#holy mount zion

[9misoundsystem]

Dawn & Christine - Holy Mount Zion

[mybeautifulchristianjourney]

Concerning Ethiopia

1 Ha! land shadowing with wings, which art beyond the rivers of Cush, 2 that sendest ambassadors over the sea, and in vessels of papyrus upon the waters, saying, Go, swift messengers, to a nation scattered and ravaged, to a people terrible from their existence and thenceforth; to a nation of continued waiting and of treading down, whose land the rivers have spoiled!

3 All ye inhabitants of the world, and dwellers on the earth, when a banner is lifted up on the mountains, see ye, and when a trumpet is blown, hear ye!

4 For thus hath Jehovah said unto me: I will take my rest, and I will observe from my dwelling-place like clear heat upon herbs, like a cloud of dew in the heat of harvest.

5 For before the harvest, when the blossoming is over, and the flower becometh a ripening grape, he shall both cut off the sprigs with pruning-knives, and take away and cut down the branches.

6 They shall be left together unto the mountain birds of prey, and to the beasts of the earth; and the birds of prey shall summer upon them, and all the beasts of the earth shall winter upon them.

7 In that time shall a present be brought unto Jehovah of hosts of a people scattered and ravaged, and from a people terrible from their existence and thenceforth, a nation of continued waiting and of treading down, whose land the rivers have spoiled, … to the place of the name of Jehovah of hosts, the mount Zion. — Isaiah 18 | Literal Emphasis Translation (LET) The Literal Emphasis Bible is in the public domain. Cross References: Genesis 10:8-9; 2 Samuel 23:4; 2 Kings 19:9; Psalm 49:1; Psalm 68:29; Proverbs 19:12; Isaiah 17:10-11; Isaiah 20:3; Isaiah 23:3; Isaiah 27:11; Isaiah 26:11; Isaiah 46:11; Luke 10:19; Acts 8:27

[osmerharris]

Understanding Joel 2: Hope Amid Darkness

Jerusalem – Image via Wikipedia Call me what you wish, but know this. I will deliver what I feel the Lord is telling me to say. The day of the Lord is upon us. Even in the midst of darkness, His word and His Spirit will still be active. I have chopped up this passage below because of its length and highlighted those things that my spirit feels strongly about.Although the time to come is not…

[remso]

Understanding Joel 2: Hope Amid Darkness

Jerusalem – Image via Wikipedia Call me what you wish, but know this. I will deliver what I feel the Lord is telling me to say. The day of the Lord is upon us. Even in the midst of darkness, His word and His Spirit will still be active. I have chopped up this passage below because of its length and highlighted those things that my spirit feels strongly about.Although the time to come is not…

[kdmiller55]

The Journey from Merit to Mercy

18 For you have not come to what may be touched, a blazing fire and darkness and gloom and a tempest 19 and the sound of a trumpet and a voice whose words made the hearers beg that no further messages be spoken to them. 20 For they could not endure the order that was given, “If even a beast touches the mountain, it shall be stoned.” 21 Indeed, so terrifying was the sight that Moses said, “I…

[ind1g3n0us-lev1t3]

@elenajones23 first of all, who are you, a non Jew to lecture me about what my religion does or doesn’t allow? Who are you to tell me, as someone who doesn't practice the same religion, that I can or cannot do things?

The Torah isn’t a simple set of guidelines and commands, it’s far more complex than that. It has different interpritations, so saying the torah doesn't allow it is blatantly false. The name "Zion" (Promised land) is mentioned 154 times.

“It isn’t your land and it never was your land” bullshit.

We absolutely do have a land, if we don't, then why do we have holy sights in Jerusalem? Why are names like "Jaffa" and "Haifa" Hebrew?

The land of Israel is where my ancestors came from, it is where they lived, it is where they had a connection to, and it is where they suffered under the romans and were exiled.

We were never welcomed in Europe, we were never welcomed in the rest of the middle east.

These are ancient scrolls called the "Dead sea scrolls" which are a set of ancient Jewish writings dating from the 3rd century BCE.

This is all of what remains of our ancient temple, this is what it once was:

The first temple is Solomon's temple, the second one is Herod's temple, which was destroyed in 70CE by the romans. centuries later, the Muslim caliphates built the Al Aqsa mosque which was built on top of our temple mount. Today, the west wall is all we have left of this historic holy place.

The name "Palestine" was given to the land of Israel by roman colonisers who exiled most of us from the land of Israel, took many of us slaves, and scattered everyone else through western Europe (Some moved further east).

Now about the Nazis = Zionist argument. The Nazis originally made a deal with German Zionist Jews (The Haavara agreement) to bring about a mass migration from Germany to Israel, it should be mentioned that this was because Hitler and the Nazis wanted a Jew-Free Europe, not because the Nazis supported Zionism.

This deal was criticized by both Nazis and Zionists. Zionist criticised it because it made a deal with the devil, and the Nazis criticised it because it went against their philosophy.

The Nazis were extremely antizionist, the belief that they were Zionists is soviet cold war propaganda to demonise the state of Israel and the broader Jewish community. They believed that Jews were biologically incapable of running their own state and were too inferior. Hitler had a "Palestinian" friend (Amin al-Husseini) who campaigned in Berlin, fought for a Palestinian state, and even CONTRIBUTED TO THE HOLOCAUST. They also lead a boycott of Jewish businesses in "Palestine".

So, you're wrong. So very very wrong. You can try to lecture me about the history of my own people and religion all you want, but you're wrong.

Please, kindly fuck off and read a history book. Please attend a Synagogue service and learn more about our religion before you come spewing false bullshit about it.

[hellwatermelon]

My top 100 favorite albums 2024

Armand Hammer - BLK LBL Cannell Laura - The Rituals of Hildegard Reimagined Selbst - Despondency Chord Progressions Vince Staples - Dark Times Grace Cummings - Ramona Crizin da Z.O. - ACELERO Various Artists - funk.BR - São Paulo (NTS) Lesser Care - HEEL TURN Omar Souleyman - Erbil Poroniec - W Pologu

The Body , Dis Fig - Orchards Of A Futile Heaven Ink & Fire - Emblazoned Visions Yield Eternity Amiture - Mother Engine Blood Incantation - Absolute Elsewhere Vitriol - Suffer & Become Djevel - Natt Til Ende JPEGMAFIA - I LAY DOWN MY LIFE FOR YOU Waxahatchee - Tigers Blood Cower - Celestial Devastation Full of Hell - Coagulated Bliss

Full of Hell and Andrew Nolan - Scraping The Divine SECT - Plagues Upon Plagues Elucid - Revelator Revival Season - Golden Age Of Self Snitching KA - The Thief Next to Jesus Venus Twins - /\/\/\/\/ Kriegshög - Love & Revenge Moor Mother - The Great Bailout Chelsea Wolfe - She Reaches Out To She Reaches Out To She 070 Shake - Petrichor

Castle Rat - Into The Realm Darkestrah - Nomad Mary Lattimore - Rain on the Road Camerata Mediolanense - Atalanta Fugiens Haley Heynderickx - Seed of a Seed Weltenbrandt - Transzendenz Schatten Romantik Panzerfaust - The Suns of Perdition IV: To Shadow Zion Cabinet - Hydrolysated Ordination Kidnapped - Disgust

Throwing Snow - Isthmus Floating Points - Cascade E-Saggila - Gamma Tag Oranssi Pazuzu - Muuntautuja Joanna Wang - Hotel La Rut (破爛酒店) Beth Gibbons - Lives Outgrown Position Parallèle - Aiguille À Découdre Amigo the Devil - Yours Until the War is Over Elyanna - WOLEDTO Kvadrat - The Horrible Dissonance of Oblivion

Childish Gambino - Bando Stone and The New World Lowen - Do Not Go To War With The Demons Of Mazandaran Roc Marciano - Marciology The Gnashing - Forsaken Sanctuary Lhaäd - Beneath Uniform - American Standard Westside Gunn - Still Praying Denzel Curry - King of the Mischievous South Vol. 2 Kelly Moran - Moves in the Field Jenny Don't & The Spurs - Broken Hearted Blue

WILLOW - empathogen Venomous Echoes - Split Formations and Infinite Mania Blaze of Perdition - Upharsin LL Cool J - The FORCE Rome Streetz & Daringer - Hatton Garden Holdup Show Me The Body - Corpus II ØKSE Maelstrom & Louisahhh - May the Rage Burn a Path for Joy Etran de L’Aïr - 100% Sahara Guitar Toby Driver - Raven, I Know That You Can Give Me Anything

Squarepusher - Dostrotime SHXCXCHCXSH - ……t Jlin - Akoma Kelly Lee Owens - Dreamstate KASHIWA Daisuke - Titan Molok - Ne pas chercher á comprendre My Dying Bride - A Mortal Binding Antichrist Siege Machine - Vengeance of Eternal Fire Skeleton Lipstick - Death Romantique Seekersinternational + Mars89 - Dangerous Combination

Consumer Electronics - Surge Kendrick Lamar - GNX Dame Area - Toda La Verdad Sobre Dame Area Tyler, The Creator - CHROMAKOPIA Felix K - Sudbaism Heems - Lafandar Holy Tongue & Shackleton - The Tumbling Psychic Joy of Now Al Wooton - Lifted From The Earth Ab-Soul - Soul Burger Previous Industries - Service Merchandise

Ponte del Diavolo - Fire Blades From The Tomb Doechii - Alligator Bites Never Heal Lord Buffalo - Holus Bolus Tristwch Y Fenywod Mannequin Pussy - I Got Heaven Humbird - Right On Mount Eerie - Night Palace Jasper Byrne, Sonic - Mirrors Odium Humani Generis - Międzyczas Milkweed - Folklore 1979

HONORABLE MENTIONS, mostly albums I heard very late in the year that would probably be added:

Big Blood - Electric Voyeur Kir - L'appel Du Vide UBOA - Impossible light Ganavya - Like The Sky I've Been Too Quiet

best of 2018

Best of 2020

Best of 2021

Best of 2022

Best of 2023

Any of you all want to add yours feel free :)

[solidrockistand]

Bought with a Price

1st Corinthians 6:19-20

1st Corinthians 6:19: Or do you now know that your body is a temple of the holy spirit within you whom you have from God? You are not your own.

john 2:21: But he was speaking about the temple of his body.

Romans 14:7-8: For none of us lives to himself, and none of us dies to himself. For is we live, we live to the Lord and if we die we die to the Lord so then whether we live or whether we die we are the Lords

In reference to Romans 14:7-8

2nd Corinthians 5:15: And he died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised.

Galatians 2:20: I myself no longer live, but Christ lives in me. So i live my life in this earthly body by trusting in the son of God who loved me and gave himself for me

In Reference to Romans 14:8

Philippians 1:20: As it is my eager expectation and hope that I will not be at all ashamed but with full coverage now as always Christ will be honored in my body, whether by life or by death

1st Corinthians 6:20: For you were bought with a price so glorify God in your body.

Psalms 74:2: Remember your congregation which you have purchased of old, which you have redeemed to be the tribe of your heritage. Remember Mount Zion where you have dwelt.

Matthew 20:28: Even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many!

Acts 20:28: Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers to care for the church of God which he obtained with his own blood.

1st Corinthians 7:23: You were bought with a price; do not become slaves to men.

Revelation 5:9: And they sand a new song, saying "Worthy are you to take the scroll and to open its seals, for you were slain and by your blood your ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation.

Revelation 14:4: It is these who have not defiled themselves with women. For they are virgins, it is these who follow the lamb wherever he goes. These have been redeemed from mankind as first fruits for God and the Lamb

[patriottruth]

If anyone is wondering, donald j. trump's self-destruction has been guaranteed since he stole the 2016 election from Hillary Clinton. And even if he somehow actually won 2024 by 3 million votes, he still doesn't get to be President of the United States. Hillary Clinton, and the whole world, is going to laugh SO HARD at Dumb donald Chump! I certainly am!

Train - Calling All Angels

SAINTE - If You Ever Feel Alone

Bible/TANAKH Study: 11/6/2024: 02:50 AM EST: When asking about why and if the Abrahamic G-d gave the United States and the world over to donald trump and his global dictator allies: TANAKH (Jewish Publication Society, Hebrew-English) Page 56 Genesis 26:13 And the Lord was standing beside him and He said, "I am the Lord, the God of your father Abraham and the God of Isaac: The ground on which you are lying I will assign to you and to your offspring.

So let's gather together and speak how trump failed in this tremendously joyous holiday tale.

It began with Russia and Clinton's e-mails; and a Stormy affair that could send him to jail.

He stole it from Hillary, who won by three million; and now he salutes his J6ers in prison.

He thought MAGA SCOTUS forgave his insurrection, but missed that 3 judges actually fact-checked him.

He's appointing his cabinet like they're so inevitable; no compass of morals amidst those deplorables.

And just like with Thanos, we have this one chance; 'cause nothing is going to orange Thanos' plans.

He'll be like the Witch King from The Lord of the Rings when the truth is revealed on twelve seventeen.

And the President of the Senate unleashes her laugh as Kamala exclaims, "I AM NO MAN!,"

And just for orange Thanos, screamed in ALL CAPS, "ENJOY PRISON!," and "AUF WIEDERSEHEN, MY FRIEND!"

The Lord of the Rings - The End of the Witch King

Sara Bareilles - King of Anything

Lonestar - No News

donald trump 312 electoral votes Republican Party 76,067,942 votes (50.2%)

Berean Strong's Lexicon #312 acher: Other, another, different; hinder, "to be behind" or "to delay." Original Word: אַחֵר

TANAKH (Jewish Publication Society, Hebrew-English) Page 964 Isaiah 50:2 Why, when I came, was no one there, Why, when I called, would none respond? Is my arm, then, too short to rescue, Have I not the power to save? With a mere rebuke I dry up the sea, And turn rivers into desert. Their fish stink from lack of water; They lie dead of thirst.

Kamala Harris 226 electoral votes Democratic Party 73,134,247 votes (48.2%)

Berean Strong's Lexicon #226 oth: Sign, token, mark, miracle, a signal, as a, flag, beacon, monument, omen, prodigy, evidence of God's intervention or presence. Original Word: אוֹת

TANAKH (Jewish Publication Society, Hebrew-English) Page 1469 Psalm 48:2 The Lord is great and much acclaimed in the city of our God, His holy mountain-- Psalm 48:3 fair-crested, joy of all the earth, Mount Zion, summit of Zaphon, city of the great king.

Clinton total fundraising 2016 election cycle: $769,879,088 Clinton total spending 2016 election cycle: $768,577,907 Clinton 2016 election votes: 65,853,514 Average Clinton voter 2016 presidential campaign donation: $11.69

trump total fundraising 2016 election cycle: $433,392,727 trump total spending 2016 election cycle: $422,620,473 2016 Republican Primary Voters: 31,047,313 trump 2016 election votes: 62,984,828 (202.89% 2016 national election turnout) Average trump voter 2016 presidential campaign donation: $6.88

Hillary Clinton's 2016 fundraising was 156% higher than donald trump's and she won the election by roughly 3,000,000 American votes.

Biden total fundraising 2020 election cycle: $1,624,301,628 Biden total spending 2020 election cycle: $1,614,843,740 Biden 2020 election votes: 81,283,501 Average Biden voter 2020 presidential campaign donation: $19.98

trump total fundraising 2020 election cycle: $1,087,909,269 trump total spending 2020 election cycle: $1,090,633,916 2020 Republican Primary Voters: 18,900,288 trump 2020 election votes: 74,223,975 (392.71% 2020 national election turnout) Average trump voter 2020 presidential campaign donation: $14.69

Joe Biden's 2020 fundraising was 167% higher than donald trump's and he won the election by an easy landslide victory and American patriots mandate of roughly 7,000,000 American votes.

Harris total fundraising 2024 election cycle: $1,048,224,950 9/22/2024 Harris total spending 2024 election cycle: $728,659,506 9/22/2024 Harris cash on hand 2024 election cycle: $364,537,369 9/22/2024

trump total fundraising 2024 election cycle: $802,832,560 9/22/2024 trump total spending 2024 election cycle: $603,161,559 9/22/2024 trump cash on hand 2024 election cycle: $264,091,834 9/22/2024 2024 Republican Primary Voters: 22,264,875

Kamala Harris's 2024 fundraising is 177% higher than donald trump's, her rallies are far larger and more energized, and her Fox News ratings are 2.5 times better than donald trump's.

No Doubt - Just A Girl

The moral of this story is this: there's a real chance that donald trump stealing the 2016 election from Hillary Clinton can come back to be the biggest curse of his life.

I don't know if we can even trust the election count due to donald trump stealing 2016 and attempting to steal 2020, but I'm fine with donald trump leading Kamala Harris by 3,000,000 votes; because now he'll get to see what it feels like to win by 3,000,000 and STILL lose the Presidency he needed to save his life and fortunes.

It's perfect justice; some might call it Karma! I'm calling it a most joyous and hillarious happy ending to one of the best holiday stories ever told in American history.

Sam and Dave - Hold On, I'm Coming

Playing For Change - Three Little Birds

[twiggy-in-pink]

How great is the Lord,

how deserving of praise,

in the city of our God,

which sits on his holy mountain!

It is high and magnificent;

the whole earth rejoices to see it!

Mount Zion, the holy mountain,

is the city of the great King!

God himself is in Jerusalem’s towers,

revealing himself as its defender.

Psalm 48:1-3

[mrdirtybear]

Ernst Fuchs (1930 – 2015) was an Austrian painter, draftsman, printmaker, sculptor, architect, stage designer, composer, and poet. When he was 12 years old he converted to Roman Catholicism to save him from being sent to a concentration camp. In 1957, he entered the Dormition Abbey on Mount Zion where he began work on his monumental Last Supper and devoted himself to producing small-sized paintings on religious themes such as Moses and the Burning Bush, culminating in a commission to paint three altar paintings on parchment, the cycle of the Mysteries of the Holy Rosary (1958–61), for the Rosenkranzkirche in Hetzendorf, in Vienna. He also dealt with contemporary issues in his masterpiece of this period with 'Psalm 69' (1949–60) and completed many complex stage sets for performances of Mozart and Wagner.  

[mybeautifulchristianjourney]

The Lamb, the Light, and Life in the Heavenly City

Have you ever imagined a world independent of material comforts? A place where ailments are non-existent, and rest is not required? Can we conceive a reality where our largest desires are fulfilled in the company of the Lord alone?

And the city has no need of sun or moon to shine on it, because the glory of God illuminates the city, and the Lamb is its lamp. — Revelation 21:23

In the glorious world beyond, the inhabitants are free from all earthly necessities. There is no need for clothes, as their white robes remain forever pure and unspoiled. There are no ailments to cure, for there, no one proclaims, "I am sick." They do not require sleep to restore their strength. Day and night, they praise Him in His holy temple. The fleeting comforts of earth are not a requirement for happiness in this heavenly city. The presence of the Lord Himself is enough to satisfy the most profound of desires. In this divine place, there is no need for teachers. Although they surely discuss the things of God amongst themselves, they are taught directly by the Lord.

In the world we know, we rely on perishable food and clothing, subject to decay; but in that heavenly city, all sustenance is found God. There will be no need to draw water from a well; instead, we will drink directly from the Source of living water.

The heavenly messengers will need not bring blessings from God, for we will see Him face to face. What a blessed time it will be when we rise above every secondary cause and rest solely in the strength of God! What a glorious moment when God and not His creations--the Lord and not His works--become our daily joy. At this time, our souls will attain the apex of bliss.

Father, Illuminate our path with Your divine light; May we seek to rely more and more on Your providence. Guide us to a deeper understanding of Your Word; Nurture within us a yearning for eternal bliss.

Questions for Reflection

How can we cultivate a sense of independence from material comforts in our daily lives?

What practices might help us to remember and appreciate the non-material blessings we receive?

How does the description of God's city change your perspective on earthly relationships and our dependence on them?

If you lived in a place where there was no sickness or tiredness, how would your life and your priorities change?

What might "leaning upon the Lord alone" look like in your daily life?

How can we focus more on God and less on His creations in our everyday life?

If we were to rely solely on God for sustenance, how might that change our behaviors and attitudes?

What does the idea of "drinking from the source of living water" mean to you personally?

If we can imagine a place where we are directly taught by God, how might that influence our approach to learning and seeking knowledge now?

What does it mean to you to "see God face to face"?

How can you apply the concept of resting solely in the strength of God in your current circumstances?

How can you cultivate a longing for eternal bliss within your heart and mind?

Supporting Scriptures

Isaiah 24:23: The moon will be confounded and the sun will be ashamed; for the LORD of Hosts will reign on Mount Zion and in Jerusalem, and before His elders with great glory.

Isaiah 60:19-20: No longer will the sun be your light by day, nor the brightness of the moon shine on your night; for the LORD will be your everlasting light, and your God will be your splendor.

Ezekiel 48:35: The perimeter of the city will be 18,000 cubits, and from that day on the name of the city will be: THE LORD IS THERE.”

Malachi 4:2: “But for you who fear My name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its wings, and you will go out and leap like calves from the stall.

John 8:12: Once again, Jesus spoke to the people and said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows Me will never walk in the darkness, but will have the light of life.”

2 Corinthians 4:6: For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made His light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

1 John 1:5: And this is the message we have heard from Him and announce to you: God is light, and in Him there is no darkness at all.

[echologname]

The story of Hannukah

Hanukkah is a Jewish sabbat celebrating the rededication of the Lord's Temple on the 25th of the month of Kislev after it was destroyed by the Greeks during the revolt of the Macabees. That story is below:

1 Macabees 4:36-61 - RSVCE

Cleansing and Dedication of the Temple

Then said Judas and his brothers, “Behold, our enemies are crushed; let us go up to cleanse the sanctuary and dedicate it.” So all the army assembled and they went up to Mount Zion. And they saw the sanctuary desolate, the altar profaned, and the gates burned. In the courts they saw bushes sprung up as in a thicket, or as on one of the mountains. They saw also the chambers of the priests in ruins. Then they rent their clothes, and mourned with great lamentation, and sprinkled themselves with ashes. They fell face down on the ground, and sounded the signal on the trumpets, and cried out to Heaven. Then Judas detailed men to fight against those in the citadel until he had cleansed the sanctuary. He chose blameless priests devoted to the law, and they cleansed the sanctuary and removed the defiled stones to an unclean place. They deliberated what to do about the altar of burnt offering, which had been profaned. And they thought it best to tear it down, lest it bring reproach upon them, for the Gentiles had defiled it. So they tore down the altar, and stored the stones in a convenient place on the temple hill until there should come a prophet to tell what to do with them. Then they took unhewn stones, as the law directs, and built a new altar like the former one. They also rebuilt the sanctuary and the interior of the temple, and consecrated the courts. They made new holy vessels, and brought the lampstand, the altar of incense, and the table into the temple. Then they burned incense on the altar and lighted the lamps on the lampstand, and these gave light in the temple. They placed the bread on the table and hung up the curtains. Thus they finished all the work they had undertaken. Early in the morning on the twenty-fifth day of the ninth month, which is the month of Chislev, in the one hundred and forty-eighth year, they rose and offered sacrifice, as the law directs, on the new altar of burnt offering which they had built. At the very season and on the very day that the Gentiles had profaned it, it was dedicated with songs and harps and lutes and cymbals. All the people fell on their faces and worshiped and blessed Heaven, who had prospered them. So they celebrated the dedication of the altar for eight days, and offered burnt offerings with gladness; they offered a sacrifice of deliverance and praise. They decorated the front of the temple with golden crowns and small shields; they restored the gates and the chambers for the priests, and furnished them with doors. There was very great gladness among the people, and the reproach of the Gentiles was removed. Then Judas and his brothers and all the assembly of Israel determined that every year at that season the days of the dedication of the altar should be observed with gladness and joy for eight days, beginning with the twenty-fifth day of the month of Chislev. At that time they fortified Mount Zion with high walls and strong towers round about, to keep the Gentiles from coming and trampling them down as they had done before. And he stationed a garrison there to hold it. He also fortified Beth-zur, so that the people might have a stronghold that faced Idume′a.

────── ❀•°❀°•❀ ──────

The next is the only Biblical similarity to the oil longevity story since it relates to a miracle of something being lit.

2 Macabees 1:18-36 - RSVCE

Fire Consumes Nehemiah's Sacrifice

Since on the twenty-fifth day of Chislev we shall celebrate the purification of the temple, we thought it necessary to notify you, in order that you also may celebrate the feast of booths and the feast of the fire given when Nehemi′ah, who built the temple and altar, offered sacrifices. For when our fathers were being led captive to Persia, the pious priests of that time took some of the fire of the altar and secretly hid it in the hollow of a dry cistern, where they took such precautions that the place was unknown to any one. But after many years had passed, when it pleased God, Nehemi′ah, having been commissioned by the king of Persia, sent the descendants of the priests who had hidden the fire to get it. And when they reported to us that they had not found fire but thick liquid, he ordered them to dip it out and bring it. And when the materials for the sacrifices were presented, Nehemi′ah ordered the priests to sprinkle the liquid on the wood and what was laid upon it. When this was done and some time had passed and the sun, which had been clouded over, shone out, a great fire blazed up, so that all marveled. And while the sacrifice was being consumed, the priests offered prayer—the priests and every one. Jonathan led, and the rest responded, as did Nehemi′ah. The prayer was to this effect:“O Lord, Lord God, Creator of all things, who art awe-inspiring and strong and just and merciful, who alone art King and art kind, who alone art bountiful, who alone art just and almighty and eternal, who dost rescue Israel from every evil, who didst choose the fathers and consecrate them, accept this sacrifice on behalf of all thy people Israel and preserve thy portion and make it holy. Gather together our scattered people, set free those who are slaves among the Gentiles, look upon those who are rejected and despised, and let the Gentiles know that thou art our God. Afflict those who oppress and are insolent with pride. Plant thy people in thy holy place, as Moses said.” Then the priests sang the hymns. And when the materials of the sacrifice were consumed, Nehemi′ah ordered that the liquid that was left should be poured upon large stones. When this was done, a flame blazed up; but when the light from the altar shone back, it went out. When this matter became known, and it was reported to the king of the Persians that, in the place where the exiled priests had hidden the fire, the liquid had appeared with which Nehemi′ah and his associates had burned the materials of the sacrifice, the king investigated the matter, and enclosed the place and made it sacred. And with those persons whom the king favored he exchanged many excellent gifts. Nehemi′ah and his associates called this “nephthar,” which means purification, but by most people it is called naphtha.

────── ❀•°❀°•❀ ──────

The classic story of a small amount of oil, only enough to light the menorah for one night miraculously lasting 8 days comes from the Babylonian Talmud, written 600 years after the Temple's rededication.

Bavli Shabbat 21b

What is Hannukah? For our rabbis taught, on the 25th of Kislev there are the days of Hannukah, they are 8, and one is not allowed to offer a eulogy or fast on them.

For the Greeks entered the Temple and they defiled all of the oil in the Temple, and when the Hasmoneans prevailed, they looked and didn't find anything but one flask of oil that was stamped with the High Priest's seal. And there was only enough to light for one day. And a miracle was made and they lit for 8 days. The next year they established these days as holidays, for the recitation of the Hallel and for Thanksgiving.

────── ❀•°❀°•❀ ──────

Sources:

Wikipedia

Sefaria - copied Talmud passage

Bible Gateway - 1 Macabees verse

Bible Gateway - 2 Macabees verse

[orthodoxadventure]

Psalm 48 (NKJV)

Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised In the city of our God, In His holy mountain. Beautiful in elevation, The joy of the whole earth, Is Mount Zion on the sides of the north, The city of the great King. God is in her palaces; He is known as her refuge.

For behold, the kings assembled, They passed by together. They saw it, and so they marveled; They were troubled, they hastened away. Fear took hold of them there, And pain, as of a woman in birth pangs, As when You break the ships of Tarshish With an east wind.

As we have heard, So we have seen In the city of the Lord of hosts, In the city of our God: God will establish it forever. Selah

We have thought, O God, on Your lovingkindness, In the midst of Your temple. According to Your name, O God, So is Your praise to the ends of the earth; Your right hand is full of righteousness. Let Mount Zion rejoice, Let the daughters of Judah be glad, Because of Your judgments.

Walk about Zion, And go all around her. Count her towers; Mark well her bulwarks; Consider her palaces; That you may tell it to the generation following. For this is God, Our God forever and ever; He will be our guide Even to death.

[steveezekiel]

DELIVERANCE AND HOLINESS 2

17 “BUT ON MOUNT ZION THERE SHALL BE DELIVERANCE, AND THERE SHALL BE HOLINESS; The house of Jacob shall possess their possessions.

18 THE HOUSE OF JACOB SHALL BE A FIRE, And the house of Joseph a flame; But the house of Esau shall be stubble; They shall kindle them and devour them, And no survivor shall remain of the house of Esau,” For the Lord has spoken."

Obadiah 17,18 (NKJV)

• " . . . THE HOUSE OF JACOB SHALL POSSESS THEIR POSSESSIONS . . . " (Obadiah 17).

- The house of Jacob typifies the people of God, the believers—the church of Jesus Christ.

- The church of Jesus Christ, the believers are empowered to possess what belongs to them. It means, whatever inheritance of yours which the enemy, the devil, may have taken or stolen, shall be taken back.

- You have an inheritance in Christ Jesus; good health, financial blessings, progress and fulfilment, and every other spiritual blessing (Ephesians 1:3), are your inheritances in Christ Jesus.

- It all started with having the knowledge that there is an inheritance in Christ Jesus, for you. If you did not know what belongs to you, the devil would want to take advantage of you. Apostle Paul did pray for the Ephesian believers: "THE EYES OF YOUR UNDERSTANDING BEING ENLIGHTENED; THAT YOU MAY KNOW WHAT IS THE HOPE OF HIS CALLING, WHAT ARE THE RICHES OF THE GLORY OF HIS INHERITANCE IN THE SAINTS" (Ephesians 1:18 NKJV).

• There are many believers who do not know their inheritance in Christ Jesus.

- Note:

(i) The power or ability to live above Sin is part of the inheritance.

(ii) Being free from harassment and oppression of the devil is part of the inheritance of the believers in Christ Jesus (Luke 10:19).

(iii) Power to rule and dominate is also part of the inheritance (Genesis 1:28, Luke 10:19).

(iv) Living in abundance is part of the inheritance (2 Corinthians 8:9).

(v) Living in good health is part of it (Matthew 8:17).

- Jesus has given authority to the believers to tread on the devil and his cohorts: "BEHOLD, I GIVE YOU THE AUTHORITY TO TRAMPLE ON SERPENTS AND SCORPIONS, AND OVER ALL THE POWER OF THE ENEMY [the devil], AND NOTHING SHALL BY ANY MEANS HURT YOU" (Luke 10:19 NKJV).

- You have a possession to possess, which the devil would want to rob you of, but you should not allow him:

8 STAY ALERT! WATCH OUT FOR YOUR GREAT ENEMY, THE DEVIL. HE PROWLS AROUND LIKE A ROARING LION, LOOKING FOR SOMEONE TO DEVOUR. 9 STAND FIRM AGAINST HIM, AND BE STRONG IN YOUR FAITH." (1 Peter 5:8,9 NLT).

• "THE HOUSE OF JACOB SHALL BE A FIRE . . . " (Obadiah 18).

- The believers who typifies the house of Jacob, are said to be a fire, and shall devour the enemy, the devil and all his cohorts and their works.

- The Scripture says: "FOR OUR GOD IS A CONSUMING FIRE" (Hebrews 12:29).

a. Whatever is not of God, contrary to you health, and wellness, shall be consumed by fire, in Jesus' name.

b. Whatever blessing of yours which the devil, the archenemy of the believers, has taken, would be fully recovered in Jesus' name.

c. And whatever the blessing which the devil has stolen, would be recovered, taken back, in Jesus' name.

• Sin is the root cause of every predicament. And the hold of Sin is broken in a person's life when such comes to the knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ—accepted Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour (Romans 6:17-19).

- Acknowledging Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour is the foundation for a total deliverance (Romans 10:9,10). And after you have submitted your life to Him, you would have to live your life for Him: "AND HE [Jesus] DIED FOR ALL, THAT THOSE WHO LIVE SHOULD LIVE NO LONGER FOR THEMSELVES, BUT FOR HIM WHO DIED FOR THEM AND ROSE AGAIN" (2 Corinthians 5:15 NKJV)

READ: Romans 14:7,8; Galatians 2:20; 1 Peter 4:1,2

- You should no longer go back into sin. For the reason that, sin is the root cause of most of the human's predicaments; thus, wisdom demands that you keep yourself pure:

15 BUT AS HE WHO CALLED YOU IS HOLY, YOU ALSO BE HOLY IN ALL YOUR CONDUCT, 16 BECAUSE IT IS WRITTEN, “BE HOLY, FOR I AM HOLY" (1 Peter 1:15,16 NKJV).

�� Jesus told the man who was delivered from the oppression of the devil, who had been sick for thirty-eight years:

8 JESUS SAID TO HIM, “RISE, TAKE UP YOUR BED AND WALK.” 9 AND IMMEDIATELY THE MAN WAS MADE WELL, TOOK UP HIS BED, AND WALKED. And that day was the Sabbath. 14 AFTERWARDS JESUS FOUND HIM IN THE TEMPLE, AND SAID TO HIM, “SEE, YOU HAVE BEEN MADE WELL. SIN NO MORE, LEST A WORSE THING COME UPON YOU" (John 5:8,9,14 NKJV).

- It could be deduced in the above Bible passage that Sin was the root cause of the man's predicament—the man who had had infirmity for thirty-eight years.

- For whatever affliction, which you have been delivered from, not to rise the second time in your life; you would do well to stay away from Sin. Be rooted and firm in Christ Jesus—living in line with His Word.

• You will not fail in Jesus' name.

- Whatever is against your wellness and good health is rebuked and completely uprooted in the mighty name of Jesus Christ.

- Your deliverance is permanent in the mighty name of Jesus.

Peace!

STEPS TO SALVATION

• Take notice of this:

IF you are yet to take the step of salvation, that is, yet to be born-again, do it now, tomorrow might be too late (2 Corinthians 6:1,2; Hebrews 3:7,8,15).

a. Acknowledge that you are a sinner and confess your Sins (1 John 1:9); And ask Jesus Christ to come into your life (Revelation 3:20).

b. Confess that you believe in your heart that Jesus Christ is Lord, and that you confess it with your mouth, Thus, you accept Him As your Lord and Saviour (Romans 10:9,10).

c. Ask that He will write your name in the Book of Life (Philippians 4:3; Revelation 3:8).

- If you took the steps As highlighted above, It means you are saved—born-again. Join a Word based church in your area and Town or city, and be part of whatever they are doing there. Peace!

[angwlita]

Holy hieromartyr Philoumenos of Cyprus (1913-1979) †

"Saint Philoumenos was born on October 15th, 1913 in the parish of Saint Savvas in Nicosia, along with his twin brother Archimandrite Elpidios.

At the age of 14, the two brothers left for the ancient Monastery of Stavrovouni, and stayed there for five years. Later, the saint joined the monastic brotherhood of the holy sepulchre. In 1979, he was appointed guardian of the monastery of Saint Jacob´s Well.

In the afternoon of November 29th, 1979 - “strangers”, according to the police report, trespassed on the premises of Jacob’s Well. They found the opportunity to hide and remain in the monastery after 4:00 p.m. when the guard had already left. Possibly while the Saint was performing vespers, they attacked him with an axe, and having fiercely abused him, they killed him.

The body of the Saint was handed over to the Orthodox 6 days after his massacre, but retained its flexibility and was buried in the cemetery of Mount Zion.

૮ ◞ ﻌ ◟ ა 3 things were most remarkable about the blessed martyr. The first might have been partly from nature: this was his soft sweet voice. The second was a meticulous fidelity to small things, but specifically to the Divine Service. Third, and as unobtrusive, almost secret, was his humility.

૮ ◞ ﻌ ◟ ა St Philoumenos however only knew his monastic cell and his reading. He studied ecclesiastical books

After four years his body was exhumed.  It was found to be substantially incorrupt and had the smell of a beautiful scent. His memory is honored on November 29. May his soul rest in peace.

( x x x x x) actually theres other version abt his death but idk its kinda weird t me but im sharing it just in case x