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artandthebible · 4 months ago

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The Executioner Presenting Herodias with the Head of John the Baptist

Artist: Bernardino Luini (Italian, c. 1480/82-1532)

Medium: Oil on Panel

Date: c. 1527

Collection: Uffizi Gallery

Description

The painting depicts an executioner, who is propping the severed head of John the Baptist into a footed stand resting on a ledge and held by Salome (or possibly Herodias). On the left, an old woman with a veiled head, probably a maid, witnesses the scene. The face of the executioner is described with almost caricatural features, which enhance his ugliness and wickedness, in contrast with the delicate features of the lifeless face of the Baptist. Particular attention is paid to the sumptuous dress of Salome, characteristic of the fashion of the early 16th century, as well to her elaborate braided hair. Leonardo's influence is particularly evident in the girl's face.

Why was John the Baptist Beheaded?

According to Matthew 14:1–12 and Mark 6:14–29, Herodias, the wife of King Herod Antipas, was responsible for persuading her husband to behead John the Baptist.

More than once, John the Baptist had rebuked King Herod for divorcing his wife and marrying his niece Herodias, who had been his brother Philip’s wife. Philip was still living, and both Philip and Antipas were uncles to Herodias - for several reasons, then, Herod’s marriage to Herodias was a violation of God’s law (Leviticus 18:16; 20:21). Herodias seethed with anger toward John the Baptist because he dared to speak out, and, to appease his wife, Herod had the prophet thrown into prison. As a powerful Roman ruler, Herod could have had John the Baptist executed, but he respected John as a righteous man who spoke the truth and decided not to put him to death. Herod was intrigued by John and liked to hear him speak. In contrast, Herodias loathed John and wanted him dead (Mark 6:17–20).

Ultimately, Herodias’s hate-filled grudge against John the Baptist was the reason he was beheaded. Mark 6:19 states, “So Herodias nursed a grudge against John and wanted to kill him.” The idea in the original Greek language is that Herodias actively sought John’s death. Biding her time, Herodias waited for a chance to act.

Seizing the opportunity of Herod’s birthday party, Herodias set about her plan to have John the Baptist put to death. At the banquet, Herodias’s daughter, whom tradition names Salome, performed a provocative dance designed to arouse her audience with lust. Herodias’s daughter’s performance greatly pleased the king and his guests. Herod told the girl, “Ask me for anything you like and I will give it to you... up to half my kingdom!” (Mark 6:22–23, NLT). With these words, King Herod flaunted his generosity and greatness before his guests, but soon he would deeply regret this vow.

Herodias’s daughter went and asked her mother, “What should I ask for?” Queen Herodias replied, “Ask for the head of John the Baptist!” (Mark 6:24, NLT). Not skipping a beat, the girl hurried back to Herod and said, “I want you to give me right now the head of John the Baptist on a platter” (verse 25). Evidently, her cruelty matched her mother’s.

Unable to take back his hastily uttered oath, the king granted the girl’s wish. He dispatched his executioner to the prison where John the Baptist was beheaded. The soldier returned to the banquet with John’s head on a platter and presented it to the girl, who, in turn, gave it to her mother (Mark 6:26–28). Later, John’s followers retrieved his body and buried it (verse 29).

John the Baptist was beheaded to satisfy Herodias’s bloodthirsty hatred. Just as Elijah was hated by Queen Jezebel, so the one who came in the power and spirit of Elijah was hated by Queen Herodias. Employing cunning powers of manipulation and degrading her own daughter, she got what she wanted from her husband, inciting his lust and using his desire to please his guests. She succeeded in silencing her critic, at least outwardly. Later, King Herod was troubled by his guilty conscience, and, when He heard of Jesus Christ’s miracles, he worried that Jesus was actually John the Baptist risen from the dead (Mark 6:14–16)!

#religious art #new testament #john the baptist #bernardino luini #16th century painting #italian painter #executioner #salome #head #christianity #bible gospels #bible scriptures

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wizardly-weirdo · 9 months ago

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I’m not a religious person, I’m an ex cult member (I was raised in the Mormon tax grab faith)

I am in no means a Christian and in no way do I follow the Bible, yet I will share with you all my favorite verses.

Numbers 5: 16-31

16 And the priest shall bring her near, and set her before the Lord:

17 And the priest shall take holy water in an earthen vessel; and of the dust that is in the floor of the tabernacle the priest shall take, and put it into the water:

18 And the priest shall set the woman before the Lord, and uncover the woman's head, and put the offering of memorial in her hands, which is the jealousy offering: and the priest shall have in his hand the bitter water that causeth the curse:

19 And the priest shall charge her by an oath, and say unto the woman, If no man have lain with thee, and if thou hast not gone aside to uncleanness with another instead of thy husband, be thou free from this bitter water that causeth the curse:

20 But if thou hast gone aside to another instead of thy husband, and if thou be defiled, and some man have lain with thee beside thine husband:

21 Then the priest shall charge the woman with an oath of cursing, and the priest shall say unto the woman, The Lord make thee a curse and an oath among thy people, when the Lord doth make thy thigh to rot, and thy belly to swell;

22 And this water that causeth the curse shall go into thy bowels, to make thy belly to swell, and thy thigh to rot: And the woman shall say, Amen, amen.

23 And the priest shall write these curses in a book, and he shall blot them out with the bitter water:

24 And he shall cause the woman to drink the bitter water that causeth the curse: and the water that causeth the curse shall enter into her, and become bitter.

25 Then the priest shall take the jealousy offering out of the woman's hand, and shall wave the offering before the Lord, and offer it upon the altar:

26 And the priest shall take an handful of the offering, even the memorial thereof, and burn it upon the altar, and afterward shall cause the woman to drink the water.

27 And when he hath made her to drink the water, then it shall come to pass, that, if she be defiled, and have done trespass against her husband, that the water that causeth the curse shall enter into her, and become bitter, and her belly shall swell, and her thigh shall rot: and the woman shall be a curse among her people.

28 And if the woman be not defiled, but be clean; then she shall be free, and shall conceive seed.

29 This is the law of jealousies, when a wife goeth aside to another instead of her husband, and is defiled;

30 Or when the spirit of jealousy cometh upon him, and he be jealous over his wife, and shall set the woman before the Lord, and the priest shall execute upon her all this law.

31 Then shall the man be guiltless from iniquity, and this woman shall bear her iniquity.

If you haven’t picked up on it, the priest is performing an abortion.

So, Christians, hate mongers, republican assholes: stop using the Bible to justify your hate if you have not read it. The Bible doesn’t say what you think. The Bible supports abortion and GIVES YOU A RECIPE TO RECREATE!!

Jesus wasn’t a MAGA gun toting, confederate flag wielding mongrel. He was a pacifist hippie who hung out with 12 dudes and a hooker, he has a kind soul who loved EVERYONE, not just whites and republicans.

I know someone is going to bring gays into the discussion because of Leviticus 18: 22.

It was purposefully mistranslated. It originally detested pedophilia, not homosexuality, originally translating roughly to “man shall not lie with BOY” not “man shall not lie with man.” Also, Leviticus doesn’t apply to modern Christians or else we wouldn’t be eating pork and shellfish or cutting our hair.

Plus, in Matthew chapter 19, Jesus states that eunuchs, castrated men (also at the time meaning gay and/or celibate men) are to be revered in the eyes of heaven.

So god never said you could strip women of their bodily autonomy and medical rights, nor did he ever say to hate anyone, not even the queer community.

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bellaplots · 5 months ago

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✧ ━━━━ oi gente!

meu nome é bella, tenho 25 anos e esse blog aqui é dedicado pra procurar partners pra 1x1! atualmente, jogo exclusivamente pelo discord, meu tipo de plots preferidos são slice of life e romance, estou aberta a escrever tanto meninas quanto meninos, mas tenho preferencia bem grande por personagens femininos. Eu estou procurando por partners +21, que sejam ativos (!!) e de preferência para long-term plots. amo fazer mais de um ship com a mesma pessoa e criar nosso "mundinho". minha guideliness completa você pode checar clicando AQUI. embaixo do readmore, vou deixar alguns tropes que eu mais gosto, fcs que estou querendo usar ou jogar contra e alguns personagens que tenho aberto no momento também !!

━━ fazendo esse post pelo blog secundário, já que o meu principal (que é @trnzdowzrnings) foi de arrasta e não me deixa postar na tag ou receber/mandar mensagem. caso você tenha interesse em plotarmos, você pode dar like aqui, me chamar nesse chat ou então ainda diretamente pelo discord (é trnzdowzrnings por lá tbm)

tropes !!

enemies to lovers

friends to lovers

young parents

arranged marriages/fake daiting

famous x non famous

found family

small town

always a sucker for a nanny plot.

wanted faces !!

zayn (op)

jonathan bailey

callum turner (op)

fai khadra

evan mock (op)

dylan obrien (op)

renee rapp

omar apollo

olivia rodrigo

timothée chalamet

madelyn cline

sydney sweeney

anya taylor joy

edielibertyrose

emilia.nia

des.qua

zendaya

tom holland

gigi hadid

bruna marquezine

kendall jenner

open characters !!

sutton astro, 24 anos, veterinária. fc: sidney sweeny. bio completa aqui.

makaila "mali" ackerman, 21 anos, babá. fc: tyla. bio completa aqui.

wren louise bardot, 25 anos, atriz, fc: madelyn cline. bio completa aqui.

leviticus "levi" rivers, 21 anos, estudante de cinema. fc: evan mock bio completa aqui.

nia bayers, 26 years old, social midia. fc: ryan destiny. bio completa aqui.

a minha tag de plot bunnies você consegue encontrar AQUI, mas to aberta pra ideias suas ou conversarmos e criarmos algo juntos.

#1x1 br #rpg br #rp br

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eretzyisrael · 8 months ago

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Parashat Behar

(On The Mountain)

Commentary on Parashat Behar, Leviticus 25:1-26:2

God spoke to Moses on Mount Sinai and told him to tell the Israelites the following:

When you enter the land that I give you, the land shall observe a Sabbath of the Lord. Six years you may sow your field and prune your vineyard and gather the crops. But in the seventh year the land shall have a Sabbath of complete rest, a Sabbath of the Lord. You shall not sow your field, nor prune your vineyard; it shall be a year of complete rest for the land. You may eat the Sabbath produce of the land.

In the seventh month, on the 10th day of the month, it shall be the Day of Atonement. You shall sound the shofar horn loud throughout the land.

You shall make the 50th year sacred and it shall be a jubilee for you. In the fiftieth year, the Jubilee Year, you shall not sow, nor reap. You may only eat the growth direct from the field. In this year of jubilee, you shall not wrong another in buying or selling property.

You shall observe My laws and faithfully keep My norms so you may live upon the land in security, and the land shall yield its fruit and you shall eat your fill. If you ask, “What are we to eat in the Sabbath year if we are not to sow or gather our crops?” I respond that I will ordain My blessing for you in the sixth year in order to yield a crop sufficient for three years.

The land must not be sold in perpetuity; for the land is Mine; for you are strangers and settlers with Me. You must provide for the redemption of the land.

If your brother is in trouble and has to sell part of his property holdings, the nearest closest relative able to redeem the land shall come to redeem it. If a man has no one to redeem for him or if he lacks sufficient means to recover it, what he sold shall remain with the purchaser until the Jubilee Year. In the Jubilee Year it shall be released and he shall return to his holding. The redemption laws regarding dwelling houses in a walled city are different, as are the redemption rights of the Levites.

Treat your brother who is in trouble fairly and do not exact from him advanced or accrued interest. If your brother becomes impoverished and must give himself over to you, you shall not work him with slave labor. He shall remain under you as a hired laborer or resident and shall only serve until the Jubilee Year. Then he and his children with him shall be free of your authority. He shall go back to his family and return to his ancestral holding. You shall not rule over him ruthlessly, nor sell him in the manner of a slave.

Male and female of the nations about you may become your slaves and be your property. You may treat them as slaves. But as for your Israelite brothers, no one shall be subjugated through hard labor.

If a stranger who is a settler becomes rich, and if your brother, being in trouble, gives himself over to this stranger, he shall still have the right of redemption. One of his brothers or family members shall redeem him or, if he prospers, may redeem himself. The payment for redemption will be as if he was a hired laborer until the Jubilee Year. In the Jubilee Year, even if he has not been redeemed, he and his children with him shall go free. For it is to Me that the Israelites are servants: they are My servants, whom I freed from the land of Egypt; I am the Lord your God.

You shall not make idols for yourselves, or set up for yourselves carved images or pillars or place stones in your land to worship upon. You shall keep My Sabbaths and honor My sanctuary.

#Parashat Behar #Torah #Judaism #Jewish

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buggie-hagen · 3 days ago

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Sermon on Third Sunday after Epiphany (1/26/25)

Primary Text | Nehemiah 8:1-3, 5-6, 8-10

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Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

“In the beginning, when God created the heavens and the earth, the earth was a formless void and darkness covered the face of the deep, while the Spirit of God moved over the surface of the water” (Gen. 1:1-2). These words come from what would be known as the “book of the law of Moses” (Neh. 8:1). From the tradition of Moses, which would include Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy—we are talking about the first five books of the Bible. If we are to understand Jesus, who he is, where he came from, why he came, we wouldn’t have the faintest idea if it weren’t for these first five books—they are about him. They serve as the foundation for the rest of the Bible. (pause) After their exile in Babylon, when the Babylonians kept Israel in captivity for seventy years, they were finally able to return to their home. After 70 years, much had changed. Their society had collapsed. With that many years, you really find that the world changes fast. At the beginning of the Babylonian captivity, Solomon’s temple was destroyed. It would take them 20 years to build new temple. The people had asked Ezra the priest to read to them from the book of the law of Moses. As Ezra read the words, “In the beginning” the people of God would have indeed had a new beginning.

Ezra opened the book of the law in the sight of all the people, and as he read, they stood up. As the book was read to the people, the words were explained so that the people understood the reading. When the people heard the reading, they began to cry. They became upset and shed tears. To understand why they would be crying we’ll consider the book of Hebrews where it says: “Indeed, the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing until it divides soul from spirit, joints from marrow; it is able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.” You see, when we read the Holy Scriptures, we are reading the word of God. As Lutherans we don’t believe just anything we want. We have a God who is verbal. He is not silent God—he is a God who speaks. And, so, God reveals himself in his word. The Holy Spirit himself will be the one who decides whether or not you believe the word you have heard. The word of God is “sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing until it divides soul from spirit, joints from marrow.” As Ezra read the Scriptures to them with explanation, I’m sure the word of God struck through the very core of their being. Hence, their weeping.

Ezra the priest was also a good pastor—a good shepherd of his people. He saw that the flock before him wept bitterly because of their sin. So, he spoke a word to them, that this God who created the heavens and the earth is a God that is for them. He said, “This day is holy to the LORD your God; do not mourn or weep…. Go your way, eat good food, drink some sweet wine. Share your food and wine with those who do not have some. For this day is holy to our LORD; and do not be grieved, for the joy of the LORD is your strength” (Neh. 8:9, 10). This passage from Nehemiah helps us understand the nature of the word of God. The word is truly a double-edged sword. It both challenges and comforts. It both binds and loosens. It both brings low and lifts up. It both kills and makes alive. As we read the Scriptures, or as we listen to the word preached, we will find ourselves challenged. As far as the word is a word of law—it acts like a mirror—showing us just how much we don’t believe God as we ought. Then there’s the gospel. As we read the Scriptures, or as we listen to the word preached, we will find ourselves comforted. As far as the word is a word of the gospel—it makes new, it forgives, it causes us who are dead in our sins to be alive with Christ. Indeed we are a people who don’t believe God as we ought. Having our false gods stripped away from us is unsettling. Yet, the Spirit of God, who is our surgeon, will work to remove the disease that is in us—by the forgiveness of your sins. Right now, in your hearing, I forgive your sins. And now, you are freed in Christ. Eat the good food. Drink the sweet wine. Have a merry heart. With this word of God your life is hidden with God in Christ. For it was the joy of the LORD, that he took your sins upon himself, and gave you his righteousness. By his obedience, his suffering, his death, his resurrection, the burden of sin is lifted off you. The joy of Christ is yours. With the gospel in your ears, and the Holy Spirit in your hearts, today God has given you a new beginning.

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freebiblestudies · 18 days ago

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Line Upon Line Lesson 076: Tent Coverings

Exodus 26:14 - You shall also make a covering of ram skins dyed red for the tent, and a covering of badger skins above that.

God gave Moses some unusual instructions with regards to the tent covering for the sanctuary. Why were there multiple layers made of different materials?

Let’s read together Exodus 26:14; Exodus 36:19; Isaiah 59:1-2; and John 1:11.

Interestingly, different translations differ on the identity of the animal used for the outermost tent layer. The translations range from badger to porpoise to sea cow (most likely a dugong). In any event, the skin of a marine animal was used.

This layer may not have seemed impressive upon first glance. The badger skin covering represented Jesus, who did not seem to be special or extraordinary to people.

Let’s read together Exodus 26:14; Exodus 36:18; Numbers 4:25; John 1:29; and 1 Peter 1:19.

The ram's skin dyed red symbolized Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross. It is only through His precious blood that we can be saved.

Let’s read together Exodus 26:7-13; Exodus 36:14-18; and Leviticus 16:7-10.

On the Day of Atonement, two goats were presented to the high priest. Lots were cast and one goat would be chosen to be the Lord’s goat. This goat would be sacrificed. Its blood would be sprinkled in specific parts of the sanctuary to make atonement and cleanse the sanctuary.

The second goat would become the scapegoat. All the sins of the people of Israel were confessed upon the head of that goat. Then the goat would be led away into the wilderness to die on its own.

Perhaps the goat hair layer pointed to the day when God finally rids the universe of sin.

Let’s read together Exodus 26:1; Exodus 36:8-13; Romans 3:22; and Revelation 7:13-14.

The layer of fine linen pointed to the righteousness of Christ. This layer also pointed to the day we will finally dwell together with God in a new perfect world.

Friend, will you take to heart the lessons learned from the tent coverings?

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#bible study #line upon line #isaiah 28:10 #exodus 26:14

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gatekeeper-watchman · 3 months ago

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Daily Devotionals for November 11, 2024

Proverbs: God's Wisdom for Daily Living

Devotional Scripture:

Proverbs 28:1 (KJV): 1 The wicked flee when no man pursueth: but the righteous are bold as a lion. Proverbs 28:1 (AMP): 1 The wicked flee when no man pursues them, but the (uncompromisingly) righteous are bold as a lion.

Thought for the Day

This verse tells us that those who are righteous and who do not compromise will be as "bold as a lion" in their position, while those who are wicked will back down and flee. Sorrow will come upon those who practice unrighteousness, for they will reap what they sow. The obedient, however, will walk in boldness of faith and courage. "And if ye shall despise my statutes, or if your soul abhors my judgments, so that ye will not do all my commandments, but that ye break my covenant: I also will do this unto you; I will even appoint over your terror, consumption, and the burning ague, that shall consume the eyes, and cause sorrow of heart: and ye shall sow your seed in vain, for your enemies shall eat it. And I will set my face against you, and ye shall be slain before your enemies: they that hate you shall reign over you; and ye shall flee when none pursueth you...And upon them that are left alive of you I will send a faintness into their hearts in the lands of their enemies; and the sound of a shaken leaf shall chase them; and they shall flee, as fleeing from a sword; and they shall fall when none pursueth" (Leviticus 26:15-17,36).

How does God send things upon people? Punishment is simply the penalty for sin or the reaping of the evil that we commit. When this happens, it is called the judgment of God. Although the word judgment carries a negative connotation, it also has a positive side since it is linked with sowing and reaping as defined in Galatians 6:7-9: "Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season, we shall reap, if we faint not."

From this, we see that on the negative side, evil reaps destruction; while on the positive side, blessings are reaped by the righteous. We are all judged by the Word of God daily and either found faithful to keep His commandments or guilty of breaking them. Although we may fail to keep all of God's laws, Jesus did so perfectly. Therefore, it is only by accepting Him as our Savior that we can avert the ultimate judgment of hell. By daily repenting of our sins and walking with Christ, we can also avoid God's judgments now (1 Corinthians 11:31-32). This is true of nations as well as individuals. "Your iniquities have turned away these things, and your sins have withholden good things from you" (Jeremiah 5:25). We must pray that the church comes to true repentance, which will produce genuine revival in our nation. Otherwise, we will face greater judgments, causing us to be fearful even when we have nothing to be afraid of, as we read in Leviticus 26:17, 36.

When we serve God and keep His commandments, we will not walk in fear, even when it is all around us. The Spirit enables us to walk in faith so that we will be as "bold as a lion" and overcome fearful things in the name of the Lord. This is the reason innumerable missionaries can go into dangerous countries with the Gospel and not fear the evil in those nations, because they know that the greater One is living in them!

Prayer Devotional for the Day

Dear heavenly Father, I am grateful that You came to deliver us from fear and terror. Fear produces torment and You said in Your Word that if we served You, we would be far from terror. Lord, deliver me from those things that produce fear, like fretting and worry, and vain imaginings. Forgive me when I yield to fear and help me to remember Your promises and to have faith in You. You said that You would never forsake me, nor ever leave me. Help me to remember I am not alone when I face any crisis. May I always remember there is victory over every wicked attack against me. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

Good Morning World 11/11/2024 4:32:34 AM Jacksonville, Florida USA From: Steven P. Miller, @ParkermillerQ, gatekeeperwatchman.org TM ‎Founder and Administrator of Gatekeeper-Watchman International Groups. #GWIG, #GWIN, #GWINGO. www.facebook.com/gatekeeperwatchnan www.facebook.com/ Instagram: steven_parker_miller_1956

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walkswithmyfather · 2 years ago

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GOD IS GOOD!

God is good all the time (Psalm 25:8; 106:1; 119:68; 145:9; Matthew 19:17).

God is wise (Romans 16:27; Daniel 2:20; 1 Timothy 1:17; Jude 25).

God is holy (Leviticus 19:2; Job 6:10).

God is just (Deuteronomy 32:4; Psalms 92:15; 119:37; Zephaniah 3:5).

God is merciful (Ephesians 2:4; Exodus 34:6; Nehemiah 9:17; Psalm 100:5).

God redeems (Psalm 78:35; Proverbs 23:11; Isaiah 41:14; 47:4; 59:20; Jeremiah 50:34).

God saves (Isaiah 43:3-11; 45:21; 49:26).

God sanctifies (Exodus 31:13; 1 Thessalonians 5:23; Jude 1).

God is Judge over all (Genesis 18:25; Psalm 50:6; 2 Timothy 4:8; Hebrews 12:23).

Nothing or no one is like God (Job 11:7; Isaiah 40:28).

Amen! 🙌

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girlactionfigure · 10 months ago

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Shabbat Shalom

May we have a safe Shabbat. May our soldiers be successful and return home safely. And may our hostages be returned safe, healthy and whole. And may Hashem avenge the blood of our martyrs.

TORAH READING

Leviticus 1:1-5:26; Deuteronomy 25:17-19

Parashat Vayikra

#Shabbat #🇮🇱❤️ 🐌#leekern13 #שבת שלום #Happy Weekend #جمعة مباركة

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lord-here-i-am · 8 months ago

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The Major Difference Between God’s Amazing 7-Color Real Rainbow And The LGBTQ+ Pride Flag 6-Color Rainbow Counterfeit Will Amaze You

God’s rainbow, the one that He set in the sky as a sign to Noah, has 7 observable colors in it – red, orange. yellow, green, blue, violet, and indigo. The number 7 is strongly associated with God and His perfect completeness. Please note the following about the number 7:

There are 7 days of the week – Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday

There are 7 continents – Africa, Antarctica, Asia, Australia/Oceania, Europe, North America, and South America

The Name Jehovah appears 7 times in the King James Bible – Genesis 22:14, Exodus 6:3, Exodus 17:15, Judges 6:24, Psalms 83:18, Isaiah 2:2, Isaiah 26:4

There are 7 Churches in Revelation – Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamos, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, Laodicea

There are 7 notes in the musical scale – C, D, E, F, G, A, B

There are 7 colors when light passes through a prism – the three primary colors and four secondary ones affectionately known as ROYGBIV

There are 7 levels in the Periodic Table of the Elements – the 7 levels of periodicity

Further, there are the 7 Mysteries given to the apostle Paul, 7 baptisms of fire, 7 resurrections, and a whole host of other 7’s. Multiples of 7 also figure into the biblical narrative: the “seventy weeks” prophecy in Daniel 9:24 concerns 490 years (7 times 7 times 10). Jeremiah 29:10 predicted the Babylonian Captivity would last for seventy years (7 times 10). According to Leviticus 25:8, the Year of Jubilee was to begin after the passing of every forty-ninth year (7 times 7).

Are you starting to get the picture? The number 7 in the Bible as well as in nature shows the completeness and perfectness of our Heavenly Father. The number 6, on the other hand, does not fare so well. The number is first mentioned in connection with the flood of Noah, and last mentioned with the Mark of the Beast and the Battle of Armageddon. All judgments on sin. The Mark of the Beast includes three 6’s, a complete judgement on sin.

How many colors in the LGBT Pride Rainbow? You guessed it – 6.

Gilbert Baker, an artist and drag queen, first created the Rainbow Flag in 1978.

Baker’s rainbow flag actually originally had eight colors – hot pink, red, orange, yellow, green, turquoise, indigo/blue and violet — but it gradually lost its stripes until it became the six-color version most commonly used today. Each of the colors has its own significance, he says: hot pink for sex, red for life, orange for healing, yellow for sunlight, green for nature, turquoise for art, indigo for harmony and violet for spirit.

Now about that Pride thing…

As a Bible believer, I always found it odd that the LGBT would call their movement the Pride movement. The Bible says that all the ‘children of pride’ have a king set over them to rule them, and that king is the Devil who shows up as Leviathan in the book of Job:

“He beholdeth all high things: he is a king over all the children of pride.” Job 41:34 (KJV)

Source

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orthodoxydaily · 1 year ago

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Saints&Reading: Friday, February 16, 2024

february 3_february 16

RIGHTEOUS SIMEON THE GOD-RECEIVER and ANNA THE PROPHETESSE (1st c.)

A sermon in honor of the feast of the Presentation to the temple, from his beatitude Patriarch of Jerusalem Theophilo III

The grace of the Holy Spirit which overshadowed Saint Simeon the God-receiver has gathered us all in this Holy place, where the Tomb and the honoured Saint lies, in order to celebrate in Eucharist the Meeting of our Lord Jesus Christ in the Temple, when Righteous Simeon received Him in his arms.

This feast of the Meeting of the Lord is a projection of Christmas, and this is so because God the Word who became incarnate from the pure Ever-Virgin Theotokos Maria, and was made a perfect man, was also following the Law of the Old Testament to the letter, according to the custom of the time.

According to the Law of Moses, the Lord said; “Sanctify unto me all the firstborn, whatsoever openeth the womb among the children of Israel, both of man and of beast” (Exodus 13:2, 12-13). And with their entry to the Temple after the completion of forty days since their labour, the women who bore children had to offer “a lamb of the first year for a burnt offering, and a young pigeon, or a turtledove, for a sin offering unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, unto the priest” (Leviticus 12:6); or in case of being poor, “two turtles, or two young pigeons; the one for the burnt offering, and the other for a sin offering” (Levit. 12:8).

Joseph and the Mother of Jesus, “when the days of her purification according to the law of Moses were accomplished, they brought him [Christ] to Jerusalem, to present him to the Lord” in Solomon’s Temple , where the righteous Elder Simeon received Jesus as a baby in his arms according to the witness of Luke the Evangelist (Luke 2:22-35).

Today, the Holy Orthodox Church and especially the Church of Jerusalem honours and venerates the synaxis of the Holy and Righteous Simeon the God-receiver and of Anne the Prophetess; because the pious and righteous Simeon recognized the incarnate Son and Word of God by the power of the Holy Spirit. “The same man (Simeon) was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him. And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord’s Christ” Luke the Evangelist narrates (Luke 2:25-26).

According to Saint Basil the Great, Elder Simeon and Prophetess Anna saw the divine power in Christ “like light through light bulbs through the human body”. In other words, just as we see the light inside the light bulbs, likewise those who are pure in heart see and distinguish the divine light through Christ’s body. And according to Saint Athanasius the Great, while appearing to be a normal man, righteous Simeon was however a man of a higher status in meaning. He had the earthly and visible Jerusalem as a home city, but his metropolis was the heavenly Jerusalem.

This is theologically depicted in the hymn of Saint Cosmas Euhaiton by; “Thy virtue, O Christ, hath covered the heavens, for proceeding forth from the Ark of Thy sanctification, from Thine undefiled Mother, Thou hast appeared in the temple of Thy glory as an infant in arms, and the whole world hath been filled with Thy praise”.

According to the hymn writer Cosmas, the Theotokos Maria, being a new tabernacle “with a soul and logic”, according to St. John Damascene, held within her as a fetus the “sanctification”, namely “the holy body of the Lord, which was sanctified and deified by the divinity it had before it was conceived”. Therefore, “having come forth” from his immaculate mother, Christ appeared as a baby “in the temple of glory” “being brought into their arms”. “For while being God”, said John Damascene says, “he becomes a man…and is being held in the arms of men as a baby”.

And the “earthly arms” are those of the Elder Simeon. St. Luke the Evangelist says that Simeon “then took he him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said, Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word: For mine eyes have seen thy salvation, Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people; A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel” (Luke 2:28-32).

The gift of prophesy St. Simeon had enabled him to foresee that this baby, Christ, was to be the Saviour of the whole world, as Prophet Isaiah also said: “And all flesh shall see the salvation of God” (Luke 3:6). And according to the psalmist; “The Lord hath made known his salvation: his righteousness hath he openly shewed in the sight of the heathen” (98:2).

The apostolic reading of the main feast is related to the event of today’s feast. “And without all contradiction the less is blessed of the better” (Hebrews 7:7), St. Paul preaches, referring to the meeting of Patriarch Abraham with Melchisedek, the King of Salem and priest of God (Genesis 14:18-20). This is precisely what happened with the meeting of the baby Christ by the Elder Simeon. The eternal and Great High Priest Jesus Christ as a forty-day-old child is met with Elder Simeon in the temple and just like Abraham was blessed by Melchisedek, likewise, Simeon is being blessed by the Lord as he received Him in his arms (Luke 2:28).

In other words, the pious Simeon realized that this divine child is above him, while he is below, and rejoicing he cried out “Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace” (Luke 2:29).

If we want, my dear brothers and sisters, to become communicants of the blessing that the righteous Simeon received, we should have as a prototype the faith and the desire, along with the patience he had, when we approach the Lord of glory, namely our Lord Jesus Christ, in the mystery of the Holy Eucharist, where we become of one body and of one blood with our God and Saviour.

And along with the hymn writer let us say: “Come let us as well with songs inspired of God, go together to meet Christ; and receive Him Whose salvation Simeon hath now beheld. This is He Whom David proclaimed; this is He that in the Prophets hath spoken; Who is incarnate for our sakes, and Who speaketh in the Law. Let us worship Him” (Minaion 2 February, Great Vespers, Sticheron 3). Amen.”

Source: Patriarcate of Jerusalem ( Sunday, February 3/16, 2020)

HOLY EQUAL-TO-THE-APOSTLES NIKOLAI, ARCHBISHOP, APOSTLE TO JAPAN (1912)

Saint Nicholas, Enlightener of Japan, was born Ivan Dimitrievich Kasatkin on August 1, 1836 in the village of Berezovsk, Belsk district, Smolensk diocese, where his father served as deacon. At the age of five he lost his mother. He completed the Belsk religious school, and afterwards the Smolensk Theological Seminary. In 1857 Ivan Kasatkin entered the Saint Peterburg Theological Academy. On June 24, 1860, in the academy temple of the Twelve Apostles, Bishop Nectarius tonsured him with the name Nicholas.

On June 29, the Feast of the foremost Apostles Peter and Paul, the monk Nicholas was ordained deacon. The next day, on the altar feast of the academy church, he was ordained to the holy priesthood. Later, at his request, Father Nicholas was assigned to Japan as head of the consular church in the city of Hakodate.

At first, the preaching of the Gospel in Japan seemed completely impossible. In Father Nicholas’s own words: “the Japanese of the time looked upon foreigners as beasts, and on Christianity as a villainous sect, to which only villains and sorcerers could belong.” He spent eight years in studying the country, the language, manners and customs of the people among whom he would preach.

In 1868, the flock of Father Nicholas numbered about twenty Japanese. At the end of 1869 Hieromonk Nicholas reported in person to the Synod in Peterburg about his work. A decision was made, on January 14, 1870, to form a special Russian Spiritual Mission for preaching the Word of God among the pagan Japanese. Father Nicholas was elevated to the rank of archimandrite and appointed as head of this Mission.

Returning to Japan after two years in Russia, he transferred some of the responsibility for the Hakodate flock to Hieromonk Anatolius, and began his missionary work in Tokyo. In 1871 there was a persecution of Christians in Hakodate. Many were arrested (among them, the first Japanese Orthodox priest Paul Sawabe). Only in 1873 did the persecution abate somewhat, and the free preaching of Christianity became possible.

In this year Archimandrite Nicholas began the construction of a stone building in Tokyo which housed a church, a school for fifty men, and later a religious school, which became a seminary in 1878.

In 1874, Bishop Paul of Kamchatka arrived in Tokyo to ordain as priests several Japanese candidates recommended by Archimandrite Nicholas. At the Tokyo Mission, there were four schools: for catechists, for women, for church servers, and a seminary. At Hakodate there were two separate schools for boys and girls.

In the second half of 1877, the Mission began regular publication of the journal “Church Herald.” By the year 1878 there already 4115 Christians in Japan, and there were a number of Christian communities. Church services and classes in Japanese, the publication of religious and moral books permitted the Mission to attain such results in a short time. Archimandrite Nicholas petitioned the Holy Synod in December of 1878 to provide a bishop for Japan.

Archimandrite Nicholas was consecrated bishop on March 30, 1880 in the Trinity Cathedral of Alexander Nevsky Lavra. Returning to Japan, he resumed his apostolic work with increased fervor. He completed construction on the Cathedral of the Resurrection of Christ in Tokyo, he translated the service books, and compiled a special Orthodox theological dictionary in the Japanese language.

Great hardship befell the saint and his flock at the time of the Russo-Japanese War. For his ascetic labor during these difficult years, he was elevated to the rank of Archbishop.

In 1911, half a century had passed since the young hieromonk Nicholas had first set foot on Japanese soil. At that time there were 33,017 Christians in 266 communities of the Japanese Orthodox Church, including 1 Archbishop, 1 bishop, 35 priests, 6 deacons, 14 singing instructors, and 116 catechists.

On February 3, 1912, Archbishop Nicholas departed peacefully to the Lord at seventy-six. The Holy Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church glorified him on April 10, 1970, since the saint had long been honored in Japan as a righteous man, and a prayerful intercessor before the Lord.

Source: Orthodox Church in America_OCA

1 PETER 1:1-2, 10-12; 2:6-10

1 Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To the pilgrims of the Dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, 2 elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace be multiplied. 10 Of this salvation the prophets have inquired and searched carefully, who prophesied of the grace that would come to you, 11 searching what, or what manner of time, the Spirit of Christ who was in them was indicating when He testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ and the glories that would follow. 12 To them it was revealed that, not to themselves, but to us they were ministering the things which now have been reported to you through those who have preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven-things which angels desire to look into.

6 Therefore it is also contained in the Scripture, "Behold, I lay in Zion a chief cornerstone, elect, precious, and he who believes on Him will by no means be put to shame." 7 Therefore, to you who believe, He is precious; but to those who are disobedient, "The stone which the builders rejected Has become the chief cornerstone," 8 and "A stone of stumbling and a rock of offense." They stumble, being disobedient to the word, to which they also were appointed. 9 But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; 10 who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy.

MARK 12:1-12

1 Then He began to speak to them in parables: "A man planted a vineyard and set a hedge around it, dug a place for the wine vat and built a tower. And he leased it to vinedressers and went into a far country. 2 Now at vintage-time he sent a servant to the vinedressers, that he might receive some of the fruit of the vineyard from the vinedressers. 3 And they took him and beat him and sent him away empty-handed. 4 Again he sent them another servant, and at him they threw stones, wounded him in the head, and sent him away shamefully treated. 5 And again he sent another, and him they killed; and many others, beating some and killing some. 6 Therefore still having one son, his beloved, he also sent him to them last, saying, 'They will respect my son.' 7 But those vinedressers said among themselves, 'This is the heir. Come, let us kill him, and the inheritance will be ours.' 8 So they took him and killed him and cast him out of the vineyard. 9 Therefore what will the owner of the vineyard do? He will come and destroy the vinedressers, and give the vineyard to others. 10 Have you not even read this Scripture:'The stone which the builders rejected Has become the chief cornerstone. 11 This was the LORD's doing, And it is marvelous in our eyes'?" 12 And they sought to lay hands on Him, but feared the multitude, for they knew He had spoken the parable against them. So they left Him and went away.

#orthodoxy #orthodoxchristianity #easternorthodoxchurch #originofchristianity #spirituality #holyscriptures #gospel #bible #wisdom #saints

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biblegumchewontheword · 1 year ago

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Books of the Bible

Here is a detailed list of the 66 books of the Bible, divided by the Old and New Testaments, along with their divisions and categories:

**Old Testament:**

**Pentateuch (5 books):**

1. Genesis

2. Exodus

3. Leviticus

4. Numbers

5. Deuteronomy

**Historical Books (12 books):**

6. Joshua

7. Judges

8. Ruth

9. 1 Samuel

10. 2 Samuel

11. 1 Kings

12. 2 Kings

13. 1 Chronicles

14. 2 Chronicles

15. Ezra

16. Nehemiah

17. Esther

**Poetry/Wisdom Books (5 books):**

18. Job

19. Psalms

20. Proverbs

21. Ecclesiastes

22. Song of Solomon

**Major Prophets (5 books):**

23. Isaiah

24. Jeremiah

25. Lamentations

26. Ezekiel

27. Daniel

**Minor Prophets (12 books):**

28. Hosea

29. Joel

30. Amos

31. Obadiah

32. Jonah

33. Micah

34. Nahum

35. Habakkuk

36. Zephaniah

37. Haggai

38. Zechariah

39. Malachi

**New Testament:**

**Gospels (4 books):**

40. Matthew

41. Mark

42. Luke

43. John

**History (1 book):**

44. Acts

**Pauline Epistles (13 books):**

45. Romans

46. 1 Corinthians

47. 2 Corinthians

48. Galatians

49. Ephesians

50. Philippians

51. Colossians

52. 1 Thessalonians

53. 2 Thessalonians

54. 1 Timothy

55. 2 Timothy

56. Titus

57. Philemon

**General Epistles (8 books):**

58. Hebrews

59. James

60. 1 Peter

61. 2 Peter

62. 1 John

63. 2 John

64. 3 John

65. Jude

**Apocalyptic (1 book):**

66. Revelation

This list represents the traditional order and grouping of the books of the Bible in most Christian denominations.

These are the 66 books that make up the Bible.

Title: The Significance of Each Book of the Bible

Introduction:

The Bible is a collection of 66 books that together form the inspired Word of God. Each book has its own unique message, themes, and significance that contribute to the overall story of God's redemption and love for humanity. Let's explore the importance of each book of the Bible.

Lesson Points:

1. The Old Testament:

- Genesis: The book of beginnings, detailing creation, the fall, and the establishment of God's covenant with His people.

- Exodus: The story of the Israelites' liberation from Egypt and the giving of the Law at Mount Sinai.

- Psalms: A collection of songs and prayers that express a range of human emotions and provide a guide for worship.

- Proverbs: Wisdom literature that offers practical advice for living a righteous and wise life.

- Isaiah: Prophecies about the coming Messiah and God's plan of salvation.

2. The New Testament:

- Matthew: Emphasizes Jesus as the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies and the establishment of the kingdom of God.

- Acts: Chronicles the early spread of the Gospel and the growth of the early church.

- Romans: Explains the doctrine of justification by faith and the implications of salvation through Christ.

- Corinthians: Addresses issues within the church and provides practical guidance for Christian living.

- Revelation: Offers apocalyptic visions of the end times, the victory of Christ, and the establishment of the new heaven and earth.

3. Themes and Messages:

- Each book of the Bible contributes to the overarching themes of God's love, redemption, forgiveness, and salvation for all humanity.

- Together, these books provide a complete narrative of God's work in the world and His plan for His people.

Application:

- Take time to explore and study each book of the Bible, seeking to understand its unique message and significance.

- Reflect on how the themes and stories in the Bible can impact your own life and faith journey.

- Consider how the teachings and examples in the Bible can shape your beliefs and actions as a follower of Christ.

Conclusion:

The books of the Bible are not just separate entities but are interconnected parts of the larger story of God's redemption and love for humanity. Each book has its own importance and contributes to the overall message of God's plan for salvation. May we approach the study of the Bible with reverence and openness to the wisdom and guidance it offers for our lives.

#biblegum #Books of the Bible #bible study #bible scripture #Bible lessons

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hiswordsarekisses · 1 year ago

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So many times our consequences remain even though we have humbled ourselves and repented, but it’s not because we are still being punished. It’s because there are some things we only learn well the hard way - and our heavenly father is so wise. He knows exactly what is necessary to keep us by His side.

If it were truly too much for us, He would remove it… but whatever circumstances we find ourselves in - even the ones that are no fault of our own in any way - are there because He is making us ready for Heaven. Nothing He does is a mistake - He knows exactly what He is doing.

If we keep our eyes on Him and continue to walk in His spirit He will cover us no matter what circumstances or consequences surround us. There is no time in which He takes His eyes off of us.

In Leviticus chapter 26, starting at verse 3, the Lord lays out the blessings He pours out on us when we walk in the spirit. Because of Jesus, we have the power we need to walk in His spirit - for life and godliness - (2Peter1:3) and these blessings are ours.

(Galatians 5:16-25 explains the difference between walking in the flesh and walking in the spirit).

When we walk in the flesh the Lord will always do whatever it takes to cause us to turn back to Him. Verses 14-39 of Leviticus 26 speaks of how patiently He disciplines, and like 3 times He says things like ; “then if you still walk contrary to Me…,” “And if by this discipline you are not then turned to Me…,”and “But if in spite of this you will still not listen to Me…”

Then you get to verse 40 of Leviticus 26 and He starts speaking of what He will do if you finally are humbled and repent. His love is SO patient. He explains here how some consequences will remain, but then even IN those consequences He turns His face back on them and remembers His covenant and covers them.

“He who spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him disciplines him diligently.” Proverbs‬ ‭13‬:‭24‬

“My son, do not reject the discipline of the Lord, and do not loathe His rebuke; for the Lord disciplines the one He loves, as does a father the son in whom he delights.” Proverbs‬ ‭3‬:‭11‬-‭12‬

“Endure suffering as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father? If you do not experience discipline like everyone else, then you are illegitimate children and not true sons. Furthermore, we have all had earthly fathers who disciplined us, and we respected them. Should we not much more submit to the Father of our spirits and live? Our fathers disciplined us for a short time as they thought best, but God disciplines us for our good, so that we may share in His holiness. No discipline seems enjoyable at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it yields a harvest of righteousness and peace to those who have been trained by it. Therefore strengthen your limp hands and weak knees. Make straight paths for your feet, so that the lame may not be disabled, but rather healed.” Hebrews‬ ‭12‬:‭7‬-‭13‬

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