#cult of the lamb gazelle

[purple-eyesgreydragon]

In the scorching desert of the Sweltersands, live the gazelles. Where they have forever lived in fear. As they have always been the favorite food of the divine ruler of the desert, Cobraia the Great Snake. For as long as any can remember the gazelles lived in Cobraia's land, forced to reproduce constantly, and never allowed to leave. Till either they were old enough or Cobraia's craving was strong enough. A select few were to be devoured, and the gazelles feared it above all else.

One young gazelle however had had enough of Cobraia's tyranny. The Gazelle having heard from Cobraia's followers, the tales of the Lamb. They sought the Lamb's aid in freeing the gazelles forever. However Cobraia was prepared for the Lamb's potential arrival. For she possessed something of great significance. Which would never allow the Lamb to come near her, nor harm her. But the Gazelle was not the Lamb. The Gazelle pleaded for power like the Lamb's. In return they would not only loyally follow the Cult of the Lamb, but spread the Cult through the Sweltersands. Through a carefully practiced ritual similar to that which created the Goat. A crown copy was bestowed to the Gazelle. Now wielding power similar to the Lamb, their power only becomes greater as their and others' devotion grows for the Lamb. After all, the Gazelle's crown is merely an extension of the Lamb's Red Crown. Now the Gazelle, missionary of the Lamb, Liberator of their kind, and leader of the Lamb's Cult in the Sweltersands. Will journey though the scorching desert, recruit all new followers, and finally take the gluttonous Cobraia down for good.

I’d like to think since the Goat has a purple crown identical the Red Crown. Maybe its power could be copied and divided for the number of the Bishops of the Old Faith. The Lamb being the leader with the main crown, the Goat has a purple copy (purple like Shamura), the Gazelle has a yellow copy (yellow like Heket), and other bovine missionary follower recruits get their own copies (reflecting the rest).

I based some of the Gazelle off the Lamb concept designs. Hey, the Goat came from them too.

[sansmeanswithout]

i thought it might be interesting if my interpretation of the lamb had a cult mainly made of animals that have been used as sacrifice throughout history.

My thinking behind this is that lamb wants to reminded of their family and thus has decided to protect those that have been at higher risk of being sacrificed in the name of the old faith.

On the other hand my interpretation of the goat is more logical about who joins their cult though they still will take in people who need protection they are especially fond of horses I think

This list of animals comes the Wikipedia page for animal sacrifice, the Wikipedia page for rabbit test, an exhibit from the Smithsonian of a mummified cat, an article on the roots of easter, and articles about the history of the rabbit/hare in the moon

I ignored the many mentions of sheep and goats on the Wikipedia page.

Interestingly the most common ones mentioned after the sheep and goat are cows, pigs and birds

Below the cut is a list of animals a little about the history of them being sacrificed and wether or not we already have that follower form in cult of the lamb. I won't get very graphic with the history part though I will mention if they were specifically mummified. I will mainly be mentioning in what culture and religions they were used as sacrifice, what was thought to be gotten from the sacrifice and the deity the sacrifice was made to

Also domestic animals that people consider pets are in this list you have been warned

gazelle - not in cult of the lamb - only mentioned in the prehistory section of the wiki page and is found in ancient egypt specifically buried at the foot of a grave but it seems to have been rare

felines specifically domestic cats with fur - in cult of the lamb (also has a sphinx, lion, tiger) - while killing cats was considered a crime in ancient egypt there were many exceptions made as some specifically raised cats for sacrifice or people wished to be buried with their pets. Cats were mummified and given elaborate coffins

hippo - in cult of the lamb - once again in ancient egypt and only mentioned once in the wiki page most likely was in honor of powerful citizens or buried with an owner

baboon - not in cult of the lamb the closest we have is a monkey or gorilla - same thing as the hippo just with a baboon

cattle (includes cow, ox, bull, and buffalo) - in cult of the lamb as cow and bison though we don't have a bull, ox, buffalo though the bison follower is based on the American buffalo/bison maybe we could use a water buffalo - this one is mentioned to many times for me to go into much detail but here's how many times it's mentioned outside of the references on the wiki page Cattle 6 times, Cow 9 times, Bull 8 times, Buffalo 6 times, Ox 4 times, and heifer has 1

pig - in cult of the lamb - also to commonly used for me to go into detail though apparently Scythians would never sacrifice them and hated having swine on their land. Now for how often pig and swine are mentioned outside of the references and the Scythians section swine 2 times, pig 17 times

fowl includes geese, duck, pheasant and chicken but it's usually just listed as fowl so this will be a case by case thing so I'll only mention one of the bird if it's a livestock animal or is mentioned in the wiki page - in cult of the lamb as chicken and duck we don't have goose or pheasant - birds are used to much for me to go into detail so the times mentioned is happening again though the pheasant gets a bit of detail specifically it's a green pheasant that used to be sacrificed at Shinto festivals in Japan now for the times mentioned, bird 2 times, goose/geese 2 times, rooster/chicken 7 times, poultry 1 time, fowl 2 times, duck 1 time

horse (plus donkey) - in cult of the lamb as horse to be fair a donkey follower would look kinda the same in-game we also have a unicorn - horses and donkeys are mentioned as a possiblity in ancient greece but there doesn't seem to be much evidence for it, Scythians considered horses to be the most prestigious offering, large amounts of horses would be sacrificed in ancient china however this seems to be rare as the wiki page just has a picture in that section labeled Horse sacrifice to Duke Jing of Qi 5th century BCE China, horses have also been used in Japan as sacrifice in the same context as the pheasant

canines specifically domestic dogs and wild dogs - in cult of the lamb as dog, poppy (a schnauzer), Ralpherz and Frankerz we don't really have a wild dog but the wild canines we have are fox, fennec fox, and wolf - in ancient rome Robigo was specifically given red dogs (and red wine) for protection of crops from blight and red mildew, dogs and wild dogs were used in ancient china being sacrificed at different times of the year by nobles but these sacrifices would lessen if there were hard times the dogs were considered spirit guides, there's also the story of the church grim a black dog in church graveyards which comes from the belief that the first to be buried in a graveyard would have to guard it and help spirits but couldn't pass on so a dog was buried first

camel - not in cult of the lamb the closest we have is llama - used in Islam by those on pilgrimage to mecca during Eid al-Adha the wording of the wiki page implies that the camel is sacrificed by a group also mentions that the meat is shared amongst the community it's one of four species that are considered lawful for this sacrifice

bear - in cult of the lamb - sacrificed in Japan at some Shinto festivals as well as at lomante (イオマンテ) sometimes written as Iyomante (イヨマンテ) which is a ainu ceremony that uses a brown bear

deer - in cult of the lamb as deer, stag, moose and deer skull - sacrificed in Japan at some Shinto festivals

hare - not in cult of the lamb - Hares were buried with humans in neolithic age europe archaeologists interpret this as a religious ritual with hares representing rebirth this tradition continued for a long time, hares have also been used in rituals related to the beginning of spring which is likely the pagan origin of easter

rabbit - in cult of the lamb (there's also star bunny) - rabbits are less historically sacrificed but are still associated with it for example the story behind the rabbit in the moon is about self sacrifice though it's been interpreted as both hare and rabbit, there is also the rabbit test or friedman test an early pregnancy test rabbits were injected with the urine of a person who might be pregnant the rabbit is then dissected to look for changes in the ovaries other animals have been used for this but rabbits are the more well known one

[auduux]

I'm writing a cotl swap au so here's a cotl non-swap au

I'm not sure what i'm calling this but it's centered around the bishops of the old faith a lot. It's also centered around the new crown bearers (the goat will make an appearance in this but they are not the bearer of the purple crown in this timeline, they're from an alternate timeline). The swap au I'm writing is also leshycat not narilamb if anyone was wondering. (There will also be a bit of leshycat angst in this because my yellowcat was saved from darkwood after their village was burned down and family sacrificed)

There is no art and will never be art because I cannot art :(

The crown bearers are as follows: Lambert (Red), Thena (Blue), Tretyna (Yellow), Breno (Purple), and Jano (Green). Lambert is a lamb (obviously), Thena is a dama gazelle, Tretyna is a mutated geep (sheep/goat hybrid) with two heads, Breno is a yak, and Jano is a greater kudu.

If anyone's wondering about pronouns Lambert uses he/they (he preferred over they), Thena uses she/her, Tretyna uses they/them, Breno uses he/him (transmasc), and Jano uses they/she (they preferred over she). And yes, all of them are named after my fallen cultists except Lambert.

Out of them all, Jano is the largest height-wise. Breno is the largest stature-wise, then it's Tretyna, then Thena, and then it's Lambert. Most of the modern crown bearers did not know each other but they stay moderately friendly with each other and their cults.

Tretyna was not killed because they're largely goat-passing. And heretics avoided them.

Very small interaction between Lambert and Leshy inside Darkwood after Jano took over it under the cut.

LE: "I do not smell anything...where are my flowers? Where is the dirt underneath my feet? Why can I not smell anything at all?"

LA: "The flowers have been gone for a while...and everything else. Well, not the dirt of course, it's just mostly ash now." LE: "Ash...? That fool turned Darkwood to ash? Is this what our ancestors wanted to happen? For our forests to be turned to ASH?!"

[kemetic-dreams]

Christianity in Africa Jesus in the Morning, Voodoo in the Evening

The old natural religions continue to thrive in Africa. While Christianity and Islam vie for supremacy in many countries, they have failed to banish the rain gods and spirits south of the Sahara. Frequently the pagan rites have fused with a faith in Jesus Christ.

Six men in flowing white robes stride across the square in Maryal Bai. One village elder, his features gnarled, is wearing a leopard-skin hat. Akoon Duong is a priest, as are his five companions. To demonstrate his spiritual power the old man brandishes an elaborately carved spear, as do the other "spear masters" - the high priests of pagan nature worship. Akoon Duong has inherited these trappings of power from his grandfather, who in turn had received them from his own grandfather.

The men thrust their spears into the muddy ground and dance. One of them pounds out the beat on a bush drum. Scrawny arms flail upward, quivering in ecstasy. They render their songs in high, reedy voices. If there were a drought, they would have had to invoke Deng, the rain god. But this is the wet season; malaria can strike at any time, so they pray for deliverance from disease.

Maryal Bai is in southern Sudan, 15 miles from the no-go area between the Islamic government's militias and the guerrillas of the Sudan People's Liberation Army (SPLA). The village was the demarcation line for the recently ended North-South war and the escalating conflict in Darfur.

Just a few miles to the north, Sharia law - with its punishments extending from whipping to dismemberment - prevails. The South is mainly inhabited by Christians. For decades the region has been ravaged by fighting. Usually over matters of faith.

Camped along the majestic Gazelle River are thousands of refugees, the sableskinned, long-legged people of the Dinka tribe. Once they had fled to Darfur from the war in the South; now they are returning to the lands of their ancestors.

Time has stood still

The clash of civilizations and religions, the focus of so much debate in Europe and America, can be witnessed firsthand here in Africa. And today Maryal Bai is one of its many fronts. Islamic Fundamentalism is advancing from the west, penetrating all the way to the continent's eastern reaches. In some regions it collides head-on with an equally aggressive brand of Christianity. The clashes are becoming increasingly bitter because the desert is expanding, bringing more poverty in its wake. According to Georg Brunold, a Swiss expert on African affairs, a front line is crystallizing here that will spark "decades of war." Yet, as hard as the two great monotheistic faiths have struggled for supremacy, they have failed to wrest power from priests like Akoon Duong. With its nature deities, the old African mythology is often the only stabilizing force in a world full of suffering, displacement and death, where everything is in constant flux but rarely changes for the better, where - in many respects - time has stood still. This is a world populated by nymphs and sirens, by elfin spirits, sun and moon gods, and by animal deities such as cows, stags, lambs and calves. At the end of the 19th century, the British ethnologist Edward Burnett Tylor coined the term animism (the Latin word anima means soul or breath) to describe this pantheon, correctly assuming that plants, animals and objects also have souls in the minds of these "primitive peoples."

Cult of the dead

Despite the best efforts of Christian and Islamic missionaries, some 40 percent of the people in Burkina Faso, western Africa, are still considered animist. In East African Ethiopia, a largely Christian domain, the figure is still thought to be 10 percent. Yet these numbers remain pure conjecture. In truth, religious distinctions have long blurred, indeed evaporated, in Africa. Someone who attends church in the morning and the mosque at midday might easily invite a voodoo priest over in the evening to read the kola nuts.

DER SPIEGEL

Sub-Saharan Africa.

Practically everywhere the cult of the dead intermingles with Christianity, according to religious scholar Fritz Stenger from the Catholic University of East Africa in Nairobi. "There is scarcely any distinction between the secular and religious spheres; faith is omnipresent," says Stenger.

Should a child succumb to malaria, the relatives - according to Stenger - would partly blame the lack of effective medicine. However, the belief that its death was willed by God would carry greater weight. It is therefore no surprise that doctors attending to the sick often arrive with the preacher, medicine man and local sorcerer. Stenger, who has spent more than three decades in Africa, has observed this coexistence of divergent faiths throughout the so-called "Dark Continent."

In Kenya, for example, the modern minded Kikuyu, flashing cell phones and Ray-Bans, happily journey to Mount Kenya and pray to Ngai, the supreme God of the animists - despite often being members of one of the numerous Christian sects, such as the Pentecostals or the gospel churches. In this way, Stenger adds, Christianity and the pagan belief in nature deities and demons mutually impact one another. The existence of a god of creation in nearly all pre-Christian African religions encourages this process.

This cross-fertilization is not as strange as it may sound, even to Christians in the West. Something quite similar occurred there centuries ago, "when pagan Germanic customs mingled with Christian rites," says Stenger. "Even Christmas - that most traditional of Christian celebrations - has ancient Germanic roots."

In Benin City, Nigeria's "human trafficking hub," where the women from the region's slums begin their journeys to Europe's red-light districts, the path to the gods of nature runs through a backyard reeking of urine. The voodoo priest Chief John Odeh receives his flock in a white gown. His upholstered throne is trimmed with red satin. Beside him hang drums made of cowhide and the sword-like insignia of his position, known as Eben and Ada.

"Christianity has destroyed our culture. The people have lost faith in our ancient gods and values," the animist priest laments. Ape skulls, amulets and shells are laid out on the concrete floor of the adjacent garage. Figures of Ogun, the god of iron, Orunmila, the god of wisdom, and Olokun, the god of waters, adorn this unusual shrine. Osalobua, the supreme God, punishes theft swiftly and without mercy, says Odeh. And the dead hear every lie told by the living. "The pastors go to church in the morning and preach Christianity," says the voodoo priest. "And in the evening they come to me and speak with their forefathers."

AP

A woman carrying a bowl of blood in Ouidah, Benin following an animal sacrifice.

Does He approve?

Odeh shrugs his shoulders. "Christianity cannot compete with our ancestors. Your God is impotent against Shango, the god of thunder and lightning. That's why the Christian pastors in Nigeria all die so young." The voodoo priest is holding some kola nuts in his hand. He scatters them on the dusty floor and prophesies the future. His predictions are as accurate as horoscopes in the yellow press.

Odeh celebrates his masses in Otofure, a village some 20 minutes from Benin City. This, inside the tropical jungle, is the realm of Owa Oba Asoon, a weathered wooden figurine with a greenish sheen that embodies the King of the Night. The priest blows into his cow horn, the altar boys beat their drums. The ground is littered with animal skulls, fetishes - and empty liquor bottles.

As the voodoo mass begins, Odeh flourishes a chicken over his head, mumbles unintelligible incantations and pours liquor over the skulls. Then he takes a knife and cuts the bird's throat. Blood fountains in every direction, splattering onto the wooden fetishes - crudely carved figures with huge penises. More liquor is dispensed, another invocation mumbled, bringing the juju ceremony to its conclusion. Tribute has been paid and the King of the Night appeased.

Satisfied, Odeh pockets the $100 this service nets and hustles to his car. The faithful are waiting in the city. Nervously he glances at his watch, which is made of gold. His car too suggests an affluent lifestyle. "Oh well," he says disingenuously, "that's how things are nowadays. Nothing's free in life except death."

Article...

Print

Feedback

Related SPIEGEL ONLINE links

What People Believe in: Atlas of the World's Great Religions(01/18/2007)

Monasteries in Germany: Looking for Monks and Nuns in the New Millennium (01/25/2007)

What's the Real Difference? Islam and the West (01/23/2007)

Related Topics

Africa

Religion

© SPIEGEL ONLINE 2007 All Rights Reserved Reproduction only allowed with permission

TOP

Die Homepage wurde aktualisiert.

Jetzt aufrufen.

Hinweis nicht mehr anzeigen.

[dfroza]

A great deception will befall earth

instigated by the father of lies, the ancient dragon who stands against the True nature of Love that is Sourced in our Creator, the Maker of the heavens and garden earth.

John was given a vision to write down as the book of Revelation with Today’s reading of chapter 13:

Then I saw a wild beast rising from the sea with ten horns and seven heads. On its horns were ten royal crowns, and on its heads were blasphemous names. It was like a leopard with feet like a bear’s, and its mouth like the mouth of a lion. The dragon shared his power, throne, and great authority with the wild beast.

One of the heads of the wild beast seemed to have received a deathly wound, but the wound had been healed. After this, the whole world was filled with fascination and followed the wild beast. They worshiped the dragon because he had given the beast its ruling authority. They also worshiped the wild beast, saying, “Who is like the wild beast? And who is able to make war against him?”

The wild beast was given a mouth to speak boastful and blasphemous words, and he was permitted to exercise authority for forty-two months. So the wild beast began to blaspheme against God, blaspheming his holy name and his dwelling place; that is, those who dwell in heaven. The beast was given the authority to wage war against the holy believers. And he was given authority over every tribe, people, language, and nation. Everyone on earth will worship the wild beast—those who names have not been written from the foundation of the world in the Book of Life of the Lamb who was slain.

If anyone has been given ears to hear, he’d better listen! For the one who leads others into captivity, into captivity he goes. The one who kills others by the sword, by the sword he will be put to death. This is a call for the endurance and faithfulness of the holy believers.

Then I saw another wild beast coming up from the ground. It had two horns like a ram, but it spoke like the dragon. It operated in all the authority of the first beast on its behalf, causing the earth and its inhabitants to worship the first beast, whose mortal wound had been healed. It performed great miracle-signs, even publicly causing fire to fall out of heaven to the earth. And through these startling miracles that he performed on behalf of the first beast, he deceived the world, telling the people to erect a statue in the image of the beast that had been wounded by the sword and yet lived. The beast from the earth was empowered to breathe life into the image of the first beast so that it could speak and kill those who refused to worship its image. It also caused everyone, small and great, rich and poor, free and bound, to be marked on the right hand or on the forehead. This meant no one could buy or sell unless they had the mark; that is, the name of the beast or its number.

This will require wisdom to understand: Let the one with insight interpret the number of the wild beast, for it is humanity’s number—666.

The Book of Revelation, Chapter 13 (The Passion Translation)

Today’s paired chapter of the Testaments is the 24th chapter of 2nd Chronicles that documents the life & times of a new young king of Judah:

[King Joash]

Joash was seven years old when he became king; he was king for forty years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Gazelle (Zibiah). She was from Beersheba.

Taught and trained by Jehoiada the priest, Joash did what pleased God throughout Jehoiada’s lifetime. Jehoiada picked out two wives for him; he had a family of both sons and daughters.

The time came when Joash determined to renovate The Temple of God. He got the priests and Levites together and said, “Circulate through the towns of Judah every year and collect money from the people to repair The Temple of your God. You are in charge of carrying this out.” But the Levites dragged their feet and didn’t do anything.

Then the king called in Jehoiada the chief priest and said, “Why haven’t you made the Levites bring in from Judah and Jerusalem the tax Moses, servant of God and the congregation, set for the upkeep of the place of worship? You can see how bad things are—wicked Queen Athaliah and her sons let The Temple of God go to ruin and took all its sacred artifacts for use in Baal worship.”

Following the king’s orders, they made a chest and placed it at the entrance to The Temple of God. Then they sent out a tax notice throughout Judah and Jerusalem: “Pay the tax that Moses the servant of God set when Israel was in the wilderness.”

The people and their leaders were glad to do it and cheerfully brought their money until the chest was full.

Whenever the Levites brought the chest in for a royal audit and found it to be full, the king’s secretary and the official of the chief priest would empty the chest and put it back in its place. Day after day they did this and collected a lot of money. The king and Jehoiada gave the money to the managers of The Temple project; they in turn paid the masons and carpenters for the repair work on The Temple of God. The construction workers kept at their jobs steadily until the restoration was complete—the house of God as good as new! When they had finished the work, they returned the surplus money to the king and Jehoiada, who used the money for making sacred vessels for Temple worship, vessels for the daily worship, for the Whole-Burnt-Offerings, bowls, and other gold and silver liturgical artifacts.

Whole-Burnt-Offerings were made regularly in The Temple of God throughout Jehoiada’s lifetime. He died at a ripe old age—130 years old! They buried him in the royal cemetery because he had such a distinguished life of service to Israel and God and God’s Temple.

But after the death of Jehoiada things fell apart. The leaders of Judah made a formal presentation to the king and he went along with them. Things went from bad to worse; they deserted The Temple of God and took up with the cult of sex goddesses. An angry cloud hovered over Judah and Jerusalem because of this sin. God sent prophets to straighten them out, warning of judgment. But nobody paid attention.

Then the Spirit of God moved Zechariah son of Jehoiada the priest to speak up: “God’s word: Why have you deliberately walked away from God’s commandments? You can’t live this way! If you walk out on God, he’ll walk out on you.”

But they worked out a plot against Zechariah, and with the complicity of the king—he actually gave the order!—they murdered him, pelting him with rocks, right in the court of The Temple of God. That’s the thanks King Joash showed the loyal Jehoiada, the priest who had made him king. He murdered Jehoiada’s son. Zechariah’s last words were, “Look, God! Make them pay for this!”

A year or so later Aramean troops attacked Joash. They invaded Judah and Jerusalem, massacred the leaders, and shipped all their plunder back to the king in Damascus. The Aramean army was quite small, but God used them to wipe out Joash’s large army—their punishment for deserting God, the God of their ancestors. Arameans implemented God’s judgment against Joash.

They left Joash badly wounded and his own servants finished him off—it was a palace conspiracy, avenging the murder of the son of Jehoiada the priest. They killed him in his bed. Afterward they buried him in the City of David, but he was not honored with a grave in the royal cemetery. The temple conspirators were Zabad, whose mother was Shimeath from Ammon, and Jehozabad, whose mother was Shimrith from Moab. The story of his sons, the many sermons preached to Joash, and the account of his repairs on The Temple of God can be found contained in the commentary on the royal history.

Amaziah, Joash’s son, was the next king.

The Book of 2nd Chronicles, Chapter 24 (The Message)

my personal reading of the Scriptures for Sunday, february 21 of 2021 with a paired chapter from each Testament of the Bible, along with Today’s Psalms and Proverbs

A post by John Parsons about the True fear & wonder of God our Creator:

Recall that before the revelation at Sinai God instructed Moses to set a “boundary” (i.e., hagbalah: הגבּלה) around the mountain with the stern warning that whoever would transgress the imposed limit would die (Exod. 19:12). But why did the LORD command this distance from the people at the time of such intense revelation? Why, for that matter, were God's first words to Moses, "do not come closer" (אַל־תִּקְרַב הֲלֹם) when he encountered the LORD before the burning thornbush (Exod. 3:5)? In response to such questions the sages have said that there is a fundamental “dialectic” or tension at the core of our connection with God. On the one hand God is utterly holy, sacredly separate, infinitely transcendent, and entirely beyond our understanding, while on the other hand God is entirely present within creation, upholding it and providentially sustaining it, and who is near to all who sincerely call upon him (Psalm 145:18). God is both Elohim (אלהִים) - the Master of the universe and ruler of all possible worlds -- the sole Creator (הַבּוֹרֵא) and the only true Judge and moral authority (הֲשֹׁפֵט הָאֲמִתִּית), yet he is also YHVH (יְהוָה), the source of our breath (Gen. 2:7; Num. 16:22), the compassionate Savior (הַמוֹשִׁיעַ), the intercessor (מַפְגִּיעַ), the Redeemer (הַגּוֹאֵל), the Healer (הַמְרַפֵּא), and Lover of our souls (חובב נשמתנו). God is both fully holy (separate) yet his glory pervades and fills the world (Isa. 6:3).

The dialectic between God's transcendence (sacred otherness) and immanence (inherent presence) evoke different existential responses within the heart of faith. The transcendence of God evokes emotions of fear, reverence, respect, honor, and profound awe, while the immanence of God evokes emotions of love, closeness, intimacy, comfort, safety, and so on. The Torah juxtaposes both heart attitudes by saying, "And now, Israel, what does the LORD your God require of you, but to fear (לירוא) the LORD your God, to walk in all his ways, to love (לֶאֱהֹב) him, to serve the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul" (Deut. 10:12). In this summary statement of what the LORD requires of us, the fear of the LORD (i.e., yirat Hashem: יִרְאַת יהוה) is mentioned first. First we must learn to properly fear the LORD and only then will we be able to walk (לָלֶכֶת) in His ways, to love (לְאַהֲבָה) Him, and to serve (לַעֲבד) Him with all our heart and soul. But again, the requirement to fear the LORD your God (לְיִרְאָה אֶת־יהוה) is placed first in this list...

Indeed, “the fear of the LORD is said to be the beginning of wisdom (רֵאשִׁית חָכְמָה).” Without fear of the LORD, you will walk in darkness and be unable to turn away from evil (Psalm 111:10; Prov. 1:7; 9:10; 10:27; 14:27, 15:33; 16:6). The Scriptures plainly declare that “the fear of the LORD leads to life” (see attached graphic for Prov. 19:23).

The word translated “fear” in many versions of the Bible comes from the Hebrew word yirah (יִרְאָה), which has a range of meaning in the Scriptures. Sometimes it refers to the fear we feel in anticipation of some danger or pain, but it can also can mean “awe” or “reverence.” In this latter sense, yirah includes the idea of wonder, amazement, mystery, astonishment, gratitude, admiration, and even worship (like the feeling you get when gazing from the edge of the Grand Canyon). The “fear of the LORD” therefore includes an overwhelming sense of the glory, worth, and beauty of the One True God.

According to the classical sages, there are three “levels” or types of yirat HaShem, or the fear of the LORD. The first level is the fear of unpleasant consequences or punishment (i.e., yirat ha’onesh: יִרְאַת הָענֶשׁ). This is perhaps how we normally think of the word “fear.” We anticipate pain of some kind and (naturally) want to flee from it.

The second type of fear concerns anxiety over breaking God’s law (sometimes called yirat ha-malkhut: יִרְאַת הַמַּלְכוּת). This kind of fear motivates people to do good deeds because they are afraid God will punish them in this life (or in the world to come). This is the foundational concept of karma (i.e., the cycle of moral cause and effect). As such, this kind of fear is founded on self-preservation, though in some cases the heart’s motive may be mixed with a genuine desire to honor God or to avoid God’s righteous wrath for sin (Exod. 1:12, Lev. 19:14; Matt. 10:28; Luke 12:5). God does not wink at evil or injustice, and those who practice wickedness have a genuine reason to be afraid (Matt. 5:29-30; 18:8-9; Gal. 6:7-8). God is our Judge and every deed we have done will be made known: "Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is" (1 Cor. 3:13). We should tremble before the LORD because we are fully accountable for our lives. We should fear sin within our hearts. Our actions matter, and we should dread the thought of angering God. There will be a final day of reckoning for us all...

The Chofetz Chaim warned that even though the fear of God’s punishment may deter us from sin in the short run, by itself it is insufficient for spiritual life, since it is based on an incomplete idea about God. It sees God in terms of the attributes of justice (אלהִים) but overlooks God as the Compassionate Savior of life (יהוה). After all, if you are avoiding sin only because you fear God’s punishment, you may clean the “outside of the cup” while the inside is still full of corruption... Or you might attempt to find rationalizations to excuse yourself from “legal liability.” You may appear outwardly religious (i.e., “obedient,” “Torah observant,” “righteous”), but inwardly you may be in a state of alienation and rebellion. “The heart is deceitful above all things...” (Jer. 17:9).

The third (and highest) kind of fear is a profound reverence for life that comes from rightly seeing. This level discerns the Presence of God in all things and is sometimes called yirat ha-rommemnut (יִרְאַת הָרוֹמְמוּת), or the “Awe of the Exalted.” Through it we behold God’s glory and majesty in all things. “Fearing” (יִרְאָה) and “seeing” (רָאָה) are linked and united. We are elevated to the level of reverent awareness, holy affection, and genuine communion with God’s Holy Spirit. The love for good creates a spiritual antipathy toward evil, and conversely, hatred of evil is a way of fearing God (Prov. 8:13). "For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed. But whoever does what is true comes to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that his works have been carried out in God" (John 3:20-21). In relation to both good and evil, then, love (אַהֲבָה) draws us near, while fear (יִרְאָה) holds us back.

The complex tension between fearing and loving God expresses both God's distance and nearness -- both relations are expressed in the Scriptures, and therefore both are to be affirmed. We must honor and revere God as our Creator and Judge, conscious of the distance implied in his power, glory, holiness, and perfections, yet we draw close to Him as our Savior, our healer, and our friend...

We encounter this tension when we come to the cross of the Messiah as well, for there we see the severity of God's judgment for sin based on his absolute holiness (transcendence) while simultaneously seeing the incalculable depths of God's love as he offers himself in exchange for our condemnation (immanence). At the cross we see how Yeshua both suffered and died on our behalf, yet the dark cloud covered the place in the most intimate moments of passionate intercession for our deliverance.

We must cultivate awe in our hearts by consciously remembering the LORD’s Presence and salvation. As King David said:"I have set the LORD always before me; because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken" (Psalm 16:8). Note the paradoxes involved in this verse. We set the LORD always before us (shiviti Adonai lenegdi tamid) so that we will not be shaken, and yet we are to revere the LORD with fear and trembling (Psalm 2:11, Phil. 2:12). Likewise, we draw near to the LORD God as the Righteous Judge - in fear and trepidation - yet in the full confidence of His love as demonstrated by the Cross of Yeshua. God is a Consuming Fire, but also our Comforter. [Hebrew for Christians]

Note: For more on this topic, see the Hebrew for Christians website.

2.19.21 • Facebook

An email from Glenn Jackson:

February 21st

* Jesus is the "Shiloh". He is the "giver of peace," "rest", the "Sent One", "He whose right it is". Jacob foresaw in a prophetic vision that through Judah would come the Shiloh, the Messiah, the One God would send as King over all peoples. He would enable people to be what God created them to be.

...."Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful".... John 14:27 NASB

...."Do not fret or have any anxiety about anything, but in every circumstance and in everything, by prayer [proclamation] and petition (definite requests), with thanksgiving, continue to make your wants known to God. And God's peace [shall be yours, that tranquil state of a soul assured of its salvation through Christ, and so fearing nothing from God and being content with its earthly lot of whatever sort that is, that peace] which transcends all understanding shall garrison and mount guard over your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus"....Philippians 4:6-7 The Amplified Translation

...."Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: By whom also we have access by faith into this Grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God".... Romans 5:1-2 KJV

Today’s message from the Institute for Creation Research

February 21, 2021

Not This Man

“Then cried they all again, saying, Not this man, but Barabbas. Now Barabbas was a robber.” (John 18:40)

Unfortunately, this is the attitude of every generation toward its Creator and Redeemer. Jesus Christ “was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not. He came unto his own, and his own received him not” (John 1:10-11).

“Not this man!” they cried, and still cry today. “We will not have this man to reign over us” (Luke 19:14). Even in a nation founded as a Christian nation, the name of Jesus Christ is banished from the schools, ignored in the halls of government, and blasphemed on the streets.

And whom did they choose instead of “this man”? They preferred Barabbas, who was not only a robber, but also a revolutionary and murderer (Luke 23:19). Today, they idolize the atheist Darwin, or the robber Lenin, or the revolutionary Mao, or the murderer Hitler, or any one of a thousand antichrists; but they will not have Christ.

What, then, will they do with Christ? “Away with him, away with him, crucify him” (John 19:15) was the cry even of the religious leaders during His life here on Earth, and it is little different today. “Ye denied the Holy One and the Just, and desired a murderer to be granted unto you,” proclaimed Peter (Acts 3:14). “The kings of the earth stood up, and the rulers were gathered together against the Lord, and against his Christ” (Acts 4:26).

The rejection of Christ today is often more subtle, but it is just as real. Rulers, industrialists, scientists, educators, and commentators all say in deed, if not in word, that “[they] will not have this man to reign over [them]” (Luke 19:14). “But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name” (John 1:12). HMM

[purple-eyesgreydragon]

In the fertile lands of the Evergraves, live the oxen. Unlike other gods who ruled tyrannically, more for themselves, taking what they want from the world and those who live in it. Rather than maintain and govern it fairly for the sake of its inhabitance. But Morossa the God of Burial, didn't just judge mortals fairly after death, but also ruled the living of his land in fairness. Besides a sense of respect for a god of course, their followers didn't have a lot to fear from them. The oxen have always been his most faithful followers.

Those of the Evergraves needed to live their lives right, for the sake of Morossa's judgement after death. Morossa's ghostly followers, who rather then passing on after their judgement, chose to remain in the living realm and continue to serve them in death. Morossa would also have the skeletons of the wicked souls he judged, deciding they did not deserve burial, move to their will and use them to protect the Evergraves. The ghosts and skeletons' undead presence might be unsettling for the Evergraves' living locals. But Morossa would never hurt them with them. The Evergraves are lush fertile plains, filled with much food, vegitation, graves (hence the name, and being ruled by the god of burial.), and especially PUMPKINS. Some of which are humongous! Morassa's followers have a custom of carving out a pumpkin, everytime a soul decides to stay in the Evergraves, the jack-o-lantern would serve as the spirit's home.

The Ox was special from the moment they were born. Ox came into the world with a dead left eye. Which intrigued Morossa, given the Evergraves living and undead ways. Morossa decided to give the Ox a special ability, to see the spiritual citizens of the Evergraves with their dead eye. After excelling in Morossa's faith teachings, the Ox was made his high priest and head funeral mortician. Truly being Morossa’s right hand and second in command was easy being able to see and talk to the spirits as they could. After hearing tale of the Lamb in the Lands of the Old Faith. Morossa sent the Ox as an emissary to reach out to the Lamb, hoping to give them an offer, a fair one.

The Ox returned to the Evergraves with the Lamb. Morossa told the Lamb, unlike the other gods who were threatened by them and sought their destruction. Morassa welcomed their ascension, and was willing to finally step down from their godhood. Centuries of godly responsibility is admittedly taxing. Seeing as what was once and vessel, excelled and achieved greater heights in a shorter amount of time then the Bishops or any god for that matter. There was continuous conflict among numerous gods. Morossa thought the world would know greater peace if there were was only one god and one faith, the Lamb. Morossa in their fairness wanted to test the Lamb first. Have them prove they are truly worthy of relinquishing their power too. Morossa gifted the Ox as a convert to the Lamb. Should the Lamb or the Ox following the Lamb's example, successfully crusade the Evergraves, and defeat Morossa in combat. The Lamb will have pass the test and Morossa yield to them. Truthfully Morossa will look forward to godly retirement, and a peaceful life in the Lamb's Cult. Trusting Morossa's judgement, the Ox committed themselves completely to the Cult of the Lamb. Starting their own division of the Cult in the Evergraves, consisting of living and undead followers. Given a crown copy to wield, and with their ability to see the dead. The Ox is truly an exemptional missionary of the Lamb.

I’d like to think since the Goat has a purple crown identical the Red Crown. Maybe its power could be copied and divided for the number of the Bishops of the Old Faith. The Lamb being the leader with the main crown, the Goat has a purple copy (purple like Shamura), the Gazelle has a yellow copy (yellow like Heket), the Ox has a green copy (green like Leshy), and the Yak has a blue copy (blue like Kallamar).

[purple-eyesgreydragon]

High in the cold alps of the Frigridge Mountains, live the yaks. Where it's always freezing, icy, and unforgiving. But the inhabitants are resourceful and used to it. None can remember a time the Frigridge Mountains were ever ruled by a god. Long ago the mountain locals worshipped both Haro the God of the Hunt and Ithiqua the God of Winter. Praying to Haro for a good hunt and thanking Ithiqua for the cold that maintained their mountainous home. But Ithiqua later disappeared, and Haro stepped down from godhood. The best hunter of the mountain, Brakkoro was outraged at the news. He proclaimed he'd leave the mountain and return the rightful new God of the Hunt. After several years later, Brakkoro returned successful, as a new god. Now the mountains had their own local godly ruler. Aiming to please him with worthy offerings every hunting season. The yaks have always been the best farmers of the mountains, and great hunters second only to the yetis. Brakkoro has always been pleased with the yaks' offerings.

One Yak however was born physically challenged. The Yak was born a runt among their family, and was never expected to become a great hunter, or even survive life, being a runt and all. But the young yak dreamed of hunting alongside their peers, and be a great hunter like Brakkoro. Almost everyone in the mountains discouraged them from their dream. Saying it just isn't meant to be, they're too small, and it's better the Yak became a farmer. Only the Yak's big brother supported their dream. Teaching the Yak all that he knew about hunting. They went on a small hunting trip and was able to track down and kill a hare. A small yet significant pelt for the young yak's first hunt. At the next hunting season's offering giving to Brakkoro, the Yak offered their hare. Brakkoro was entertain but the small yak's offering, but was impressed. Relative to the hunter and prey's size, it wasn't that bad. None would've expected the runt have an offering at all. And so Brakkoro did bless the Yak's home with warmth for the winter. Yak also asked Brakkoro if he could be given super hunting senses, stength, and skills. So they could realize their dream, and hunt more impressive offerings. Brakkoro just laughed at the request. While Brakkoro is a god and could most definitely grant their wish. The mountains had plenty of hunters, and thinks being a good hunter should be earned themselves. Yak is lucky they got a accepted offering. Brakkoro knew himself the Yak had a hunter's ambition, so he forbade them from getting involved with anything hunting related. Yak refused to give up of their dream though. They covertly watched the hunters, especially their brother practice hunting skills. Practicing in secret, they improved greatly at their skills.

Hoping to bring a more impressive hunt to prove themselves. But the Yak was caught in their practice, and brought before Brakkoro by his followers. Brakkoro was angered by this act of defiance, and as punishment he demanded sacrifice. Yak was frightened by his command, and pleaded for mercy. Brakkoro said though, that they weren't the one to be sacrificed. Their brother was, the mountain could do without one hunter, and his death would hurt the Yak. They asked him to spare their brother and take them instead. Given their brother was who they followed the example of in the ways of hunting. Brakkoro needed to assert his godly dominance, to deal with their brother's carelessness, and Yak's defiance. So the Yak's brother was sacrificed right in front of them, and Brakkoro banished the Yak from the Frigridge Mountains. But even after personal loss and banishment, the Yak would pursue their hunting dream. Leaving the mountains in hopes of finding the strength to return one day, vowing vengeance against the merciless god Brakkoro.

Having traveled to the Lands of the Old Faith, where Brakkoro claimed he earned godhood. The Yak hoped to find power there too. But hopefully by more favorable means, then pleasing a jerk like Brakkoro. After many days of searching, eventually the Yak was found and taken in by the Lamb. At first the Yak was weary of the given the Lamb was a young god like Brakkoro. But after spending time amongst them and the cult, Yak saw that the Lamb was nothing like Brakkoro. Having told the Lamb their story, the Yak asked them for the power to avenge their brother and take Brakkoro down. In return they would follow them faithfully and spend the gospel of the Lamb to the Frigridge Mountains. Given a crown copy to wield, and with their amazing Yak strength and hunting abilities. The Yak became a truly exemptional missionary of the Lamb. Ready to travel back to their home, spread the cult there, and end Brakkoro's reign, in the name of the Lamb, and for their brother.

Yes, the Yak can see just fine. The times one can more obviously see their eyes is when they use their powers. Their fur raises to reveal their red glowing eyes.

[purple-eyesgreydragon]

All the bovine missionaries together with their god, the Lamb. Each had their own reason to seek them out. Either way they all follow their leader faithfully and together. In their respective homelands they journey to battle their own heretics and spread word of the Cult of the Lamb. They have their own signature weapon. We usually see in media, Lamb uses a sword, the Goat often wields an axe, being from the desert Gazelle wields a khopesh, Ox lives in a fertile land with spirits of course they have a scythe, and Yak being the barbarian heavy hitter wields a hammer.

Each new guardian of the Lamb, each new missionary, and crown copy made. Increases the red crown's power. Should all four stand beside the Lamb at once. Their individual skills, abilities, faith, and most importantly devotion. Would amplify the Lamb's power five times over. The Lamb could possibly defeat anyone with their bishops by their side.

Don't think any of them would ever turn of the Lamb. They may have been blessed with powers similar to the Lamb. But those powers only get better and stick with them, for how loyal they are to the cult. Their crowns are copies and extensions of the red crown. Reflections of the old bishops' power.

[purple-eyesgreydragon]

"All who worship and feed me, the great snake, Cobraia. Shall never know the plight of hunger themselves." - Cobraia.

I've had the idea for a Cult of the Lamb 2 for awhile.

Cult of the Lamb 2: Missionary Journey

In it the Lamb decides to travel to reaches beyond the Lands of the Old Faith. Finding other gods to face and more followers to recruit. But they cannot do it entirely themselves. As there is still the main part of their cult to run. The Lamb recruits local, fellow bovine followers. Each gifted with a copy given crown, allowing them to wield vessel powers of their own. Their strength only able to grow by their own, and others' growing devotion to the Lamb. Able to call upon the Lamb should they need them. The Lamb's missionaries spread the gospel of the Lamb across the lands beyond. Facing vengeful gods of their own, who will not take the Lamb engrossing on their territory and devotion without a fight.

Cobraia is the God of Gluttony and ruler of the desert known as the Sweltersands. She is an all consuming entity, her hunger never to be satisfied. Those who chose to serve her and swear their devotion, she promises an everlasting fast. Cobraia consumes her followers hunger, she eats their fill. Many of her followers have gone their entire lives without ever starving. To which they worship faithfully, believing she truly spares them a great plight. Her favorite thing to consume are gazelles. The gazelles of Sweltersands are forced by her followers to reproduce nonstop to maintain their population, and continue to please the great snake. Cobraia hungers not just for sustenance, but for more power and devotion. Cobraia is very cunning and is a sly serpent in making bargains. Seeing through the eyes of all snakes in the world, She new the Bishops of the Old Faith would fall. She however agreed to devour the lambs of her land in contingency gain their favor. But Cobraia also keep something from them, to make a pact with The One Who Waits. However things did not go as anticipated. How was she to know The One Who Wait's liberation would be as a mortal to instead follow his promised liberator. Though Cobraia can still use her secret bargaining chip against the Lamb as well. Soon she will consume the red crown and absorb its power. The Lamb dare not face her, surely they'd surrender to her. Knowing in the great snake's possession, was what the Lamb wanted most of all.

Truthfully any who worshipped Cobraia would have nothing to fear from Heket. Cobraia always thought amphibians were inferior to reptiles.

Cobraia is known by many names. the God of Gluttony, the All Consumer, the Great Snake or Serpent, Saltan of the Sweltersands, Desert Deity, and the Great Devourer(Yes, I did that one on purpose).