#bible prophecy in action

[bible-prophecy-in-action]

BIBLE PROPHECY IN ACTION

What the Holy Bible says of this horrific decade just ahead of us.. Here's a site expounding current global events in the light of bible prophecy.. Visit https://bibleprophecyinaction.blogspot.com/ to understand more.. You can also read or buy/order christian books/Literature online on our website..

[jonathanvik]

Krisis

Summary:

UOP is the diamond of the world, living in unprecedented prosperity with unmatched military might. College student Rocke lives in its greatest technological marvel, its capital, Vladus. While unlucky in love, what's to complain about life? His uncle has already promised him a lucrative job in his company once he finishes business school.  

But not everything is perfect in paradise. A strange prophet has appeared, declaring the UOP will fall if it doesn't repent. For all their prosperity, the people of UOP have become cold, selfish, and proud, willfully ignoring the poor and downtrodden. For their pride and sins, judgment has been pronounced on the nation by the Most High Sovereign. Repent, or in forty days the UOP will be destroyed.

Mirrors:

Wattpad

Royalroad

[matan4il]

To the person who wants us to differentiate the modern political movement that came to be called Zionism, and the Zionist nature of Judaism, I'll address you politely, even though your assertion that I must be a teenager (quick search of my blog would show you that I work at a Holocaust museum, education and research center, that also studies the history of the Jewish people in general, so... not a sound assumption) is very insulting and condescending.

Sure, we can distinguish the thousands of years old Zionist nature of Judaism from the modern political movement that came to be referred to as Zionism.

But do you understand that the modern political movement wouldn't exist without the fact that Judaism has ALWAYS been Zionist? That the distinction is, to a degree, an artificial one, especially in the context of anti-Zionists claiming that Judaism is incompatible with Zionism, which is a lie. With that claim, they mean to deny the very right of Israel to exist as a liberation and land back movement of the Jewish people, and while they're at it, they are de-legitimizing every Zionist movement ever, whether modern or not, they're de-legitimizing every Jew who had returned to Israel, even just as an individual, because they are denying the very Zionist nature of Judaism.

I'll attach at the end an attempt at demonstrating why the distinction is somewhat artificial in this context.

But before that, I'll address some of your other claims. You said that Zionism is a secular movement, and religious Jews are opposed to it. While some ultraorthodox Jews are indeed opposed to active Zionism, and prefer a passive wait for the Mashiach, they too are Zionist in the non-modern-political-movement sense (they still believe and pray for the Mashich to bring all Jews back to Israel and re-establish Jewish sovereignty in this land, not to keep them in the diaspora). And they do not represent all religious Jews. The modern political Zionist movement was very much joined by religious Jews, such as a political organization called "Ha'Mizrachi," which was established in 1902. Their Zionism was connected to the actions and writings of rabbis who preceded many secular Zionist leaders like Herzl (first published a Zionist pamphlet in 1896), such as Rabbi Shmuel Mohilever (first established Ha'Mizrachi as a spiritual and educational pro-Zionist center in 1893), Rabbi Yehuda Alkalai (published "Minchat Yehuda," a Zionist call for Jews to return to Israel in 1840, and established the Society for the Settlement of Eretz Yisrael in 1852), and Rabbi Zvi Kalischer (asked Mayer Amschel Rothschild to help with the purchase of land in Israel for Jews to return there in 1836, and published the Zionist book Drishat Zion in 1862). Even among ultraorthodox Jews, there are Zionist ones. Some of them were a part of Ha'Mizrachi organization. During the British rule in Israel, there were ultraorthodox Jews who actively helped the Zionist underground movements, the Etzel and the Hagana, and in a 2022 poll, 76% of Chassidic Jews defined themselves as Zionist.

You also made the assertion that the modern political movement of Zionism is European. Again, while many of its founders were from Europe, many Jews from Arab and Muslim countries came to Israel as a part of the modern Zionist movement. Please don't erase them. And why would they be a part of this movement? Because of the intrinsically Zionist nature of Judaism. Yemenite Jews didn't need to be a part of the founding fathers of the modern political movement, in order to be a part of the movement, and to see it as a fulfilment of ancient Jewish prophecies, when they were brought to Israel in a special operation in 1952. In fact, there was a Zionist Yemenite movement of return in 1881, following a verse in the Bible, in the Song of Songs book, that they believed told them they had to return to Israel during this year. Many of them settled in a village close to the Temple Mount, which the Arabs refer to as Silwan, a mispronunciation of the ancient Hebrew name Shiloach (that can be found in the Bible). These Yemenite Jews were ethnically cleansed by the Arabs during the 1936-1939 anti-Zionist, anti-Jewish riots. And when Jews tried to return to Kfar Ha'Shiloach, anti-Zionists attacked that as "colonization," too. Anti-Zionists make NO distinction between Jews returning to Israel from Europe, and Jews returning to it from Arab and Muslim countries. We're all just "Zionists" and "incompatible with Judaism," no matter how much our Zionism is derived from our Jewish identity, and no matter that we are native to this land, not colonizers.

You asked, "how can judaism be 'inherently zionist' when the idea of a jewish state has only existed for less than 200 of those years?" and I will ask you, what's unclear when I say that Zionism is about Jewish sovereignty in the Jewish ancestral homeland, which is an idea that I showed was inherent to Jewish tradition and religion? There were Jewish kingdoms here (the unified kingdom, the Kingdom of Israel, the Kingdom of Yehudah, and the Hasmonean Kingdom), that fulfilled that idea long before there was a Jewish state, and the Jewish state is a direct (and yes, modern) continuation of those ancient Jewish kingdoms (I mean, of course that's the modern reincarnation, we're not going to build a Jewish kingdom now, just so no one can use the accusation that a Jewish state is a modern concept... and I'm sort of weirded out by the fact that I have to defend the right of Jews to implement modern reincarnations of their traditional notions... Also, pretty sure that if we went with the old version and tried to set up a Jewish kingdom, we'd be crucified for being backwards), because it is founded on the same exact principle, that we get to self rule in our own ancestral land. Denying that is erasing Jewish history and parts of Jewish identity.

You said, "our connection to the land does not need to be mediated through a political body the majority of us have absolutely no say in," and I wanna ask you, does every German in the world (or at least most) have to live in Germany, and have a say in it as a citizen, for the nation state of the German people to have the right to exist? Same for every other nation state out there.

You called Israel, "a country younger than our grandparents, and for that matter any other country too," which is untrue on several levels. The state might be younger than some grandparents, but its right to exist is an ancient one, connected to those thousands of years old kingdoms, and in that sense, the modern state of Israel being founded in 1948 is no different to the modern state of India being founded in 1947. Would you tell Indians that their state has no right to exist, erasing its connection to previous forms of Indian self rule in that land, just because those weren't a modern state? Would you offend them by suggesting that the age of their modern state is a factor in its legitimacy? No. But for some reason, you feel comfortable doing that when it comes to the modern Jewish state. While we're at it, whether the current self rule of Palestinians constitutes a state is a matter of debate, but let's say that it counts, and that a Palestinian state started existing when they began self ruling in 1994 following the Oslo accords (the first time ever in history when Arabs in Israel self ruled, rather than be a colony serving a metropole situated in some other Arab or Muslim country), that would make their state not only younger than our grandparents, it would make it younger than quite a few Tumblr users. But I bet you wouldn't say that this de-legitimizes the right of a Palestinian state to exist. Yet you feel it's perfectly okay to say such things about Israel. You should ask yourself why can you accept others, but not a Jewish state. For the record, here's some modern states younger than Israel, that you would never dream to de-legitimize based on their age: Malaysia (1957), Singapore (1965), Zimbabwe (as Rhodesia, 1965), Bangladesh (1971), Guinea-Bissau (1973), Comoros (1975), Lithuania (1990), Latvia (1990), Belarus (1990), Armenia (1990), Georgia (1991), Croatia (1991), Slovenia (1991), Ukraine (1991), Moldova (1991), Uzbekistan (1991), Macedonia (1991), Azerbaijan (1991), Slovakia (1992), Montenegro (2006).

***

Okay, a small demonstration of how artificial the distinction between modern political Zionism and historical Zionism is...

Where do we put the start of the modern political movement of Zionism, what is the date when it began?

A lot of people would suggest that it started with Herzl. He's often referred to as "the father of Zionism" (that's incorrect. It would be more accurate to refer to him as "the father of diplomatic Zionism"). Herzl was actually an assimilationist Jew, who believed Jews in Europe should aspire to be like all other Europeans, erase the difference between them and the non-Jews (relinquishing our tradition, culture, religion, everything that makes us unique and a contribution to the richness of the human experience), and rely on the equal rights that Europeans would grant us. He believed in this, but experiencing antisemitism in the cosmopolitan Vienna, as well as covering the Dreyfus trial (when a Jewish officer was convicted of treason, and shamefully exiled, despite his many years of loyal service to his country, just because he was a Jew), he came to publish (as I mentioned) a Zionist pamphlet in 1896.

So, shall we count the start of the modern political movement of Zionism as 1896?

But the term "Zionism" as the name of the movement was actually coined in 1890, by Nathan Birnbaum!

So, shall we count the start of the modern political movement of Zionism as 1890?

But for the term to be coined, it had to describe something that already existed. And in fact, many Zionist groups, counted as a part of the modern political movement, were already active by that time. For example, some people start counting the new Yishuv in Eretz Yisrael as starting with the arrival in Israel of the Zionist Bilu group, in 1882 (they were established in January of that year, and despite being secular Jews, they were drawing from Jewish tradition, naming themselves after a biblical verse from the book of Isaiah. Because like I said, modern political Zionism wouldn't exist without the ancient Zionist nature of Judaism).

So, shall we count the start of the modern political movement of Zionism as 1882?

But that doesn't work either, because by the time the Bilu group arrived in Israel, the first Jewish moshava (a Zionist form of settlement based on values of agriculture and communality), Petach Tikva (sometimes nicknamed "the mother of moshavot"), was already established in 1878.

So, shall we count the start of the modern political movement of Zionism as 1878?

But how did this new movement of Zionists know to work the land, if in the diaspora, for hundreds of years, Jews were prohibited from being farmers, so they would have no claim to the land they worked? Well, many young Zionists learned how to do this work thanks to a Jewish agricultural school called Mikveh Yisrael, which was founded in 1870.

So, shall we count the start of the modern political movement of Zionism as 1870?

But a part of why Mikvah Yisrael was established, was the poor condition of Jews in Jerusalem. By the time demographic surveys were conducted in the 1840's, Jews were the biggest religious group in the Old City of Jerusalem, and so overcrowded that it made their lives much harder, sometimes even endangered (like when a plague would break out). The Jewish minister Moshe Montefiore started building neighborhoods for Jews outside the walls of the Old City of Jerusalem in 1860, moving Jews out of the old Yishuv and into a new form of settling in the land of Israel, outside the "protecting" walls of the four cities holy to Judaism, and into the idea that they can and should use agriculture to sustain themselves outside these cities, and re-connect with their land.

So, shall we count the start of the modern political movement of Zionism as 1860?

But the first victim of anti-Zionist terrorism in the land of Israel is actually considered to be Rabbi Shlomo Avraham Zalman Zoref, who was murdered by Arabs in 1851 for his Zionist efforts to help in the settlement of Jews in Israel and in the restoring of Jewish religious life in the Old City of Jerusalem through diplomatic efforts vis a vis Muhamad Ali Pasha, the Egyptian occupier of the Land of Israel at the time, and by enlisting the help of the consuls of Russia and Austria (by the way, one of his grandsons was among the founders of Petach Tikva).

So, shall we count the start of the modern political movement of Zionism as 1851?

But his diplomatic Zionist efforts, for which he was murdered, didn't start at the time of his death, they go back to when he managed to get that permit from Muhamad Ali Pasha in 1836 for Jews to re-build the Ashkenazi community in the Old City of Jerusalem, which had been destroyed by Muslims over a hundred years earlier.

So, shall we count the start of the modern political movement of Zionism as 1836?

But where did that Ashkenazi Jewish community, which Rabbi Zoref tried to restore, come from? Rabbi Yehuda Ha'Chassid successfully called Jews to return to Israel, and he did manage to inspire many to follow him as he started his own journey to Israel in 1697, and managed to buy land for his community in the Old City of Jerusalem, which was joined by Jews already living there. This WAS a form of a semi-modern Zionist movement. And it IS quite connected to what came later, in more modern times.

Or another example. Dona Garcia Nassi was a crypto Jew from Portugal, whose family had fled the Spanish Inquisition, only for the Portuguese Inquisition to grow stronger and harsher, driving her and a part of her family to Istanbul. There, they could stop pretending to be converts to Christianity, they got to publicly return to their Jewish identity. She did a lot for Jews, and in 1561, she used her financial and political ties to ask the Ottoman Sultan Suleiman the First to lease land in Israel, for Jews to self rule there. She first asked for land in Jerusalem, was refused, and so she ended up leasing land in Tiberias instead, helping to re-build the city and the Jewish community there, and allowing for a movement of Jews to return to Israel and settle in Tiberias. It's another type of semi-modern Zionist movement striving for Jewish sovereignty in Israel, in whatever form they could get it.

So where do we draw the line? How do we say, these Jews returning to Israel count as Zionist, but those don't? One of my best friends is a Jew from Morocco, his family was religious and fiercely Zionist, and your ask erased them. How do we accept a narrative that looks at thousands of years of Jews returning to Israel, from all sorts of backgrounds, and from all sorts of countries, and yet doesn't recognize that they all returned for the same reason, drawing from the same Jewish foundation? How do we not see that the separation is an artificial one?

Anti-Zionism is antisemitic in so many ways, and one of them is exactly what this narrative does to so many Jews who were proud, and wanted to be counted as Zionist, precisely because to them it was an expression of their Jewish identity.

(for all of my updates and ask replies regarding Israel, click here)

[half-metal-scientist]

love how in the universe of dune they have all the same religious concepts as us literally without there being a ‘god.’ a messiah, foretold through prophecy, a holy mother, holy war, the orange catholic bible dictating the rules of society, a class of ruling religious leaders controlling from the shadows, but no god. a really interesting demonstration of the actions of religion being separate from the belief foundations

[godslove]

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐆𝐢𝐟𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐅𝐚𝐢𝐭𝐡

The word for faith in the New Testament is pistis. It carries the notion of confidence, certainty, trust, and assurance in God. The gift of faith is rooted in one’s saving faith in Christ and the trust that comes through a close relationship with the Savior. Those with this gift have a trust and confidence in God that allows them to live boldly for Him and manifest that faith in mighty ways.

The spiritual gift of faith is not to be confused with saving faith. All Christians have been given saving faith,

[8] “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, [9] not of works, lest anyone should boast.”

—Ephesians 2:8-9

but not all receive this special gift of faith.

In the Bible, the gift of faith is often accompanied by great works of faith. In Acts 3:1-10 we see this gift in action when Peter sees a lame man at the Beautiful Gate and calls on him to stand up and walk in the name of Jesus.

‭‭[1] Now Peter and John went up together to the temple at the hour of prayer, the ninth hour. [2] And a certain man lame from his mother’s womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, to ask alms from those who entered the temple; [3] who, seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple, asked for alms. [4] And fixing his eyes on him, with John, Peter said, “Look at us.” [5] So he gave them his attention, expecting to receive something from them. [6] Then Peter said, “Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk.” [7] And he took him by the right hand and lifted him up, and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength. [8] So he, leaping up, stood and walked and entered the temple with them—walking, leaping, and praising God. [9] And all the people saw him walking and praising God. [10] Then they knew that it was he who sat begging alms at the Beautiful Gate of the temple; and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.

—Acts 3:1-10

Jesus said even a small amount of this faith could move mountains.

‭So Jesus said to them, “Because of your unbelief; for assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you.

—Matthew 17:20

‭‭So Jesus answered and said to them, “Assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith and do not doubt, you will not only do what was done to the fig tree, but also if you say to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea,’ it will be done.

—Matthew 21:21

“‭And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.”

—1 Corinthians 13:2, Paul the Apostle

The Holy Spirit distributes this gift to some in the church to encourage and build up the church in her confidence in God. Those with the gift of faith, trust that God is sovereign and He is good. They take Him at His Word and put the full weight of their lives in His hands. They know God listens to every good heart and are not surprised when He answers a prayer or performs a miracle.

“‭to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healings by the same Spirit,”

—1 Corinthians 12:9

[1] Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. [2] For by it the elders obtained a good testimony.

[3] By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible.

[4] By faith Abel offered to God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, through which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts; and through it he being dead still speaks.

[5] By faith Enoch was taken away so that he did not see death, “and was not found, because God had taken him”; for before he was taken he had this testimony, that he pleased God. [6] But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.

[7] By faith Noah, being divinely warned of things not yet seen, moved with godly fear, prepared an ark for the saving of his household, by which he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness which is according to faith.

[8] By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to the place which he would receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going. [9] By faith he dwelt in the land of promise as in a foreign country, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise; [10] for he waited for the city which has foundations, whose builder and maker is God.

[11] By faith Sarah herself also received strength to conceive seed, and she bore a child when she was past the age, because she judged Him faithful who had promised. [12] Therefore from one man, and him as good as dead, were born as many as the stars of the sky in multitude—innumerable as the sand which is by the seashore.

[13] These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off were assured of them, embraced them and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.

[14] For those who say such things declare plainly that they seek a homeland. [15] And truly if they had called to mind that country from which they had come out, they would have had opportunity to return. [16] But now they desire a better, that is, a heavenly country. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them.

[17] By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises offered up his only begotten son, [18] of whom it was said, “In Isaac your seed shall be called,” [19] concluding that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead, from which he also received him in a figurative sense.

[20] By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning things to come.

[21] By faith Jacob, when he was dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph, and worshiped, leaning on the top of his staff.

[22] By faith Joseph, when he was dying, made mention of the departure of the children of Israel, and gave instructions concerning his bones.

[23] By faith Moses, when he was born, was hidden three months by his parents, because they saw he was a beautiful child; and they were not afraid of the king’s command.

[24] By faith Moses, when he became of age, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, [25] choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin, [26] esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt; for he looked to the reward.

[27] By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king; for he endured as seeing Him who is invisible. [28] By faith he kept the Passover and the sprinkling of blood, lest he who destroyed the firstborn should touch them.

[29] By faith they passed through the Red Sea as by dry land, whereas the Egyptians, attempting to do so, were drowned.

[30] By faith the walls of Jericho fell down after they were encircled for seven days.

[31] By faith the harlot Rahab did not perish with those who did not believe, when she had received the spies with peace.

[32] And what more shall I say? For the time would fail me to tell of Gideon and Barak and Samson and Jephthah, also of David and Samuel and the prophets: [33] who through faith subdued kingdoms, worked righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, [34] quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, became valiant in battle, turned to flight the armies of the aliens. [35] Women received their dead raised to life again. Others were tortured, not accepting deliverance, that they might obtain a better resurrection. [36] Still others had trial of mockings and scourgings, yes, and of chains and imprisonment. [37] They were stoned, they were sawn in two, were tempted, were slain with the sword. They wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, tormented— [38] of whom the world was not worthy. They wandered in deserts and mountains, in dens and caves of the earth.

[39] And all these, having obtained a good testimony through faith, did not receive the promise, [40] God having provided something better for us, that they should not be made perfect apart from us.

—Hebrews 11:1-40

[jcs-study]

So, Peter denies Jesus three times, and then according to the Bible, the cockerel crows, just as Jesus said. In all the recordings I’ve heard and the many performances I’ve seen of JCS, I’ve never heard a cockerel after the third denial by Peter. It’s in the Bible, so why not in the show? I’ve always thought that the fact biblical Jesus said “Before the cock crows three times you will deny me,” and then the third time Peter denies him, a cock crows, to be quite powerful storytelling.

Okay, well, I'll start with the most obvious answer: because it's a show, not a literal reenactment of the Bible. Yes, lines and actions taken from within the Bible occur during the show (and way more than fundamentalist Christians actually realize, as I've covered in these pages before), but there's also a ton of stuff that's flat-out made up. (After all, it's not as though Judas has a sung angsty monologue about how things are going astray and Jesus is letting fame go to his head in the Bible either…)

It's a creative work taking poetic license. Besides, Jesus doesn't even mention the cock's crow in the lyrics, just that Peter will deny him. You wish it was in the show? Take it up with Tim Rice!

Having said that...

Some productions do include the rooster. The Ivo van Hove rendition currently running in the Netherlands, I am told, is one example; there are probably more I don't know about. (Hey, I know a lot about JCS, but I don't know everything.)

As someone who has done a lot of historical research, I can tell you there probably wasn't a cockerel involved in the first place. According to biblical scholars who have delved into the historical Jesus (as opposed to the Christ of faith and literature), the keeping of fowls was illegal in Jerusalem, especially in the Temple complex, where loose fowl were not permitted for fear of their contaminating "pure" sacrificial animals with unclean creatures they might drag out of dung heaps; in reality, Peter would not have heard the cock crow… if we think of this in literal terms. However, the land of Judea -- and Jerusalem -- was under Roman control and customs. One such custom was the night "watches" when the trumpet was blown at each watch. The melody of the tune played changed with each watch, so the town would know approximately what time it was. A verse in the Gospel of Mark refers to all four, suggesting one was "at the cock-crowing." So, it's possible Jesus meant Peter would deny him "at the cock-crowing"; while he may not have heard a rooster, since none were available, the trumpet blast of the Roman "watch" would be heard throughout Jerusalem overhead. Some savvy JCS productions that did their homework have opted to reference this theory by having the brass and woodwinds play the "betrayal" theme Mary sings before she comes in, allowing for the visual impact of Peter realizing he has fulfilled the prophecy first. It's clever if you've done enough homework about the show and the story to catch the reference, and even more clever if the "watch" motif has already been established, using, for example, the intro to "Simon Zealotes." (For that matter, if you, too, subscribe to this theory, "in just a few hours" could refer to that "watch," but that's a heavy-handed interpretation I'm imposing on the lyric.)

I hope this answered your question!

[kaleirots]

genshin writers love the bible brainrot.

rambling notes focusing on the recent bible references in the fontaine archon quest, revolving around childe.

if you're a lore or childe stan you might enjoy it.

major 4.2 spoilers!

The rule of three is widely used in Genshin, to the extent that the Narzissenkreuz acknowledge it to be an ancient principle. Childe was trapped in the Abyss for three months, or three days. The enneagram shown in every domain combines the Law of Three and the Law of Seven. There were three descenders until the traveler arrived, breaking the cycle. To an extent, some boss battles and archon quests come in three acts.

The bible also uses the rule of three - the three patriarchs, the three kings, then later the three wise men. Jesus is denied three times and asks Peter if he loves him three times. The Holy Trinity. Omne Trium Perfectum.

Childe IS the rule of three. He has three names, three forms, three powers and most recently, he spends three patches tracking and promptly brawling with the all-devouring narwhal, which uses three elemental types. During phase two of the boss battle, the narwhal eats the player and a shadow knight, similar to Childe's Foul Legacy form, appears to fight the traveller. The boss drop "lightless silk string" is shaped like the Ichthus, a symbol that represents Jesus Christ.

---

In Jonah and the whale, Jonah disobeys God before his boat is caught in a storm. He is thrown overboard in repentance, assuming he is being punished for his actions but is swallowed by a whale. Inside the whale, Jonah laments that he has been "banished from gods sight" after disobeying and abandoning his God. He is offered a second chance, which he uses to bring salvation to the ninevites, who repent and avoid divine wrath.

According to The Knave, Childe said he was travelling to fontaine on vacation. This is directly following the erasure of Scaramouche from Irminsul. After bumping into the traveller, he acknowledges his strange mood and abandons his vision. This hides him from celestia, subverting the prophecy. He follows the call of the abyss which leads him to reunite with the all-devouring narwhal, taking the opportunity to fight with it... which ultimately, leads to Fontaine's survival.

I once ventured deep into the abyss and came face-to-face with an enormous beast. I don't know its name, all I know is the sight of it chilled me to the bone. But mark my words, one day I will march back in there and behead that beast, and you, comrade, will be my witness!

(don't forget, visions are likely celestias eyes. their original name in CN and other languages literally translates to Eye of God.)

---

Revelations mentions two divinely appointed "witnesses" [revelation 11:3-12] who are initially seen as heroes, before being turned on, shunned by the public and sacrificed. you could argue that the abyss sibling has already ventured this path, being friends with the gods before siding with the abyss during the cataclysm (apocalypse).

While attempting to convince furina to tell the truth, the traveler refers to themself as a Witness. as an outworlder, they are immune to irminsul and thus able to remember both Rukkhadevata and Scaramouche. It is implied that the abyss is also unaffected by celestia.

The abyss sibling asks the traveller to witness the story, hinting at the time loop and inevitability of Celestias will. Zhongli acknowledges this in his second story quest and asks the traveller to remember what Teyvat forgets.

There are many events of ages past... many secrets that lie hidden. They have been eroded by time, forgotten by the people... abandoned. But you are capable of finding them and bringing them into the light. Those who come to witness, will witness. Those who are born to remember, will remember.

---

According to Daniel 12:12, there are 45 "extra" days after the anti-christ is defeated by a returned jesus christ, in which judgement is declared upon certain nations... the traveller is sentenced to 45 days in prison before Childe and the whale return from the abyss, allowing the hydro dragon to bring judgement upon fontaine.

Fontaine is forgiven by the hydro dragon and the city floods in order to cleanse it of the original sin. before the waters recede, many citizens are rescued by a giant boat... an ark, you could say.

[tonysolomon4jc]

The satanic Illuminati runs the television industry, music industry, fashion industry, financial industry, health care industry, video game industry, and many other industries, because they want all of the money while promoting the 7 deadly sins of pride, lust, jealously, greed, gluttony, sloth (laziness), and wrath (sinful anger). They also promote fear, violence,, witchcraft, drugs and alcohol. They are not anti religion. They are antichrist. Meaning that they do as much as possible to get us to avoid promoting and obeying the teachings of Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ is the only way to God the Father. Turn off your TV. They study what causes you to sin. Switch to Christian music. Stop being programmed by satan. Be holy and stay pure. You were bought at a price by your God. You will be judged for your words, thoughts and actions. Fasting and praying breaks demonic strongholds. Repent or perish. Luke 13:3 Confess your sins and be forgiven. 1 John 1:9 Keep the faith in Jesus Christ until you die. No matter how bad things get on Earth. God loves you and will never leave a true follower of Jesus Christ. Get the gotquestions app and a Bible app that reads to you. Study the Holy Bible. We're in the end times. Stay holy, pure, sober, humble, loving and meek. Obey Jesus Christ over every person. Be blessed and bless others with love. The satanic Illuminati is anti-Christ & they love the numbers 13 & 33. Revelation 13 is the chapter that talks about the 1st & 2nd Beast (the Antichrist & the False Prophet) demanding the Mark of the Beast.

Mark 13:13 says that we will be hated for the name of Jesus, but if we endure as followers of Jesus Christ until the end then we will be saved from damnation in Hell.

They love the number 33, because Jesus possibly died at 33 & 33% of the angels were kicked out of heaven with satan & turned into fallen angels/demons that are condemned to the eternal Lake of Fire. We'll get the crown of eternal life if we keep our faith in Jesus Christ until we die. Watch how often news or movie statistics have 13 or 33 in them. M is the13th letter in the alphabet. Look for M, W, 13 & 33. A vast amount of satanic Illuminati symbolism can be found in probably every corporate logo, superbowl halftime show, music & movie award show, cartoon & movie. For instance, the Taco Bell logo has a 666 in it. It consists of 3 6's (a pink 6, a blue 6 & a yellow 6). The yellow 6 also represents satan's eye (like on the top of the pyramid on the $1 bill). Most celebrities show us the one-eyed salute of allegiance to satan when they get their photo taken. They purposefully hide one of their eyes. Thus giving satan the one-eyed salute of allegiance. Google "celebrities one eye Illuminati photo". They also thow up devil horns or the OK hand sign since to them it is the 666 sign. Presidents do to. They often take photos with the 666 hand sign over their eye. Many corporations are named after pagan gods, AKA demons. Nike was a pagan god. Walt Disney, Kellogg, Monster energy drinks, Google chrome, & Coca-Cola are a few logos with 666 hidden in them. The satanic Illuminati controls the major corporations. There are many websites that show us the corporate logos with triple 6's, stars, pyramids, lightning (because Jesus said that he saw satan fall like lightning), suns, moons, Satan's eye & other Illuminati symbols hidden in plain view. Get the gotquestions app and a Bible app that reads to you. Study God's word daily and stay holy. Be rapture ready & preach Jesus Christ!! The satanic Illuminati like the letter X. It is getting more popular in culture. Like Twitter's new name and x-men. It reminds the NWO of the square & compass & skull & crossbones. The immune systems are already weakened, from the mRNA. Messiah 2030 shows how 53 Bible prophecies point to 2030. That means that 2030 is really going to be The Great Reset. The WEF is talking about The Great Reset of the World in 2030. That means that disease X is part of the 7 year tribulation period from Revelation, which may have just begun in 2024. Study God's word daily. Repent. Obey Jesus Christ. Keep your faith in Jesus no matter how bad things get. Guard your eyes, ears and heart. Please God with your thoughts and behavior. Trust God's perfect will, word and timing. Praise Jesus with your music. Preach repentance and The Gospel of Jesus Christ. Pray to God only. Pray in complete faith in Jesus' name. Be blessed and bless others with love. 🙏

[saras-devotionals]

Quiet Time 2/24

what am I feeling today?

Idk why but I’m just super tired and I can’t think of a real reason why I should be. I know that I have a lot of work ahead of me and a busy day and I think I just wanted a little more time to rest.

Campus Devo Notes

(at this devo we talked about the Pentecostal church/belief and all those who have emotional based experiences with God or base their belief on how they feel. These are just some scriptures and notes to offer insight)

how do you know a spiritual encounter is real?

If God/His word is behind the experience

Romans 10:1-4 NIV

“Brothers and sisters, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for the Israelites is that they may be saved. For I can testify about them that they are zealous for God, but their zeal is not based on knowledge. Since they did not know the righteousness of God and sought to establish their own, they did not submit to God’s righteousness. Christ is the culmination of the law so that there may be righteousness for everyone who believes.”

About the church, the Pentecostal church is relatively new having been founded in 1901. They also have no hierarchy/structure (it’s not so how the people see fit in terms of operating and not all Pentecostal churches are the same)

What do they do right? Zeal/excitement/passion for God! + dedication to prayer

However, looking at this passage here we can see that even though they are zealous (which is a good thing) it is not based on knowledge and so they establish their own "righteousness" instead of submitting to God’s (Bible and what it says)

Acts 2:1-4 NIV

“When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.”

This passage is taken out of context (and it only happened twice in the Bible) -> there’s no way for this to be recreated in the modern age.

glossolalia -> speaking in tongues (not biblical) - will be covered by a later passage

baptizo - the original Greek meaning to be fully immersed (with the assumption that it’s in water)

everyone in the Bible who got baptized were done with water and were immersed. What baptism represents and why it needs to be immersion is covered by the following passage:

Romans 6:1-4 NIV

“What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? By no means! We are those who have died to sin; how can we live in it any longer? Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.”

This shows that baptism is the participation in the death, burial, and resurrection, and for that action to be possible, immersion needed to participate. Here’s a visual example:

Acts 2:36-38 NIV

‭‭ ““Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Messiah.” When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”

‭‭Example of how upon receiving the good news, people should repent and be baptized and then they will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

1 Corinthians 14:6-12 NIV

“Now, brothers and sisters, if I come to you and speak in tongues, what good will I be to you, unless I bring you some revelation or knowledge or prophecy or word of instruction? Even in the case of lifeless things that make sounds, such as the pipe or harp, how will anyone know what tune is being played unless there is a distinction in the notes? Again, if the trumpet does not sound a clear call, who will get ready for battle? So it is with you. Unless you speak intelligible words with your tongue, how will anyone know what you are saying? You will just be speaking into the air. Undoubtedly there are all sorts of languages in the world, yet none of them is without meaning. If then I do not grasp the meaning of what someone is saying, I am a foreigner to the speaker, and the speaker is a foreigner to me. So it is with you. Since you are eager for gifts of the Spirit, try to excel in those that build up the church.”

This is the passage that covers speaking in tongues. This is Paul writing to the church in Corinth. He says what is it to speak in tongues? “Unless you speak intelligible words with your tongue, how will anyone know what you are saying? You will just be speaking into the air. ” What people say must have meaning, it can’t just be random sounds or whatever covers out of your mouth.

Matthew 12:38-39 NIV

“Then some of the Pharisees and teachers of the law said to him, “Teacher, we want to see a sign from you.” He answered, “A wicked and adulterous generation asks for a sign! But none will be given it except the sign of the prophet Jonah.”

‭‭From my understanding, people of the Pentecostal background/those that practice their faith emotionally tend to have an execessive need for signs from the Holy Spirit but this can be seen as faithless. We’re not supposed to need signs, even Jesus states that a wicked and adulterous generation asks for signs? we should have firm faith without signs.

1 Corinthians 2:29-31, 13:8-13 NIV

“Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret? Now eagerly desire the greater gifts. And yet I will show you the most excellent way.”

‭‭ “Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when completeness comes, what is in part disappears. When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me. For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.”

Paul mentions greater gifts in 12 and it’s answered in 13 which are faith, hope, and love with love being the greatest

Luke 3: 21-22 NIV

“When all the people were being baptized, Jesus was baptized too. And as he was praying, heaven was opened and the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven: “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.””

we get to see all three aspects of trinity here -Father, Son, Holy Spirit

2 Thessalonians 2:9-12 NIV

“The coming of the lawless one will be in accordance with how Satan works. He will use all sorts of displays of power through signs and wonders that serve the lie, and all the ways that wickedness deceives those who are perishing. They perish because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. For this reason God sends them a powerful delusion so that they will believe the lie and so that all will be condemned who have not believed the truth but have delighted in wickedness.”

One more point to make, Satan can perform countefit "mirades". Let us focus on the details and investigate what we see. Decipher whether or not it is truly from God or a trick of the enemy.

Practicals/Instruction:

1) we have to teach everyone to respect God's word

Galatians 1:6-10 NIV: “I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you to live in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel— which is really no gospel at all. Evidently some people are throwing you into confusion and are trying to pervert the gospel of Christ. But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let them be under God’s curse! As we have already said, so now I say again: If anybody is preaching to you a gospel other than what you accepted, let them be under God’s curse! Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ.”

some are ‭‭preaching things other than God's word, but we have to respect it. Why would you change His word?! How can we or anyone else on this earth have a better idea of what’s right than abiding to what God has already said and made clear.

2) context brings clarity!

One of the most popular verses is John 3:16 -> “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”

‭‭but context is important! Jesus is talking to Nicodemus and beforehand he’s talking about baptism and afterwards also says that we must “live by the truth” which shows that faith alone is not what saves us as it could be interpreted if you just read the single verse instead of the whole chapter.

3) experience does not mean salvation

Matthew 17:21-23 -> ““Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’”

‭‭we don’t want to be in this category, we don’t want to be people who say “Lord” but Jesus does not know us. Furthermore, the point trying to be made by this is just because you had an experience with God, does not mean you were saved. Think about instances in the Bible, the easiest being Judas. He walked with Jesus, he had spiritual gifts, but he was not saved.

Last point to make, let us be more stubborn about the truth (which is the word of God)

[jonathanvik]

Krisis - Chapter 6

“Huh?” Rocke blinked as he stood up from his thin, bare mattress. Total darkness had enveloped him, making him fear he’d gone blind for a second. But as his eyes adjusted, vague shapes outlined themselves.

“Is the power out?” Even when the facility’s lights dimmed for nighttime, they still provided ample illumination to see. Now, not even the emergency lights were working. What was going on?

In the darkness, other prisoners muttered to themselves, just as confused as Rocke. Guards were cursing and chatting amongst themselves about what they should do next.

“Hey, Rocke,” Stern whispered from the next cell. “What do you think is happening?”

“Not sure,” Rocke replied. 

A spark of hope flared in his heart. Had someone attacked the facility? Did that mean rescue was close? Rocke found no other reasonable explanation for the bizarre power loss. He sent a silent prayer to the Sovereign that this was true. It had become Rocke’s habit to pray whenever his emotions became turbulent, or he got depressed. It offered him solace during the rough hours.

With tentative steps, he approached the cell door. It creaked as he pushed against it, but refused to budge. His hands wandered over the locking mechanism, but found it too difficult to move. Oh well, it had been a desperate hope. He’d need something like a crowbar to force the door open.

Someone howled a bestial roar. Metal squealed as a tremendous force pushed against it. What the heck was that? In the dark, Rocke saw a ragged figure in a nearby cell push against his door with incredible force. The squealing became louder as the door succumbed to the man’s impossible strength and determination. With a snap, the lock broke, and the cell door swung open.

“Huh?!” Wasn’t that Nitao’s cell? How did the Konquellian do that? “Hey, um, mind helping a guy out?” And Rocke wasn’t the only prisoner to ask for assistance.

“Hey, get back into your cell, Konquellian trash!” a guard yelled, baton raised. It didn’t flare to life with electricity, so Rocke guessed it wasn’t working either. Were not even the guard robots working?

The poor guy didn’t last long against Nitao’s fury, the bars of Rocke’s cell denting as the guard struck hard against it.

“Hey!” More guards rushed to assist, but Nitao had already fled, so they followed in hot pursuit.

“That was something.” So much for any escape attempt. Again, he tried replicating Nitao’s trick, but the door refused to budge. Defeated, but not surprised, Rocke sat on his bed, waiting for whatever would happen to happen. The rest lay in the Sovereign’s hands.

Minutes passed as Rocke waited in the dark, some prisoners were making a ruckus trying to make their own path to freedom. But their efforts were in vain, failing like Rocke had to free themselves. Then a commotion caught his attention, the sound of approaching footfalls, multiple ones. He strained his ears, hearing faint whispers. He gasped in shock, recognizing the voices.

“Over here,” Rocke whispered, his voice emphatic.

“There he is, Rocke!” Kallane said, rushing into view. Though blocky night-vision goggles blocked her face, he’d recognized her anywhere.

“You’re behind this?” Rocke asked, amazed. He’d hoped, but this was beyond anything he’d ever expected. 

“The Sovereign’s will, lad,” another familiar voice said, laughing.

“Matthias too? You’re all crazy!” But Rocke laughed with him. “What’s your plan to help me escape?”

“Don’t worry, I got this,” Dallas said, crowbar in hand. With a grunt, the door squealed open.

“This is easier than I expected.” Behind her goggles, Kallane furrowed her brow. “Where are the guards? They can’t all be sleeping!”

“I’ll explain later,” Around him, other prisoners pleaded for their freedom. Rocke sympathized with them, but they lacked the time to free everyone. He imagined it wouldn’t take long to restore power.

In the darkness, Rocke’s eyes met Stern’s. “Best leave, lad. I’ll be fine. Heck, it might look better for me if I stayed instead of escaping.”

“If you’re sure,” Rocke said reluctantly.

“Positive. Get going. I doubt Nitao’s distraction will last long,” Stern said.

“Okay.” Though it pained him, Rocke respected Stern’s decision. Besides, the police were only holding Stern for a minor charge. He’d get out soon enough. “When they release you, flee the city. Maybe even the country. Things will get bad soon.” Huh? Why had he said that? But Stern gave a nod of understanding.

“This way!” A man Rocke didn’t recognize called. In his hand was a tablet, its screen faintly glowing. “This should be the quickest way out.”

“Gah!” Rocke grimaced as his shin struck the edge of a table. Cloaked in darkness, he hadn’t seen it. “Hey, give me one of those night-vision goggles. I can’t see anything!”

“Sorry, Rocke, but we could only procure four of them. Just bear it with it,” Kallane said sheepishly.

“Wonderful,” Rocke said, annoyed, dodging around another table. They’d entered a guard station, the gate wide open. Even in the dark, Rocke could tell that someone had forced open the gate. Two guards sat slumped against a wall, their breathing steady as they lay there unconscious. “How far is the exit?”

“We’re pretty deep inside, but not far,” Kallane replied. “Stay close. This building is maze-like.”

“Hey, another prisoner has escaped!” Rocke heard from where they’d come. With rushed steps, they moved forward before someone noticed them.

They tried to move quickly and silently, but Rocke’s lack of clear vision caused him to stumble into his allies more than once. The outside wasn’t any brighter, a murky fog was visible through the windows.

“This way!” The man who called himself Jamar said. “There’s a fire exit down this hallway.”

“Home free, perfect!” Kallane said, beaming.

As if to mock her words, a large figure moved to block their path. In the dim light of a light wand, a familiar, bulky figure stood before them. From his smile, Police Chief Rolf seemed pleased with himself. Behind him stood six officers, each wearing a malevolent grin. 

“You’re mighty resourceful. I’ll give you that,” Rolf said. “But you’re mistaken if you think you and your Demon buddies are leaving this building in one piece, Daliven.”

“I do what I must,” the prophet replied. “We protect our own. I won’t let this boy suffer for my sake.”

“Guts. I rather like that about you, holy man, but foolish. Still, I’m an understanding man,” Rolf replied. “Surrender now? You’re locked up with a broken jaw. Resist, and you’re leaving as a corpse.” 

The officers behind the police chief raised gleaming metal objects, but they were unlike any laser weapon Rocke had ever seen before. Was it some sort of weapon that worked without power?

“Well, you’re not getting him!” Kallane shouted back, ignoring the threats. “How about coming and getting him, eh?”

“That’s not helping.” His friend had thrown oil on an already volatile situation. Why must that woman be so hotheaded?

“You know our answer,” Matthias said, his voice firm.

This earned an unpleasant smile from Rolf that froze Rocke’s blood cold. “Get them, boys. Be none too gentle. Shoot to kill if necessary.”

“Scatter, now! Keep low,” Matthias said, words frantic.

Rocke did as instructed, ducking into a nearby alcove. A loud sound made him flinch, a crack echoing through the empty hallways. What was that? From the lack of any pained screams, nobody had gotten hit.

“What was that, Larks! You missed that big guy completely!” Rolf admonished.

“Sorry, sir. I wasn’t ready for the recoil!” an officer said. More weapons fired, almost deafening Rocke. 

“This way!” Kallane dragged him away by the collar. Without night-vision goggles, Rocke was running blind and allowed the Ottoman woman to guide him behind a corner. Steps pursued them, an officer raising his baton to bash Rocke senseless. But the massive Dallas clotheslined their attacker with his muscular arms, hurling them painfully to the tiled floor.

“If you want them, you’ll need to get past me,” Dallas said, arms crossed.

“You!” Another officer raised his weapon to fire, but a body was hurled into him and the pair collapsed in a heap. Rocke marveled at how strong the Ottoman man was. He’d lifted the fallen officer with one arm.

The other officers engaged, but Jamar struck out with a palm, hitting one in the chin. Another pulled out his gun. There was the now familiar cracking sound but the projectile struck a wall harmlessly as Jamar jerked the officer’s arm to the side. A skull to the nose drove the man to his knees before getting knocked unconscious by a following kick.

“These guys are just bullies. They don’t know how to fight,” the skeletal man said, pleased.

But Rolf, who’d been watching the exchange, only snorted. “You’ve got some fight in you! Good.” The big man cracked his neck from side to side and rolled his shoulders. “It’s been a while since I’ve cut loose.” The police chief didn’t bother with a gun or even a baton—he engaged the two Ottomans with only his fists.

Despite being outnumbered, Rolf matched the two combatants easily. While Dallas was huge, the police chief was even larger. The pair wrestled, but Rolf easily overpowered him. The police chief threw Dallas against a pillar, cracking it and dazing the large man. Jamar launched himself at the cop, attempting to disable his opponent with debilitating palm strikes, but Rolf was swift on his feet.

What should have struck a vulnerable point hit Rolf’s hard abs instead, deflecting the blow with ease. Jamar howled in pain as Rolf drove a knee into his chest, knocking the air out of him. Another kick took the man out of the fight entirely, rendering him unconscious.

“Holy!” Rolf really knew how to fight! Rocke watched helplessly as Dallas got the stuffing kicked out of him.

“We have to get out of here!” Kallane pulled at his prison jumper, her tone urgent.

“But—!” Rocke hesitated, not wanting to abandon the ones who’d risked their lives to help him.

“I’m afraid we have no choice, lad,” Matthias said, his tone grim.

“My mom’s distraction won’t last forever,” Kallane added, more insistent. “She’s keeping the other police busy, but someone’s bound to come soon.”

“Damn it.” Rocke cursed, but couldn’t argue against that. He allowed his friends to guide him toward the exit, a pang of guilt turning his stomach. He hadn’t known Dallas or Jamar for long, but they were brave men.

Rocke jerked back as Dallas almost collided with him, barely missing by a hair. The big man was bruised, bloody, and barely conscious.

“You aren’t going anywhere.” As if to punctuate the police chief’s words the lights flashed on. Rocke flinched, his eyes too accustomed to the darkness.

“Oh crap!” Kallane cursed, throwing away her night vision goggles. 

“Perfect,” Rolf said, pleased. “As usual, Halkken gets the job done. Let’s hope it’s as easy to restore the guard robots to full function.”

“Sovereign preserve us!” Rocke muttered. 

“No, we haven’t lost yet,” Matthias said, his resolve hardening. “Run, run for all it’s worth.”

Despite the hopelessness of the situation, something in the old prophet’s voice pushed Rocke forward. He took off at a full sprint, letting his feet guide him.

“Still fighting, eh?” Rolf said, more amused than worried. He motioned to give chase, but Dallas tackled him from behind. The big Ottoman hasn’t lost yet. Rocke didn’t wait to see the contest’s result, taking a right turn at full speed.

“Here!” Kallane pointed at a door labeled “Fire Escape.” It warned that opening it would trigger an alarm, but that was the least of their concerns. Rocke charged into the door, hand ready to press the release handle.

Pain rippled through his shoulder as he collided with the door, wincing as two other bodies crashed into him.

“What gives?” Rocke pushed against the door release again, but it refused to budge. Was it stuck?

“Foolish, so foolish!” a smug voice said, amused by their failure. “Did you really think I’d let you escape so easily?”

“Hey, open this door!” Rocke pushed against it with all his strength, but it refused to budge. Kallane and Matthias threw in their weight, but it still refused to yield.

“Go ahead! Push harder. It still won’t work!” A screen floated above them, showing a rather smug Phú. “I control all the doors. Pity for you. That’s what you get, criminal scum.”

“Come on!” Escape was so close!

“In this station, I’m God! Decider of life and death. Remember what I told you?” Phú said, her tone nasty and vengeful. “The guard robots should arrive in about thirty-three seconds. Chief Rolf will be upset about all the bloodstains, but oh well! Still, if you abandon your silly, made-up god and worship me, I might show you mercy.”

Terror spiked through Rocke’s spine as the guard robots came into view. Their bodies gleamed black like midnight, their arms decked out with the latest destructive weaponry. A singular, cold red eye gazed upon them, cold and ruthless.

Phú laughed, pausing her attack robots so she could savor her victims’ helplessness. Her smile turned devilish as she grinned. “Open fire!”

Rocke winced as a red bolt flew past his scalp, singing his hair. He ducked, barely avoiding getting blasted to pieces. Desperate, he rushed toward a nearby hallway, but pain reverberated through his body as a guard robot intercepted him with impossible speed. It towered over him, and fear spiked through his spine as it aimed its weapon at his forehead.

“Rocke!” Kallane swung a wild fist at the nearest guard robot, but it dodged with contemptuous ease. The Ottoman woman howled in pain as a bolt struck her in the chest. She collapsed to the ground, her breathing labored. The robot shot another bolt into her chest for good measure, leaving her body deathly still.

“Huh, so that’s what two full-power stun bolts do to a person! Good to know!” Phú said cheerfully.

“That wasn’t necessary,” Matthias said, seething with righteous fury. Somehow, he’d avoided the sporadic laser fire. “You have us beat.”

“I don’t like people like you.” Phú said, her voice cold. “You tell the public we’re wrong, that the state doesn’t know what’s best for them. I plan on showing everyone how weak and pointless you all are. The Sovereign can’t protect anyone—only we can. Have fun, my pets.”

“Matthias!” Rocke watched in helpless fury as a guard robot decked his friend across the face with a metal fist. It didn’t stop there, beating him senseless. Phú watched with glee, delighting in her victim’s helplessness. Rocke wanted to stop the madness, but the guard robot’s weapon made it clear he’d suffer Kallane’s fate if he tried anything.

“You’re wrong,” Matthias said, spitting out blood. He sported a nasty bruise across his face, one eye swollen shut. “You? A goddess? Don’t make me laugh. You’re an instrument of cruelty. You say you fight to protect people? Then why is it no one feels safe around you?”

“Shut up. I won’t let a dead man lecture me,” Phú replied. She had her guard robots shoot multiple rounds of high-powered stun bolts into the prophet. They swiveled away from him, caring little if he lived or died.

“And now you, Rocke. The main course,” Phú said, her synthesized smile unpleasant. “How should I punish you?”

A pit dropped in Rocke’s stomach as the guard robots focused their attention on him. Despite their lack of faces, they seemed to smile with malevolent glee. Ignoring the weapons pointed at him, Rocke stood tall and glared at his tormentors. If he was about to die, he refused to beg for his life.

This only elicited an eye roll from the AI. “Humans. Whatever, just finish him—I don’t care anymore.”

Energy gathered in the guard robots’ blasters, but Rocke stood his ground, bracing himself for whatever agony awaited him.

Before they could strike, a movement caught Rocke’s attention. It was his only warning, and Rocke ducked, covering his head. Glass shattered as bullets tore through the robots’ eye stalks. Having lost their vision, the guard robots fired their lasers wildly. Rocke winced as one shot flew past his ear.

“Hey! Calm down!” Phú shouted, annoyed. “Fire that way!”

But before the robots could regroup, their rescuer charged into the fray, howling like a banshee. Nitao’s eyes gleamed as he entered the battle, eager to engage. Unlike Rolf’s men, the Konquellian knew how to handle an old-fashioned gun with expert precision. The robots tried firing back, back Nitao was quicker. Several shots to the chest units disabled their functionality as Nitao scored hit after hit. In a matter of seconds, two were already heaps of scrap metal.

“You idiots! Fight better!” Phú’s protests were in vain as her forces were decimated. “You’re not getting away with this!”

Nitao ignored her threats and, with a powerful kick, broke down the armored fire door. Rocke stared, marveling at the Konquellian’s strength.

“You’d better hurry. They’ll have reinforcements soon,” Nitao said, speaking for the first time. His voice was rough, like he was unused to speaking. He gestured to the open door before disappearing outside.

Phú continued to hurl insults and threats, her language foul enough to make Rocke’s ears burn.

He ignored the AI and helped Kallane to her feet. “Are you okay?”

“I think so,” Kallane said, clutching her chest but appearing capable of standing. The prophet, however, was in terrible shape. It took the two of them to carry him outside to whatever fate awaited them in the world beyond.

[azulin-is-so-fucked-up]

I'm sorry if this post seems like it's attacking HTF fans, but I'm tired of seeing people constantly compare Azulin to Flippy/Fliqpy. They're not the same at all, they barely have anything in common except for the fact that they are murderous evil bears, and even THEN they have very different reasons for being murderers.

A lot of people misunderstand Azulin due to this, thinking he has the same kind of trauma Flippy has.

Flippy is a war veteran, a traumatized war veteran with PTSD. He kills because he has the delusions that he's still in war. He doesn't wants to kill his friends. Even if you headcanon he has DID and that Fliqpy does kill on purpose, it's still a very different reason than Azulin's goals of fulfilling the bible's prophecy.

Azulin's trauma started when he was a child. It could even be argued that he was born that way, that he always had problems from birth. He did a lot of horrible stuff when he was a kid and when he was an adult, not really fully conscious about the consequences since as a kid he probably didn't really think about it, and as an adult he probably just acted with impulse rather than actually thinking his actions.

Both are very complex characters I really love.

Don't get me wrong, I LOVE HTF and every time I see a fanart of Flippy and Azulin interacting it fills my heart with joy. But still, I would like it if people understood these two characters as totally different and complex characters rather than just evil edgy murderer characters.

[thewisemankey]

"America, you sold your soul, your countrymen, women, the elderly, the disabled, children, your neighbors, and yourself for a couple eggs. You have no understanding what you have done to yourself. You let Fox News, rage, and fear rot you from the inside out. You will see how lucky you were. You’ll yearn and miss these some odd 70 days left of American democracy. You let the big bad wolf convince you to burn your own house down in hopes of an insurance payout. The only catch is, your insurance doesn’t cover fire damage. The wolf will benefit, offer you pennies for your damaged property. You’ll be left with nothing, while the wolf devours your life and everything you held dear. R.I.P. The Great Experiment. Theocracy is imminent. It has been their goal for 40 years. They believe Trump is Cyrus from the Bible, only needed to start their End of Times prophecy. That is why it never mattered to Evangelicals that he breaks every commandment. He is part of what starts their ending. They truly believe he will set in motion the actions needed to bring Jesus back to earth. When someone is willing to fight because they believe their battle is righteous, there is no amount of logic or reasoning that gets to them. They don't need money or goods as a rewards. They are the most dangerous type. It was never about saving to Democracy to them. They don't want a democracy." - Misti Dawn on Instagram

[fortressofserenity]

Antecedents to the Antichrist

When it comes to both the Beast and the False Lamb, though they are characters separate from the Antichrist, they also prefigure him enough to serve as his understudies. When it comes to the False Lamb, it looks like a lamb but talks like a dragon. It resembles Jesus Christ at first, but ultimately and secretly (resembles the Devil more. This monster is a combination of things that should never be put together, but is prophesised to beguile unsuspecting Christians who think it is good or something. I remember somewhere on 444ProphecyNews that Donald Trump might be the prophesised False Lamb, which means he’s there in Biblical prophecy but not in a way people expected. It’s like if people expected Jesus Christ to be a literal king but turns out to be far lowlier than expected, so logically the False Lamb would be his opposite or antipode.

One who seems good and pleasing to the Lord, but is ultimately evil and should never be trusted enough to be turned into an idol for many. This strongly resembles Trump with his populist rhetoric, yet never repents of his sins and never bothers to better himself for the Lord, despite the position he’s in. He never really tries to better himself for the Lord, which is saying because he’s immensely arrogant and power-hungry. So power-hungry that he’d do anything to stamp his name on the Bible, because he wants to be recognised as their saviour real badly when it should belong to God and God alone. The other problem is that Christians have made themselves into stumbling blocks when it comes to somebody like Trump, that instead of disciplining him they coddle him all the more. This goes against Biblical teaching where people are called to correct others in love, have them face the consequences of their actions and stuff.

This is also likely why abuse is so persistent in Christianity, even when forgiveness is offered it wouldn’t always take away the consequences of sin. But it’s something a good number of Christians forget, even though they know somebody does wrong they never really discipline the offender and continue to shield them from the repercussions of their actions. It’s like this with Trump, they never really rebuked him in love so he gets worse over time. To the point where he’ll really turn evil, because most never bothered to make him get better to appease God.

[religion-is-a-mental-illness]

WORDS THAT CHRISTIANS MISUSE

Study: What most Christians call "Bible study" is actually "Bible worship."

Truth: Truth is the conformity with fact or reality. Truth is dictated by supporting evidence, not mere claims. Simply claiming that something, or someone, is the "truth" is a misuse of the word.

Morality: Morality is the act of doing what causes the least amount of harm to others. Christians say that morality is dictated by God but the act of doing what one demands is the definition of submission, not morality.

Adultery: Jesus says that lust is adultery in Matthew 5:28. The word adultery means having sex with a person who is married to another. The word lust means to have sexual desires. Having the desire to do something is not the same as doing something.

Free Will: What Christians commonly call "freewill" is actually just "will." In the Bible God only gave us the ability to choose what we want to do (will), but not the freedom to act upon those choices. As it is told, we are required to do as God commands or we will be subject to an eternity of torment.

Love: Love is an intense affection for someone or something. Calling God "love" does not mean his actions automatically fit such a definition. Just as calling a pig an "airplane" does not mean it suddenly can fly. God doesn't even fit the definition of love given by Paul in 1 Cor. 13:4-8.

--

Matthew 5:28

But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.

If you're already guilty, might as well actually do it...

-

1 Corinthians 13:4-8

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away.

"Lord" is the exact opposite of love.

[peggy-sue-reads-a-book]

Hey! ✨🤓 I'd love to hear more about your poetry: it's best + current inspirations and your life reflections for this Halloween season? I just found your Dante/Judas poem. It is really brilliant and beautifully written art. I hope you light, peace and halloween's spirits. Best from one random heretical soul. 🙌🏻🎃👻💫

Hello! I’m so glad you enjoyed it!

I am currently in the process of looking for the right home for my debut collection. My favorite contemporary poets right now are Ada Limon, Nicole Callihan and Richard Siken. You might enjoy them if you don’t already.

As far as Judas’s Picnic goes, I suppose I was considering that at the last supper, Judas and Simon each received a prophecy that he would betray Jesus in the end. They both did and were immediately horrified by their own actions, Judas to the point of taking his own life. I feel arrogant and uncomfortable assuming the is no mercy and no peace for someone who does not survive their own mistakes. I believe mythology around Judas Iscariot is deeply etched by medieval attitudes toward suicide, which, to me, are still around and worth challenging. I think it raises questions about us as people that we feel fine naming our kids after the likes of David and Paul but a suicidal sinner … that’s the villain of the whole Bible. Dante places him literally in Satan’s naval.

Or maybe I’m just inclined to adopt an upsetting little man as my personal underdog.

Thank you for asking. It’s always an encouragement to hear my work has touched someone.

— Peggy

[walkswithmyfather]

“As it is written: There is none righteous, no, not one.” (Romans 3:10, Psalm 14:3)

“It Is Written” By Bob Yandian Ministries:

“This quotation (“it is written”) is found in many parts of the Old Testament, the prophets as well as the Psalms. Our verse in Romans 3:10 simply shows God’s word has much to say about itself. But the most important thing is the atmosphere contained in the Word through the whole of the Old and New Testaments. There is no need of any outside source to prove itself. Why is this important? Because the word becomes a part of our lives, controlling, stabilizing and guiding every move we make. We become self-sufficient because the word in us is self-sufficient. We need no outside support or proof of our belief in our relationship with Jesus Christ.

The world compels us to compare ourselves with other religions, philosophies or political views. There is no higher standard in our life than God Himself and His Word. Jesus did not call Himself, “a way”, or “a truth.” You never look for “a truth” to support “the truth.” Jesus is the only way and the only truth. Why do we need anything else?

Old and New Testament Self-Verification: The Old Testament says many times of itself, "thus says the Lord", as well as “it is written.” And the New Testament simultaneously declares, "it is written.” The scriptures do not defend the fact they are written by God. God does not treat His word as theory. Through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, the word treats God’s authorship as fact as we do the theory of gravity.

It Stands Written: A more correct Greek way of saying “it is written” is, “it stands written.” In the New Testament, the meaning of the word written, found in the phrase “it is written”, is in the perfect tense. The perfect tense means the action happened in the past with results that keep coming to the present. Simply put, it stood written long before it was written. It was known by God from eternity past and it only found its way onto parchment when the writers of the Bible transcribed what they heard from the Holy Spirit. The Word of God is eternal. How can something that began in time be used to support something that is timeless?

All of it Has to be True: Jesus handled the Old Testament as the sword of truth in the four gospels. If you do not believe one part, how can you believe any part? If you do not believe what Jesus said about the Bible, then you do not believe what Jesus said about Himself. For He declares Himself to be the revealed word of God and the fulfilment of Old Testament prophecies written about Himself as the only means of salvation for all mankind.”

[The rest of this Web Article is here.]

[According to Answers.com, “The phrase “it is written” is in the King James Version of the Bible in 80 verses.”] Amen! 🙌