “prison” doesn’t appear in Christ’s quote at all which clearly proves that whatever the case, it is NOT a ‘word to word’ preservation in the Masoretic Text.
- Luke 4:18 and Septuagint both match in that the Gospel if primarily for the “poor” while the Masoretic uses a different word “meek” which is relatable but again is not ‘word to word’ inerrant.
- Luke 4:18 has the phrase “and recovering of sight to the blind” which matches the Septuagint’s “and recovery of sight to the blind” while the Masoretic Text does NOT have this phrase at all proving again that the Masoretic Text is corrupted in this case.
Note: The non-Christian Jews may use this Verse to claim that Luke 4:18 is corrupted but as a Christian we see it in the opposite way only, namely that the “New Testament’s Christ’s Word is Inerrant” as opposed to the Masoretic or Septuagint even.
Summary
Christ’s Own Most Blessed Words in Luke 4:18 proves that both the Masoretic Text and the Septuagint have been corrupted in some way as these Verses itself demonstrate the fulfillment of Jeremiah 8:8 (indeed, Christ has Fulfilled this Verse too by His Infamous Quote above – Can you see it?).
- So, if Christ was reading the ‘Masoretic Text’ as the King James Bible (KJV) Scholars ascertain that ‘Christ must have read from the Hebrew Version only’, then why is ‘their own translation of their own chosen Masoretic Text in Isaiah 61:1’ different from their own translation of Luke 4:18 and not word to word (both KJV translations)?
Please note that Christ is “not” paraphrasing these Isaiah Verses as He does in other times in the New Testament (e.g. Matthew 21:42) here simply because Luke 4:16 mentions that “He Read” from the Scroll of Scripture as “it was Written” as Luke 4:17 clearly records.
Since Christ cannot be reading a Corrupted Text with His Mouth, there are at least two possibilities then:
a). The Scroll which Christ Read from was as per Luke 4:18 only. Almost no Bible Scholar nowadays want to admit to this Truth because to say so would mean both the Septuagint and the Masoretic Text are “corrupted” and “different” from the Great Isaiah Scroll in the Time of Christ as these differences prove. Thus neither the Masoretic Text nor the Septuagint are word to word preservation of ‘that Original Old Testament Bible’ from the time of Christ ‘as claimed’. I will choose to believe the Gospel accounts that Christ Read that only.
- b) Christ might have held the Masoretic Text in His Hand or even the Septuagint for that matter (though this is highly unlikely) but when “He Read” what “was Written”, He Corrected the Parts which was Wrong as the Gospel Writers Record. But if this is the case, there would have been some commotion in the Synagogue where He Read due to ‘different words’ of which none of the Gospel Writers testify. So, this is highly unlikely too as compared to the possibility above.
1) Old Testament Scribal Errors
Example:
- a) 1KI 16:6-8 Baasha died in the 26th year of King Asa’s reign.
vs
2CH 16:1 Baasha built a city in the 36th year of King Asa’s reign.
- b) Jehoiachin was eighteen years old when he became king, and he reigned three months in Jerusalem; and his mother’s name was Nehushta the daughter of Elnathan of Jerusalem. 2 Kings 24:8
vs
Jehoiachin was eight years old when he became king, and he reigned three months and ten days in Jerusalem, and he did evil in the sight of the LORD. 2 Chronicles 36:9.
- c) Solomon had 40,000 stalls of horses for his chariots, and 12,000 horsemen. 1 Kings 4:26
vs
Now Solomon had 4,000 stalls for horses and chariots and 12,000 horsemen, and he stationed them in the chariot cities and with the king in Jerusalem. 2 Chronicles 9:25.
Jeremiah 8:8’s Prophecy might have come true for some cases as more is described in link below:
https://sites.google.com/site/errorsinthebible/contradictions
Note: I do not agree with the ‘only New Testament Error’ the authour proposed ‘Satan took Jesus to the pinnacle of the temple, then to the mountain top’ (based on Matthew 4:5-8) vs ‘Satan took Jesus to the mountain first, then the temple’ (based on Luke 4:5-9) as per the following reason:
“… It may be that Matthew describes these temptations chronologically while Luke lists them climactically, that is, topically. This may be to express the climax he desired to emphasize. Matthew 4:5 begins with the word “then” while verse 8 begins with the word “again.” In Greek, these words suggest a more sequential order of the events. In Luke’s account, however, verses 5 and 9 each begins with a simple “and” (see nasb). The Greek in the case of Luke’s account does not necessarily indicate a sequential order of events. Furthermore, there is no disagreement on the fact that these temptations actually happened. …”
Source:
https://defendinginerrancy.com/bible-solutions/Matthew_4.5-10_(cf._Luke_4.5-12).php
Also, when the Masoretic-Old Testament contradicts a “New Testament Verse”, I prefer believing the New Testament as representing the Truth and that the Masoretic one is corrupted while the KJV scholars claim in ‘reverse’ as the example of ‘Cainan’ demonstrate in link below [in short, Luke 3:36 is correctly quoting the Septuagint’s Genesis 11 and these are not ‘late manuscripts’ but earliest ones as it is the Masoretic Texts which the KJV uses can be dated earliest to 1000 years after Christ! while the Septuagint is clearly quoted in Luke 3:36 itself ehem ehem] :
http://www.kjvtoday.com/home/should-cainan-be-in-the-genealogy-in-luke-336
Note: In link above, the “KJV only scholars” even dare to claim that Blessed St. Luke made a mistake by inserting Cainan’s name wrongly in Luke 3:36 while they are right, ehem ehem.
Also many of the so called errors are not true especially when it relates to the New Testament, for example: Did the fig tree cursed by Jesus wither immediately (Matthew 21:19-20) or overnight (Mark 11:13-21)? The answer is that the fig tree began to wither immediately and by overnight, it was completely withered away.
2) Septuagint or the Masoretic Text or neither?
Just because Christ’s Own Most Blessed Words in Luke 4:18 Demonstrate that both the Masoretic Text and the Septuagint have errors as discussed earlier, it doesn’t mean that every Scripture may be corrupted by ‘Scribal Errors’ as there are good examples of New Testament Verses being quoted ‘Word for Word’ say from the Septuagint which shows that some of these Verses are per the possibly Lost Original Bible.
Example Quotes proving this:
‘… Of the approximately 300 Old Testament quotes in the New Testament, approximately 2/3 of them came from the Septuagint (the Greek translation of the Old Testament) which included the deuterocanonical books that the Protestants later removed. This is additional evidence that Jesus and the apostles viewed the deuterocanonical books as part of canon of the Old Testament. …”
Source:
The link above shows many such New Testament Verses where the “Septuagint” is Chosen over the ‘Masoretic Text’.
or
“… There are in all two hundred and eighty-three direct quotations from the Hebrew Bible (Old Testament) in the New Testament.[1] Chester Beatty XII, Greek manuscript of the Book of Enoch, with the text quoted by Epistle of Jude (4th century)
In about ninety instances, the Septuagint is literally quoted. In around eighty further instances, the quote is altered in some way. For example, at Matthew 21:42 Jesus says “Did ye never read in the scriptures that the stone which the builders refused is become the head stone of the corner?” – a reference to Psalm 118:22. Likewise, Mark 12:10. The Epistle of Jude quotes the pseudepigraphal Book of Enoch (1 Enoch 1:9) and the Assumption of Moses. Other quotations are sometimes made directly from the Hebrew text (e.g. Matthew 4:15–16, John 19:37, 1 Corinthians 15:54). …”
Source:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quotations_from_the_Hebrew_Bible_in_the_New_Testament
or
“… This chart allows anyone without Greek to easily see, at a glance, the major differences that exist between the various versions. Oftentimes it is difficult to find tools that create the sort of format found below. The chart has no scholarly value. Anyone who wants to understand precisely the differences should begin to learn Greek, and to read the secondary literature on the subject. A good starting place is Natalio Fernández Marcos, “The Septuagint and the New Testament,” chapter 21 in The Septuagint in Context: Introduction to the Greek Version of the Bible, trans. Wilfred G. E. Watson (Leiden: Brill, 2000) ||. Marcos’s judgment on the matter is “that most of the the Old Testament quotations in the New follow the text of the LXX in one of its known forms.” (265) Thus, in some instances where the NT and LXX do not match, the NT may reflect an earlier or alternate version of the LXX. For another analysis of the quotations, see R. Grant Jones’s “The Septuagint in the New Testament.” …”
Source: http://www.kalvesmaki.com/LXX/NTChart.htm
3) Septuagint is more reliable Biblically and Historically
- i) Some Notes on the Apostles’ usage of the Septuagint may be seen in list given in link below as the Masoretic Text is corrupted in each case when compared to the New Testament’s Divine Choice
http://www.bible-researcher.com/quote01.html
- ii) Very few examples of the New Testament exists where the Masoretic was chosen or more accurate than the Septuagint
“… Sometimes the Septuagint diverges from the Hebrew with no loss of contemporary meaning, but at the cost of prophetic significance. Thus where the Hebrew of Hosea 11:1 reads, “When Israel was a child I loved him, and out of Egypt I called My son”, the Greek renders it, “For Israel was an infant and I loved him, and out of Egypt I recalled his children”. The prophetic and Christological significance of the verse, attested to by St. Matthew in Matthew 2:13f, has vanished from the Septuagint. The upshot of all this is that the Septuagint should not be preferred to the Masoretic at every turn. At very least the Septuagint should be used along with the Masoretic. …”
Source:
https://blogs.ancientfaith.com/nootherfoundation/reflections-on-the-septuagint/
Comment: ‘… NET Bible has the following footnote on Hosea 11:1: The MT reads בְנִי (vÿni, “My son”); however, the LXX reflects בָנָיו (vanav, “his sons”). The MT should be retained as original here because of internal evidence; it is much more appropriate to the context. Obviously, Evangelist Matthew did not quote this particular verse from Septuagint for a reason. …’
Note: Sometimes the Septuagint itself may have had few variation versions (‘majority’ vs ‘minority’) for example for Isaiah 9:6 where the ‘minority might have been the Original’ as discussed in post below:
https://web.facebook.com/jonathan.ramachandran/posts/10159555996907784
Even the Canon of Old Testament Scripture may be a more Complex Mystery as discussed in post below:
https://web.facebook.com/jonathan.ramachandran/posts/10159568863652784
4) How did the Gospel Writers Choose between the Septuagint vs Masoretic or did they write directly from Inspiration of God where any match to either is coincidental?
God Alone Knows (2 Timothy 3:16).
Someone from the Eastern Orthodox Christianity said this,
‘… The writers of the New Testament did not rely on the Hebrew text. The recently published Eastern Orthodox Bible New Testament footnotes every single Old Testament quote and assesses whether the quote agrees with the Greek Septuagint rather than the Masoretic Text, which is supposedly a faithful representation of the “original” Hebrew. The vast majority of the Old Testament quotes agree with the Septuagint rather than the Masoretic Text, when there is a difference between the two. Regarding the quote of Deuteronomy 6:5 in Mark 12:30, I believe there are two plausible explanations:
- There is not an exact correspondence between the Greek and Hebrew words, so Mark decided that four Greek words “mind”, “heart”, “soul”, and “strength” were needed to capture the true meaning of the three Hebrew words labab, nephesh, and meod that Jesus probably spoke.
- There are two variants in the Septuagint version of Deuteronomy 6:5 (This is a fact). The first variant uses the Greek words “heart” (kardia), “soul” (psyche), and strength (dynamis). The second uses the Greek words “mind” (dianoia), “soul” and “strength”. Mark may have chosen to insert both kardia and dianoia to cover both versions….’
and
‘… Some Evidences of Aramaic Reliance:
Targum: New Advent, Encyclopedia – After the return from exile Aramaic gradually won the ascendancy as the colloquial language over the slowly decaying Hebrew until, from probably the last century before the Christian era, Hebrew was hardly more than the language of the schools and of worship.
Targumim, Jewish Encyclopedia – In like manner, the Aramaic passages in Genesis, Jeremiah, Daniel, and Ezra were briefly called “Targum,” (וּמְתֻרְגָּ֥ם, Ezra 4:7), while the Hebrew text was called “Miḳra” (see Yad. iv. 5; Shab. 115b).
Onkelos, chabad.org – Onkelos took very much to heart the fact that many Jews during the Babylonian Exile had forgotten their holy language, and had started speaking Babylonian, Ashdodic, Aramaic and different types of dialects. When the Jews returned from the Babylonian Exile, Ezra the Scribe translated the Torah into Aramaic so that everybody should be able to understand it, but the translation was lost. …’
Source for both quotes above:
Some related good explanations may be found in link below too:
https://carm.org/KJVO/how-did-the-nt-authors-approach-the-use-of-translations
5) Septuagint is more superior to the Masoretic Text used by the KJV Bible based on New Testament Usage only
If you use New Testament Usage of Scripture only, the Septuagint is obviously more reliable than the Masoretic Text as these lists of Verses showing each of these Texts in Comparison may be found in links below:
http://ecclesia.org/truth/comparisons.html
or in this ‘300 New Testament Verses quoting the Old Testament List’ comparing it with the Masoretic Text vs the Septuagint too:
6) Testimony of the Church Fathers
Most Church Fathers prefer the Septuagint over the Masoretic Text, example quote:
“… In the 2nd century A.D., hundreds of years before the time of the Masoretes, Justin Martyr investigated a number of Old Testament texts in various Jewish synagogues. He ultimately concluded that the Jews who had rejected Christ had also rejected the Septuagint, and were now tampering with the Hebrew Scriptures themselves:
“But I am far from putting reliance in your teachers, who refuse to admit that the interpretation made by the seventy elders who were with Ptolemy [king] of the Egyptians is a correct one; and they attempt to frame another. And I wish you to observe, that they have altogether taken away many Scriptures from the [Septuagint] translations effected by those seventy elders who were with Ptolemy, and by which this very man who was crucified is proved to have been set forth expressly as God, and man, and as being crucified, and as dying” (~150 A.D., Justin Martyr, Dialogue with Trypho the Jew, Chapter LXXI)
If Justin Martyr’s findings are correct, then it is likely that the Masoretes inherited a Hebrew textual tradition which had already been corrupted with an anti-Christian bias. …”
Source:
https://theorthodoxlife.wordpress.com/2012/03/12/masoretic-text-vs-original-hebrew/
Conclusion
To quote:
“… Of the places where the New Testament quotes the Old, the great majority is from the Septuagint version. Protestant authors Archer and Chirichigno list 340 places where the New Testament cites the Septuagint but only 33 places where it cites from the Masoretic Text rather than the Septuagint (G. Archer and G. C. Chirichigno, Old Testament Quotations in the New Testament: A Complete Survey, 25-32).
For those who may not know, the Septuagint was the Greek translation of the Hebrew Old Testament. The common abbreviation for it—LXX, or the Roman numerals for 70—come from a legend that the first part of the Septuagint was done by 70 translators.
By the first century, the LXX was the Bible of Greek-speaking Jews and so was the most frequently used version of the Old Testament in the early Church. For this reason, it was natural for the authors of the New Testament to lift quotes from it while writing in Greek to the Church.
But, while the New Testament authors quoted the LXX frequently, it does not necessarily follow that Christ did. We know for certain that Jesus quoted the Hebrew Old Testament at times, since he read from the scrolls in the synagogue. But Jesus could have only quoted from the Hebrew, and the New Testament authors later used the Greek translation to record the fact.
Either way, it doesn’t matter, because the Greek New Testament is inspired, and the Holy Spirit chose to have the sacred authors repeatedly cite the LXX. It doesn’t really matter if Jesus was quoting Scripture in Hebrew or Aramaic if the Holy Spirit chooses to use the Septuagint when translating his words into Greek. The importance of the Septuagint is demonstrated no matter which of these is the case.
But, since you ask, here is an example where the Greek gospels present Jesus as quoting the Septuagint: In Mark 7:6–7, Jesus quotes the LXX of Isaiah 29:13* when he says, “Well did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written, ‘This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me; in vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines the precepts of men.’”
Of course, the reason people usually ask about the New Testament authors’ use of the Septuagint is because it contains the seven deuterocanonical books that are now omitted from Protestant Bibles. Showing that the New Testament authors quoted from the LXX argues in favor of (though does not in itself prove) the inspiration of these seven books. …”
Source:
*Compare Mark 7:6 – 9 against the Masoretic Text vs Septuagint of Isaiah 29:13
“6… Well hath Esaias prophesied of you hypocrites, as it is written, This people honoureth me with their lips, but their heart is far from me. 7Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. 8For laying aside the commandment of God, ye hold the tradition of men, as the washing of pots and cups: and many other such like things ye do. 9And he said unto them, Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition.” – Most Blessed Lord Jesus Christ (Mark 7:6 – 9, KJV)
Source: https://biblehub.com/kjv/mark/7.htm
“Wherefore the Lord said, Forasmuch as this people draw near me with their mouth, and with their lips do honour me, but have removed their heart far from me, and their fear toward me is taught by the precept of men:” (Isaiah 29:13, KJV)
Source: https://biblehub.com/isaiah/29-13.htm
“13And the Lord has said, This people draw nigh to me with their mouth, and they honour me with their lips, but their heart is far from me: but in vain do they worship me, teaching the commandments and doctrines of men.” (Isaiah 29:13, Septuagint or LXX, Brenton Septuagint Translaton)
Source: https://biblehub.com/sep/isaiah/29.htm
Comment: In Mark 7:6 – 9 in the KJV translation itself, it is obvious that Christ Himself is quoting the “Septuagint or LXX” of Isaiah 29:13 ‘word to word’ while the Masoretic Text (KJV translation above) is clearly ‘missing’ one phrase completely namely, “7Howbeit in vain do they worship me”.
Compare also with the ‘New Testament Verse’ below:
” 7Ye hypocrites, well did Esaias prophesy of you, saying, 8This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me. 9But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.” – Most Blessed Lord Jesus Christ (Matthew 15:7 – 9, KJV)
Did you also notice that only the Masoretic Text has the additional phrase “and their fear toward me is taught by the precept of men” which is found neither in the Septuagint for Isiah 29:13 nor in Christ’s Own Words in either Mark 7:6 – 9 or Matthew 15:7 – 9. So, the Masoretic Text here does not just remove a phrase here but also added a phrase here which is only seen when compared to Christ’s. This argument is valid because the phrase “it is Written” is quoted in Mark 7:6 and thus ‘no additional phrase should be present beyond what is written nor removed but may be quoted partially’ as explained next:
The phrase “draweth nigh unto me with their mouth” is found in both the Masoretic and Septuagint as per Matthew 15:7 but not in Mark 7:6 as Mark decided not to quote that (a partial quotation to focus on the main points). The Topic in Mark 7:6 – 9 or Matthew 15:7 – 9 as Christ is demonstrating itself is focusing on ‘those who follow the commandments of men’. An Irony indeed.
“1{A Psalm of David.} LORD, who shall abide in thy tabernacle? who shall dwell in thy holy hill? 2He that walketh uprightly, and worketh righteousness, and SPEAKETH the TRUTH in HIS HEART.” (Psalm 15:1 – 2, KJV)
Source: https://biblehub.com/kjv/psalms/15.htm
or
“1A Psalm of David. O Lord, who shall sojourn in thy tabernacle? and who shall dwell in thy holy mountain? 2He that walks blameless, and works righteousness, who SPEAKS TRUTH in HIS HEART.” (Psalm 15:1 – 2, Septuagint or LXX, Brenton Septuagint Translation)
Source: https://biblehub.com/sep/psalms/15.htm
God Loves those who Speak the Truth and not those who lie even if the lie sounds like they’re defending God as the Story of Job & his friends demonstrate, Verse:
“And it was so, that after the LORD had spoken these words unto Job, the LORD said to Eliphaz the Temanite, My wrath is kindled against thee, and against thy two friends: for ye have not spoken of me the thing that is right, as my servant Job hath.” (Job 42:7, KJV)
Peace to you
Blessed – Christ never Taught that it refers to the Prosperity Gospel
Bible Verses:
“Blessed are you poor, For yours is the kingdom of God. … But woe to you who are rich, … For you have received your consolation.” – Most Blessed Lord Jesus Christ (Luke 6:20, 24, NKJV)
The Verse above implies ‘Generally’ that the ‘poor are in a blessed state’ while the ‘rich are in a cursed/woe state’ Gospelwise. The contrast in Verses above itself proves that being “blessed” cannot refer to “being rich”:
“… “Take heed and beware of covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses.” …” – Most Blessed Lord Jesus Christ (Luke 12:15, NKJV)
Who are the ‘poor in spirit’ then whom Christ mentions in Matthew 5:3?
Those actually “Voluntarily Poor” for the Gospel and those ‘rich who live by sharing their goods for common use’ (Acts 2:44 – 46, Acts 4:32 – ‘Perfect Christian Daily Living’).
Equivalent questions:
Which Rich Christians want Eternal Life in the First Resurrection?
So, which Christian rich man may be Saved?
Direct Biblical New Testament Answer, Verse:
“17COMMAND those who are RICH in this present age not to be haughty, nor to trust in uncertain riches but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy. 18Let them DO GOOD , that they be RICH IN GOOD WORKS , READY TO GIVE, WILLING TO SHARE, 19storing up for themselves a good foundation for the time to come, that they may lay hold on ETERNAL LIFE.” (1 Timothy 6:17 – 19, NKJV)
Please note that the Verse above clearly Reveals these 5 aspects for a ‘Rich Christian’ to have ‘Eternal Life’ which is not ‘believing only’ (as that’s a dead faith according to James 2):
- 17COMMAND those who are RICH
- 18Let them DO GOOD
iii. that they be RICH IN GOOD WORKS
- READY TO GIVE
- WILLING TO SHARE
Please note the word “Command” in Verse above and we know that whatever Blessed Apostle St. Paul “writes” are “Commands of the Lord” (hence not an option according to 1 Corinthians 14:37, the opposite is ‘lawlessness’ warned in Matthew 7:20 – 23’s, the Great Denial). We are both to “do” and “teach” others (the ‘Command’ part in Verse above) as per Christ’s Own Most Blessed Words in Matthew 5:19.
If Pastors don’t teach their congregations correctly regarding these four things needed and because of that say a rich person in their midst becomes unsaved (Matthew 7:20 – 23), then would that Pastor himself be Saved to Participate in the “First Resurrection” (Revelation 20:4 – 6) referred to on “that Day” He Returns (Matthew 7:20 – 23)? God Alone Knows. Our duty is done toward them in that we preach it already to whomever we know.
*James 2:14 – 17 describes this ‘Dead Faith’ without Works as follows:
“14What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him? 15If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, 16and one of you says to them, “Depart in peace, be warmed and filled,” but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit? 17Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.” (James 2:14 – 17, NKJV)
Prosperous Blessed Patriarch Abraham was such a man who did ‘not’ enjoy his riches but shared it abundantly toward others as First Christianity records this Tradition, as discussed in post below:
https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=10159563705212784&id=651792783
This is great as God Measures Relatively (as per the case of the poor widow, Luke 21:1 – 4) and so Blessed Patriarch Abraham though he was rich but lived ‘Voluntarily Poor’ by “sharing” and “giving” away his riches to friends and strangers is considered very very great because he chose not to enjoy them much whilst having it as post above discusses.
‘Scripture interprets Scripture’
Let’s not be deceived by the “Prosperity Gospel” and thereby ‘miss’ the “Kingdom of God”, Verses:
“So is he who lays up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.” – Most Blessed Lord Jesus Christ (Luke 12:21, NKJV)
Please don’t take Christ’s Own Double Warning lightly:
“23Then Jesus said to His disciples, “Assuredly, I say to you that it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. 24And again I say to you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.” (Matthew 19:23 – 24, NKJV)
If Christ Repeated this Warning in Verse above twice, I believe we ought to repeatedly remind each other again of it because failing in this would mean that one does “not” enter the ‘Kingdom of God/Heaven’. Please read this again.
Worse still, some Christians may “burn” in “fires of Hell” for the Prosperity Gospel (if the Verse below doesn’t refer to such, who does it refer to then?)
“Your gold and silver are corroded, and their corrosion will be a witness against you and will eat your flesh like fire. You have heaped up treasure in the last days.” (James 5:3, NKJV)
Please don’t let the lie of Prosperity Gospel rob you of heaven or the treasures in the Heavens.
Anyone with even a basic reading of Church History will know that none of the fathers of the Church taught any Prosperity Gospel and in fact Warned against its Dangers, example posts:
- i) Few Saved Mystery – Believers are not necessarily Disciples
https://web.facebook.com/jonathan.ramachandran/posts/10159456327752784
- ii) The Greatest Heresy – Promise of His Kingdom without Obedience
https://web.facebook.com/jonathan.ramachandran/posts/10159494010887784
iii) Prosperity Gospel – Head on Earth and not the Tail
https://web.facebook.com/jonathan.ramachandran/posts/10159495177182784
Wisdom doesn’t Teach to ‘falsely Twist and Pray the Jabez prayer for Prosperity**’ but rather pray ‘not’ to be rich either as follows:
“Remove falsehood and lies far from me; Give me neither poverty nor riches— Feed me with the food allotted to me;” (Proverbs 30:8, NKJV based on the Masoretic Text)
Source: https://biblehub.com/proverbs/30-8.htm
or
“8Remove far from me vanity and falsehood: and give me not wealth or poverty; but appoint me what is needful and sufficient:” (Proverbs 30:8, Septuagint or LXX, based on Brenton Septuagint Translation)
Source: https://biblehub.com/sep/proverbs/30.htm
**Jabez was not Praying Prosperity so that he can live in luxury but because he was mistreated by his own family though he is more noble than his brothers, Verses:
“9Now Jabez was more honorable than his brothers, and his mother called his name Jabez, saying, “Because I bore him in pain.” 10And Jabez called on the God of Israel saying, “Oh, that You would bless me indeed, and enlarge my territory, that Your hand would be with me, and that You would keep me from evil, that I may not cause pain!” So God granted him what he requested.” (1 Chronicles 4:9 – 10, NKJV)
The noble attitude of Jabez means ‘he never got what he deserved while his less noble family was swindling & cursing him’ and also points that ‘he must have shared what he got blessed from God’ and that’s why God Answered his prayer. So, are we like Jabez or praying so that we can live in the Sin of Luxury?
Yes Luxury is sin which sent a Rich Man straight to ‘Hell now’ (Hades), Bible Verses:
“23And being in torments in Hades, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. 24“Then he cried and said, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus that he may dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.’ 25But Abraham said, ‘Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things; but now he is comforted and you are tormented. 26And besides all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed, so that those who want to pass from here to you cannot, nor can those from there pass to us.’.” (Luke 16:23 – 26, NKJV)
“You have lived on the earth in pleasure and luxury; you have fattened your hearts as in a day of slaughter.” (James 5:5, NKJV)
Source Post:
https://www.anonymouschristian.org/blog/olam-and-lake-of-fire-mystery-in-the-book-of-1enoch/amp/
Peace to you
Blessed Patriarch Abraham – the First Man who Entertained Christ Himself and the Angels unawares
Question
Was Abraham Rich?
Reply
Yes, very rich.
Bible Verses:
1) Even while Abraham was still called by his old name Abram
“Abram was very rich in livestock, in silver, and in gold.” (Genesis 13:2, NKJV)
2) Till the end of his life, Abraham was super rich
“1Now Abraham was old, well advanced in age; and the Lord had blessed Abraham in all things. ” (Genesis 46:1, NKJV)
“34So he said, “I am Abraham’s servant. 35The Lord has blessed my master greatly, and he has become great; and He has given him flocks and herds, silver and gold, male and female servants, and camels and donkeys.” (Genesis 24:34 – 35, NKJV)
3) Abraham did not keep or enjoy the wealth for himself and his family only but toward strangers too (so certainly toward his servants etc.)
To quote:
“… The Bible places a high value on hospitality and eating, and sometimes banqueting is the focal point of that hospitality. In Genesis 18:1-8, Abraham is the first person shown opening the door of his home in hospitality to others, in this case to the Lord Himself! The meal, hastily prepared by their time standards, is unusual in that Abraham does not even eat with them! We often feel that we cannot spare the time to do such things, but here is God, the Creator, who finds time in His infinitely busier schedule to sit and wait while Abraham and Sarah prepare a banquet for Him and His companions! The point, however, is that food and eating is the focal point of Abraham’s hospitality. Important events frequently occur on such occasions. …” – John W. Ritenbaugh
Source:
Such a “Hospitable” lifestyle is requirement for the Salvation of a Christian Rich Man as 1 Timothy 6:17 – 19 points as discussed in post below:
https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=10159580036387784&id=651792783
And Abraham fulfilled the 1 Timothy 6:17 – 19 lifestyle as required as discussed in link below
https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=10159563705212784&id=651792783
Please note that as the Verse in image shows (Hebrews 13:2), where it points to the first person recorded in Holy Scripture to entertain both Christ (Two YHWH-God in Genesis 19:24, the Visible YHWH on Earth in Genesis 18:1) and ‘angels too’ (Genesis 18:2, Genesis 19:1) via “hospitality” unknowingly at first was Blessed Patriarch Abraham himself as discussed in Post above in greater detail.
Blessed Patriarch Abraham’s life demonstrated the Faith and Works of a Champion till he was worthily called by Scripture as “Friend of God”, Verse:
“23And the Scripture was fulfilled which says, “Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.” And he was called the friend of God. 24You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only.” (James 2:23 – 24, NKJV)
Please notice carefully that Blessed Apostle St. James the Just writes the Context for Blessed Patriarch Abraham being called a “Friend of God” by not quoting Abraham’s Faith only (James 2:23) but Abraham’s Hospitable Works which match his faith too (next verse, James 2:24). The Bible clearly affirms this Truth and thus let us not be deceived otherwise by ‘half quotes’ of Verses Speaking a ‘half-truth only’.
Peace to you
Apocalypse of Elijah Mystery and why the Old Testament has 24 or 39 Books?
1) Bible
Was the ‘Apocalypse of Elijah’ possibly quoted in the Bible?
“… Origen, Ambrosiaster, and Euthalius ascribe First Epistle to the Corinthians 2:9 to it:
Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.
Epiphanius[1] ascribes to this work Eph. 5:14:
Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light. …”
Source:
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apocalypse_of_Elijah
2) Church Fathers and the Earliest Bible Canons
“… This apocalypse is mentioned in the Apostolic Constitutions, the List of the Sixty Books, the Synopsis of Pseudo-Athanasius, the Stichometry of Nicephorus, and the Armenian list of Mechithar. … If they are right, the apocalypse is pre-Pauline. The peculiar form in which this quotation appears in Clement of Alexandria, Protrepticus x. 94, and the Apostolic Constitutions vii. 32, shows that both have the same source, probably this apocalypse. …”
Source:
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apocalypse_of_Elijah
3) Christ Centered Universalism
The Christian Version/Preservation of this Apocalypse of Elijah has the following Christ Centered Universalism Prophecy toward those in Gehenna/Lake of Fire after the Prayer of the Righteous for their Salvation “many times”:
“… 23.And the fire will prevail over the earth seventy-two cubits. It will consume the sinners and the devils like stubble.
24.A true judgment will occur.
25.On that day, the mountains and the earth will utter speech. The byways will speak with one another, saying, “Have you heard today the voice of a man who walks who has not come to the judgment of the Son of YHWH.”
26.The sins of each one will stand against him in the place where they were committed, whether those of the day or of the night.
27.Those who belong to the righteous and … will see the sinners and those who persecuted them and those who handed them over to death in their torments.
28.Then the sinners [ in torment ] will see the place of the righteous.
29.And thus grace will occur. In those days, that which the righteous will ask for many times will be given to them. …” – Apocalypse of Elijah (Verses 23 – 29)
Source:
http://www.3-in-1.net/Pseudepigrapha/Apocalypse%20of%20Elijah/The%20Apocalypse%20of%20Elijah.htm
Comment: The Christ Centered Universalism part is Prophesied in Verse 29.
I cannot ascertain anything 100% but I believe it as a very highly likely Possibility.
This Apocalypse of Elijah Book can be one of the ’70 Secret Books’ which Blessed Prophet Ezra himself wrote. Please note that the reason we know that there are 39 books in the Old Testament Canon is because it is recorded ‘outside the Protestant Bible’ in 2 Edsras as follows, to quote:
“… The Hebrew Bible is also the textual source for the Christian Old Testament. The form of this text that is authoritative for Rabbinic Judaism is known as the Masoretic Text (MT) and it consists of 24 books, while the translations divide essentially the same material into 39 books for the Protestant Bible. …”
Source:
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hebrew_Bible
In other words, these same 24 Books of the Tanakh as Blessed Prophet Ezra decided by Divine Inspiration as the Old Testament Bible/Canon of Scripture is ‘relabeled and split into 39 books by modern protestants’. Another Example quote:
“… The Jewish canon has fewer books because it merges works that are separate in the Christian tradition, eg 1 and 2 Kings, 1 and 2 Chronicles, or Ezra and Nehemiah. That 24-book division goes back at least to the end of the first century AD, when it is recorded in 2 Esdras. So, the number of Old Testament books is 24 or 39, and that is no great problem. …”
Source:
https://www.patheos.com/blogs/anxiousbench/2016/03/numbering-the-old-testament/
So, if we as Christians agree that the Old Testament has 24 books (or equivalently re-labelled as 39 books in modern protestant Bibles), we are agreeing to a ‘out of the 66 books’ Canon numbering of Scripture’ as it is recorded in the 2 Esdras writing which also mentions another mysterious number which is the “70 secret books which Blessed Prophet Ezra also wrote for the Wise as God instructed”, to quote:
“… Finally, there is a vision of the restoration of scripture. God appears to Ezra in a bush and commands him to restore the Law. Ezra gathers five scribes and begins to dictate. After forty days, he has produced ninety-four books: the twenty-four books of the Tanakh and seventy secret works: Make public the twenty-four books that you wrote first, and let the worthy and the unworthy read them; but keep the seventy that were written last, in order to give them to the wise among your people.” (2 Esdras 14:45–46 RSV; 4 Ezra 12:45–46) …”
Source:
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/2_Esdras
So, to agree to the 24 (or 39) Books of the Old Testament is to take this record as True in 2 Esdras which in turn implies in its same sentence the truth of the ’70 hidden/secret books to the wise’ which may include this ‘Apocalypse of Elijah’ (which contains a possible Christ Centered Universalism Prophecy as demonstrated earlier) and also more highly possible the ‘Book of 1Enoch’ as also part of these ’70 secret books’ which also has ‘some type of Christ Centered Universalism Prophecy’ as it was discussed in a previous post in link below:
https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=10159548315757784&id=651792783
Regarding Blessed Prophet Ezra’s possible list of 70 hidden books, please also consider the post in link below:
https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=10159568863652784&id=651792783
Interesting Indeed.
Peace to you
Epistle of the Apostles – Christ Centered Universalism Hope
1) Christ Centered Universalism Prophecy
“… 39 And we said unto him: Lord, is this thy purpose, that thou leavest us, to come upon them? (Will all this come to pass, Eth.) He answered and said unto us: After what manner shall the judgement be? whether righteous or unrighteous? (In Copt. and Eth. the general sense is the same: but the answer of Jesus in the form of a question is odd, and there is probably a corruption.) We said unto him: Lord, in that day they will say unto thee: Thou hast not distinguished between (probably: will they not say unto thee: Thou hast distinguished between) righteousness and unrighteousness, between the light and the darkness, and evil and good? Then said he: I will answer them and say: Unto Adam was power given to choose one of the two: he chose the light and laid his hand thereon, but the darkness he left behind him and cast away from him. Therefore have all men power to believe in the light which is life, and which is the Father that hath sent me. And every one that believeth and doeth the works of the light shall live in them; but if there be any that confesseth that he belongeth unto the light, and doeth the works of darkness, such an one hath no defence to utter, neither can he lift up his face to look upon the Son of God, which Son am I. For I will say unto him: As thou soughtest, so hast thou found, and as thou askedst, so hast thou received. Therefore condemnest thou me, O man? Wherefore hast thou departed from me and denied me? And wherefore hast thou confessed me and yet denied me? hath not every man power to live and to die? Whoso then hath kept my commandments shall be a son of the light, that is, of the Father that is in me. But because of them that corrupt my words am I come down from heaven. I am the word: I became flesh, and I wearied myself (or, suffered) and taught, saying: The heavy laden shall be saved, and they that are gone astray shall go astray for ever. They shall be chastised and tormented in their flesh and in their soul. 40 And we said unto him: O Lord, verily we are sorrowful for their sake. And he said unto us: Ye do rightly, for the righteous are sorry for the sinners, and pray for them, making prayer unto my Father. Again we said unto him: Lord, is there none that maketh intercession unto thee (so Eth.)? And he said unto us: Yea, and I will hearken unto the prayer of the righteous which they make for them…” (Epistle of the Apostles, Coptic, Verses 39 – 40 in full)
Source:
http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/text/apostolorum.html
Please note that the ‘Epistle of Apostles’ writing above may have preserved this Christ Centered Universalism part without any corruption as there seems to be no variant manuscripts or contradictions to the other preserved versions.
2) Is the Epistle of the Apostles Writing Trustworthy?
The only argument often used against this Epistle of the Apostles writing is that it seems to predict Christ’s Return within 150 years but that’s not telling the whole story honestly as explained below, to quote:
“… One of the reasons that the text probably fell into disuse by the mainstream churches is that its claim that the Second Coming shall be 150 years after the time of the vision to the apostles obviously failed to occur. Whether the text was ever considered heretical by the Catholic churches is unknown, as there are no clear references to it in the extant ancient Christian literature. However, the Ethiopian Orthodox Church evidently accepted it as basic orthodoxy. …”
Source:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Epistula_Apostolorum
Explanation, let’s look at the ‘actual quote’:
“… 16 Then said we to him: Lord, that which thou hast revealed unto us (revealest, Eth.) is great. Wilt thou come in the power of any creature or in an appearance of any kind ? (In what power or form wilt thou come? Eth.) He answered and said unto us: Verily I say unto you, I shall come like the sun when it is risen, and my brightness will be seven times the brightness thereof! The wings of the clouds shall bear me in brightness, and the sign of the cross shall go before me, and I shall come upon earth to judge the quick and the dead. 17 We said unto him: Lord, after how many years shall this come to pass ? He said unto us: When the hundredth part and the twentieth part is fulfilled, between the Pentecost and the feast of unleavened bread, then shall the coming of my Father be (so Copt.: When an hundred and fifty years are past, in the days of the feast of Passover and Pentecost, &c., Eth.: . . . (imperfect word) year is fulfilled, between the unleavened bread and Pentecost shall be the coming of my Father, Lat.). …” – Epistle of the Apostles (Verses 16 – 17)
Please notice carefully that the Ethiopic one (which is the most complete, which we are referring to primarily) does not have the ‘one hundred fifty years statement’ (as that’s by the ‘Coptic Version only’). In fact, the Ethiopic one having an (imperfect word) or the phrase ‘When the hundredth part and the twentieth part is fulfilled’ may just be a parabolic answer to the ‘exact undetermined years’. What can the phrase ‘ the hundredth part and the twentieth part’ mean parabolically? Verse:
“And the LORD said, “My Spirit shall not strive with man forever, for he is indeed flesh; yet his days shall be one hundred and twenty years.” (Genesis 6:3, NKJV)
We know that Genesis 6:3 above cannot refer to the literal age only because for example ‘Jeanne Calment (1875–1997) of France, who lived to the age of 122 years’ has exceeded God’s Limit*. So a possible ‘allegorical’ interpretation alongside it could be that the “one hundred years [part] and twenty years [part]” as a limit to man’s age could be referring to man’s free will/choice on earth till God Returns to Judge the World as alluded by the Mysterious Verse in the Epistle of the Apostles (Verses 16 – 17) above. In other words, if we take Genesis 6:3 not to mean literally as some men have exceeded that lifespan, then we need not take Epistle of the Apostles (Verses 16 – 17)’s counting literally either but parabolic too especially since these two “share the same numbers” and “context of years for man’s existence” possibly before God Reveals Himself – Can you see it?
*Source:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_the_verified_oldest_people
3) How was this Text viewed in Ancient Christianity and when was it rediscovered?
“… The text is commonly dated to the 2nd century, perhaps towards the middle of it. [1] CE Hill (1999) dates the Epistle to “just before 120, or in the 140s” and places “… the Epistula in Asia Minor in the first half of the second century.” [2] The text was used regularly by the relatively isolated Ethiopian Orthodox Church, and was evidently not considered heretical. The work was lost to the West until 1895 when major portions of it were discovered in the Coptic language and a complete version translated into Ethiopic was discovered and published in the early 20th century.[3] The fragmentary Coptic manuscript of the 5th or 4th century, is believed to be translated directly from the original Greek. One leaf of a Latin palimpsest, dating to the 5th century has also been identified as deriving from the same text.[4] … The text is framed as a letter from the 11 apostles to the worldwide church, as a report from Jesus involving a dialogue between them and Jesus, which occurs between Jesus’s resurrection and ascension.[5] The first 20% (10 chapters) begins by describing the nativity, resurrection, and miracles of Jesus, this framing is only done extremely superficially.The remainder of the text recounts a vision and dialogue between Jesus and the apostles, consisting of about sixty questions, and 41 short chapters. The text is by far the largest epistle in either the New Testament or Apocrypha. …”
Source:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Epistula_Apostolorum
and
“… . No ancient writer mentions it [by Name], and very few traces of its use can be found: the (third ?)-century poet Commodian seems to use it in one place (see 11). There has so far been no English rendering of the text; my version depends on Schmidt and Guerrier. In the Ethiopic version another writing, a prophecy of our Lord concerning the signs of the end, is prefixed to the Epistle. Parts of the this recur in the Syriac Testament of the Lord and part is repeated in the Epistle itself. It is noteworthy that this prophecy ends with a passage which is identical with one quoted by Clement of Alexandria from a source he does not name he does not name – only calling it ‘the Scripture’. … A similar passage is in the Apostolic Constitutions, vii. 22. On the possible derivation from the Apocalypse of Elias see my Lost Apocrypha of O.T., p. 54. … ”
Source:
http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/text/apostolorum.html
Regarding the Text Used in link above, the author writes:
“… The authorities for the text are: (a) a Coptic MS. of the fourth or fifth century at Cairo, mutilated; (b) a complete version in Ethiopic; (c) a leaf of a fifth-century MS. in Latin, palimpsest, at Vienna. The only edition which makes use of all the authorities is C. Schmidt’s, 1919. The Ethiopic was previously edited by Guerrier in Patrologia orientalis under the title of Testament of our Lord in Galilee. A notice of the text by Guerrier in the Revue de l’Orient Chretien (1907) enabled me to identify it with the Coptic text, of which Schmidt had given a account to the Berlin Academy. As to the date and character of the book, Sehmidt’s verdict is that it was written in Asia Minor about A.D. 160 by an orthodox Catholic. The orthodoxy has been questioned (see a review by G. Bardy in Revue Biblique, 1921). …”
Peace to you
Apocalypse of Zephaniah – Salvation for the Damned after the Prayer of the Righteous Hope
1) Should Christians Read it?
There was an ancient Writing of Prophet Zephaniah’s Visit into Hades (Hell compartments and Regions of Comfort) agreeing to Lord Jesus Christ’s Story of the Rich Man and Lazarus (Luke 16:19 – 31).
It was lost for centuries but St. Clement of Alexandria* seems to have had it as he quotes Prophet Zephaniah as follows in his infamous “Stromata Book Series” in a quote not found in the Old Testament Zephaniah:
“… Rightly, then, in the great Epistle he says: “For it is not capable of expression, like other branches of study. But as the result of great intimacy with this subject, and living with it, a sudden light, like that kindled by a coruscating fire, arising in the soul, feeds itself.” Are not these statements like those of Zephaniah the prophet? “And the Spirit of the Lord took me, and brought me up to the fifth heaven, and I beheld angels called Lords; and their diadem was set on in the Holy Spirit; and each of them had a throne sevenfold brighter than the light of the rising sun; and they dwelt in temples of salvation, and hymned the ineffable, Most High God.”…” – Blessed St. Clement of Alexandria (c. 150 AD – c. 215 AD, Stromata, Book 5, Chapter XI)
Source:
http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/text/clement-stromata-book5.html
Who is St. Clement of Alexandria? Link below:
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clement_of_Alexandria
2) Was it Written by Jews or Christians?
It was probably a Vision of Prophet Zephaniah himself as St. Clement of Alexandria clearly quotes a mysterious passage of Prophet Zephaniah which is not in the Bible but could be in this discovered Manuscript as shown above. Most of its contents may be lost but the few fragments which were discovered recently give great insight into First Christianity, to quote:
“… The Apocalypse of Zephaniah (or Apocalypse of Sophonias) is a 1st-century pseudepigraphic Jewish text attributed to the Biblical Zephaniah and so associated with the Old Testament, but not regarded as scripture by Jews or any Christian group. It was rediscovered and published at the end of the 19th century… The existence of the Apocalypse of Zephaniah was known from ancient texts (for example the Stichometry of Nicephorus) but it was considered lost. In 1881 two fragmentary manuscripts, probably coming from the White Monastery in Egypt, were bought by the Bibliothèque Nationale of Paris and first published by U. Bouriant in 1885… At the second trumpet, the heavens are opened and Zephaniah sees the sinful souls (which are given body and hair) tormented in a sea of flame until the day when the Lord will judge. He sees also a multitude of saints praying in intercession for those in these torments. The last trumpet mentioned in the fragments prepares for the announcement that the Lord will rise up in his wrath to destroy the earth and the heavens… It clearly distinguishes between the personal judgment occurring immediately after death and the final judgment by the Lord… Souls enter bliss or punishment immediately after the first judgment, while waiting for the Lord’s coming, but the intercession of the saints makes it possible that, for some, punishment may not be definitive…”
Source:
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apocalypse_of_Zephaniah
3) Content for the Apocalypse of Zephaniah
Each quote below is from the translation source in link below:
- i) The Saved in the Blessed Compartments of Hades onward
The 1st trumpet: triumph & visitation of the righteous.
“… 91Then a great angel came forth having a golden trumpet in his hand, and he blew it three times over my head, saying, “Be courageous! O one who hath triumphed. Prevail! O one who hath prevailed. For thou hast triumphed over the accuser, and thou hast escaped from the abyss and Hades. 2Thou wilt now cross over the crossing place. For thy name is written in the Book of the Living.” 3I wanted to embrace him, (but) I was unable to embrace the great angel because his glory is great. 4Then he ran to all the righteous ones, namely, Abraham and Isaac and Jacob and Enoch and Elijah and David. 5He spoke with them as friend to friend speaking one with another…” – Apocalypse of Zephaniah (aft 100 B.C. & bef A.D. 70)
- ii) The Unsaved in Hell or the Punishment Compartments of Hades
A 2nd trumpet: opening of heaven & souls in torment.
“… 101Then the great angel came to me with the golden trumpet in his hand, and he blew it up unto heaven. 2Heaven opened from the place where the sun rises to where it sets, from the north to the south. 3I saw the sea which I had seen at the bottom of Hades. Its waves came up to the clouds. 4I saw all the souls sinking in it. I saw some whose hands were bound to their neck, with their hands and feet being fettered. 5I said, “Who are these?” He said unto me, “These are the ones who were bribed and they were given gold and silver until the souls of men were led astray.” 6And I saw others covered with mats of fire. 7I said, “Who are these?” He said unto me, “These are the ones who give money at interest, and they receive interest for interest.” …” – Apocalypse of Zephaniah (aft 100 B.C. & bef A.D. 70)
iii) Purgatory for Backslidden Christians
“.. 8And I also saw some blind ones crying out. And I was amazed when I saw all these works of God. 9I said, “Who are these?” He said unto me, “These are catechumens who heard the word of God, but they were not perfected in the work which they heard.” 10And I said unto him, “Then have they not repentance here?” He said, “Yes,” 11I said, “How long?” He said unto me, “Until the day when the Lord will judge.” 12And I saw others with their hair on them. 13I said, “Then there is hair and body in this place?” 14He said, “Yes, the Lord gives body and hair to them as he desires.”…” – Apocalypse of Zephaniah (aft 100 B.C. & bef A.D. 70)
- iv) Prayer of Salvation toward the non-Christian damned
The intercession of the saints for those in torment.
“… 111And I also saw multitudes. He brought them forth. 2As they looked at all of the torments they called out, praying before the Lord Almighty, saying, “We pray unto Thee on account of those who are in all these torments so that Thou might have mercy on all of them.” 3And when I saw them, I said to the angel who spoke with me, “<Who are these?>” 4He said, “These who beseech the Lord are Abraham and Isaac and Jacob. 5Then at a certain hour daily they come forth with the great angel. He soundeth a trumpet up unto heaven and another soundeth upon the earth. 6All the righteous hear the sound. They come running, praying to the Lord Almighty daily on behalf of these who are in all these torments.”…” – Apocalypse of Zephaniah (aft 100 B.C. & bef A.D. 70)
- v) Future Final Judgment Day
Another trumpet: the coming wrath of God.
“… 121And again the great angel cometh forth with the golden trumpet in his hand blowing over the earth. 2They hear (it) from the place of the sunrise to the place of the sunset and from the southern regions to the northern regions. 3And again he blows (it) up unto heaven and its sound is heard. 4I said, “O Lord, why left thou me not until I saw them all?” 5He said unto me, “I have not authority to show them unto thee until the Lord Almighty riseth up in his wrath to destroy the earth and the heavens. 6They will see and be disturbed, and they will all cry out, saying, ‘All flesh which is ascribed to Thee we will give unto Thee on the day of the Lord.’ 7Who will stand in His presence when He riseth in His wrath <to destroy> the earth <and the heavens?> 8Every tree which groweth upon the earth will be plucked up with its roots and fall down. And every high tower and the birds which fly will fall … ” – Apocalypse of Zephaniah (aft 100 B.C. & bef A.D. 70)
4) Why is it not in the Bible?
It was lost and only rediscovered in the 19th century. Apart from St. Clement of Alexandria possibly mentioning it, it may not have been known by some of them or it may have not been scrutinized by early councils or they can’t reach a consensus to it. So, we keep an open mind.
Conclusion
Interestingly, the Concept of the Righteous Praying for the Salvation of the “Unsaved” to be Saved from Hades is existent in this Text as it was practiced in First Christianity as discussed in a Previous Post too (link below for full reading) which agrees to St. Cyril of Alexandria’s quotes that Post-Mortem evangelization still goes on (based on 1 Peter 4:6, as discussed with First Christianity References by the Infamous ArchBishop Hilarion, book in image) endorsing even Sadhu Sundar Singh’s visions of Post-Mortem Salvation toward some in Hades (Hell now) as true as well (links below too):
https://www.anonymouschristian.org/blog/the-truth-on-hell-by-the-vision-of-sadhu-sundar-singh/amp/
From the Biography:
https://archive.org/stream/themessageofsadh00streuoft/themessageofsadh00streuoft_djvu.txt
or some ‘relatively good non-Christian idolater or atheist saved in Hades/afterlife’ as some of Sundar Singh’s Visions show in link below:
Further Reading on this Topic:
https://www.anonymouschristian.org/blog/lake-of-fire-hope-for-the-wicked-one-day/amp/
Conclusion
The Verses in image (from the Bible in Zephaniah 3:8 – 10) was the basis used for a Christian Universalism Prophecy argument by the great Blessed Origen of Alexandria in ancient times itself as this is discussed in detail in link below:
https://web.facebook.com/jonathan.ramachandran/posts/10159476604007784
Please take note that the Bible’s Zephaniah 3:8 – 10’s “Judgment Day” Salvation for some or all is more clear than the one purported in this write-up via this non-canonized Apocalypse of Zephaniah book by the same prophet’s name. Also, even if God Saves one soul on Judgment Day as per Zephaniah 3:8 – 10 points, it is possible then that He Can Save others even after the Lake of Fire Judgment.
Peace to you
Apocalypse of Ezra – Christ Centered Universalism Hope?
Again, this is not a 100% doctrinal position as we cannot prove these ancient preserved writings to be completely original or even if the tampered parts are false or not because a Christian Revelation thereafter can be a continuation of the previous Jewish Revelation first, completing it.
In this Ancient Christian “Armenian” Writing of Ezra, we see the possibility of Christ Centered Universalism Prophecy via Christians possibly as “Priests” (Revelation 1:6 in image) Praying on behalf of the “Sinners” condemned on ‘Judgment Day’ to be ‘Saved’, to quote:
“… Peter Kirby also surveys scholars writing on the questions of Ezra:
James Charlesworth writes (The Pseudepigrapha and Modern Research, pp. 117-118):
The one extant Armenian manuscript of the Questions of Ezra has not been edited, but parts of it were translated into English by J. Issaverdens (UWOT. Pp. 457-61).
The work is Christian, rather late, and apparently influenced by traditions recorded in 1 Enoch, 2 Enoch, the Apocalypse of Abraham, and the Apocalypse of Zosimus. Issaverdens translates six of the questions Ezra asks ‘the Angel of God’; these can be paraphrased as follows:
- What has God prepared for the righteous and sinners?
Ans. For the righteous are prepared rejoicing and light, for sinners darkness and fire.
- If all men living are sinners and hence deserve condemnation, are not beasts more blessed?
Ans. Do not repeat these words to “Him who is above you.”
- Where does the soul go after death?
Ans. A good angel comes to a good soul, and a wicked one to a bad soul (cf. ApAb). The soul is taken eastward.
- What is that way like?
Ans. There are seven steps to the Divinity; the righteous soul passes through four steps of terror, one of enlightenment, and two of blessing.
- Why do you not take the soul to the Divinity?
Ans. Ezra is called a vain man (cf. ApZos) who thinks according to human nature. No man or angel can see the face of God, but only the place of God’s throne, which is fiery (cf. 1En 14:18-23, 2En 20).
- What shall become of “us sinners”?
Ans. When you die you will obtain mercy and rest if a Christian prays or performs some act of devotion for you.
- E. Stone writes: “There is insufficient evidence to determine whether the writing was originally composed in Armenian or whether it wsa translated into Armenian from another language. Possible arguments based on literary considerations will be adduced in the next section. There seems no clear basis for establishing the date except to say that the writing is a Christian composition clearly based on Jewish models. There is no indication of provenace.” (The Old Testament Pseudepigrapha, p. 592) …” – Apocalypse of Ezra (the “Armenian Manuscript”)
Source:
http://www.textexcavation.com/apocalypseezra.html#questezra
Note: Point 6 above proves the possible Christ Centered Universalism Described on Judgment Day henceforth or earlier even now.
Mysterious Indeed.
What if God Mysteriously Willed the Final Salvation of the Damned in this Way because the Bible Verses can mean that the Punishment Sentence is eternal but gets cancelled after the Christians ask for it many times as this theme is found in several noteworthy ancient Christian writings, for example in posts below too:
- i) Apocalypse of Elijah
https://web.facebook.com/jonathan.ramachandran/posts/10159622630577784
- ii) Book of 1Enoch
https://web.facebook.com/jonathan.ramachandran/posts/10159548315757784
or this
https://web.facebook.com/jonathan.ramachandran/posts/10159489970167784
iii) Epistle of the Apostles
https://web.facebook.com/jonathan.ramachandran/posts/10159631284097784
- iv) Apocalypse of Zephaniah
https://web.facebook.com/jonathan.ramachandran/posts/10159631226447784
- v) Jewish Christian Sibyline Oracles – a Tradition by Blessed and Great St. Paul the Apostle?
https://web.facebook.com/jonathan.ramachandran/posts/10158298054362784
- vi) Jewish Targums
https://web.facebook.com/jonathan.ramachandran/posts/10158865159207784
vii) Apocalypse of Peter
https://web.facebook.com/jonathan.ramachandran/posts/10158849943722784
viii) Arguments for Hell is not Eternal using Bible Verses using the same words Olam/Aeon
https://web.facebook.com/jonathan.ramachandran/posts/10159410771327784
- ix) Arguments for the Possibility that Olam/Aeon used to denote Exactly 1000 Years by Christ Himself
https://web.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10159511823312784
- x) Three Types of Men: Elect, Righteous and Sinners Categorization Mystery?
https://web.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10159489956072784
“For we know in part and we prophesy in part.” (1 Corinthians 13:9, NKJV)
The Verse in 1 Corinthians 13:9 Speaks of “Prophesy in part” and ‘not prophesy in full’ by even St. Paul the Great Apostle of Christ Himself. That is why it is ‘possible’ that the ‘other Books’ listed here (e.g. ‘Apocalypse of Elijah’ or ‘Book of 1Enoch’) may complete the Judgment Day Prophecy of the ‘Apocalypse of John’ found in the Bible as the ‘Book of Revelation’. Perhaps, God’s Judgment is more Complex than assumed. Only God Alone Knows and my intention here is to present here honestly according to these ancient writings/beliefs as it was popular in early Orthodox Christianity regarding these aspects which leaves us in Wonder of our Greatest Saviour, God in Flesh Most Blessed Lord Jesus Christ to Whom All Things are Possible. Amen.
Peace to you
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