tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37600109850823515992024-03-19T03:05:06.826-07:00The MaccabeeInformation, History, Culture, Traditions, Scriptures, Interpretations, and Metaphysics of the MaccabeesAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07904347198100907985noreply@blogger.comBlogger34125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3760010985082351599.post-30185472528273332812012-10-30T16:23:00.001-07:002012-10-30T16:23:28.608-07:00The Cornerstone: The Four Elemental Directions of both Time and Spa...<a href="http://thehebrewcornerstone.blogspot.com/2012/10/the-four-elemental-directions-of-both.html?spref=bl">The Cornerstone: The Four Elemental Directions of both Time and Spa...</a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07904347198100907985noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3760010985082351599.post-55991172168385037352012-09-30T19:40:00.001-07:002012-09-30T19:40:18.319-07:00The Judeo/Christian Tradition - A Book of Genesis Timeline according to Judaism<a href="http://maccabaeus7.livejournal.com/6532.html">The Judeo/Christian Tradition - A Book of Genesis Timeline according to Judaism</a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07904347198100907985noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3760010985082351599.post-33748522299870768922012-09-12T23:08:00.001-07:002012-09-12T23:08:31.778-07:00The 'Jewish' Star of David on Top of the Pope's Head and what it Means for the Church - Catholic Answers Forums<a href="http://forums.catholic.com/showthread.php?p=9767309#post9767309">The 'Jewish' Star of David on Top of the Pope's Head and what it Means for the Church - Catholic Answers Forums</a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07904347198100907985noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3760010985082351599.post-70682246794885503702011-10-27T06:14:00.000-07:002011-10-27T06:24:51.941-07:00The Good News of Judaism - 2,000 years of Judeo-Christian Wisdom and Magic<span style="font-weight: bold;"><u>2,000 years of Judeo-Christian Wisdom and Magic</u></span><br />Even though this has been said before, it should be said again that the sayings, and even the parables, of Jesus Christ were not all of His own, but were the culmination of many centuries of ancient Israelite and Jewish tradition. These words of wisdom did not inspire, nor impress, the Greco-Roman elites and their philosophers or cause them to believe, on the contrary. What did finally cause them to convert was the miraculous transformation they saw in people who were diseased, sick, or in despair, as well as the very real supernatural miracles performed by the Apostles, Disciples, and the dozens of Saints who came after them. The Rabbis crucified R. Joshua ben Joseph because they thought He was practicing black magic or was hopelessly (and helplessly) possessed by the Devil. 2,000 years later, His magic lives on within the most famous compilation of Jewish wisdom and advice ever written- commonly known as the Gospels of Jesus Christ. Enjoy the following comparisons.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">MIDRASH</span>: The builder mixes a thick sand with a thinner one in the mortar, by which contrivance the latter becomes very strong and the building more substantial. In creating the first pair, something of this method was adopted. Adam was the strong and Eve the weaker. This mixture of the weak with the strong is beneficial to the human race. (Genesis Rabba 14)<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">GOSPEL:</span> ‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.’ So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate. (Mark 10:7-9)<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">MIDRASH:</span> Man was originally formed with a tail like the lower animals, but this was afterwards taken from him out of consideration for him. (Genesis Rabba 14)<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">GOSPEL: </span>Do not give dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls to pigs. If you do, they may trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces. (Matthew 7:6)<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">MIDRASH:</span> Man in celibacy is in sublime ignorance of what is meant by the words good, hell, joy, blessing, peace and expiation of sin. He is, in fact, not entitled to the dignified name of man. (Genesis Rabba 17)<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">GOSPEL: </span>Jesus replied, 'Not everyone can accept this word, but only those to whom it has been given. For there are eunuchs who were born that way, and there are eunuchs who have been made eunuchs by others- and there are those who choose to live like eunuchs for the sake of the kingdom of heaven. The one who can accept this should accept it.' (Matthew 19:11-12)<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">MIDRASH:</span> God designed man for work, to work for his own sustenance. He who does not work shall not eat. (Genesis Rabba 14)<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">GOSPEL:</span> Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. (Luke 9:23)<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">MIDRASH:</span> After Adam's fall came Abraham, who established in the world the knowledge of God. As a builder puts the strongest beam in the centre of the building, so as to support the structure at both ends, so Abraham was the strong beam carrying the burden of the generations that existed before him and that came after him. (Genesis Rabba 14a)<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">GOSPELS:</span> Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it. (Luke 9:23-24)<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">MIDRASH: </span>Dreams, something like prophecy, are the offspring of imaginations and comparisons which we may form whilst awake. (Genesis Rabba 17)<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">GOSPEL:</span> Because Mary's husband, Joseph, was a good man, he did not want to disgrace her in public, so he planned to divorce her secretly. While Joseph thought about these things, an angel of the Lord came to him in a dream. The angel said, 'Joseph, descendant of David, don't be afraid to take Mary as your wife, because the baby in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you will name him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.' (Matthew 1:19-21)<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">MIDRASH:</span> After Adam's fall came Abraham, who established in the world the knowledge of God. As a builder puts the strongest beam in the centre of the building, so as to support the structure at both ends, so Abraham was the strong beam carrying the burden of the generations that existed before him and that came after him. (Genesis Rabba 14a)<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">GOSPEL:</span> Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. (Mark 8:34)<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">MIDRASH:</span> Here in this life we have the Spirit = the soul, blown into our nostrils, hence it goes from us at death. In the future, the soul, when restored, will be given to us, as it is said in (Ezekiel 37:14): a complete gift never to be returned. - Genesis Rabba 14<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">GOSPEL:</span> Jesus, when He had cried out again with a loud voice, yielded up the ghost...Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee onto a mountain where Jesus had appointed them. And when they saw Him (again), they worshiped Him, but some doubted. And Jesus came and spoke unto them, saying, 'All power is given unto Me in Heaven and on Earth.' (Matthew 27:50, 28:16-18)<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">MIDRASH:</span> The river Euphrates is the chief and choicest of all rivers. - Genesis Rabba 16<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">GOSPEL:</span> And so John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. The whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem went out to him. Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River. (Mark 1:4-5)<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">MIDRASH:</span> The Greeks, amongst other insults which they heaped on Jews, had a satirical saying. The Jews should write on the horn of an ox- alluding to the making of the golden calf, that they are not the portion of the God of Israel. (Genesis Rabba 16)<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">GOSPEL:</span> They said to Jesus, 'Teacher, this woman was caught having sexual relations with a man who is not her husband. The law of Moses commands that we stone to death every woman who does this. What do you say we should do?' They were asking this to trick Jesus so that they could have some charge against him. But Jesus bent over and started writing on the ground with his finger. When they continued to ask Jesus their question, he raised up and said, 'Anyone here who has never sinned can throw the first stone at her.' Then Jesus bent over again and wrote on the ground. (John 8:4-8)<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">MIDRASH:</span> Sleep is a sixtieth portion of death, a dream is the same proportion of prophecy and the Sabbath of the Future bliss. (Genesis Rabba 17)<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">GOSPEL:</span> Then Jesus went back to his followers and found them asleep. He said to Peter, 'You men could not stay awake with me for one hour? Stay awake and pray for strength against temptation. The spirit wants to do what is right, but the body is weak.' (Matthew 26:40-41)<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">MIDRASH:</span> 'Why,' asked a matron of Rabbi José, 'did God steal a rib from Adam?' 'Steal, did you say?' replied the Sage. 'If one were to take away from your house an ounce of silver, and give you in return a pound of gold, that would not be stealing from you.' 'But,' Persisted his friend, 'what need was there for secrecy?' 'It was surely better,' replied R. José, 'to present Eve to Adam when she was quite presentable, and when no traces of the effects of the operation were visible.' (Genesis Rabba 17)<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">GOSPEL:</span> After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb (of Jesus).There was a violent earthquake, for an Angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow...The Angel said to the women, 'Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples'...So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy...Suddenly Jesus met them. 'Greetings,' he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and worshiped him. (Matthew 28:1-9)<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">MIDRASH: </span>That woman exercises more influence over man than he possesses over woman was illustrated by a couple who were famous for their piety, but who were eventually divorced. The man married a woman of questionable habits, and soon copied her conduct and became like his new wife, conspicuous for his evil deeds; whilst the divorced woman married a notorious sinner, and converted him into a pious man. (Genesis Rabba 17)<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">GOSPEL: </span>A woman in that town who lived a sinful life learned that Jesus was eating at the Pharisee’s house, so she came there with an alabaster jar of perfume. As she stood behind him at his feet weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears. Then she wiped them with her hair, kissed them and poured perfume on them. When the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, “If this man were a prophet, he would know who is touching him and what kind of woman she is—that she is a sinner.' Jesus answered him, 'Simon, I have something to tell you'...Then he turned toward the woman and said to Simon, 'Do you see this woman? I came into your house. You did not give me any water for my feet, but she wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. You did not give me a kiss, but this woman, from the time I entered, has not stopped kissing my feet. You did not put oil on my head, but she has poured perfume on my feet. Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven—as her great love has shown. But whoever has been forgiven little loves little.' Then Jesus said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.' (Luke 7:37-48)<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">MIDRASH:</span> Dreams, something like prophecy, are the offspring of imaginations and comparisons which we may form whilst awake. (Genesis Rabba 17)<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">GOSPEL: </span> So when the people gathered together, Pilate said to them, 'Whom do you want me to release for you? Barabbas, or Jesus who is called Christ?'...While he was sitting on the judgment seat, his wife sent him a message, saying, 'Have nothing to do with that righteous Man; for last night I suffered greatly in a dream because of Him.' (Matthew 27:17-19)<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">MIDRASH:</span> Dreams, something like prophecy, are the offspring of imaginations and comparisons which we may form while awake. (Genesis Rabba 17)<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">GOSPEL: </span>On coming to the house, they (three wise men) saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route. (Matthew 2:11-13)<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">MIDRASH: </span>Sleepiness and laziness in a man are the beginning of his misfortune. (Genesis Rabba 17)<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">GOSPEL:</span> Then Jesus went back to his followers and found them asleep. He said to Peter, 'You men could not stay awake with me for one hour? Stay awake and pray for strength against temptation. The spirit wants to do what is right, but the body is weak'...Then he went back to his followers, and again he found them asleep, because their eyes were heavy. So Jesus left them and went away and prayed a third time, saying the same thing. Then Jesus went back to his followers and said, 'Are you still sleeping and resting? The time has come for the Son of Man to be handed over to sinful people. Get up, we must go.' (Matthew 26:40-46)<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">MIDRASH: </span>Man in celibacy is in sublime ignorance of what is meant by the words good, hell, joy, blessing, peace and expiation of sin. He is, in fact, not entitled to the dignified name of man. (Genesis Rabba 17)<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">GOSPEL:</span> 'The only reason for a man to divorce his wife is if his wife has sexual relations with another man.' The followers said to him, 'If that is the only reason a man can divorce his wife, it is better not to marry.' Jesus answered, 'Not everyone can accept this teaching, but God has made some able to accept it. There are different reasons why some men cannot marry. Some men were born without the ability to become fathers. Others were made that way later in life by other people. And some men have given up marriage because of the kingdom of Heaven. But the person who can marry should accept this teaching about marriage.' (Matthew 19:9-12)<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">MIDRASH: </span>Rabbi Meier wrote a scroll for his own use, on the margin of which he wrote, in connexion with the words: 'And God saw that it was good,' 'This means death, which is the passing from life transitory to life everlasting.' - Genesis Rabba 9<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">GOSPEL: </span>Then Jesus said to his disciples: 'If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. For he that will save his life, shall lose it: and he that shall lose his life for my sake, shall find it. For what does it profit a man, if he gain the whole world, and suffer the loss of his own soul? Or what exchange shall a man give for his soul?' (Matthew 16:24-26)<br /><br />May the LORD God bless you in the name of the Judeo-Christian tradition.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07904347198100907985noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3760010985082351599.post-70213918694044734192011-10-15T08:21:00.000-07:002011-10-15T08:28:33.836-07:00The Maccabee - Meaning and Morality of Enoch<p style="text-align: center;"><span class=""><img class="photo_img img" src="http://a5.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/180840_189504347748316_177488942283190_534022_7424298_n.jpg" alt="" /><span class="caption"></span></span></p><p><em><strong>Meaning and Morality of the Ancient Prophet Enoch</strong></em></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span class=""><img class="photo_img img" src="http://a2.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash2/182968_189504544414963_177488942283190_534024_7510077_n.jpg" alt="" /><span class="caption"></span></span></p><p><strong>Part I. Meaning of the Ancient Prophet Enoch</strong></p><p>- In general, the name Enoch comes from the Hebrew verb 'hanak' meaning dedicate</p><p><span class="fbUnderline"><strong>Various Meanings of Enoch</strong></span></p><p>- Hebrew word for Imprint, pierce into, instruct, make wise (Fuerst's Hebrew & Chaldee Lexicon To The Old Testament)</p><p>- Hebrew word for Initiated (Jones' Dictionary of Old Testament Proper Names)</p><p>- Hebrew word for Dedicated (NOBS Study Bible Name List).</p><p><span class="fbUnderline"><strong>Other References to Enoch</strong></span></p><p>- The name Enoch is of Hebrew origin, meaning 'trained and vowed, dedicated; profound'</p><p>- The name Enoch is closely related to the Hebrew word 'hanak' and its derivatives. In the Bible, 'hanak' is used in reference to an action in connection to a building (1 Kings 8:63), a wall (Nehemiah 12:27), an altar (Numbers 7:10), or an image (Daniel 3:2). (HAW Theological Wordbook of the Old Testament)</p><p>- Hebrew Derivatives of the name Enoch include 'hanik', meaning trained servant (Genesis 14:14) and 'hanukka', meaning dedication (Psalm 30)</p><p>- The word Enoch, when used as a noun, also makes a reappearance much later in the Bible as the name Hanukkah, the still celebrated Feast Of Dedication (John 10:22)</p><p>- Remarkably, one of the roots of the name Enoch, namely 'hanak' also yields the derivative hek, meaning palate, mouth, with connotation of speech (Proverbs 8:7, Song of Solomon 5:16)</p><p> ____________________________________</p><p><span class=""><img style="width: 530px; height: 530px;" class="photo_img img" src="http://a4.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/182684_189504837748267_177488942283190_534027_2548748_n.jpg" alt="" /><span class="caption"></span></span></p><p><span class="fbUnderline"><strong>The Bible of Enoch, Enoch and Enoch</strong></span></p><p>- There are three separate Enochs mentioned in the Bible. Enoch is first mentioned as a son of Cain.</p><p>- Enoch is mentioned once again as the name Cain gives to his newly-built city in honor of his son Enoch (Genesis 4:17).</p><p>- Finally, Enoch is mentioned a third time as being a son of Jared, of the line of Seth, third son of Adam and Eve (Genesis 5:19). This particular Enoch, who is said to have 'walked with God,' is from the seventh generation of Adam (where Adam is the first). These three different Enochs can be understood in the following manner:</p><p><strong>I. Enoch:</strong> the son of Cain, father of Irad</p><p><strong>II. Enoch: </strong>a city built by Cain and then deliberately named after his son Enoch</p><p><strong>III. Enoch: </strong>the son of Jared, father of Methuselah, from the line of Seth, also a direct descendant of Adam from the seventh generation. As the Bible states; Enoch 'walked with God' and then disappeared without a trace. As this miraculous event has traditionally been understood by both Judaism and Christianity, Enoch, son of Jared, is one of only two men in history (Elijah is the other one) who has never experienced bodily death. Instead, Enoch, like the Prophet Elijah who came after him, was taken directly up into Heaven, both physically and spiritually, by God.</p><p>_____________________________________________</p><p style="text-align: center;"><span class=""><img class="photo_img img" src="http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/168312_189504944414923_177488942283190_534028_4512966_n.jpg" alt="" /><span class="caption"></span></span></p><p><strong>The Biblical Passages about Enoch</strong></p><p><em>Then Cain went out from the presence of the LORD, and settled in the land of Nod, east of Eden. Cain had relations with his wife and she conceived, and gave birth to<strong> Enoch;</strong> and he built a city, and called the name of the city<strong> Enoch</strong>, after the name of his son. Now to <strong>Enoch</strong> was born Irad, and Irad became the father of Mehujael, and Mehujael became the father of Methushael, and Methushael became the father of Lamech.</em> (Genesis 4:16-18)</p><p><em>Jared lived one hundred and sixty-two years, and became the father of<strong> Enoch</strong>. Then Jared lived eight hundred years after he became the father of Enoch...<strong>Enoch </strong>lived sixty-five years, and became the father of Methuselah. Then <strong>Enoch </strong>walked with God three hundred years after he became the father of Methuselah, and he had other sons and daughters.So all the days of <strong>Enoch </strong>were three hundred and sixty-five years.<strong> Enoch </strong>walked with God; and he was not, for God took him</em>. (Genesis 5:18-24)</p><p><em>So all the days of<strong> Enoch </strong>were three hundred and sixty-five years. <strong>Enoch </strong>walked with God and he was not, for God took him.</em> (Genesis 5:23-24)</p><p><em>The sons then of Ruben the firstborn of Israel were Enoch, and Phallu, Esron, and Charmi.</em> (I Chronicles 5:3)</p><p><em>By faith <strong>Enoch </strong>was taken up so that he would not see death; AND HE WAS NOT FOUND BECAUSE GOD TOOK HIM UP; for he obtained the witness that before his being taken up he was pleasing to God. And 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 seek Him.</em> (Hebrews 11:5-6)</p><p><em>It was also about these men that <strong>Enoch,</strong> in the seventh generation from Adam, prophesied, saying, 'Behold, the Lord came with many thousands of His holy ones, to execute judgment upon all, and to convict all the ungodly of all their ungodly deeds which they have done in an ungodly way, and of all the harsh things which ungodly sinners have spoken against Him.'</em> (Jude 1:14-15)</p><p>NOTE: Enoch is also mentioned in I Chronicles 1:3 and Luke 3:37</p><p>_______________________________________________________</p><p><strong>Part II. Morality of the Ancient Prophet Enoch</strong></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span class=""><img style="width: 546px; height: 546px;" class="photo_img img" src="http://a2.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash2/182264_189505077748243_177488942283190_534030_5088731_n.jpg" alt="" /><span class="caption"></span></span></p><p><span class="fbUnderline"><strong>The Seven Blessings of Enoch</strong></span></p><p><strong>I.</strong> Blessed is he who opens his lips in praise of the God of Sabaoth and praises the LORD with his heart. </p><p><strong>II. </strong>Blessed is he who opens his lips blessing and praising God.</p><p><strong>III.</strong> Blessed is he who blesses all the LORD’s works.</p><p><strong>IV.</strong> Blessed is he who looks down and raises the fallen. </p><p><strong>V.</strong> Blessed is he who keeps the foundations of his fathers made firm from the beginning. </p><p><strong>VI.</strong> Blessed is he who imparts peace and love.</p><p><strong>VII.</strong> Blessed is he who speaks with humble tongue and heart to all. (II Enoch 52:1-13)</p><p> </p><p><span class="fbUnderline"><strong>The Seven Cursings of Enoch</strong></span></p><p><strong>I.</strong> Cursed is he who opens his lips for the bringing of contempt and calumny upon his neighbour, because he brings God into contempt. </p><p><strong>II. </strong> Cursed is he before the LORD all the days of his life, who opens his lips to curse and abuse. </p><p><strong>III. </strong>Cursed is he who brings the LORDs creation into contempt</p><p><strong>IV.</strong> Cursed is he who looks to and is eager for the destruction of what is not his. </p><p><strong>V. </strong>Cursed is he who perverts the decrees of his forefathers.</p><p><strong>VI. </strong>Cursed is he who disturbs those that love their neighbors</p><p><strong>VII.</strong> Cursed is he who speaks peace with his tongue, while in his heart there is no peace but a sword. (II Enoch 52:2-14)</p><p>For all these things will be laid bare in the weighing-scales and in the books, on the day of the great judgment. (II Enoch 52:15)</p><p><span class="fbUnderline"><strong>The Six Additional Blessings of Enoch</strong></span></p><p><strong>1)</strong> Blessed are those who enter the good houses, for in the bad houses there is no peace nor return from them. (II Enoch 61:2)</p><p><strong>2) </strong>Blessed is the man who shall bear their yoke and shall drag them along, for he shall be released on the day of the great judgment. (II Enoch 48:7)</p><p><strong>3)</strong> Blessed are the just who shall escape the great judgment, for they shall shine forth more than the sun sevenfold, for in this world the seventh part is taken off from all, light, darkness, food, enjoyment, sorrow, paradise, torture, fire, frost, and other things; he put all down in writing, that you might read and understand. (II Enoch 67:8)</p><p><strong>4) </strong>Bessed is the man who in his patience brings his gifts with faith before the LORD’s face, because he will find forgiveness of sins. But if he take back his words before the time, there is no repentance for him; and if the time pass and he do not of his own will what is promised, there is no repentance after death. (II Enoch 62:1-2)</p><p><strong>5) </strong>Blessed is the man who does not direct his heart with malice against any man, and helps the injured and condemned, and raises the broken down, and shall do charity to the needy, because on the day of the great judgment every weight, every measure and every makeweight (will be) as in the market, that is to say (they are) hung on scales and stand in the market, (and every one) shall learn his own measure, and according to his measure shall take his reward. (II Enoch 44:3)</p><p><strong>6)</strong> Blessed is the man who has not been born or who has been born and shall not sin before the Lord’s face, that he come not into this place, nor bring the yoke of this place. (II Enoch 41:3)</p><p>______________________________________________________</p><p><strong>Some Timeless Advice of the Ancient Prophet Enoch</strong></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span class=""><img style="width: 495px; height: 134px;" class="photo_img img" src="http://a8.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash2/181556_189505157748235_177488942283190_534031_8315758_n.jpg" alt="" /><span class="caption"></span></span></p><p> </p><p><em><strong>Keep Your Heart Pure and Free of Evil</strong></em></p><p>Keep your hearts from every injustice, which the LORD hates. When man puts a good thought in his heart, brings gifts from his labours before the LORD’s face and his hands made them not, then the LORD will turn away his face And if his hands made it, but his heart murmur, and his heart cease not making murmur incessantly, he has not any advantage. (II Enoch 61:1-4)</p><p>When the LORD demands bread, or candles, or the flesh of beasts, or any other sacrifice, then that is nothing; but God demands pure hearts, and with all the rest simply tests the heart of man. (II Enoch 45:3)</p><p>The LORD see all the imaginings of man, how they are vain, where they lie in the treasure-houses of the heart. (II Enoch 53:2)</p><p>If one man makes himself appear good to another by deceit of tongue, but has evil in his heart, then will not the other understand the treachery of his heart, and himself be condemned, since his untruth was plain to all? (II Enoch 46:3)</p><p> </p><p><em><strong>Do No Harm to your Fellow Man or Risk Judgment</strong></em></p><p>He who works the killing of a man’s soul, kills his own soul, and kills his own body, and there is no cure for him for all time. (II Enoch 60:1)</p><p>He who puts a man in any snare, shall stick in it himself, and there is no cure for him for all time. (II Enoch 60:2) </p><p>He who puts a man in any vessel, his retribution will not be wanting at the great judgment for all time. (II Enoch 60:3)</p><p>He who works crookedly or speaks evil against any soul, will not make justice for himself for all time. (II Enoch 60:4)</p><p> </p><p><em><strong>The Golden Rule</strong></em></p><p>Just as a man asks something for his own soul from God, so let him do to every living soul, because the LORD knows all things, how in the great time to come there is much inheritance prepared for men, good for the good, and bad for the bad, without number many (II Enoch 61:1)</p><p> </p><p><em><strong>Turn the Other Cheek</strong></em></p><p>If any harm or damage befalsl you, return (them) not either to neighbor or enemy, because the Lord will return (them) for you and be your avenger on the day of great judgment, that there be no avenging here among men. (II Enoch 50:5)</p><p> </p><p style="text-align: center;"><span class=""><img style="width: 473px; height: 473px;" class="photo_img img" src="http://hphotos-sjc1.fbcdn.net/hphotos-snc6/180868_189505307748220_6650513_n.jpg" alt="" /><span class="caption"></span></span></p><p><em><strong>Always Give to Charity</strong></em></p><p>Stretch out your hands to the poor according to your strength. (II Enoch 51:1)</p><p>Whoever of you spends gold or silver for his brother’s sake, he will receive ample treasure in the world to come. (II Enoch 50:6)</p><p> </p><p><em><strong>Show Kindness Towards Others</strong></em></p><p>Help the faithful man in affliction, and affliction will not find you in the time of your trouble. (II Enoch 51:3)</p><p>Injure not widows nor orphans nor strangers, lest God’s wrath come upon you. (II Enoch 50:7)</p><p>Hide not your silver in the earth. (II Enoch 51:2)</p><p>It is good to go morning, midday, and evening into the Lord’s dwelling, for the glory of your creator. Because every breathing (thing) glorifies him, and every creature visible (physical) and invisible (spiritual) returns him praise. (II Enoch 51:5-6)</p><p>Now therefore, my children, in patience and meekness spend the number of your days, that you inherit endless life.(II Enoch 50:3)</p><p style="text-align: center;"><span class=""><img class="photo_img img" src="http://a8.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/180632_189504684414949_177488942283190_534025_4551583_n.jpg" alt="" /><span class="caption"></span></span></p><p><em><strong>Always Fear the LORD your God</strong></em></p><p>There is none better than he who fears God, he shall be more glorious in time to come. (II Enoch 43:2)</p><p>Walk before his face with terror and trembling and serve him alone. (II Enoch 67:2)</p><p> </p><p><em><strong>Endure Suffering with Patience</strong></em></p><p>Walk, my children, in long-suffering, in meekness, honesty, in provocation, in grief, in faith and in truth, in (reliance on) promises, in illness, in abuse, in wounds, in temptation, in nakedness, in privation, loving one another, till you go out from this age of ills, that you become inheritors of endless time. (II Enoch 67:7)</p><p>And every grievous and cruel yoke that come upon you bear all for the sake of the LORD, and thus you will find your reward in the day of judgment.(II Enoch 51:4)</p><p>Endure for the sake of the LORD every wound, every injury, every evil word and attack. (II Enoch 50:4)</p><p style="text-align: center;"><span class=""><img class="photo_img img" src="http://a6.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash2/182948_189504757748275_177488942283190_534026_7680683_n.jpg" alt="" /><span class="caption"></span></span></p><p>May the LORD God bless you in the name of St. Enoch.</p>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07904347198100907985noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3760010985082351599.post-89327965410362856122011-10-15T06:15:00.000-07:002011-10-15T06:27:20.143-07:00The Maccabee - Against the Documentary Hypothesis<div class="mbl notesBlogText clearfix"><div><p style="text-align: center;"><span class=""><img class="photo_img img" src="http://a5.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/304151_228349893893647_100001559154019_643555_252290349_n.jpg" alt="" /><span class="caption"></span></span></p><p><em>‘Is not my word like fire,” declares the LORD, ‘and like a <strong>hammer </strong>that breaks a rock in pieces?’</em></p><p>- Jeremiah 23:29</p><p style="text-align: center;"><span class=""><img class="photo_img img" src="http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/296285_228349850560318_100001559154019_643554_1319677512_n.jpg" alt="" /><span class="caption"></span></span></p><p><span class="fbUnderline"><strong>Understanding the Documentary Hypothesis </strong></span></p><p>Historically speaking, the theory that Moses 'did not write the Pentateuch actually has been around for more than a millennium.' Even so, the vast majority of believers, both Jew and Christian, 'still maintained that Moses was its author' well into the 17th century. It was around this time that the Dutch-Jewish philosopher Benedict Spinoza began to attack this common-held belief about Moses. This led to his eventual excommunication from Judaism by the Rabbinnical authorities some years later. This 'questioning' of the authorship of the Bible continued in the following manner:</p><p>- French physician Jean Astruc created the original Documentary Hypothesis in 1753 by listing the different names of God used in the Torah.</p><p>- After many changes and alterations, Karl Graf came out with a revised version of the 'initial hypothesis in the mid-nineteenth century.'</p><p>- Julius Wellhausen then resummarized Graf’s Documentary Hypothesis and proceeds to preach and promote it 'in European and American scholarly circles.'</p><p>- In the end, the refutation of Moses as author of the Torah, known as as the Documentary Hypothesis, also became 'known to many as the Graf-Wellhausen Hypothesis.'</p><p>Since these earlier times, attacks upon the Judeo-Christian belief in the authorship of Moses and the first five books of the Bible have, in fact, 'been thrust consistently into the faces of Christians.' A staunch belief in the Documentary Hypothesis has become near universal in secular settings. One sources notes that this still unproven theory has garnered a cult-like belief in others, especially non-believers:</p><p>It is becoming increasingly popular to believe this theory...Numerous commentaries, religious journals, and Web sites consistently promote it. And many professors who teach religious courses espouse it. Undoubtedly, it is champion among the topics discussed in classes on a critical introduction to the Bible. In most “scholarly” circles, if one does not hold to the Documentary Hypothesis (or at least some form of it), he is considered fanatical and uneducated.</p><p>To sum it up, the Documentary Hypothesis boldly claims that, instead of being written by Moses around 1,200-1,500 years ago, the 'Pentateuch was compiled from four original source documents -designated as J, E, D, and P.' It further contends that these four theoretical documents were all created 'by different authors, and eventually were compiled into the Pentateuch by a redactor (editor).' According to the classic Documentary Hypothesis, the conjectured dates of authorship can be seen in the following manner:</p><p><span class="fbUnderline"><strong>Alleged Authorship of the Torah</strong></span></p><p><strong>I. The J (Yahwehist)</strong> document was supposedly written around 850 B.C</p><p><strong>II. The E (Elohist)</strong> document was supposedly written around 750 B.C.</p><p><strong>III. The D (Deuteronomist)</strong> document was supposedly written around 620 B.C.</p><p><strong>IV. The P (Priestly)</strong> document was supposedly written around 500 B.C.</p><p><strong>V. The R (Redactor) </strong>document, or final version of the Torah, was supposedly written around 200 B.C.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><span class=""><img class="photo_img img" src="http://a2.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/319179_228349773893659_100001559154019_643553_829827051_n.jpg" alt="" /><span class="caption"></span></span></p><p>These unproven, and basically unprovable, source documents, have now been accepted as historical fact by nearly all of those who ascribe to the Documentary Hypothesis. In many ways, the main point of their claims has to openly and boldly deny that Moses wrote the first five books of the Holy Bible. This is spite of the fact that these dates have no scientific validity whatsoever. As one scholar notes:</p><p><em>Every dating of the pentateuchal 'sources' rests on purely hypothetical assumptions, which ultimately only have standing through the consensus of scholars. </em></p><p>- R. Rendtorff</p><p>Some believe there is an underlying reason why the followers of the Documentary Hypothesis insist on such late dating of the authorship of the Torah. Their real goal may little more than an attempt to discredit Scriptures and, with it, Christianity. The denial of Moses as the author of the Torah usually provides a stepping stone for further denials concerning the Bible. Here are just a few statements by those who believe in the Documentary Hypothesis:</p><p><em>One of the certain results of modern Bible study has been the discovery that the first five books of the Old Testament were not written by <strong>Moses. </strong></em></p><p>- Gottwald, 1959</p><p><em>It is obvious that the Book of Genesis was not written by a single author (<strong>Moses)</strong>. </em></p><p>-Rendtorff, 1998</p><p><em> The most determined biblicist can see that there is no way <strong>Moses </strong>could have written th</em>e Torah.</p><p>- McKinsey, 1995</p><p><em>At present, however, there is hardly a biblical scholar in the world actively working on the problem who would claim that the Five Books of Moses were written by <strong>Moses</strong> - or by anyone person. </em></p><p>- Dr. Richard E. Friedman, University of California at San Diego</p><p>This conventional wisdom and denial of Moses' authorship has now managed to permeate the entire world of academia and Biblical scholarship. Indeed, it is a given that statements such as those just cited 'have made their way into thousands of classrooms.' The results are quite tragic, as more and more students become non-believers due to this pernicious fallacy known as the Documentary Hypothesis. One source notes: 'Sadly, before hearing skeptics and liberal scholars present their ineffectual arguments for such beliefs, students frequently become so spellbound by the intellectual façade and bold affirmations of certainty that they rarely even consider the evidence at hand.' The evidence, if seen and studied carefully, still seems to indicate that Moses was indeed the real author of the Pentateuch. The scholarly facts, even today, are as follows:</p><p><em>The fact is that there are Old Testament specialists who have been trained in schools like Harvard and Princeton and Chicago University, who have received earned doctorates, who have become skilled in all of the relevant languages and archeological discoveries, who have attended and participated in all of the leading scholarly conventions, and who have authored texts that are studied by college and seminary students all over the world, who still adhere to the Mosaic authorship of the Pentateuch.</em></p><p>Given all of the misleading scholarship out there these days, it should come as no surprise that when Andrew Brown, author of The Darwin Wars, wrote about a conversation he had with England's leading Rabbi Jonathan Sacks, he became flabbergasted when 'Dr. Sacks defended the proposition that Moses wrote (or dictated) the first five books of the Bible'. Andrew Brown surprised response was simply: 'That is the most shocking thing I have ever heard an intellectual say.' Nevertheless, more and more prominent scholars are now beginning to break with Wellhausen's Documentary Hypothesis and even going so far as to attack it as illogical and irrational. Here is one disgruntled scholar on the need for change:</p><p><em>Redaction history and tradition history are [not helpful]...in explaining the origin of the Pentateuch. There is a preference for the view that much of the Yahwistic material was written later than originally thought, implying a much longer period of oral and written transmission of many of the Pentateuchal narratives. The way literary criticism and tradition history were applied in the past is largely invalidated by current folklore research which should be used as a corrective as well as to devise a new theory on how the Pentateuch originated. </em></p><p>- Van Dyk, P. J., Current Trends in Pentateuch Criticism.</p><p>Most importantly, scholars of various stripes are also beginning to tear away at the specifics of the Documentary Hypothesis, most notably the four source document theory (J, E, P and D), which presupposes four unique original sources for the Pentateuch. Noted scholar Professor Kitchen now admits that 'even the most ardent advocate of the documentary theory must admit that we have as yet no single scrap of external, objective...tangible, evidence for either the existence or history of ‘J’, ‘E’, or any other alleged source-documents'. His admission of error is starting to become more typical among the liberal circles of secular Biblical scholarship. Indeed, one writer claims that 'certain liberals have been forced to admit that the JEPD hypothesis is really without merit.' Just recently, a man named Umberto Cassuto, a professor at the University of Jerusalem, wrote a book called The Documentary Hypothesis. In the book, he freely confesses that the main arguments for Wellhausen's theory are 'without substance.' Furthermore, he states that the entire Documentary Hypothesis field of study happens to be 'founded on air' and will inevitably become 'null and void'. In summary, 'there simply is no support for the documentary theories of the higher critics, and there is much evidence against them.'</p><p><span class=""><img style="width: 446px; height: 96px;" class="photo_img img" src="http://a7.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/s720x720/301927_227968970598406_100001559154019_642544_1730417746_n.jpg" alt="" /><span class="caption"></span></span></p><p><span class="fbUnderline"><strong>Refuting the Documentary Hypothesis</strong></span></p><p>The Documentary Hypothesis, sometimes called 'the Graf-Wellhausen hypothesis after the two men, K.H. Graf and Julius Wellhausen, who gave it its classic expression', presupposes that the five Books of Moses, namely the Torah or Pentateuch, are actually derived from four different source documents, called J (Yahwist), E (Elohist), D (Deuteronomist), and P (Priestly Code). These original sources can be organized in the following manner:</p><p><strong>J-</strong> Starting with Genesis 2:4, it includes large portions of Genesis, Exodus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy</p><p><strong>E-</strong> Includes Genesis 15 and Exodus 3:15 for example</p><p><strong>D-</strong> Includes most of Deuteronomy</p><p><strong>P</strong>- Starting with Genesis 1:1, it includes large portions of Genesis, Exodus, and Numbers and all of Leviticus.</p><p>When going about the business of refuting the Documentary Hypothesis it is necessary to organize the arguments in fairly precise manner. One Biblical scholar R.N. Whybray, as well as others, has concluded that 'the Documentary Hypothesis is founded on four presuppositions.' Those four assumptions, with the pertinent refutation just beneath them, can be listed as follows:</p><p><strong>ASSUMPTION:</strong> An evolutionary, unilinear approach to Israelite history.</p><p><strong>REFUTATION:</strong> Most scholars agree that 'Wellhausen built his theory on a now-discredited evolutionary philosophy with its roots in the thought of G.W.F. Hegel.' Since then, the whole philosophy of Hegelianism has been thoroughly discredited. Because of this, it seems more than likely 'that the history of Israelite religion cannot be portrayed in the simple, highly evolutionary manner that Wellhausen thought possible.'</p><p> </p><p><strong>ASSUMPTION:</strong> The possibility of dividing the Pentateuchal texts on the basis of stylistic criteria.</p><p><strong>REFUTATION:</strong> Some of the earliest proponents of the Documentary Hypothesis claimed 'they could easily separate one text from another on the basis of style.' In reality, the entire Torah is written in standard Biblical Hebrew. The only real way a single style could ever really be found for each source document, namely J, E, P, and D, 'would be if each monotonously and rigorously maintained a highly idiosyncratic style.' This has not been the case when it comes to the Pentateuch.</p><p> </p><p><strong>ASSUMPTION</strong>: A simple compilation of documents by redactors.</p><p><strong>REFUTATION: </strong>According to the claims of the Documentary Hypothesis, later editors of the Torah, called redactors, supposedly used the documents they had availible and then proceeded to use a 'cut-and-paste' procedure where they simply cut 'up each document and then joining the whole into a continuous narrative.' There is no actual proof that this sort of organizational effort ever existed. Indeed, 'no true analogy to this somewhat bizarre editorial procedure is available.'</p><p> </p><p><strong>ASSUMPTION</strong>: Easy determination of the purposes and methods behind the documents and redactions.</p><p><strong>REFUTATIO</strong>N: The founders of the Documentary Hypothesis believed they would be able to easily 'deduce the purposes and methods of the redactors, despite the fact that enormous cultural differences existed between the scholars who studied Genesis and the men who wrote it.' Scholars then began to speculate in a somewhat bizaare manner about the aims of the original writers and later editors (redactors). To be specific 'it was assumed that each writer aimed to produce a single, continuous history but would tolerate no inconsistency, repetition, or narrative digressions.' However, the editors (redactors) 'were said to be utterly oblivious to every kind of contradiction and repetition.' These strange assumptions bear no historical accuracy or proof that they are true.</p><p>It must be emphasized that the Documentary Hypothesis blithely assumes that the Torah was originally made up of four documents which were all 'first composed as continuous, single narratives and only later were brought together and edited into the present work.' This false assumption led to many errors in Biblical analysis. To bolster the arguments of the Documentary Hypothesis, many different 'modifications were proposed.' Problems with the original Hypothesis just caused their reasoning to become that much more complex and illogical. Some of the 'modifications' included 'dividing the four sources into even smaller sources...whereas others reduced the number of sources, questioning the existence of E altogether.' When it comes to the authorship of the Pentateuch, here are the seven major claims of the Documentary Hypothesis:</p><p><span class="fbUnderline"><strong>The Seven False Claims of the Documentary Hypothesis</strong></span></p><p><strong>1. TWO NAMES OF GOD: </strong>Torah Passages which refer to God as Yahveh originate from the J source document, while passages which refer to God as Elohim originate from the E (or P) source document.</p><p><strong>2. DUPLICATION AND REPETITION:</strong> Genesis contains some duplicate stories and repetitions suggest they were originally portions of two different documents woven together into one text.</p><p><strong>3. CONTRADICTION AND CONFUSION:</strong> Genesis contains contradictions which 'indicate the existence of the separate documents.' This implies 'that one document had one tradition, but a second had another.'</p><p><strong>4. LANGUAGE AND STYLE:</strong> The language and style of the original source documents vary. J is a masterful storyteller, while P is prosaic and wordy. Each document also seems to have its own preferred vocabulary.</p><p><strong>5. MEANING AND THEOLOGY:</strong> Each original source document, 'when extracted from the present text of Genesis, shows itself to have been a continuous, meaningful piece of literature.' The source documents appear to have 'a specific literary and theological purpose behind each.'</p><p><strong>6. COMMON SENSE:</strong> Even a simple, basic reading of the Torah seem to indicate that the text 'obviously involve more than one source.' The best example is Genesis 1 and Genesis 2, 'which can hardly come from a single source.'</p><p><strong>7. PRIESTS AND LEVITES</strong>: The confusion over the 'Israelite priesthood found in the Pentateuch is best explained by the Documentary Hypothesis.' While some passage imply that all levites are priests, other passages state that only the descendants of Aaron are. This suggests at least two separate sources.</p><p>To summarize, it has been these seven claims that the Documentary Hypothesis has done fairly well in trying to explain. The fact of the matter, is that Wellhausen's theory explains problematic parts of the Torah without ever suggesting that they may not be problems at all. What follows are detailed refutations of the seven false claims of the Documentary Hypothesis.</p><p><strong>FALSE CLAIM #1: TWO NAMES OF GOD:</strong></p><p><em>- The theory that passages using Yahveh (J source) or Elohim (E source) for God come from separate sources 'has been challenged from several directions.' To cite one example, Genesis 22:11 uses the name Yahweh even though it is considered to be a part of the E (Elohim) source document. Also, at the very beginning of the Torah, there is a combination of the two names into 'the unusual Yahweh Elohim.'</em></p><p><em>- Biblical scholar M.H. Segal also shows that the two different divine names, Jahveh and Elohim, are used interchangeably in other Scriptures which are definitely known to have originated from a single source. In short, later Biblical passages use the two names for God as if the author saw the two names as simply different terms for the same God.</em></p><p><em>- The so-called decision of E and P sources not to use the name Yahveh (J) is simply a fictitious assumption. Likewise, there is 'absolutely no reason that J should avoid' using the word Elohim.</em></p><p><em>- The unexplained use of the two different names for God can also be surmised without resorting to the Documentary Hypothesis. In sum, Biblical scholar Umberto Cassuto claims that these two names simply 'bring out different aspects of the character of God.' Yahweh is seen as the covenant name of God, emphasizing his special relationship to Israel, just as Elohim speaks of God’s universality as God of all earth. Seen simply, 'Elohim is what God is and Yahweh is who He is.'</em></p><p><em>- Another scholar named Segal also contends that 'the interchange of the divine names is often for the sake of variety or reflects popular usage'.</em></p><p><em>- Biblical scholar Whybray proposes that 'the alternation of names may be unconscious because of the [singular] identity of the two names'.</em></p><p><em>- It can rightfully be claimed that Yahveh and Elohim have 'semantic overlap'. When the emphasis is about God as the 'universal deity...Elohim is used'. Similarly, when a passage that mentions 'God as covenant savior...Yahweh is more likely to be utilized'. Also, when neither aspect of God 'is particularly stressed, the names may be alternated for variety or indeed for no specific reason'.</em></p><p><em>- The use of Yahveh and Elohim as different names of God doesn't necessary imply two different sources for the text. Indeed, it appears there are 'many examples from Egyptian and Mesopotamian sources of a single god being called by several names in a single text.' It should be also noted that no 'Egyptologist would ever use divine names for source criticism'.</em></p><p><em>- In conclusion: 'the criterion of divine names, the historical and evidential starting point for the Documentary Hypothesis, is without foundation. It is based on misinterpretation, mistranslation, and lack of attention to extrabiblical sources'.</em></p><p> </p><p><strong>FALSE CLAIM #2: DUPLICATION AND REPETITION</strong></p><p><em>- Some believe 'the use of doublets and repetition as evidence for multiple documents in Genesis is perhaps of all the arguments the most persuasive for the modern student'. In reality, it is 'the most spurious and abused piece of evidence'. Given everything, the use of duplication and replication in Biblical passages simply signifies 'rhetorical concepts' which made use of these exact forms of expression.</em></p><p><em>- On the contrary, when it comes to many ancient texts 'there is no stronger indication that only a single document is present than parallel accounts.' The use of what is called 'Doublets', menaing 'two separate stories that closely parallel one another, are the very stuff of ancient narrative.' They are, in fact, precisely 'what the discriminating audience sought in a story.'</em></p><p><em>- Given the examples of other documents, it can be rightfully claimed that 'simple repetition, first of all, is common in ancient Near Eastern literature.' This can be seen 'in the Ugaritic Epic of Keret' where a certain King Keret receives specific instructions to go to the land of Udum, ruled by King Pabil, and then demand to marry the King's daughter named Hurriya. The carrying out of these instructions is simply a repetition of what the original instructions actually state in the text.</em></p><p><em>- Repetition in the Bible is found in both the Old and New Testament. One involves the Book of Genesis 24, where the servant of Abraham meets the future wife of Isaac and the encounter is then repeated as a story. In the Book of Acts, Paul's encounter with Christ on his way to Damascus is described three different times (Acts 9:1-19, 22:3-16, 26:9-18).</em></p><p><em>- In summary, and 'in light of the love for repetition and parallelism in Hebrew narrative and poetry', it should come as no surprise that 'Hebrew narrative is sometimes redundant even within a single story.' This practice may seem meaningless or pointless in the English language, but in its original tongue it is considered to be quite beautiful.</em></p><p> </p><p><strong>FALSE CLAIM #3: CONTRADICTION AND CONFUSION</strong></p><p><em>- The Biblical account of Noah and the Flood first states in Genesis 6:2 that he should bring one pair of every kind of animal, but then it says in Genesis 7:2 to bring seven pairs of clean animals, This contradiction can easily be explained in that 'provision had to be made to ensure that there would be sufficient livestock after the flood.'</em></p><p><em>- The entire flood story, according to the Documentary Hypothesis, is actually two sources (J and P) combined together to create one contradictory story. The reality is that 'recent research has demonstrated the whole narrative to be far more coherent than was once recognized.'</em></p><p><em>- Some followers of Wellhausen's theory have attempted to cite a discrepancy between the flood's 40 days of rain and also its apparent 150 additional days of rain. This argument is completely wrong-headed and a misreading of Genesis. In reality, 'the present chronology in the text is not the confusion it is sometimes implied to be.'</em></p><p><em>- One scholar named Emerton still insists that 'there is a discrepancy between the 150 days of rain and the 40 days of rain' in the story of Noah and the flood. To be sure, 'the text nowhere implies that the rain lasted 150 days.' Instead, the 150 days refers to 'the time from the beginning of the flood until the water had abated enough for the ark to ground.' With this in mind, the flood story can be said to be both 'structurally unified and formally of a type of literature (flood narrative) that is far older' than Wellhausen's theory dates it.</em></p><p><em>- In conclusion, the story of Noah and the flood uses an 'ancient narrative technique, as evidenced in its profound concern for narrative structure'. Given everything written down in Genesis concerning the flood, this account also 'cannot be said to be chronologically confused.'</em></p><p> </p><p><strong>FALSE CLAIM #4: LANGUAGE AND STYLE</strong></p><p><em>- The Documentary Hypothesis claims to have found 'radically different styles' of writing in the Pentateuch and finds this to be proof that it actually had at least two different sources (J and P). This is simply the 'result of artificially dividing the text.'</em></p><p><em>- So-called differences in writing style found in the Torah cannot be proven because nobody knows anything 'of the common speech of the people of ancient Israel'. Differing word choices could simply be 'for the sake of a special nuance in a given circumstance, or indeed for the sake of variety'.</em></p><p><em>- Recent development of computer analysis of the Biblical text now shows that the so-called triple authorship underlying the Book of Genesis is unlikely. Instead, 'there is massive evidence that the pre-Biblical triplicity [J, E, and P] of Genesis' may well be a unity instead. The Documentary Hypothesis claim that Genesis was 'worked over by a late and gifted editor into a trinity' is basically considered to be false.</em></p><p> </p><p><strong>FALSE CLAIM #5: MEANING AND THEOLOGY</strong></p><p><em>- The original Documentary Hypothesis contended that the evidence for multiple source documents, which then became the Pentateuch, included differences in metaphysical meaning and theology found in the texts themselves. The fact remains, however, that splitting a text into two opposing sources is actually quite easy. In short, opponents of Wellhausen have clearly proven 'it is not difficult to separate a single Biblical narrative into two artificially complete documents.' Because of this, any 'theological analysis' becomes 'all the more tenuous.'</em></p><p><em>- Even the most staunch supporter of the Documentary Hypothesis has trouble these days in taking seriously any of the broad or sweeping generalizations concerning 'the theological background of Genesis'.</em></p><p><em>- Under continuing assault by recent Bible scholars, the theological arguments promoting 'the Elohist has disappeared from view entirely and the Yahwist is fast fading from existence.' One scholar named Whybray has gone far in showing that 'consensus for a theology of the Yahwist among critical scholars is collapsing.'</em></p><p><em>- In conclusion, the hypothesis claiming theological differences in the Pentateuch 'has no value as a guide for continued research.'</em></p><p> </p><p><strong>FALSE CLAIM #6: COMMON SENSE</strong></p><p><em>- Appealing to their view of the first five Books of Moses, which presupposes Moses did not write it, the Documentary Hypothesis and its adherents claim that common sense dictates in determining that the Pentateuch must have had more than one author who lived much later than Moses. However, recent authors who support the Documentary Hypothesis are now urging more 'caution' strongly suggesting that confidence in Wellhausen's theory is waning and 'that confidence in the criteria has eroded considerably'.</em></p><p><em>- In growing desperation, supporters of Wellhausen are starting to rely heavily 'on specific texts as justification for continued adherence to the hypothesis.' This is spite of the fact that interpretation of these specific Biblical passages are quite varied and heavily disputed today.</em></p><p><em>- One scholar makes the point that, even though it may be possible that Genesis 1 and Genesis 2 may originate from separate sources, these particular sources most probably have 'nothing to do with the four documents of the Documentary Hypothesis.'</em></p><p><em>- In conclusion, no matter what is involved 'there is no text in Genesis which is best explained by the Documentary Hypothesis.'</em></p><p> </p><p><strong>FALSE CLAIM #7: PRIESTS AND LEVITES</strong></p><p><em>- The Documentary Hypothesis contends that, since there is a discrepancy as to who is actually a Priest (a Levite or descendant of Aaron), there must be at least two authors responsible for the Torah. It also claims to have the 'best explanation of why the term Levite is used inconsistently in the Old Testament.' Nonetheless, there is little historical evidence to prove this to be the case.</em></p><p><em>- The reality is that, when it comes to the question of who exactly is a Priest, 'a better solution can be obtained by reading the Pentateuch as a work that was substantially produced, as the text affirms, during the period of the Exodus.'</em></p><p><em>- Similar attempts at finding original source documents underlying the Greek classics the Iliad and the Odyssey proved to be popular in the last century, but are now considered little more than 'antiquarian scholarly curiosities.' It is to be hoped 'that the same fate awaits their sister theory, the Documentary Hypothesis.'</em></p><p><span class=""><img style="width: 502px; height: 108px;" class="photo_img img" src="http://a4.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/s720x720/294520_227968930598410_100001559154019_642542_843053066_n.jpg" alt="" /><span class="caption"></span></span></p><p><span class="fbUnderline"><strong>Judaism's Refutation of the Documentary Hypothesis </strong></span></p><p><em>Although critics accuse biblical writers of revealing erroneous information, their claims continue to evaporate with the passing of time and the compilation of evidence. </em></p><p>- ApologeticsPress.org</p><p>Remember, the main theory of Wellhausen and company is that the Torah 'was written by several different authors between about 950 BCE through 450 BCE, at which point it was assembled into the present single document, probably by Ezra.' One should keep in mind that 'this hypothesis is pretty much universally accepted by secularists.' Even so, Judaism has a few resounding refutations to this theory. They can summarized as follows:</p><p><strong>The Samaritan Pentateuch- </strong>The Samaritans have their own five books of Moses which is nearly identical to the Torah. However, Somaritans 'have not shared a common tradition with Jews since the division of the United Monarchy following the death of King Solomon.' This means that their Torah, and indeed both Torahs, must have written previous to Ezra (450 BC). This is because the Samaritans 'would not have accepted a book composed by Ezra.'</p><p><strong>Mention of Jerusalem-</strong> There is absolutely no mention of Jerusalem in the Torah, meaning that it was probably written at the time of Samuel or before, because the city of Jerusalem had become 'the center of Judaism from the time of King David (1000 BC) up until the present.'</p><p><strong>Religious Documentation-</strong> If Ezra (450 BC) assembled the Torah from different documents (J, P, E, and D) then there would most probably be evidence of their existence somewhere in the historical record (950-450 BC). This has not occurred. In fact, 'no copies of the alleged pre-Ezra documents have ever been discovered anywhere, nor are they ever mentioned in any ancient literature.' Logically speaking, if the pre-Ezra had been considered so religiously important to Judaism 'it is implausible that they quickly and entirely disappeared.'</p><p><strong>Talmud Without Torah- </strong> At the same time that scholars of the Documentary Hypothesis reject the Torah as historically false, they also place great emphasis on a certain passage in the Talmud (Bava Basra 109b) that speaks of the existence 'in ancient Israel a priesthood descended from Moses'. From this single verse, they claim that these priests must have written the E source document.</p><p><strong>Two Names for God- </strong> The Talmud many times mentions God’s two character traits - the trait of mercy and the trait of justice. Mercy is represented by the name YHVH while justice is represented by Elohim (Midrash Braishis Rabbah 73:3).</p><p><strong>Different Styles in the Torah-</strong> Advocates of the Documentary Hypothesis point out that different parts of the Torah are written in different styles. There is a simple explanation for this. The Talmud Tractate Megilah 31b states that 'Deuteronomy was written by Moses - it is a speech given by Moses, rather than having been simply dictated to him by God. Based upon this, we can understand why different portions of the Torah are written in different styles although they actually have a Mosaic authorship.'</p><p>In conclusion, the scholars who developed the Documentary Hypothesis were woefully ignorant of Judaism and Jewish folk-lore. Because of this, Judaism's refutation of Wellhausen's theology is especially convincing and accurate. Amused by all the fuss, one Jewish scholar simply states: 'Rather than refuting the single authorship of the Torah, Bible critics have merely rediscovered the midrash.'</p><p><span class=""><img style="width: 419px; height: 90px;" class="photo_img img" src="http://a1.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/s720x720/297609_227968990598404_100001559154019_642545_1763124264_n.jpg" alt="" /><span class="caption"></span></span></p><p><span class="fbUnderline"><strong>The Slow Death of the Documentary Hypothesis </strong></span></p><p><em> If new approaches to the text, such as literary criticism of the type advanced here, deem the <strong>Documentary Hypothesis </strong>unreasonable and invalid, then source critics will have to rethink earlier conclusions and start anew. </em></p><p>- The Redaction of Genesis by Rendsburg</p><p>Is the Documentary Hypothesis a dying theory? Does this mean that Biblical scholarship can now move on into the 21st century, instead of being stuck in a discredited 19th analysis made by Wellhausen and others? Did Moses, in fact, write the first five Books of the Bible? According to some scholars, the answer to all these questions is yes. Even the on-line reference site Wikipedia, which is still in favor of the Documentary Hypothesis, is honest enough to admit it:</p><p><em>While the terminology and insights of the <strong>documentary hypothesis</strong>-notably its claim that the Pentateuch is the work of many hands and many centuries, and that its final form belongs to the middle of the 1st millennium BC-continue to inform scholarly debate about the origins of the Pentateuch, it no longer dominates that debate as it did for the first two thirds of the 20th century. </em></p><p>- Wikipedia, Documentary Hypothesis</p><p>The number of former believers and ex-followers of Wellhausen, and his theory concerning the authorship and dates of the Pentateuch, happens to be growing larger with each passing day. Many of them have realized that the general claim about the Torah being based upon four sources, namely the J, E, D and P source documents, is, in the end, utter nonsense. Some have gotten quite angry with Wellhausen's continuing success and acceptance among modern Biblical scholars. Here are just a few opponents of the Documentary Hypothesis as it stands today:</p><p><em> The time has long passed for scholars of every theological persuasion to recognize that the Graf-Wellhausen theory, as a starting point for continued research, is dead. <strong>The Documentary Hypothesis </strong>and the arguments that support it have been effectively demolished by scholars from many different theological perspectives and areas of expertise. </em></p><p>- BibleArcheology.org</p><p><em>Gorden J. Wenham points out that there has been a significant change regarding the Wellhausen <strong>documentary hypothesis</strong>. In the past, rejection of this hypothesis had been from orthodox Jews and conservative Christians. However, questioning of the documentary hypothesis today has come from mainline scholarship. </em></p><p>- HISTORICAL CRITICISM OF THE BIBLE: METHODOLOGY OR IDEOLOGY? by Eta Linnemann</p><p><em>The whole structure of the<strong> Documentary Hypothesis</strong> is so vitiated with obscurantism and circular reasoning on the basis of unproved and unprovable hypotheses that it hardly deserves the status of true scholarship at all. It appears rather to be an exercise in biased subjectivism that shuns any serious consideration of conflicting evidence. </em></p><p>- Who Wrote the Bible? A Summary Critique, by Gleason L. Archer, Jr<br /></p><p><em> The <strong>Documentary Hypothesis </strong>must be abandoned. Regardless of the theological presuppositions with which one approaches the text, and regardless of whether one wishes to affirm the tradition of Mosaic authorship or move in new directions, one must recognize the hypothesis to be methodologically unsoun</em>d.</p><p>- BibleArcheology.org</p><p><em>Wellhausen's <strong>Documentary Hypothesis</strong> has come to an end. Other major scholarly views of the 20th century...are cratering. Nothing substantial, however, has replaced these views. </em></p><p>- Rendtorff, Rolf, The Paradigm Is Changing: Hopes - and Fears</p><p><em>It is now accepted that the <strong>documentary hypothesis</strong> is hampered with serious difficulties. </em></p><p>- Van Dyk, P. J., Current Trends in Pentateuch Criticism.</p><p><em>We must reject the <strong>Documentary Theory</strong> as an explanation of the composition of the Pentateuch. The theory is complicated, artificial, and anomalous. It is based on unproved assumptions. It uses unreliable criteria for the separation of the text into component documents. </em></p><p>- Moses H. Segal, professor emeritus at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem</p><p><em>The <strong>Wellhausen hypothesis.</strong>..must be perceived as an exercise in subjectivism rather than a scientific treatment of the objective data bearing upon the date of the composition of the Pentateuch. The whole concept of differing recensions of the Mosaic tradition, a J-document originating in Judah and an E-document developed in the Northern Kingdom, has in this century been called into serious question by disillusioned Wellhausians like Wilhelm Moeller, B.D. Eerdmans, Johannes Pedersen, and Ivan Engnell, all of whom completely reject the whole Documentary Hypothesis as an artificial, modern occidental type of interpretation totally unsuited and irrelevant to ancient Semitic literature.</em></p><p>- Who Wrote the Bible? A Summary Critique, by Gleason L. Archer, Jr</p><p>These days, the old truths of Wellhausen's Documentary Hypothesis are becoming less and less accepted with each passing year and continue to be thoroughly discredited by a growing number of scholars and researchers. Indeed, the assumptions of the past concerning the actual origins of the Pentateuch 'have disappeared, and in their place scholars are confronted by competing theories which are discouragingly numerous' as well as 'exceedingly complex'. The simple historical facts of Wellhausen's theory are now gone with the wind. As one noted scholar opines:</p><p><em>The theories current in Old Testament studies, however brilliantly conceived and elaborated were mainly established in a vacuum with little or no reference to the Ancient Near East, and initially too often in accordance with a priori philosophical and literary principles. </em></p><p>- Kenneth Kitchens, Ancient Orient and the Old Testament</p><p>The tried and true J, E, P, and D source documents, which continues to be the foundational cornerstone for the Documentary Hypothesis have also become invalidated by more and more current researchers. In his work The Redaction of Genesis, scholar Rendsburg openly proclaims that 'the standard division of Genesis into J, E, and P strands should be discarded'. He blames their inadequacy on the fact that the Documentary Hypothesis is an old 19th century theology that has been hopelessly outdated. With today's growing knowledge about the ancient world, Rendsburg states 'there is much more uniformity and much less fragmentation in the book of Genesis than generally assumed'. This means that scholars are once again facing the same conclusion of the past, that Moses truly is the author of the Pentateuch . In the meantime, the Documentary Hypothesis, and all that it came with it, continues to pass away, to die, slowly but surely.</p><p><span class=""><img style="width: 498px; height: 107px;" class="photo_img img" src="http://a8.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/s720x720/314516_227969167265053_100001559154019_642554_876818349_n.jpg" alt="" /><span class="caption"></span></span></p><p><span class="fbUnderline"><strong>Moses Wrote the Torah, the Pentateuch </strong></span></p><p><em>An objective and truly scientific handling of the evidence can only lead to the conclusion that Jesus Christ and the New Testament apostles were absolutely correct in assuming the genuineness of the <strong>Mosaic authorship of the Pentateuch. </strong></em></p><p>- Who Wrote the Bible? A Summary Critique, by Gleason L. Archer, Jr</p><p>When one finally becomes convinced that the Documentary Hypothesis is indeed a incorrect theory, the question remains as to who wrote the Torah, also called the Pentateuch. Traditional Judaism has always believed that Moses was the author of the first five Books of the Bible and Christianity followed suit in the centuries after its formation. There is still every reason to believe that this is the historical truth even though the existence of Moses still cannot be scientifically proven. Considering the severity of laws espoused in the Torah, many Bible researchers say this indicates that it must have been written by Moses, before the people ever slipped into idolatrous practices. One auther states the following:</p><p style="font-style: italic;">Consider the implications of Moses’ instructions to his people as recorded in Deuteronomy 13 and 17...In these two chapters we find the death penalty prescribed for any individual, family, or community that became involved in idol-worship. In the time of Josiah, or even in the time of Hezekiah, there was scarcely a community in all of the kingdom of Judah that was not infected with idolatry. Had such a law been propounded and carried out with rigor, it is safe to say that at least 50 percent of the total population would have been stoned to death. No school of prophets or priests would ever have ventured to propound such severe measures...these passages in Deuteronomy fits only a time in the history of Israel when the entire nation was committed to the worship of Yahweh alone. There is no known period which fits into this framework but the time of Moses and Joshua.</p><p>Two recent books also bolster the claim that the Book of Genesis may well be a unified document with only one actual author. One of these is called Before Abraham Was, by Kikawada and Quinn, and it shows 'an INCREDIBLE thematic unity and artistry of the composer of Genesis 1-11.' The other book is The Redaction of Genesis, by Rendsburg. This book goes far in proving that there truly 'an INCREDIBLE linguistic unity and artistry of the composer of all of Genesis.' Slowly, more and more modern scholars are returning to the belief that the Torah was written at a much earlier date than that espoused by the Documentary Hypothesis. Here is just one example of this phenomenon:</p><p><em>In the light of these considerations, the objective evidence of the text and of all pertinent historical records bearing upon the career of Israel leads us back to the genuineness of the <strong>Mosaic </strong>date as the only plausible period for the composition of the Pentateuch...Suffice it to say that the indications in the Pentateuch of a pre-Conquest time of composition of the books of Moses are altogether compelling. </em></p><p>- Who Wrote the Bible? A Summary Critique, by Gleason L. Archer, Jr</p><p>In Judaism, Genesis through Deuteronomy was always considered to be a singular work, usually called the Book of the Law. This is cited in 2 Chronicles 25:4 and Mark 12:26. This makes good sense because even a quick glance at the content 'of its individual components will confirm that each book presupposes the one that precedes it.' One scholar notes astutely:</p><p><em>Without Genesis, Exodus reads like a book begun midway; without Exodus, Leviticus is a mystery; and so on. They were not intended to be five separate volumes in a common category, but rather, are five divisions of the same book. Hence, the singular references: “the Law” or “the Book.” </em></p><p>- ApologeticsPress.org</p><p>Given this tradition, it seems incredible that the Documentary Hypothesis was ever believed or copied. One should remember, however, that the propenents of Wellhausen's theory were neither Jewish nor Christian believers. It is safe to assume that they had ulterior motives in creating the Documentary Hypothesis. They knew full well that to prove that Moses did not write the Torah was to also discredit, and perhaps eventually, destroy the Judeo-Christian tradition. As one author contends:</p><p><em>Prove that <strong>Moses</strong> did not write the books of the Pentateuch and you prove that Jesus was totally mistaken and not the infallible Son of God he claimed to be. Upon your faith in Moses as the writer of the five books attributed to him rests also your faith in Jesus as the Son of God. You cannot believe in Jesus Christ without believing what Moses wrote. </em></p><p>- Genesis and Evolution, by M.R. DeHaan</p><p>One should also take into account the fact that the authorship of Moses is a given througout the Holy Bible, including the New Testament. Within the Pentateuch itself, one can read numerous times about how Moses wrote the law of God. Here are just a few pertinent passages from Scriptures:</p><p>- Moses wrote all the words of the LORD. (Exodus 24:4)</p><p>- The LORD said unto Moses, ‘Write thou these words...' (Exodus 34:27).</p><p>- Moses wrote their goings out according to their journeys by the commandment of the LORD. (Numbers 33:2).</p><p>- Moses wrote this law and delivered it unto the priests. (Deuteronomy 31:9).</p><p>- The law was given through Moses. (John 1:17)</p><p>- And beginning from Moses and all the prophets, he interpreted to them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself. (Luke 24:27)</p><p>- For Moses from generations of old hath in every city them that preach him, being read in the synagogues every Sabbath. (Acts 15:21)</p><p>In addition, authors of the New Testament 'showed no hesitation in affirming that Moses wrote the Pentateuch.' Even Paul agreed with this, stating: 'For Moses writes about the righteousness which is of the law,' It is rather ironic that 'both Jesus’ disciples and His enemies recognized and accepted the books of Moses.' Christian believers should take care to understand that the authorship of the Torah should not be taken lightly and should feel assured in the belief that Moses wrote it. One scholar notes:</p><p><em>A final reason that one must defend the <strong>Mosaic authorship of the Pentateuch</strong>, instead of sitting by idly and claiming that “it doesn’t really matter who wrote it,” is because Jesus Himself acknowledged that “the Law” came from Moses....The truth is, by claiming that Moses did not write the books of the Pentateuch, one essentially is claiming that Jesus was mistaken. </em></p><p>- ApologeticsPress.org</p><p>May the LORD God bless you in the name of St. Judas Maccabaeus.</p></div></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07904347198100907985noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3760010985082351599.post-77978277813820730872011-10-13T08:40:00.000-07:002011-10-13T08:51:31.565-07:00The Maccabee - Jesus Christ Mentions the Apocryphal Testament of Abraham<p style="text-align: center;"><span class=""><img class="photo_img img" src="http://a5.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/291822_227526007309369_100001559154019_640994_1516324778_n.jpg" alt="" /><span class="caption"></span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span class=""><img class="photo_img img" src="http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/294406_227526067309363_100001559154019_640995_1205580841_n.jpg" alt="" /><span class="caption"></span></span></p><p>Many scholars tend to be dismissive of the relationship between Christ and the Apocrypha, boldly contending that Jesus specifically rejected the Apocrypha and only accepted the 39 Books of the Protestant Old Testament as Biblical Canon. Thus, Protestant denial of the Books of the Maccabees, for example, is then considered a God-given command which they proceed to eagerly follow: Sorry to throw a wrench into their claims, but this must be exposed for what it is- a lie. More and more scholars are now understanding that some of the more obscure, and misunderstood, portions of the Gospels have Apocryphal roots and origins. Here is just one example:</p><p><em>Enter through <span style="font-weight: bold;">the narrow gate;</span> for <span style="font-weight: bold;">the gate is wide and the way is broad </span>that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it. <span style="font-weight: bold;">For the gate is small and the way is narrow </span>that leads to life, and there are few who find it. </em></p><p> - Matthew 7:13-14</p><p><em>Strive to enter by <span style="font-weight: bold;">the narrow gate</span>; for many, I say to you, shall seek to enter, and shall not be able. </em></p><p>- Luke 13:24</p><p>What is Jesus Christ stating here? Or, to be specific, what is He talking about anyway? Well, most people rightfully assume that the 'narrow gate' is a sinless, Christian life and faith, while the 'wide gate' is a sinful, non-believer's life and faith. The question is, where did Jesus get this imagery from? Did Jesus simply make it up, or was he referring to a popular Jewish legend concerning the gates of Heaven that was typical of the era and that is specifically mentioned in the Apocryphal Book called the Testament of Abraham. Here is the exact quotation:</p><p><em>So Michael turned the chariot and brought Abraham to the east, to the first gate of heaven; and Abraham saw two ways, the one narrow and contracted, the other broad and spacious, and there <span style="font-weight: bold;">he saw two gates, the one broad on the broad way, and the other narrow on the narrow way</span>. And outside the two gates there he saw a man sitting upon a gilded throne, and the appearance of that man was terrible, as of the LORD. And they saw many souls driven by angels and led in through <span style="font-weight: bold;">the broad gate,</span> and other souls, few in number, that were taken by the angels through<span style="font-weight: bold;"> the narrow gate</span>. And when the wonderful one who sat upon the golden throne saw few entering through <span style="font-weight: bold;">the narrow gate</span>, and many entering through the broad one, straightway that wonderful one tore the hairs of his head and the sides of his beard, and threw himself on the ground from his throne, weeping and lamenting. But when he saw many souls entering through <span style="font-weight: bold;">the narrow gate,</span> then he arose from the ground and sat upon his throne in great joy, rejoicing and exulting. </em></p><p><em> And Abraham asked the chief-captain, 'My Lord chief-captain, who is this most marvelous man, adorned with such glory, and sometimes he weeps and laments, and sometimes he rejoices and exults?' The spiritual one said: 'This is the first-created Adam who is in such glory, and he looks upon the world because all are born from him, and when he sees many souls going through the narrow gate, then he arises and sits upon his throne rejoicing and exulting in joy, because <span style="font-weight: bold;">this narrow gate is that of the just, that leads to life, and they that enter through it go into Paradise.</span> For this, then, the first-created Adam rejoices, because he sees the souls being saved. But when he sees many souls entering through the broad gate, then he pulls out the hairs of his head, and casts himself on the ground weeping and lamenting bitterly, for <span style="font-weight: bold;">the broad gate is that of sinners, which leads to destruction and eternal punishment.</span> And for this the first-formed Adam falls from his throne weeping and lamenting for the destruction of sinners, for they are many that are lost, and they are few that are saved, for in seven thousand there is scarcely found one soul saved, being righteous and undefiled.' </em></p><p>- The Testament of Abraham 11</p><p> </p><p style="text-align: center;"><span class="photo_right"><img style="width: 167px; height: 372px;" class="photo_img img" src="http://photos-b.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/63850_112003072194997_100001559154019_91147_7310294_a.jpg" alt="" /><span class="caption"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size:130%;"><span class="fbUnderline">The Broad Gate</span></span></p><p><strong>GOSPEL:</strong> For the <em><strong>gate </strong></em>is wide and the way is <em><strong>broad</strong></em> that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it.</p><p><strong>APOCRYPHA</strong>: For the<em><strong> broad gate</strong></em> is that of sinners, which leads to destruction and eternal punishment. And for this the first-formed Adam falls from his throne weeping and lamenting for the destruction of sinners, for they are many that are lost, and they are few that are saved, for in seven thousand there is scarcely found one soul saved, being righteous and undefiled.</p><p><span style="font-size:130%;"><span class="fbUnderline">The Narrow Gate</span></span></p><p><strong>GOSPEL:</strong> Enter through the <em><strong>narrow gate.</strong></em>..For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it.</p><p><strong>APOCRYPHA:</strong> when he sees many souls going through the <em><strong>narrow gate</strong></em>, then he arises and sits upon his throne rejoicing and exulting in joy, because this narrow gate is that of the just, that leads to life, and they that enter through it go into Paradise. For this, then, the first-created Adam rejoices, because he sees the souls being saved.</p><p>Indeed, the similarities between the Gospels and the Apocrypha are quite astounding, to say the least. Most scholars today are fairly convinced of the Testament of Abraham's staunchly Jewish origins and believe that an original version in Hebrew has been tragically lost to history. Nearly all of them agree that the Testament of Abraham isn't an originally Christian text, and may have been written down in Greek either by Essene or a Pharisee. The Testament of Abraham did not borrow from Jesus, but vice versa. This leads to only one inescapable conclusion, Jesus Christ mentions an Apocryphal legend in the Gospels directly and specifically.<br /></p><p>This single comparison goes far in legitimizing the Apocrypha, including the Books of the Maccabess. One could surmise that Jesus could have been familiar with the Testament of Abraham and mentions the legend in passing in the Gospel texts by both Matthew and Luke. One thing is for sure, the Gospels do, in fact, contain evidence, that Jesus Christ was familiar with the Apocrypha, which may have been considered Biblical by some at the time, and He even mentions certain portions of them in the New Testament. To deny this would be to deny reality.</p><p>May the LORD God bless you in the name of St. Judas Maccabaeus.</p>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07904347198100907985noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3760010985082351599.post-70180675704081124392011-10-05T08:37:00.000-07:002011-10-05T08:39:46.725-07:00The Maccabee - Understanding the Enemies of Circumcision<div class="entrytext"><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><p style="text-align: center;"><img class="aligncenter" src="http://a8.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/302164_223940364334600_100001559154019_627908_265840325_n.jpg" alt="" /></p> <p><em>‘Is not my word like fire,” declares the LORD, ‘and like a <strong>hammer </strong>that breaks a rock in pieces?’</em></p> <p>- Jeremiah 23:29</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><img class="aligncenter" src="http://a5.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/321061_223940221001281_100001559154019_627904_198396246_n.jpg" alt="" /></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>The Opposition to Circumcision</strong></span></p> <p><em>No son of a man may be forcibly <strong>circumcised.</strong></em></p> <p>- Yebamoth 48a</p> <p>Jews have seen anti-circumcision agitations previously in history, so this new early 21st century round of attempts to criminalize male circumcision should be seen as nothing new, but a perpetual cycle of clearly Pagan, anti-Biblical, attempts to destroy Judaism, and quite possibly Christianity as well.</p> <p><em>Of course, there have been <strong>anti-circumcision </strong>movements before, but most Jews historically have continued the religious practice of circumcision even under the threat of death.</em></p> <p>- The Jewish Journal – North Boston</p> <p>A quick look at the internet shows that opponents of male circumcision are organized and their numbers are growing more numerous with each passing day. Their rhetoric has also became far more belligerent. In short, there is ample reason to worry about the future of circumcision, both in this country and around the world. Here is a small sampling of some of the more strident, and scary, websites dedicated to the enemies of circumcision:</p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Anti-Circumcision Quotes from an Online Search for ‘Circumcision’ on Google</span></p> <p><em>- Circumcision. A Barbaric Practice, A Human Rights Violation…</em></p> <p><em>- Circumcision Is Barbaric And Unnecessary. Jews Against Circumcision</em></p> <p><em>- Do not circumcise, it is barbaric, primitive and a human rights violation. Circumcision is barbaric and…</em></p> <p><em>- circumcision is barbaric…Also, check out the links for more info on this evil practice.</em></p> <p><em>- Is circumcision a barbaric ritual that harms a child physically? Or is it a deep meaningful…</em></p> <p><em>- When our son was born, my wife decided circumcision was barbaric, but my parents insisted it was an essential…</em></p> <p><em>- Circumcision (Bris Milah) is a cruel, barbaric procedure that can traumatize…</em></p> <p><em>- I do find that male circumcision is barbaric and totally pointless for christians…</em></p> <p><em>- Why circumcision should be abhorred- Circumcision is a barbaric tradition with deep roots in religious dogmas, like infant baptism….</em></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><img class="aligncenter" src="http://a2.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/s720x720/308802_219186451476658_100001559154019_611053_1751860224_n.jpg" alt="" width="414" height="62" /></p> <p>Thus, it should come as little surprise that the enemies of male circumcision are at it again both in California and Massachusetts. A recent ‘San Francisco measure proposes to make the circumcision of males under 18 a misdemeanor punishable by a $1,000 fine or a year in jail.’ Also, Santa Monica is discussing a similar proposal. This attempted prohibition against circumcision is especially worrisome to Jews. As one source notes bluntly:</p> <p><em>[The] measure clearly is aimed at a particular part of the community, and there’s no doubt that this proposition knowingly targets Jews. Marc Stern, a lawyer for the American Jewish Committee, had the matter exactly right when he said: “This is the most direct assault on Jewish religious practice in the United States. It’s unprecedented in Jewish life.”</em></p> <p>- The Los Angeles Times</p> <p>Out on the east coast, there is an effort to ban circumcision in Massachusetts where an anti-circumcision group has filed the Male Genital Mutilation Bill presented to the Massachusetts Legislature. The proposed new law ‘calls for a ban on circumcision for males under 18, unless medically necessary, and with no religious exemptions.’ The Jewish Journal of North Boston reports:</p> <p><em>The leader of this current initiative, Matthew Hess, president of the group called the Bill to End Male Genital Mutilation, was quoted in the Boston Herald (February 21, 2010) as saying “<strong>circumcision </strong>is painful and unnecessary, violates a baby’s human rights and decreases sexual sensation in mature males.”</em></p> <p>- The Jewish Journal – North Boston</p> <p>It should not be too far of a stretch to say that the motivation behind the move to ban circumcision in San Fransisco and elsewhere is clearly anti-Semitic and possibly indicates a serious, and perhaps enduring, hostility towards the Judeo-Christian God and the Biblical tradition.</p> <p><em>It would have been nice to see the force behind the misguided <strong>anti-circumcision </strong>campaign in Santa Monica…voicing appropriate disgust, from a movement that created a repulsively anti-Semitic comic to advance its cause online. </em></p> <p>- The Los Angeles Times</p> <p>Luckily, the state government of California has managed to come to the rescue in the name of religious freedom, especially Jewish religious freedom for trained Rabbis to practice infant male circumcision. Specifically, ‘Gov. Jerry Brown has signed a bill prohibiting cities and counties from banning male circumcision, his office announced’ recently. More good news came when the San Francisco ballot measure meant to outlaw child circumcision there was struck down by ‘a judge in July [who] ordered the circumcision ban off the November ballot.’</p> <p>Support against the enemies of circumcision also came from Assemblyman Mike Gatto, a Democrat from Los Angeles, who got a bill passed unanimously that heads off future anti-circumcision laws and bans their implementation. Mr. Gatto publicly stated that bans on circumcision amounted to ‘an affront to the exercise of personal, medical and religious freedom.’</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><img class="aligncenter" src="http://a1.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/s720x720/307634_219186518143318_100001559154019_611057_1882033522_n.jpg" alt="" width="382" height="62" /></p> <p>These small victories for the forces of circumcision should not be taken for granted as the avowed enemies of circumcision will most probably only grow that much stronger. This is especially true in a nation where the number of males being circumcised has dropped below 50%. Some of the opponents’ arguments against the practice of male circumcision include the following:</p> <p><em>Opponents of <strong>circumcision </strong>liken it to “genital mutilation” – the forced removal of a healthy body part from an unconsenting child.</em></p> <p>- The Miami Herald</p> <p><em> Opponents of <strong>circumcision</strong> claim that the outdated procedure affords no medical benefits, that it causes unnecessary pain for infants, and that the lack of a foreskin may reduce sexual pleasure and performance.</em></p> <p>- Wiki-Answers.com</p> <p>Given the history of anti-circumcision movements, ‘Jewish groups have decried anti-circumcision efforts as anti-Semitic.’ This is probably accurate, but the enemies of circumcision are now using more sophisticated reasoning in order to have the procedure made illegal and to deny accusations of anti-Jewish bias. Here are some of them, followed by the rebuttals of male circumcision proponents:</p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Accusations of Circumcision Opponents</strong></span></p> <p><em>- the procedure is out-dated</em></p> <p><em>- Has no medical benefits</em></p> <p><em>- Causes unnecessary pain for infants</em></p> <p><em>- Reduces sexual pleasure and performance</em></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong> Advocates of Circumcision Findings</strong></span></p> <p><em>- The procedure is modern, clean, and hygenic</em></p> <p><em>- May reduce cancer risk and other disorders</em></p> <p><em>- Infant pain is slight and easily forgotten</em></p> <p><em> – Does not affect either sexual pleasure or performance</em></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><img class="aligncenter" src="http://a6.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/s720x720/296645_219186411476662_100001559154019_611051_664410634_n.jpg" alt="" width="432" height="117" /></p> <p>One of the new opponents of circumcision, a Jewish professor named Ronald Goldman, began his opposition to Jewish circumcision sometime during the mid-1990s. He founded the Jewish Circumcision Resource Center which ‘serves to support the questioning of circumcision among Jews.’ Dr. Goldman has published two books, one entitled <em>Circumcision: The Hidden Trauma</em>, and another book called <em>Questioning Circumcision: A Jewish Perspective</em>. They have both met with success and now ‘both books have become primers on their subjects.’ Clearly, Ronald Goldman is an enemy of circumcision, who somehow envisions an uncircumcised Jewish future. One sources sums it:</p> <p><em>Goldman says his organization decided to issue the statement because of the increased attention to the topic, accompanied by a general lack of awareness about the harm of <strong>circumcision. </strong>“There may be a misunderstanding of the reasons why many people question <strong> circumcision,</strong>” Goldman says. “We wanted to clarify that and take the opportunity to raise awareness about the practice.” </em></p> <p>- Jewish Circumcision Opponents Grow More Vocal, by Rebecca Wald, Beyond the Bris</p> <p>Dr. Goldman began his crusade after being made uncomfortable and a little nauseous at a traditional Jewish bris, an infant male circumcision ritual performed by a professional Rabbi. Ever since this ‘unfortunate’ encounter, Goldman has moved on to become a very well-organized and influential opponent of Jewish circumcision. Nonetheless, he claims that he wants ‘to assure Jews that questioning circumcision can be done respectfully and compassionately.’ The actual historical facts concerning Jewish male circumcision show Dr. Goldman’s concerns to be completely unfounded. As a reliable source writes:</p> <p><em>Jews have <strong>circumcised </strong>tens of millions of their infant sons for over 3,000 years with few complications and without the dire pain, trauma, and other horrible effects claimed by opponents of <strong>circumcision.</strong></em></p> <p>- The Jewish Journal – North Boston</p> <p>Another outspoken opponent of male circumcision is Dr. George C. Denniston, most probably a Gentile. He believes that history ‘shows that the arguments in favor of circumcision are questionable.’ He disparages studies that showed that circumcision may prevent cervical cancer in female sexual partners. Dr. George C. Dennistone also belittles the studies showing that circumcision can prevent urinary tract infection and penile cancer. Obviously, Dr. Denniston is a zealous enemy of circumcision and he makes this quite clear in the following statement:</p> <p><em>Who has the right to order or perform such surgery on a newborn infant? I contend that no one does – certainly not the physician who should know better – since there is no proven medical reason to do so, and the procedure is known by many to be harmful. <strong>Circumcision</strong> can always be performed in adulthood for men who desire it, with fully informed consent.</em></p> <p>- Unnecessary Circumcision, by George C. Denniston, M.D.</p> <p>Notice that he now insists that newborn infants have rights, which is absurd considering they are completely dependent upon their parents and other adults for survival. Dr. Denniston also defames circumcision as being ‘harmful’. He even goes to extreme lengths in ‘proving’ that circumcision causes harm to sexual function by quoting Maimonides, a Jewish philosopher from the Middle Ages! No, Dr. George Denniston’s motivations are easily seen in this closing argument:</p> <p><em>Physicians who continue to perform routine <strong>circumcision </strong>are not only harming infants but are also harming the integrity of the medical profession. It is hard to accept that these physicians – many of whom have been <strong>circumcised </strong>themselves – are using their medical licenses to continue this contraindicated practice. This is tragedy perpetuating itself.</em></p> <p>- Unnecessary Circumcision, by George C. Denniston, M.D.</p> <p>As can be seen, the opponents of circumcision are growing bold and more dangerous everyday. Those who support circumcision and its practice, both religious and otherwise, need to become more vigilant and more wary in their understanding of the enemies of circumcision.</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><img class="aligncenter" src="http://a1.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/311055_223940287667941_100001559154019_627906_590757707_n.jpg" alt="" /></p> <p>May the LORD God bless you in the name of St. Judas Maccabaeus.</p></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07904347198100907985noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3760010985082351599.post-17196876241702780252011-10-03T23:11:00.000-07:002011-10-03T23:16:27.989-07:00The Maccabee - Locating Purgatory<div style="text-align: center;"><span class=""><img class="photo_img img" src="http://a2.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/299820_223459541049349_100001559154019_625856_2020456732_n.jpg" alt="" /></span></div><p> </p><p><em>'Is not my word like fire,” declares the LORD, 'and like a <strong>hammer </strong>that breaks a rock in pieces?'</em></p><p> </p><p>- Jeremiah 23:29</p><p> </p><p style="text-align: center;"><span class=""><img class="photo_img img" src="http://a8.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/305446_223459604382676_100001559154019_625857_976436000_n.jpg" alt="" /><span class="caption"></span></span></p><p> </p><p><span class="fbUnderline" style="font-size:130%;"><strong>The Location of Purgatory</strong></span></p><p> </p><p><em>Use of the word "Purgatory" (in Latin purgatorium) as a noun appeared perhaps only between 1160 and 1180, giving rise to the idea of Purgatory as a place (what Jacques Le Goff called the "birth" of Purgatory), </em></p><p> </p><p>- Purgatory, Wikipedia</p><p> </p><p>Most scholars believe that, at the beginning of Christianity, Purgatory was imagined as a completely spiritual realm with no physical location. The early Church Fathers saw Purgatory as a process of purification which most souls underwent before going on to Heaven. The exact doctrine, as promulgated by the earliest Christian theologians, saw Purgatory as a 'condition or process of purification or temporary punishment' rather than a physical location, which is meant for the souls of deceased to be purified in preparation for their eventual salvation and entrance into Heaven.</p><p> </p><p><em>In 1999 Pope John Paul II declared that the term Purgatory does not indicate a place, but "a condition of existence".</em></p><p> </p><p>- Purgatory, Wikipedia</p><p> </p><p>However, the theory of Purgatory as being a process, rather than a place, simply reflects the complex intellectual theology of Christian experts rather than the beliefs of common folk as they have actually been throughout the centuries. It seems far more likely that Purgatory has its deeper roots in the Jewish world of the dead, called the Sheol, and the Greco-Roman world of the dead, known as Hades, places sanctified by Jesus Christ when 'He descended into Hell.' In both places, it was believed to be specifically located underground in what was generically called the Underworld, a dark world of ghosts (souls), a place most everyone went to after death, before moving on to Paradise, called the "Heart of Abraham' by the Jews, alternatively designated as 'Elysium' by the Greeks and the Romans. In other words, the road to Heaven was considered to be down and through rather than above and upwards. One source notes aptly:</p><p> </p><p><em>The envisioning of Heaven, Hell, and Purgatory as places in the physical universe was never a Church doctrine. Nonetheless, in antiquity and medieval times, Heaven and Hell were widely regarded as places existing within the physical universe: Heaven "above", in the sky; Hell "below", in or beneath the earth. Similarly, Purgatory has at times been thought of as a physical location.</em></p><p> </p><p>- Purgatory, Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia</p><p> </p><p style="text-align: center;"><span class=""><img class="photo_img img" src="http://a8.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/313078_219198751475428_100001559154019_611090_971584793_n.jpg" alt="" /><span class="caption"></span></span></p><p> </p><p>Thus, it should seem more than obvious that Purgatory has always been thought of as having a general location, namely below the earth and buried 'six feet under', to put it bluntly. Saint Frances de Sales hit it on the nail when he claimed Purgatory to be below the earth. Nonetheless, there has been numerous different speculations as to where the world of Purgatory is actually located. Some of them can be described as follows:</p><p> </p><p style="text-align: center;"><span class="photo_right"><img style="width: 191px; height: 203px;" class="photo_img img" src="http://photos-d.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/317286_219198774808759_100001559154019_611092_496899944_a.jpg" alt="" /><span class="caption"></span></span></p><p style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="fbUnderline"><u>Precise Location of Purgatory</u></span></p><p><strong>I.</strong><em> Under the earth</em></p><p><strong>II.</strong><em> In the air</em></p><p><strong>III.</strong><em> By the graves of the dead</em></p><p><strong>IV. </strong><em>Near Church altars</em></p><p><strong>V.</strong><em> Amid past places and occurrences of sin</em></p><p> </p><p>The general consensus of today is that Purgatory was considered by the early Church Fathers as a condition or process that had no exact material location. Even so, by the Middle Ages, discussion of the precise location of Purgatory once again became a topic of interest. One scholar in particular claims the following:</p><p> </p><p><em>Medievalist Jacques Le Goff defines the "birth of purgatory", i.e. the conception of purgatory as a physical place, rather than merely as a state, as occurring between 1170 and 1200.</em></p><p> </p><p>- History of Purgatory, WIkipedia</p><p> </p><p><em>According to the French historian Jacques Le Goff, the conception of purgatory as a physical place dates to the 12th century, the heyday of medieval otherworld-journey narratives and of pilgrims’ tales.</em></p><p> </p><p>- Purgatory, Encyclopedia Britannica</p><p> </p><p style="text-align: center;"><span class=""><img class="photo_img img" src="http://a5.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/307175_219198731475430_100001559154019_611088_215018282_n.jpg" alt="" /><span class="caption"></span></span></p><p> </p><p>Indeed, throughout the Middles Ages, 'The idea of purgatory as a physical place became widespread on a popular level.' The contention that Purgatory truly did have a location 'was defended also by some theologians.' However, most scholars today tend to assume that 'the conception of purgatory as a geographically situated place is largely the achievement of medieval Christian piety and imagination.' Located below are just a few examples of Purgatory as a place rather than just a process, condition, or metaphysical state of being.</p><p> </p><p style="text-align: center;"><span class="photo_left"><img class="photo_img img" src="http://photos-c.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/294741_219198744808762_100001559154019_611089_1100412949_a.jpg" alt="" /><span class="caption"></span></span></p><p style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="fbUnderline"><u>In Search of Purgatory</u></span></p><p>- 'The legend of St Patrick's Purgatory' (Tractatus de Purgatorio Sancti Patricii) which was originally written by Hugh of Saltry, also known as Henry of Sawtry, claimed that the entrance to Purgatory was located on a remote island in Ireland.</p><p>- Another Purgatory legend contended that the 'entrance to Purgatory' was located in 'a cave on the volcanic Mount Etna in Sicily</p><p>- In his work called 'Purgatorio', Dante described Purgatory as 'a seven-story mountain situated' on the exact opposite end of the world from the actual city of Jerusalem,</p><p>- In 1220, Caesarius of Heisterbach, a Cistercian monk and preacher, theorized 'that purgatory could be in several places at once.'</p><p>- Some prominent scholars claim that Peter the Lombard, who died in 1160, 'to have contributed significantly to the birth of purgatory in the sense of a physical place.'</p><p>- Francis de Sales, a Christian Saint, insisted that Purgatory was located beneath the Earth</p><p>- In the Divine Comedy, Dante had his Purgatory as a mountain with seven levels, with each level corresponding to one of the Seven Deadly Sins.</p><p>- In 2011, Pope Benedict XVI discussed Saint Catherine of Genoa (1447-1510), stating 'that in her time the purification of souls (Purgatory) was pictured as a location in space. Nonetheless, she 'saw Purgatory as a purifying inner fire, such as she experienced in her profound sorrow.'</p><p>- After His crucifixion, Jesus Christ is assumed to have 'descended into Hell,' and then, with His angels, is presumed to have attacked the stronghold of the Greco-Roman god Hades, along with the Devil. According to some, His presence in Hell sanctified the area, thus creating Purgatory.</p><p>Given everything, it must be concluded that, if there truly are spiritual realms of existence, then Purgatory is one of them, a definite 'place' in the metaphysical world, a land of the dead filled with the ghosts of those who have passed away, who are patiently awaiting entrance into Heaven.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><span class=""><img class="photo_img img" src="http://a8.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/306915_223459711049332_100001559154019_625860_51862204_n.jpg" alt="" /><span class="caption"></span></span></p><p>May the LORD God bless you in the name of St. Judas Maccabaeus.</p>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07904347198100907985noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3760010985082351599.post-72014522084834525572011-09-26T14:31:00.000-07:002011-09-26T14:35:06.377-07:00The Maccabee - Origins of the Word 'Maccabee'<div style="text-align: center;"><span class=""><img class="photo_img img" src="http://a5.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/299671_220327394695897_100001559154019_615543_1497344919_n.jpg" alt="" /><span class="caption"></span></span></div><div class="mbl notesBlogText clearfix"><div><p><em>'Is not my word like fire,” declares the LORD, 'and like a <strong>hammer </strong>that breaks a rock in pieces?'</em></p><p>- Jeremiah 23:29</p><p style="text-align: center;"><span class=""><img class="photo_img img" src="http://a8.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/301189_220327568029213_100001559154019_615544_294702035_n.jpg" alt="" /><span class="caption"></span></span></p><p><span><strong>The word <em> Maccabee </em>means <em>Hammer</em> in the Hebrew Language.</strong><span><span><br /></span></span></span></p><p><span><span><span>Origins of the Word <strong><em>'Maccabee'</em></strong></span></span><span></span></span></p><p><span><span><em>(Hoi Makkabaioi in Greek, Machabei in Latin, most probably from Aramaic word Maqqaba =<strong>"hammer"</strong>)</em></span></span></p><p><span><span><em>The name Machabee (Maccabee) was originally the surname of Judas, the third son of Mathathias, but was later extended to all the descendants of Mathathias, and even to all who took part in the rebellion. It is also given to the martyrs mentioned in II Maccabees 7, 18:8. Of the various explanations of the word the one given above is the most probable. Machabee would accordingly mean <strong>"hammerer" or "hammer-like"</strong>, and would have been given to Judas because of his valour in combating the enemies of Israel.</em></span></span></p><p><span><span><em></em><span>- </span></span> </span><span><span><em style="font-weight: bold;">The Catholic Encyclopedia</em><span style="font-weight: bold;"> </span>(1910) </span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span class=""><img style="width: 532px; height: 144px;" class="photo_img img" src="http://a6.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/s720x720/296645_219186411476662_100001559154019_611051_664410634_n.jpg" alt="" /><span class="caption"></span></span></p><p><span><em>Origins of the word <strong>Maccabee</strong></em></span></p><p><span>----------------------</span></p><p><span><p>As just mentioned above, the word 'Maccabee' most likely originated with the third son of the initial Maccabee rebel leader and Temple priest known as Mattathias the Hasmonen. The most convincing legends and ancient sources clearly indicate that young Judas, the son of Mattathias, who was also considered a Hasmonean, became nicknamed Maccabee or Maccabaeus due to his superior military skills and personal combat ferocity. It seems quite probable that those Jews who fought beside him quickly noticed the way he would, quite literally,<em><strong> hammer</strong></em> the enemy into submission and eventual retreat.<br /></p></span></p><p><span>It could also be possible that, because of the extensive collection of Pagan Greek statues and idolatrous shrines that had sprouted up throughout Judea and the surrounding area, Judas may have also been dubbed the '<em><strong>H</strong><strong>ammer'</strong></em> due to his propensity to smash any idol or statue which he encountered into as many pieces as possible. It is most likely that he would order any troops under his command to do the same. Not only that, the Books of the Maccabees clearly state that Judas and his fellow Maccabees immediately put a stop to the abominable Pagan sacrifices of swine and forcibly circumcised all the males residing in Judea in accordance to the ancient Laws of God.</span></p><p><span>Either way, Judas, the son of Mattathias the Hasmonean, quickly became the scourge of the Greek Empire and, in time, a world-renowned Jewish hero and military genius commonly known to everyone as Judas Maccabaeus, the <em><strong>Hammer</strong></em> of the LORD. </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span class=""><img class="photo_img img" src="http://a2.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/317117_220327641362539_100001559154019_615545_929419805_n.jpg" alt="" /><span class="caption"></span></span></p><p>May the LORD God bless you in the name of St. Judas Maccabaeus.</p></div></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07904347198100907985noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3760010985082351599.post-90731789414933658202011-09-25T04:37:00.000-07:002011-09-25T04:43:14.361-07:00The Maccabee - Towards a Circumcised Christian Future<p style="text-align: center;"><span class=""><img class="photo_img img" src="http://a1.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/308805_217755721619731_100001559154019_605884_2091128622_n.jpg" alt="" /><span class="caption"></span></span></p><p> </p><p><em>'Is not my word like fire,” declares the LORD, 'and like a <strong>hammer </strong>that breaks a rock in pieces?'</em></p><p> </p><p>- Jeremiah 23:29</p><p> </p><p style="text-align: center;"><span class=""><img class="photo_img img" src="http://a4.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/311491_217755578286412_100001559154019_605883_377268430_n.jpg" alt="" /><span class="caption"></span></span></p><p> </p><p><em> A man can never become a convert unless he has been <strong>circumcised. </strong></em></p><p> </p><p>- Babylonian Talmud, Yebamoth 46b</p><p> </p><p style="text-align: center;"><span class="photo_right"><img class="photo_img img" src="http://photos-b.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/63850_112003072194997_100001559154019_91147_7310294_a.jpg" alt="" /><span class="caption"></span></span></p><p><span class="fbUnderline"><strong>The Circumcised Future of Christianity</strong></span></p><p> </p><p><em>No son of a man may be forcibly <strong>circumcised.</strong></em></p><p> </p><p>- Yebamoth 48a</p><p> </p><p>The coming age of Christian circumcision is meant to please neither Jews nor Muslims, but to please God and Jesus and to finally become a physical, as well as spiritual, member of the House of Abraham. All Christians are composed of a mind, a body and a soul. While God creates all souls circumcised from the start, it is now time for all Christians to circumcise their proud minds and to finally obey the Old Testament law by circumcising their male children from now on and unto eternity. This would allow all Christian Gentiles to share in the Covenant of Abraham and reap its many benefits and rewards. As the final, eternal law given to Abraham by the LORD God clearly states:</p><p> </p><p><em>This is my covenant, which ye shall keep, between me and you and thy seed after thee; Every man child among you shall be <strong>circumcised.</strong></em></p><p> </p><p>- Genesis 17:10</p><p> </p><p>Christian Gentiles should never forget that their Pagan ancestors once considered the Jews to be a ‘barbaric’ tribe with ‘barbaric’ customs, most especially male circumcision. These same ancestors also practiced many different forms of sexual perversion including pedophilia and child prostitution. Here are just a few well-reasoned arguments using the Gospels as a reference as to why Christianity should now practice male circumcision, just like Jews and Muslims:</p><p><span class="fbUnderline"><strong><u>Theory --- The Actual Gospels --- Conclusion</u></strong></span></p><p><strong>I. </strong>In spite of later compromises, Jesus wanted all of his male followers to be circumcised, including Gentiles. --- 'For I say unto you, until Heaven and earth pass away, not one word or one letter will pass from the law, until everything has been fulfilled.' - Matthew 5:18 and Luke 16:17 --- Heaven and earth have not passed away, therefore circumcision is still required for all male Hebrews </p><p><strong>II. </strong>Jesus never wanted to change the old law, but to have all men learn and obey them. --- 'Think not that I have come to destroy the law or the prophets. I have not come to destroy them, but to fulfill them.' - Matthew 5:17 --- According to the law and prophets, all Christian males must fulfill them by being circumcised.</p><p><strong>III. </strong>Circumcision is a law which all male Christians should teach and obey to the reach the highest seats in Heaven. --- 'Whoever breaks the least of the commandments, and teaches others to do so, will be the least in Heaven, but whoever obeys and teaches others to obey all of the law will be greatest in Heaven.' - Matthew 5:19 --- Even if circumcision is the least of the commandments, all male Christians should still obey and teach it. </p><p><strong>IV.</strong> Christians must be as righteous as the most righteous of circumcised Jews to enter Heaven. --- 'Unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will not enter into the kingdom of heaven.' - Matthew 5:17-20 --- No Christian, no matter how righteous, can enter Heaven until they are circumcised. </p><p style="text-align: center;"><span class=""><img class="photo_img img" src="http://a1.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/59004_106704262724878_100001559154019_53225_4714444_n.jpg" alt="" /><span class="caption"></span></span></p><p>By Christian tradition, the Gospels have always been considered the final authority when it comes to deciding the laws and customs of Christianity. For many centuries now, it has not been illegal for Christians to circumcise their male children. In fact, there is ample historical evidence that, even before Christianity, at least some Gentile believers in the God of Israel would have their male children circumcised. They were known as God-fearers, and were a growing part of the pre-Christian Jewish community found throughout the Greco-Roman Empire.</p><p><em> For there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, especially they of the <strong>circumcision.</strong></em></p><p>- Titus 1:10</p><p style="text-align: center;"><span class="photo_right"><img class="photo_img img" src="http://photos-c.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/57908_109667025761935_100001559154019_76464_5980518_a.jpg" alt="" /><span class="caption"></span></span></p><p>It is well known that, during the early centuries of Christianity, numerous Jewish-Christian families continued circumcising their male children while numerous Gentile Christians would also practice circumcision. It was only later that the Book of Acts, where circumcision was declared unnecessary, mainly through Paul’s influence, was included as an official part of the New Testament. All things being equal, the words of Jesus Christ in the Gospels carry for more weight and are more authoritative than the Book of Acts.</p><p>In short, the decisions reached by Peter, Paul, and others were in direct contradiction to the words of Christ and should not be considered the last, and final, standards of Christian tradition. The decision to allow the Gentiles to remain uncircumcised may well have been a hasty, perhaps even a temporary, measure in order to gain more Gentile adherents who would otherwise have been turned away because of their refusal to circumcise themselves. Tragically, Christianity became a completely uncircumcised religious faith over the course of about 300 or so years.</p><p><em>They covered…the mark of their<strong> circumcision </strong>and abandoned the holy covenant; they allied themselves with the Gentiles and sold themselves to wrongdoing.</em></p><p>- I Maccabees 1:15</p><p>The Gospels carries far more authority than any other books of the New Testament. It is obvious that Jesus wanted all the old laws to continue as a basic part of his new religious movement. That is partly why the early Church fathers retained all of the Jewish Bible and called it the Old Testament. The Gospels message is quite clear, ‘Jesus came to fulfill the law.' One of the oldest and most important of those laws is that of circumcision.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><span class=""><img class="photo_img img" src="http://a4.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/60228_109659682429336_100001559154019_76372_7346282_n.jpg" alt="" /><span class="caption"></span></span></p><p>With that in mind, it is now time for all Christians throughout to world to renew the covenant of Abraham by circumcising all their male children and to eventually make it a standard Christian practice. Unlike Judaism, Christians may utilize modern medical techniques to circumcise their foreskins. The Age of Maccabee Christianity has only just begun. Be not afraid of preaching the importance of male circumcision to all other Christians and even non-believers. From the beginning, circumcision was meant to be a Christian tradition. The Gospels have spoken and let no man claim that either Peter or Paul should take precedence over the words and commandments of Jesus Christ Himself.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><span class=""><img class="photo_img img" src="http://a5.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/60326_112004015528236_100001559154019_91169_3491687_n.jpg" alt="" /><span class="caption"></span></span></p><p>Keep in mind that the Jewish Maccabees are seen as Saints by both the Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox Christian Churches. Because of this, a future circumcised Christianity would not be a new tradition, but perhaps one of the oldest traditions of the Church, such as the early Church of Jerusalem led by St James. They practiced male circumcision as a integral part of their Christian faith. Given the ancient history of the Church, it would be more than appropriate to renew the tradition of circumcision among many, and perhaps all Christians, throughout the world. The future of Christianity is Hebrew, not Greek, as the following Biblical passages clearly show:</p><p><em>In those days there appeared in Israel men who were breakers of the law, and they seduced many people…They covered over the mark of their <strong>circumcision </strong>and abandoned the holy covenant; they allied themselves with the Gentiles and sold themselves into wrongdoing.</em></p><p>- I Maccabees 1:11-15</p><p><em>Women who had their babies<strong> circumcised </strong>were put to death, in keeping with the decree, with the babies hung from their necks; their families also and those who had<strong> circumcised </strong>them were killed.</em></p><p>- I Maccabees 1:60-61</p><p><em>The King sent messengers with letter to Jerusalem and to the cities of Judah, ordering them to follow customs foreign to the land…to leave their sons <strong>uncircumcised,</strong> and to let themselves be defiled with every kind of impurity and abomination</em>.</p><p>- I Maccabees 1:44-48</p><p style="text-align: center;"><span class=""><img class="photo_img img" src="http://a6.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/60326_112004028861568_100001559154019_91172_2183482_n.jpg" alt="" /></span><br /></p><p>May the LORD God bless you in the name of St. Judas Maccabaeus.</p><div style="text-align: center;"><span class=""><img class="photo_img img" src="http://a6.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/298060_217755504953086_100001559154019_605882_269992805_n.jpg" alt="" /></span></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07904347198100907985noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3760010985082351599.post-9158811025558685192011-09-24T15:58:00.000-07:002011-09-24T16:01:36.018-07:00The Maccabee - A Reggae Song called 'Maccabee Version'<p style="text-align: center;"><span class=""><img class="photo_img img" src="http://a4.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/300195_219498311445472_100001559154019_612341_958111565_n.jpg" alt="" /><span class="caption"></span></span></p><p><em>'Is not my word like fire,” declares the LORD, 'and like a <strong>hammer </strong>that breaks a rock in pieces?'</em></p><p>- Jeremiah 23:29</p><p style="text-align: center;"><span class=""><img class="photo_img img" src="http://a2.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/302900_219498191445484_100001559154019_612337_2058680737_n.jpg" alt="" /><span class="caption"></span></span></p><p>in 1807, A little more than 200 years ago, the Abolition of the Slave Trade became a law in Great Britain. This marked 'the beginning of the end of the virulent capturing and transporting of African people to be the slaves of the white plantation owners in North and South America and the Caribbean.' What remains little known is the the fact that a mere '6% of the slaves exported from Africa ended up in the United States.' Far more of them ended up in the West Indies, also called the Caribbean. It is claimed that the treatment of the slaves who ended up there was 'much more harsh and abusive than in the United States.'</p><p>For whatever reason, the descendants of these slaves, who are now free, had a habit of identifying, and indeed, preferring what is called the Maccabee Bible, over the King James Bible, which usually did not include the Book of the Maccabees I and II. The Maccabee Bible did include these two books. Here is the history of the situation in the Caribbean when it comes to Christianity and the reading of the Bible:</p><p><em>In 1827 the British and Foreign Bible Society decided never to print or circulate copies of the King James Version containing the Apocrypha. The reason was that among the books of the Apocrypha are the four books of the Maccabees. The Maccabees detail the glorious exploits of Judas Maccabaeus, a Jewish guerrilla leader, descended from a well-known priest, Mattathias....The slaves of the West Indies came to identify as deeply with Judas Maccabaeus of the books of the Maccabees in the Apocrypha as they did with Moses of the Exodus. </em></p><p>- Reggae reveals Church involvement in slavery, by Paul A Tidemann</p><p style="text-align: center;"><span class=""><img class="photo_img img" src="http://a1.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/302955_219497821445521_100001559154019_612327_575285676_n.jpg" alt="" /><span class="caption"></span></span></p><p>Reverence for the Maccabees, whose two books must have been studied by at some black slaves centuries ago, lingers on today in the form of a Reggae song written by Max Romeo. Reggae is a form of music performed by what are known as Rastafarians, a Christian sect which 'began in the 1930s and declares that Ethiopia's late Emperor, Haile Selassie, was divine and a savior, that Ethiopia is Eden, and that Blacks will eventually be repatriated to Africa.' Their music is, in many ways, directly descended from the original folk music that the original black slaves brought with them to Jamaica from Africa. The lyrics to this song, written in 1976, read as follows:</p><p><em>Yu gave I King James Version;</em></p><p><em>King James was a White Man.</em></p><p><em>Yu built I dang'rous weapon</em></p><p><em>To kill I all de Black Man.</em></p><p><em>Yu sold de land God gave I</em></p><p><em>And taught I to be covetous.</em></p><p><em>What other wicked deeds</em></p><p><em>Have yu got in mind?</em></p><p><em>Tell me, what are yu gonna do</em></p><p><em> To stop dese daily crimes? </em></p><p> </p><p><em>Bring back <strong>Maccabee Version</strong></em></p><p><em>Dat God gave to Black Man.</em></p><p><em>Give back King James Version</em></p><p><em>Dat belongs to de White Man.</em></p><p><em>Black Man get up, stan' up</em></p><p><em>Fin' yu foot</em></p><p><em>And give Black God de glory.</em></p><p><em>Black Man get up, stan' up</em></p><p><em>Fin' yu foot</em></p><p><em> And give Black God de glory. </em></p><p> </p><p><em>Yu suffer I and yu rob I;</em></p><p><em>Yu starve I, den yu kill I.</em></p><p><em>But what are yu gonna do</em></p><p><em>Now dat yu sword have turned against yu?</em></p><p><em>Black Man get up, stan' up</em></p><p><em>Fin' yu foot</em></p><p><em>And give Black God de glory.</em></p><p><em>Black Man get up, stan' up</em></p><p><em>Fin' yu foot</em></p><p><em> And give Black God de glory. </em></p><p> </p><p><em>Bring back <strong>Maccabee Version</strong></em></p><p><em>Dat God gave to Black man.</em></p><p><em>Give back King James Version</em></p><p><em>Dat belongs to de White Man.</em></p><p><em>Black Man get up, stan' up</em></p><p><em>Fin yu foot</em></p><p><em>And give Black God de glory.</em></p><p><em>Black Man get up, stan' up</em></p><p><em>Fin' yu foot</em></p><p><em> And give Black God de glory. </em></p><p>- Maccabee Version, by Max Romeo</p><p style="text-align: center;"><span class=""><img class="photo_img img" src="http://a5.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/294087_219497998112170_100001559154019_612331_1402748101_n.jpg" alt="" /><span class="caption"></span></span></p><p>The most puzzling aspect of these lyrics is when the singer claims that God gave 'Maccabee Version' of the Bible to the black man in Jamaica. Why does he sing this? One possibility is that the black slaves who knew about these two Books of the Maccabees must have identified with their description of a rebellion against the Greek occupiers and oppressors of the Jews. Thus, when the white Christian missionaries began to evangelize the black Jamaican slaves and their descendants with Bibles that did not include the Books of the Maccabees, this may have made them suspicious as to why this had been done. One sources has the following explanation:</p><p><em>The decision of the British mission society to prohibit the printing of these books in Bibles meant that in one way or another knowledge of them became part of the folk wisdom of the Black people and when these actual writings became known they were seen as uniquely "Black." The reggae by Max Romeo, coming out of the strong Black-consciousness of Jamaican Rastafarianism, manifests such a theme. </em></p><p>- Reggae reveals Church involvement in slavery, by Paul A Tidemann</p><p>In short, the early cultural memories of the Books of the Maccabees, along with the rebellion that they describe, lived on long after they had been excluded from the Bibles typically used by the black Jamaicans. From slavery to freedom, the Caribbean blacks must have identified Bibles that excluded the Maccabees as being tools of continuing white oppression. Two centuries after black slavery was abolished in Jamaica, the 'Maccabee Version' became simply another Reggae song from 1976.</p><p>May the LORD GOd bless you in the name of St. Judas Maccabaeus.<br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span class=""><img class="photo_img img" src="http://a8.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/317778_219497931445510_100001559154019_612329_1832052846_n.jpg" alt="" /><span class="caption"></span></span></p><p><br /></p>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07904347198100907985noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3760010985082351599.post-11516727114008666332011-09-24T04:45:00.000-07:002011-09-24T04:51:39.573-07:00The Maccabee - American Male Circumcision, a Judeo-Christian Conspiracy<div style="text-align: center;"><span class=""><img class="photo_img img" src="http://a2.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/307563_219268448135125_100001559154019_611673_393950979_n.jpg" alt="" /><span class="caption"></span></span></div><p><em>'Is not my word like fire,” declares the LORD, 'and like a <strong>hammer </strong>that breaks a rock in pieces?'</em></p><p>- Jeremiah 23:29</p><p style="text-align: center;"><span class=""><img class="photo_img img" src="http://a5.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/307990_219268524801784_100001559154019_611675_1607484835_n.jpg" alt="" /><span class="caption"></span></span></p><p>A possible modern conspiracy never mentioned, but worth noting, is that of male circumcision. For whatever reason, the United States is one of the only nations besides Israel and Muslim countries that circumcise their male children. This is a fairly recent phenomenon, most of it occurring after World War II. The practice is virtually unknown in Europe and Asia. Calling it standard medical procedure or claiming it is done for purposes of hygiene doesn’t really explain why Japan and Sweden, with comparable medical expertise, do not practice it. One historian may provide some clues to the puzzle:</p><p><em>All this is of significance because it is concerned with the fact that there is an age-old Western tradition, much battered and destroyed in recent generations, that has sent up new, living shoots of vigorous growth since 1945.</em></p><p>- Tragedy & Hope, by Carroll Quigley, p.1232</p><p style="text-align: center;"><span class="photo_left"><img class="photo_img img" src="http://photos-b.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/60326_112004018861569_100001559154019_91170_4982964_a.jpg" alt="" /><span class="caption"></span></span></p><p>Also intriguing is the fact that the future king of Great Britain, Prince Charles, is circumcised in a nation where literally no one else is, besides for Jewish and Muslim citizens. I believe that this conspiracy, if it actually is one, should prosper. As Jesus once stated about the old laws, which included mandatory circumcision for males, ‘Do not think I have come to abolish the law or the prophets; I have come not to abolish the law, but to fulfill it.’ (Matthew 5:17) Hopefully, this process will continue and become a permanent Christian tradition that will branch out into other countries until all the nations on earth routinely circumcise their male children. However, the question of how it became a standard American medical practice and who was behind it remains unanswered. Nevertheless, future generations should take heed of the warning that</p><p><em>Unless you are circumcised according to the Mosaic practice, you cannot be saved.</em></p><p>- Acts 15:1</p><p style="text-align: center;"><span class="photo_right"><img class="photo_img img" src="http://photos-e.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/168986_144891025572868_100001559154019_257139_7339354_a.jpg" alt="" /><span class="caption"></span></span></p><p>The present American situation of Christian Gentiles circumcising their male children may not last unfortunately. One never knows when the political fringe will organize and begin calling for a ban on circumcision. What happens when, and if, circumcision is declared illegal and considered a criminal offense? Will anyone resist and will anybody care? It is not a good sign that some Jewish mothers of today are making it a point to leave their own sons uncircumcised.</p><p>History tells us that, almost two centuries before Christianity, this exact same phenomenon began to occur among the Hellenized Jews. At one point, the Greek rulers of Israel, along with their mainly homosexual, tyrannical Jewish allies, boldly made circumcision a crime punishable by death in order to destroy Judaism. Any Jewish mothers caught with circumcised male infants had their own babies tied around their necks and were then thrown down from a wall to their deaths. It should not be surprising that, among these same Greeks, and later the Romans, the practice of pedophilia (pederasty) was very common, socially accepted, and perfectly legal. State-sponsored and tax-funded temples dedicated to Venus, the so-called goddess of love, included little boys and little girls being forcibly used as temple prostitutes and sex slaves. In contrast, Jewish law condemned pedophilia and made it a capital offense. The Babylonian Talmud states quite clearly:</p><p><em>Pederasty is punished by [death]. </em></p><p>- Nezikin III, Sanhedrin 54a</p><p style="text-align: center;"><span class=""><img style="width: 525px; height: 525px;" class="photo_img img" src="http://a8.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/180502_145005378894766_100001559154019_257561_2401235_n.jpg" alt="" /><span class="caption"></span></span></p><p>Though it may have taken centuries, the Christian religion eventually imposed a Jewish code of sexual morality upon the entire Roman Empire, and all its citizens, that made child prostitution, along with pedophilia, a heinous crime. Many other perverted practices were also prohibited including rape, incest, bestiality, adultery, fornication, homosexuality, bisexuality, sodomy, fellatio, prostitution, pornography and masturbation. Regardless of St. Paul’s reluctant tolerance, this Christian code of moral law should now include circumcision as a common, perhaps even required, practice among all Christians world-wide. Pedophilia should be a crime, not circumcision.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><span class=""><img style="width: 509px; height: 509px;" class="photo_img img" src="http://hphotos-sjc1.fbcdn.net/167618_145004802228157_100001559154019_257555_4819676_n.jpg" alt="" /><span class="caption"></span></span></p><p style="font-style: italic;">The Master said: Every precept which was given to the sons of Noah and repeated at Sinai was meant for both Noachides and Israelites</p><p>- Sanhedrin 59a</p><p>May the LORD God bless you in the name of St. Judas Maccabaeus.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><span class=""><img class="photo_img img" src="http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/305697_219268484801788_100001559154019_611674_1944598804_n.jpg" alt="" /><span class="caption"></span></span></p>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07904347198100907985noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3760010985082351599.post-31193510665309125752011-09-24T02:49:00.000-07:002011-09-24T03:14:57.203-07:00The Maccabee - A History of Purgatory<div style="text-align: center;"><span class=""><img class="photo_img img" src="http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/311940_219242584804378_100001559154019_611532_770888413_n.jpg" alt="" /><span class="caption"></span></span></div><p><em>'Is not my word like fire,” declares the LORD, 'and like a <strong>hammer </strong>that breaks a rock in pieces?'</em></p><p>- Jeremiah 23:29</p><p style="text-align: center;"><span class=""><img class="photo_img img" src="http://a1.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/294430_219242541471049_100001559154019_611531_636586282_n.jpg" alt="" /><span class="caption"></span></span></p><p><strong><span class="fbUnderline">A History of Purgatory</span></strong></p><p>The history of Purgatory is long and detailed. Contrary to the opinions of some misinformed scholars, many of them Protestants, Purgatory is a doctrine that is far older than Christianity. Indeed, it can rightly be said that the concept of Purgatory is more than 2,000 years old and finds it roots in Judaism, especially as described in the two Books of the Maccabees. Two sources note the following:</p><p><em>Roman Catholic belief in purgatory is based, among other reasons, on the previous <strong>Jewish</strong> practice of prayer for the dead, a practice that presupposes that the dead are thereby assisted between death and their entry into their final abode.</em></p><p>- Purgatory, Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia</p><p><em>Offerings for the dead were known to ancient <strong>Jewish</strong> practice, and it has been speculated that Christianity may have taken its similar practice from its <strong>Jewish </strong>heritage.</em></p><p>- History of Purgatory, Wikipedia</p><p>The Catholic Church also tends to believe that Purgatory is a doctrine that was taught by Jesus Christ directly to his Apostles who handed it down to the earliest Church Fathers who continued on in this originally Jewish tradition. The theory of Purgatory, in other words, 'the idea of a kind of purgatory… is quite plainly found' throughout numerous different non-Christian cultures and religions and was 'an idea that is representative of a view widely dispersed in antiquity.' One source summarizes:</p><p><em>The Catholic tradition of purgatory has a history that dates back, before Jesus, to the worldwide practice of praying for and caring for the dead, and the practice of prayer for the dead with a view to their afterlife purification, found in <strong>Judaism</strong>, from which Christianity grew. The same practice appears in other traditions, such as the medieval Chinese Buddhist practice of making offerings on behalf of the dead, who are said to suffer numerous trials. Among other reasons, Catholic belief in purgatory is based on the practice of prayer for the dead.</em></p><p>- History of Purgatory, Wikipedia</p><p style="text-align: center;"><span class=""><img class="photo_img img" src="http://a8.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/300299_219198638142106_100001559154019_611084_1930838230_n.jpg" alt="" /><span class="caption"></span></span></p><p>When it comes to the earliest stages of the Christian religion, it can said that 'the notion of an interim state of souls after death developed only gradually, partly because it was of little interest as long as Christians looked for an imminent end of the world.' After that time period however:</p><p><em>Specific examples of belief in purification after death and of the communion of the living with the dead through prayer are found in many of the Church Fathers.</em></p><p>- History of Purgatory, Wikipedia</p><p>Thus, even though Purgatory cannot be found discussed in the New Testament, this is simply because it was either assumed, or left unspoken, by St. Paul and others who were more interested in the Resurrection and how that affected the living, rather than the dead. Even so, Purgatory was expounded upon by the earliest of Church Fathers. Here are just a few examples of the Church Fathers mentioning the notion of Purgatory:</p><p><span class="fbUnderline"><strong>The Early Church Fathers and Purgatory</strong></span></p><p>- The Church Father Irenaeus (130-202 AD) mentioned a place 'where the souls of the dead remained until the universal judgment', a theory which 'contains the concept of... purgatory.'</p><p>- Both St. Clement of Alexandria (150-215 AD) and his pupil, Origen of Alexandria (185-254 AD), believed in a 'purification after death; this view drew upon the notion that fire is a divine instrument from the Old Testament, and understood this in the context of New Testament teachings such as baptism by fire, from the Gospels, and a purificatory trial after death, from St. Paul.' Origen argued against the idea of 'soul sleep' until final judgement on Judgment Day. Instead he beleived that 'the souls of the elect immediately entered paradise unless not yet purified, in which case they passed into a state of punishment, a penal fire, which is to be conceived as a place of purification.' Many believe that, 'Clement of Alexandria, and his pupil Origen of Alexandria, derived their view from a combination of biblical teachings' who took numerous 'vague concepts of purifying and punishing fire' that predated Christianity.</p><p>- Another Church Father Tertullian (160-225 AD) also discused a 'purification after death. In Tertullian's understanding of the afterlife, the souls of martyrs entered directly into eternal blessedness, whereas the rest entered a generic realm of the dead.' In this particular theological doctrine 'the idea of a kind of purgatory… is quite plainly found.'</p><p>- Further elaborations concerning Purgatory include those written by 'St. Cyprian (258 AD), St. John Chrysostom (347-407 AD), and St. Augustine (354-430 AD), among others.'</p><p style="text-align: center;"><span class=""><img style="width: 473px; height: 674px;" class="photo_img img" src="http://a6.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/s720x720/298739_219198838142086_100001559154019_611098_974476781_n.jpg" alt="" /><span class="caption"></span></span></p><p>Thus it can be clearly seen that the doctrine of Purgatory was discussed extensively by several different people between the years 130-430 A.D. This puts to rest the notion that the idea of Purgatory was 'invented' by the Church sometime during the Middle Ages more than one thousand years after Christianity began. By the early 5th century, St. Augustine discussed Purgatory extensively and even claimed that the pain of 'purgatorial fire' was 'more severe than anything a man can suffer in this life.' Later on, in the late 6th century, Pope Gregory the Great wrote about Purgatory which specifically shows a 'development in the understanding of the afterlife distinctive of the direction that Latin Christendom would take.' Pope Gregory wrote the following Biblical argument concerning Purgatory:</p><p><em>As for certain lesser faults, we must believe that, before the Final Judgment, there is a purifying fire. He who is truth says that whoever utters blasphemy against the Holy Spirit will be pardoned neither in this age nor in the age to come. From this sentence we understand that certain offenses can be forgiven in this age, but certain others in the age to come.</em></p><p>- Dialogues, Pope Gregory the Great</p><p>In addition to those cited above, 'numerous other famous Christians have mentioned Purgatory in their writings.' This included Bede who had a supernatural 'vision of a beautiful Heaven and a lurid Hell with adjacent temporary abodes.' The same thing happened to St. Boniface. In the 7th century, the Irish abbot St. Fursa also had a vision concerning the afterlife where he was pursued by demons intent on punishing him for his sins. This made him conclude that 'just as the body burns through unlawful desire, so the soul will burn, as the lawful, due penalty for every sin.' Others who have discussed Purgatory include Haymo, Rabanus Maurus (780 - 856 AD), and Walafrid Strabo (808 - 849 AD).</p><p style="text-align: center;"><span class=""><img style="width: 508px; height: 647px;" class="photo_img img" src="http://a2.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/s720x720/320201_219198658142104_100001559154019_611085_1030181981_n.jpg" alt="" /><span class="caption"></span></span></p><p>The Catholic Church proceeded to establish All Souls' Day at the end of the 10th century which 'helped focus popular imagination on the fate of the departed, and fostered a sense of solidarity between the living and the dead.' Later 12th century developments in 'the elaboration of the theology of penance helped create a notion of purgatory as a place to complete penances unfinished in this life.' Around 1128, Ermelindo Portela Silva interpreted the words of Diego Gelmírez, then Archbishop of Santiago de Compostela, to mean that there indeed was a Purgatory where those who are too sinful for Heaven go to after they die. Most historians acknowledge that the word Purgatory finally came into existence with the Latin term 'Purgatorium.' Medievalist Jacques Le Goff believes this occurred sometime betwenn 1170 and 1200. Around this same time, 'the conception of purgatory as a physical place, rather than merely as a state' also began to take hold upon Christian believers. One source notes the following:</p><p><em>Le Goff also considered Peter the Lombard (d. 1160), in expounding on the teachings of St. Augustine and Gregory the Great, to have contributed significantly to the birth of purgatory in the sense of a physical place.</em></p><p>- History of Purgatory, Wikipedia</p><p>Of course, it must be understood 'that the notion of purification after death, without the medieval notion of a physical place, [still] existed in antiquity.' It just became easier for Christianity and its followers to think of Purgatory as a place with a location, usually believed to be underground, below the earth, similar to a grave or the roots of a tree. Because of this, the 12th century became known for its many stories concerning the actual location of Purgatory. Keep in mind that this was in spite of the fact that 'the idea of purgatory as a <em><strong>process </strong></em>of cleansing thus dated back to early Christianity.' The actual tales included descriptions 'about St. Patrick's Purgatory, a cavelike entrance to purgatory on a remote island in Ireland.' The most prominent of these was called 'The legend of St Patrick's Purgatory' (Tractatus de Purgatorio Sancti Patricii) which was originally written by Hugh of Saltry, also known as Henry of Sawtry. Other stories similar to this included the Visio Tnugdali.</p><p>Another Purgatory legend spoke of an 'entrance to Purgatory in places such as a cave on the volcanic Mount Etna in Sicily.' This was a distinct era when 'the idea of purgatory as a physical place became widespread on a popular level, and was defended also by some theologians.' All these tales about the location of Purgatory were 'part of a huge, repetitive contemporary genre of literature of which the most familiar today is Dante's.' In his work called 'Purgatorio', Dante imagined Purgatory as the 'second kingdom' of the afterlife which was located upon 'a seven-story mountain situated' at the exact opposite end of the world from the actual city of Jerusalem, just like like the North and South poles.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><span class=""><img style="width: 568px; height: 426px;" class="photo_img img" src="http://a6.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/s720x720/317840_219198781475425_100001559154019_611093_1424011106_n.jpg" alt="" /><span class="caption"></span></span></p><p>Here is a detailed historical summary of Purgatory from the years 780 to 2011:</p><p><span class="fbUnderline"><strong>A Brief Timeline of Purgatory</strong></span></p><p><strong>780-856:</strong> Rabanus Maurus expounds upon Purgatory.</p><p><strong>808-849:</strong> Walafrid Strabo writes extensively about Purgatory.</p><p><strong>1160-1180:</strong> The word Purgatory, or in Latin Purgatorium, first appears as a noun.</p><p><strong>1170-1200: </strong>The conception of purgatory as a physical place occurs, what Jacques Le Goff terms 'the birth of Purgatory.'</p><p><strong>1206: </strong>A peasant named Thurkhill in England claims 'that Saint Julian took him on a tour of Purgatory.'</p><p><strong>1220: </strong>Caesarius of Heisterbach, a Cistercian monk makes the claim that 'purgatory could be in several places at once.'</p><p><strong>1254: </strong>The First Council of Lyon declared that 'souls...can be cleansed after death and can be helped by the suffrages of the Church...[in] a place of purgation...calling it purgatory according to the traditions and authority of the Holy Fathers.'</p><p><strong>1438-1445:</strong> The Council of Florence issues a formal declaration concerning Purgatory.</p><p><strong>1530: </strong>Martin Luther stops believing in Purgatory.</p><p><strong>1545-63:</strong> The Council of Trent declares belief in Purgatory to be an official Christian doctrine.</p><p><strong>1585: </strong>The Roman Catholic Church and the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church agree at the Union of Brest that 'We shall not debate about Purgatory, but we entrust ourselves to the teaching of the Holy Church.'</p><p><strong>1603:</strong> Shakespeare publishes 'Hamlet' which features a ghost of Hamlet's dead father from Purgatory.</p><p><strong>1865: </strong>John Henry Newman publishes 'The Dream of Gerontius' which discusses Purgatory in depth.</p><p><strong>1999:</strong> Pope John Paul II states that 'the term Purgatory does not indicate a place, but a condition of existence.'</p><p><strong>2005:</strong> The Compendium of the Catechism of the Catholic Church summarizes 'Purgatory is the state of those who die in God’s friendship, assured of their eternal salvation, but who still have need of purification to enter into the happiness of heaven.'</p><p><strong>2011:</strong> Pope Benedict XVI discusses Saint Catherine of Genoa (1447-1510), and her visions of Purgatory stating 'that in her time the purification of souls (Purgatory) was pictured as a location in space.'</p><p style="text-align: center;"><span class=""><img class="photo_img img" src="http://a7.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/311902_219242501471053_100001559154019_611530_1419990504_n.jpg" alt="" /><span class="caption"></span></span></p><p>May the LORD God bless you in the name of St. Judas Maccabeus.</p>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07904347198100907985noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3760010985082351599.post-58145915921235315092011-09-22T04:05:00.000-07:002011-09-22T04:13:09.879-07:00Maccabee Metaphysics - The Holy Spirit, Purgatory, and the Holy Ghost<p style="text-align: center;"><span class=""><img class="photo_img img" src="http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/298131_218368604891776_100001559154019_608519_226672977_n.jpg" alt="" /><span class="caption"></span></span></p><p><em>'Is not my word like fire,” declares the LORD, 'and like a <strong>hammer </strong>that breaks a rock in pieces?'</em></p><p>- Jeremiah 23:29<br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span class=""><img class="photo_img img" src="http://a2.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/321046_218368764891760_100001559154019_608522_292216402_n.jpg" alt="" /><span class="caption"></span></span><br /></p><p>The doctrine of Purgatory, still an essential aspect of Roman Catholic Christianity as well as Orthodox Judaism, continues to be one of the most common sense Judeo-Christian traditions ever known. For almost two thousand years, the Catholic Church has believed that, just as Hell is meant for the very wicked and evil, Heaven is for the Saints and Martyrs of the world, individuals so righteous and perfect they most certainly merit immediate admittance into Paradise. Likewise, the Church has also taught that, because the vast majority of people are a complex mixture of goodness and evil, most Christian (and Jewish) believers will be going to Purgatory when they die, to a dark ghost world traditionally located below the earth, before they are allowed to move onward to the Kingdom of Heaven. This teaching is in accordance with what the Bible states about the LORD God. It reads as follows:<br /></p><p><em>Know therefore that the LORD thy God, he is God, the faithful God, which keeps covenant and <strong>mercy </strong>with them that love him and keep his commandments <strong>unto a thousand generations.</strong></em><br /></p><p>- Deuteronomy 7:9<br /></p><p>The best way to understand Purgatory is to use the analogy of a tree. For just as a tree has numerous branches, some of which reach high up in the sky (Heaven), it also has roots that reach deep down into the earth (Purgatory). Science has shown that both roots and branches are necessary for the life of the tree. The branches (Heaven) are necessary to absorb the life-giving light of the sun, just as the roots (Purgatory) are essential for the collection of water. Without the branches (Heaven) the tree would be unable to sustain itself and grow, while without roots (Purgatory), the wind would be able to blow the tree over, causing it to perish.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><span class=""><img class="photo_img img" src="http://a5.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/296536_218368468225123_100001559154019_608518_1309219606_n.jpg" alt="" /><span class="caption"></span></span></p><p>The souls of the deceased may be likened to drops of water who fall down like rain (death) which are first taken up by the roots (Purgatory) and then finally make their way upwards to the branches (Heaven) which hang high above the earth. A tree (Afterlife) requires both roots (Purgatory) and branches (Heaven) in order to thrive and prosper.</p><p>Considering the fairly recent loss of Christian faith among the intellectual elites of both Europe and North America, it should be obvious that the tree of traditional Christianity has become somewhat sickly and may, in fact, be in real danger of perhaps dying. Indeed, the direst threat to the Christian religion happens to be coming, not from Jews or Muslims, but from sceptics, scoffers, and other apostates who are increasing in numbers and show an ever-increasing hostility to all things religious, especially Christianity. Many of them come from Protestant ancestry whose forefathers rejected Purgatory centuries ago. Is there a connection between the Protestant denial of Purgatory and the growing threats to Christian faith throughout the world? Yes there is, as two different sources clearly indicate:<br /></p><p><em>The transformative event...which made it possible to repudiate tradition...in early-modern English and European culture-an event successfully obliterated from modern memory by early, deliberate acts of forgetting and by the decision of Renaissance politicians and gentry to rewrite history-was the abolition of <strong>Purgatory.</strong></em></p><p>- Hamlet and the Ghost of Purgatory: Forgetting the Dead, by Anthony Low, Culture Wars Magazine</p><p><em>Modernism seem[s] inversely parasitic on religion, and Christians object to it because it seems to deny the continuing vitality of their religion. Christianity still thrives, but at the margins, where it has been put by political leaders and cultural arbiters....In this essay I shall argue that crucial, irreversible steps in that direction were taken by the Chantries Act and Royal Injunctions of 1547 and by the Church of England’s declaration, in the Edwardian Prayerbook of 1549, that <strong>Purgatory</strong> did not exist and consequently that Christians should not mourn or pray for their dead.</em></p><p>- Hamlet and the Ghost of Purgatory: Forgetting the Dead, by Anthony Low, Culture Wars Magazine</p><p>Tragically, many forms of Protestant Christianity continues to deny the existence of Purgatory. This is in total disregard for the ancient evidence that the religious doctrine of Purgatory was existent before the advent of Christianity and has its roots in pre-Christian Judaism, Purgatory was not the invention of the Catholic Church, but was merely the continuation of pre-existing Jewish theology. One source notes the following:</p><p><em>The Romish Doctrine concerning <strong>Purgatory</strong>, Pardons, Worshipping and Adoration, as well of Images as of Relics, and also Invocation of Saints, is a fond thing, vainly invented, and grounded upon no warranty of Scripture, but rather repugnant to the Word of God.</em></p><p> - The Book of Common Prayer, Article 22, Church of England</p><p>One should also remember that, at first, Martin Luther freekt accepted the doctrine of Purgatory only to change his mind later on, mainly due to political reasons. In addition, the great Christian thinker C.S. Lewis is on record stating that he too believed in Purgatory, even though he was an English Protestant by birth and upbringing. Thus, it seems quite a shame that the vast majority of Protestant Christians have remained in denial in Purgatory for nearly the past 500 years. In truth, it was not meant to be this way as one source noters aptly: </p><p><em>Theo Brown suggests that when the Anglican Church promulgated its repudiation of "The Romish Doctrine concerning <strong>Purgatory</strong>" in the first Book of Common Prayer (1549), the bishops did not intend to dispose of <strong>Purgatory</strong> altogether, but only to correct well-known abuses.</em></p><p>- Hamlet and the Ghost of Purgatory: Forgetting the Dead, by Anthony Low, Culture Wars Magazine </p><p>Given the current violence, immorality, and aitheism of today's society, it seems more than obvious that <em><strong>the Holy Spirit </strong></em>of the modern era is not good at all, but evil, and may well be a vampire, a demon, or some other form of evil spirit in disguise. For the this reason, it is time for the world, and for the English language, to return to the tradition of referring to <em><strong>the Holy Spirit</strong></em> as<em><strong> the Holy Ghost</strong></em>, which emphasize its links to the age-old realm of Purgatory.</p><p><em>After the English Reformers dispensed with <strong>Purgatory</strong>, however, it was no longer clear to anyone where <strong>ghosts </strong>came from. Educated people were inclined to doubt their existence, or to think that they were demons in disguise. There was, nevertheless, a great popular outburst of superstitious ghost lore among the common people beginning at mid-century. Theo Brown amply documents this outbreak and associates it with the sudden abolition of <strong>Purgatory.</strong></em></p><p>- Hamlet and the Ghost of Purgatory: Forgetting the Dead, by Anthony Low, Culture Wars Magazine</p><p><span class="fbUnderline"><u><strong>Protestant Today ---> Protestant Tomorrow</strong></span></p><p></u><strong>Heaven<em> or</em> Hell ---> Heaven, Purgatory, <em>and</em> Hell</strong></p><p><strong>The Holy Spirit ---> The Holy Ghost</strong><br /></p><p>Throughout the world, belief in ghosts, namely the immaterial spirits of the dead, has been been a standard aspect of numerous different cultures, including those who were not distinctly Judeo-Christian. For the Catholic Church, both before and after the Protestant Reformation, the constant occurence of ghost sightings by the common people signified a sure sign in the continued existence of Purgatory. Put simply, ghosts were believed to come from Purgatory, the Underworld of Christianity. Two different sources state the following:</p><p><em>Before the Reformation, it was common belief among everyone from theologians to peasants that if <strong>ghosts</strong> appeared to the living they came from <strong>Purgatory</strong>, not from Heaven or Hell.</em></p><p> - Hamlet and the Ghost of Purgatory: Forgetting the Dead, by Anthony Low, Culture Wars Magazine</p><p> <em><strong>Purgatory </strong>would become the prison in which <strong>ghosts </strong>were normally incarcerated, though they might be allowed to escape now and then to briefly haunt those of the living whose zeal in their behalf was insufficient.</em><br /></p><p>- Birth of Purgatory, by Jacques Le Goff<br /></p><p>It is to be hoped that the continued Protestant denial in Purgatory will soon come to an end. This act could well cause a resurgence in the Christian faith throughout the world, as more agnostics and other waverers finally accept the common sense Christian doctrine of Purgatory, which means salvation for the many, rather than the few. It's time for Protestantism to admit they made a grave mistake and are now back to share in the eternity which is the Catholic Christian faith.</p><p><em>The abrupt and, to a large degree, forcible dismantling of <strong>Purgatory</strong> at mid-century, together with its deep psychic resonances among the common people, its elaborate cultural associations, and its extensive institutional supports, had drastic consequences for society and for the individuals who formed and were formed by society. Before the Reformation, few countries had a deeper investment (financial, cultural, and spiritual) in <strong>Purgatory</strong> and in commemoration of the dead than England. After the Reformation, few countries turned their backs more abruptly on <strong>Purgatory</strong> and, with it, on their own dead.</em></p><p>- Hamlet and the Ghost of Purgatory: Forgetting the Dead, by Anthony Low, Culture Wars Magazine</p><p style="text-align: center;"><span class=""><img class="photo_img img" src="http://a4.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/309860_218368694891767_100001559154019_608521_1955429364_n.jpg" alt="" /><span class="caption"></span></span></p><p>May the LORD God bless you in the name of St. Judas Maccabaeus.</p>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07904347198100907985noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3760010985082351599.post-90602111613365318912011-09-21T02:37:00.000-07:002011-09-21T03:01:07.710-07:00The Maccabee - A List of Future Hannukahs<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkU_c8sYPDrFQcndZG2WWuc1dn68mYJz-VmZCFOfaz7G2_ZlbQA2y4NdXoJCbHSU74AqjJQoA2ZklH6JHRZ9kROTIhuRCgGJuicHbV3KrnZgIDVXpKq2sImVrCPgwkTN_jG9Uvv24b3x8/s1600/THEMACCABEE.png"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 315px; height: 82px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkU_c8sYPDrFQcndZG2WWuc1dn68mYJz-VmZCFOfaz7G2_ZlbQA2y4NdXoJCbHSU74AqjJQoA2ZklH6JHRZ9kROTIhuRCgGJuicHbV3KrnZgIDVXpKq2sImVrCPgwkTN_jG9Uvv24b3x8/s400/THEMACCABEE.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5654749416146981954" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br /><p><em>'Is not my word like fire,' declares the LORD, 'and like a <strong>hammer </strong>that breaks a rock in pieces?'</em></p><p>- Jeremiah 23:29</p><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie_cwaqF0f7_DbDI8cA4nbNYxy_uZyBTDU5BWMj2R73xcxMhWw3pEON6Ae1jDbY263y_qlisBS59hqgHkHe3tJpr0kCbiQclJMQLFeyAbYHlmm9dzIkGiZawN-p8MAN3JQ-lXiStuxU5U/s1600/THEMACCABEELOGO.jpeg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 180px; height: 130px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie_cwaqF0f7_DbDI8cA4nbNYxy_uZyBTDU5BWMj2R73xcxMhWw3pEON6Ae1jDbY263y_qlisBS59hqgHkHe3tJpr0kCbiQclJMQLFeyAbYHlmm9dzIkGiZawN-p8MAN3JQ-lXiStuxU5U/s400/THEMACCABEELOGO.jpeg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5654749420458849778" border="0" /></a><br /></div><p>In the year 1016, about five years from now, the Christian Holiday of Christmas and the Jewish Holiday of Hanukkah will commence on the same day, December 25. This is a righteous coincidence considering the Judeo-Christian roots of the Maccabees. Many Christians don't know that Judaism celebrates two holidays which were established by the Maccabees more than two thousand years ago- namely Hanukkah and Nicanor Day. Similarly, many Jews don't understand or haven't been taught that the Maccabees have always been considered to be Christian Saints who reside in the Christian Kingdom of Heaven ruled by the Jewish Messiah Jesus Christ and His Jewish mother Mary.<br /></p><p>Judas Maccabaeus originally established Hanukkah on the 25th of December in the year 164 B.C. Jesus Christ was truly born on the same day in the year 0 B.C. It is to be hoped that someday the Jewish/Christian divide can be finally healed and the various vicious circles of mutual antagonism squared and reconciled. Here are the future dates of Hannukah until the year 2020:</p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNUtClbMLWtwlvl7kgEqP4hgQtoSrMIUGYZCmBg9QQcjIsEFrlgz5rg4PmCDmwII7b7hPriVJP6e-qk4PNTgmQlZQ9lYG7g_sakT8lRZ8-DcqMOeoXBAJyQbrYM4pWHReN4WmaD2A1uGU/s1600/81545daa8ceb591csevensons2-1.jpg.jpegMACC1COLLAGE.jpeg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNUtClbMLWtwlvl7kgEqP4hgQtoSrMIUGYZCmBg9QQcjIsEFrlgz5rg4PmCDmwII7b7hPriVJP6e-qk4PNTgmQlZQ9lYG7g_sakT8lRZ8-DcqMOeoXBAJyQbrYM4pWHReN4WmaD2A1uGU/s400/81545daa8ceb591csevensons2-1.jpg.jpegMACC1COLLAGE.jpeg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5654749410103837938" border="0" /></a></p><p style="font-weight: bold;">Hanukkah begins at sundown on the evening before the date shown.</p><p style="font-style: italic;">- December 12, 2009</p><p style="font-style: italic;">- December 2, 2010</p><p style="font-style: italic;">- December 21, 2011</p><p style="font-style: italic;">- December 9, 2012</p><p style="font-style: italic;">- November 28, 2013</p><p style="font-style: italic;">- December 17, 2014</p><p style="font-style: italic;">- December 7, 2015</p><p style="font-style: italic;">- December 25, 2016</p><p style="font-style: italic;">- December 13, 2017</p><p style="font-style: italic;">- December 3, 2018</p><p style="font-style: italic;">- December 23, 2019</p><p style="font-style: italic;">- December 11, 2020</p><p>May the LORD God bless you in the name of St. Judas Maccabaeus.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdIMEtzPDqkS1oeD8VDhzx77wRJvreup4vngRrWtoh_dFf4dJVJpPi-KcNgBvDnMNZ5oawgDFezyfxKx9_PqZUpUvrGL_NqeDXgCMaDG9u7XKJykDQrNsrUB7sS6zluLHbdUdmm_P1jjs/s1600/98_0136wjpg-1.jpg.jpegJUDASMACCOLLAGE.jpeg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdIMEtzPDqkS1oeD8VDhzx77wRJvreup4vngRrWtoh_dFf4dJVJpPi-KcNgBvDnMNZ5oawgDFezyfxKx9_PqZUpUvrGL_NqeDXgCMaDG9u7XKJykDQrNsrUB7sS6zluLHbdUdmm_P1jjs/s400/98_0136wjpg-1.jpg.jpegJUDASMACCOLLAGE.jpeg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5654749411499380018" border="0" /></a></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Ikons of St. Judas Maccabaeus</span><br /></p>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07904347198100907985noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3760010985082351599.post-28340141371542226132011-09-20T20:21:00.000-07:002011-09-21T00:42:14.358-07:00Maccabee Scriptures - The Fourth Book of the Maccabees<span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="text-decoration: underline; font-weight: bold;"><br /><br />IV Maccabees, Chapter 1</span><br />1 The subject that I am about to discuss is most philosophical, that is, whether devout reason is sovereign over the emotions. So it is right for me to advise you to pay earnest attention to philosophy. 2 For the subject is essential to everyone who is seeking knowledge, and in addition it includes the praise of the highest virtue-I mean, of course, rational judgment. 3 If, then, it is evident that reason rules over those emotions that hinder self-control, namely, gluttony and lust, 4 it is also clear that it masters the emotions that hinder one from justice, such as malice, and those that stand in the way of courage, namely anger, fear, and pain. 5 Some might perhaps ask, “If reason rules the emotions, why is it not sovereign over forgetfulness and ignorance?” Their attempt at argument is ridiculous! 6 For reason does not rule its own emotions, but those that are opposed to justice, courage, and self-control; and it is not for the purpose of destroying them, but so that one may not give way to them. 7 I could prove to you from many and various examples that reason is dominant over the emotions, 8 but I can demonstrate it best from the noble bravery of those who died for the sake of virtue, Eleazar and the seven brothers and their mother. 9 All of these, by despising sufferings that bring death, demonstrated that reason controls the emotions. 10 On this anniversary it is fitting for me to praise for their virtues those who, with their mother, died for the sake of nobility and goodness, but I would also call them blessed for the honor in which they are held. 11 All people, even their torturers, marveled at their courage and endurance, and they became the cause of the downfall of tyranny over their nation. By their endurance they conquered the tyrant, and thus their native land was purified through them. 12 I shall shortly have an opportunity to speak of this; but, as my custom is, I shall begin by stating my main principle, and then I shall turn to their story, giving glory to the all-wise God. 13 Our inquiry, accordingly, is whether reason is sovereign over the emotions. 14 We shall decide just what reason is and what emotion is, how many kinds of emotions there are, and whether reason rules over all these. 15 Now reason is the mind that with sound logic prefers the life of wisdom. 16 Wisdom, next, is the knowledge of divine and human matters and the causes of these. 17 This, in turn, is education in the law, by which we learn divine matters reverently and human affairs to our advantage. 18 Now the kinds of wisdom are rational judgment, justice, courage, and self-control. 19 Rational judgment is supreme over all of these, since by means of it reason rules over the emotions. 20 The two most comprehensive types of the emotions are pleasure and pain; and each of these is by nature concerned with both body and soul. 21 The emotions of both pleasure and pain have many consequences. 22 Thus desire precedes pleasure and delight follows it. 23 Fear precedes pain and sorrow comes after. 24 Anger, as a person will see by reflecting on this experience, is an emotion embracing pleasure and pain. 25 In pleasure there exists even a malevolent tendency, which is the most complex of all the emotions. 26 In the soul it is boastfulness, covetousness, thirst for honor, rivalry, and malice; 27 in the body, indiscriminate eating, gluttony, and solitary gormandizing. 28 Just as pleasure and pain are two plants growing from the body and the soul, so there are many offshoots of these plants, 29 each of which the master cultivator, reason, weeds and prunes and ties up and waters and thoroughly irrigates, and so tames the jungle of habits and emotions. 30 For reason is the guide of the virtues, but over the emotions it is sovereign. Observe now, first of all, that rational judgment is sovereign over the emotions by virtue of the restraining power of self-control. 31 Self-control, then, is dominance over the desires. 32 Some desires are mental, others are physical, and reason obviously rules over both. 33 Otherwise, how is it that when we are attracted to forbidden foods we abstain from the pleasure to be had from them? Is it not because reason is able to rule over appetites? I for one think so. 34 Therefore when we crave seafood and fowl and animals and all sorts of foods that are forbidden to us by the law, we abstain because of domination by reason. 35 For the emotions of the appetites are restrained, checked by the temperate mind, and all the impulses of the body are bridled by reason.<br /></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /><span style="text-decoration: underline; font-weight: bold;">IV Maccabees, Chapter 2 </span><br />1 And why is it amazing that the desires of the mind for the enjoyment of beauty are rendered powerless? 2 It is for this reason, certainly, that the temperate Joseph is praised, because by mental effort he overcame sexual desire. 3 For when he was young and in his prime for intercourse, by his reason he nullified the frenzy of the passions. 4 Not only is reason proved to rule over the frenzied urge of sexual desire, but also over every desire. 5 Thus the law says, “You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife or anything that is your neighbor’s.” 6 In fact, since the law has told us not to covet, I could prove to you all the more that reason is able to control desires. Just so it is with the emotions that hinder one from justice. 7 Otherwise how could it be that someone who is habitually a solitary gormandizer, a glutton, or even a drunkard can learn a better way, unless reason is clearly lord of the emotions? 8 Thus, as soon as one adopts a way of life in accordance with the law, even though a lover of money, one is forced to act contrary to natural ways and to lend without interest to the needy and to cancel the debt when the seventh year arrives. 9 If one is greedy, one is ruled by the law through reason so that one neither gleans the harvest nor gathers the last grapes from the vineyard. In all other matters we can recognize that reason rules the emotions. 10 For the law prevails even over affection for parents, so that virtue is not abandoned for their sakes. 11 It is superior to love for one’s wife, so that one rebukes her when she breaks the law. 12 It takes precedence over love for children, so that one punishes them for misdeeds. 13 It is sovereign over the relationship of friends, so that one rebukes friends when they act wickedly. 14 Do not consider it paradoxical when reason, through the law, can prevail even over enmity. The fruit trees of the enemy are not cut down, but one preserves the property of enemies from marauders and helps raise up what has fallen. 15 It is evident that reason rules even the more violent emotions: lust for power, vainglory, boasting, arrogance, and malice. 16 For the temperate mind repels all these malicious emotions, just as it repels anger-for it is sovereign over even this. 17 When Moses was angry with Dathan and Abiram, he did nothing against them in anger, but controlled his anger by reason. 18 For, as I have said, the temperate mind is able to get the better of the emotions, to correct some, and to render others powerless. 19 Why else did Jacob, our most wise father, censure the households of Simeon and Levi for their irrational slaughter of the entire tribe of the Shechemites, saying, “Cursed be their anger”? 20 For if reason could not control anger, he would not have spoken thus. 21 Now when God fashioned human beings, he planted in them emotions and inclinations, 22 but at the same time he enthroned the mind among the senses as a sacred governor over them all. 23 To the mind he gave the law; and one who lives subject to this will rule a kingdom that is temperate, just, good, and courageous. 24 How is it then, one might say, that if reason is master of the emotions, it does not control forgetfulness and ignorance?<br /><em><strong></strong></em><em><strong></strong></em></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /><span style="text-decoration: underline; font-weight: bold;">IV Maccabees, Chapter 3 </span><br />1 But this argument is entirely ridiculous; for it is evident that reason rules not over its own emotions, but over those of the body. 2 No one of us can eradicate that kind of desire, but reason can provide a way for us not to be enslaved by desire. 3 No one of us can eradicate anger from the mind, but reason can help to deal with anger. 4 No one of us can eradicate malice, but reason can fight at our side so that we are not overcome by malice. 5 For reason does not uproot the emotions but is their antagonist. 6 Now this can be explained more clearly by the story of King David’s thirst. 7 David had been attacking the Philistines all day long, and together with the soldiers of his nation had killed many of them. 8 Then when evening fell, he came, sweating and quite exhausted, to the royal tent, around which the whole army of our ancestors had encamped. 9 Now all the rest were at supper, 10 but the king was extremely thirsty, and though springs were plentiful there, he could not satisfy his thirst from them. 11 But a certain irrational desire for the water in the enemy’s territory tormented and inflamed him, undid and consumed him. 12 When his guards complained bitterly because of the king’s craving, two staunch young soldiers, respecting the king’s desire, armed themselves fully, and taking a pitcher climbed over the enemy’s ramparts. 13 Eluding the sentinels at the gates, they went searching throughout the enemy camp 14 and found the spring, and from it boldly brought the king a drink. 15 But David, though he was burning with thirst, considered it an altogether fearful danger to his soul to drink what was regarded as equivalent to blood. 16 Therefore, opposing reason to desire, he poured out the drink as an offering to God. 17 For the temperate mind can conquer the drives of the emotions and quench the flames of frenzied desires; 18 it can overthrow bodily agonies even when they are extreme, and by nobility of reason spurn all domination by the emotions. 19 The present occasion now invites us to a narrative demonstration of temperate reason. 20 At a time when our ancestors were enjoying profound peace because of their observance of the law and were prospering, so that even Seleucus Nicanor, king of Asia, had both appropriated money to them for the temple service and recognized their commonwealth- 21 just at that time certain persons attempted a revolution against the public harmony and caused many and various disasters.<em><strong><br /></strong></em></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /><span style="text-decoration: underline; font-weight: bold;">IV Maccabees, Chapter 4</span><br />1 Now there was a certain Simon, a political opponent of the noble and good man, Onias, who then held the high priesthood for life. When despite all manner of slander he was unable to injure Onias in the eyes of the nation, he fled the country with the purpose of betraying it. 2 So he came to Apollonius, governor of Syria, Phoenicia, and Cilicia, and said, 3 “I have come here because I am loyal to the king’s government, to report that in the Jerusalem treasuries there are deposited tens of thousands in private funds, which are not the property of the temple but belong to King Seleucus.” 4 When Apollonius learned the details of these things, he praised Simon for his service to the king and went up to Seleucus to inform him of the rich treasure. 5 On receiving authority to deal with this matter, he proceeded quickly to our country accompanied by the accursed Simon and a very strong military force. 6 He said that he had come with the king’s authority to seize the private funds in the treasury. 7 The people indignantly protested his words, considering it outrageous that those who had committed deposits to the sacred treasury should be deprived of them, and did all that they could to prevent it. 8 But, uttering threats, Apollonius went on to the temple. 9 While the priests together with women and children were imploring God in the temple to shield the holy place that was being treated so contemptuously, 10 and while Apollonius was going up with his armed forces to seize the money, angels on horseback with lightning flashing from their weapons appeared from heaven, instilling in them great fear and trembling. 11 Then Apollonius fell down half dead in the temple area that was open to all, stretched out his hands toward heaven, and with tears begged the Hebrews to pray for him and propitiate the wrath of the heavenly army. 12 For he said that he had committed a sin deserving of death, and that if he were spared he would praise the blessedness of the holy place before all people. 13 Moved by these words, the high priest Onias, although otherwise he had scruples about doing so, prayed for him so that King Seleucus would not suppose that Apollonius had been overcome by human treachery and not by divine justice. 14 So Apollonius, having been saved beyond all expectations, went away to report to the king what had happened to him. 15 When King Seleucus died, his son Antiochus Epiphanes succeeded to the throne, an arrogant and terrible man, 16 who removed Onias from the priesthood and appointed Onias’s brother Jason as high priest. 17 Jason agreed that if the office were conferred on him he would pay the king three thousand six hundred sixty talents annually. 18 So the king appointed him high priest and ruler of the nation. 19 Jason changed the nation’s way of life and altered its form of government in complete violation of the law, 20 so that not only was a gymnasium constructed at the very citadel of our native land, but also the temple service was abolished. 21 The divine justice was angered by these acts and caused Antiochus himself to make war on them. 22 For when he was warring against Ptolemy in Egypt, he heard that a rumor of his death had spread and that the people of Jerusalem had rejoiced greatly. He speedily marched against them, 23 and after he had plundered them he issued a decree that if any of them were found observing the ancestral law they should die. 24 When, by means of his decrees, he had not been able in any way to put an end to the people’s observance of the law, but saw that all his threats and punishments were being disregarded 25 -even to the extent that women, because they had circumcised their sons, were thrown headlong from heights along with their infants, though they had known beforehand that they would suffer this- 26 when, I say, his decrees were despised by the people, he himself tried through torture to compel everyone in the nation to eat defiling foods and to renounce Judaism.<br /><em><strong><br /></strong></em><em><strong></strong></em></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="text-decoration: underline; font-weight: bold;">IV Maccabees, Chapter 5</span><br />1 The tyrant Antiochus, sitting in state with his counselors on a certain high place, and with his armed soldiers standing around him, 2 ordered the guards to seize each and every Hebrew and to compel them to eat pork and food sacrificed to idols. 3 If any were not willing to eat defiling food, they were to be broken on the wheel and killed. 4 When many persons had been rounded up, one man, Eleazar by name, leader of the flock, was brought before the king. He was a man of priestly family, learned in the law, advanced in age, and known to many in the tyrant’s court because of his philosophy. 5 When Antiochus saw him he said, 6 “Before I begin to torture you, old man, I would advise you to save yourself by eating pork, 7 for I respect your age and your gray hairs. Although you have had them for so long a time, it does not seem to me that you are a philosopher when you observe the religion of the Jews. 8 When nature has granted it to us, why should you abhor eating the very excellent meat of this animal? 9 It is senseless not to enjoy delicious things that are not shameful, and wrong to spurn the gifts of nature. 10 It seems to me that you will do something even more senseless if, by holding a vain opinion concerning the truth, you continue to despise me to your own hurt. 11 Will you not awaken from your foolish philosophy, dispel your futile reasonings, adopt a mind appropriate to your years, philosophize according to the truth of what is beneficial, 12 and have compassion on your old age by honoring my humane advice? 13 For consider this: if there is some power watching over this religion of yours, it will excuse you from any transgression that arises out of compulsion.” 14 When the tyrant urged him in this fashion to eat meat unlawfully, Eleazar asked to have a word. 15 When he had received permission to speak, he began to address the people as follows: 16 “We, O Antiochus, who have been persuaded to govern our lives by the divine law, think that there is no compulsion more powerful than our obedience to the law. 17 Therefore we consider that we should not transgress it in any respect. 18 Even if, as you suppose, our law were not truly divine and we had wrongly held it to be divine, not even so would it be right for us to invalidate our reputation for piety. 19 Therefore do not suppose that it would be a petty sin if we were to eat defiling food; 20 to transgress the law in matters either small or great is of equal seriousness, 21 for in either case the law is equally despised. 22 You scoff at our philosophy as though living by it were irrational, 23 but it teaches us self-control, so that we master all pleasures and desires, and it also trains us in courage, so that we endure any suffering willingly; 24 it instructs us in justice, so that in all our dealings we act impartially, and it teaches us piety, so that with proper reverence we worship the only living God. 25 “Therefore we do not eat defiling food; for since we believe that the law was established by God, we know that in the nature of things the Creator of the world in giving us the law has shown sympathy toward us. 26 He has permitted us to eat what will be most suitable for our lives, but he has forbidden us to eat meats that would be contrary to this. 27 It would be tyrannical for you to compel us not only to transgress the law, but also to eat in such a way that you may deride us for eating defiling foods, which are most hateful to us. 28 But you shall have no such occasion to laugh at me, 29 nor will I transgress the sacred oaths of my ancestors concerning the keeping of the law, 30 not even if you gouge out my eyes and burn my entrails. 31 I am not so old and cowardly as not to be young in reason on behalf of piety. 32 Therefore get your torture wheels ready and fan the fire more vehemently! 33 I do not so pity my old age as to break the ancestral law by my own act. 34 I will not play false to you, O law that trained me, nor will I renounce you, beloved self-control. 35 I will not put you to shame, philosophical reason, nor will I reject you, honored priesthood and knowledge of the law. 36 You, O king, shall not defile the honorable mouth of my old age, nor my long life lived lawfully. 37 My ancestors will receive me as pure, as one who does not fear your violence even to death. 38 You may tyrannize the ungodly, but you shall not dominate my religious principles, either by words or through deeds.”<br /><em><strong><br /></strong></em></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="text-decoration: underline; font-weight: bold;">IV Maccabees, Chapter 6 </span><br />1 When Eleazar in this manner had made eloquent response to the exhortations of the tyrant, the guards who were standing by dragged him violently to the instruments of torture. 2 First they stripped the old man, though he remained adorned with the gracefulness of his piety. 3 After they had tied his arms on each side they flogged him, 4 while a herald who faced him cried out, “Obey the king’s commands!” 5 But the courageous and noble man, like a true Eleazar, was unmoved, as though being tortured in a dream; 6 yet while the old man’s eyes were raised to heaven, his flesh was being torn by scourges, his blood flowing, and his sides were being cut to pieces. 7 Although he fell to the ground because his body could not endure the agonies, he kept his reason upright and unswerving. 8 One of the cruel guards rushed at him and began to kick him in the side to make him get up again after he fell. 9 But he bore the pains and scorned the punishment and endured the tortures. 10 Like a noble athlete the old man, while being beaten, was victorious over his torturers; 11 in fact, with his face bathed in sweat, and gasping heavily for breath, he amazed even his torturers by his courageous spirit. 12 At that point, partly out of pity for his old age, 13 partly out of sympathy from their acquaintance with him, partly out of admiration for his endurance, some of the king’s retinue came to him and said, 14 “Eleazar, why are you so irrationally destroying yourself through these evil things? 15 We will set before you some cooked meat; save yourself by pretending to eat pork.” 16 But Eleazar, as though more bitterly tormented by this counsel, cried out: 17 “Never may we, the children of Abraham, think so basely that out of cowardice we feign a role unbecoming to us! 18 For it would be irrational if having lived in accordance with truth up to old age and having maintained in accordance with law the reputation of such a life, we should now change our course 19 and ourselves become a pattern of impiety to the young by setting them an example in the eating of defiling food. 20 It would be shameful if we should survive for a little while and during that time be a laughingstock to all for our cowardice, 21 and be despised by the tyrant as unmanly by not contending even to death for our divine law. 22 Therefore, O children of Abraham, die nobly for your religion! 23 And you, guards of the tyrant, why do you delay?” 24 When they saw that he was so courageous in the face of the afflictions, and that he had not been changed by their compassion, the guards brought him to the fire. 25 There they burned him with maliciously contrived instruments, threw him down, and poured stinking liquids into his nostrils. 26 When he was now burned to his very bones and about to expire, he lifted up his eyes to God and said, 27 “You know, O God, that though I might have saved myself, I am dying in burning torments for the sake of the law. 28 Be merciful to your people, and let our punishment suffice for them. 29 Make my blood their purification, and take my life in exchange for theirs.” 30 After he said this, the holy man died nobly in his tortures; even in the tortures of death he resisted, by virtue of reason, for the sake of the law. 31 Admittedly, then, devout reason is sovereign over the emotions. 32 For if the emotions had prevailed over reason, we would have testified to their domination. 33 But now that reason has conquered the emotions, we properly attribute to it the power to govern. 34 It is right for us to acknowledge the dominance of reason when it masters even external agonies. It would be ridiculous to deny it. 35 I have proved not only that reason has mastered agonies, but also that it masters pleasures and in no respect yields to them<span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">.</span></span><em><strong></strong></em><br /></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">IV Maccabees, Chapter 7 </span></span><br />1 For like a most skillful pilot, the reason of our father Eleazar steered the ship of religion over the sea of the emotions, 2 and though buffeted by the stormings of the tyrant and overwhelmed by the mighty waves of tortures, 3 in no way did he turn the rudder of religion until he sailed into the haven of immortal victory. 4 No city besieged with many ingenious war machines has ever held out as did that most holy man. Although his sacred life was consumed by tortures and racks, he conquered the besiegers with the shield of his devout reason. 5 For in setting his mind firm like a jutting cliff, our father Eleazar broke the maddening waves of the emotions. 6 O priest, worthy of the priesthood, you neither defiled your sacred teeth nor profaned your stomach, which had room only for reverence and purity, by eating defiling foods. 7 O man in harmony with the law and philosopher of divine life! 8 Such should be those who are administrators of the law, shielding it with their own blood and noble sweat in sufferings even to death. 9 You, father, strengthened our loyalty to the law through your glorious endurance, and you did not abandon the holiness that you praised, but by your deeds you made your words of divine philosophy credible. 10 O aged man, more powerful than tortures; O elder, fiercer than fire; O supreme king over the passions, Eleazar! 11 For just as our father Aaron, armed with the censer, ran through the multitude of the people and conquered the fiery angel, 12 so the descendant of Aaron, Eleazar, though being consumed by the fire, remained unmoved in his reason. 13 Most amazing, indeed, though he was an old man, his body no longer tense and firm, his muscles flabby, his sinews feeble, he became young again 14 in spirit through reason; and by reason like that of Isaac he rendered the many-headed rack ineffective. 15 O man of blessed age and of venerable gray hair and of law-abiding life, whom the faithful seal of death has perfected! 16 If, therefore, because of piety an aged man despised tortures even to death, most certainly devout reason is governor of the emotions. 17 Some perhaps might say, “Not all have full command of their emotions, because not all have prudent reason.” 18 But as many as attend to religion with a whole heart, these alone are able to control the passions of the flesh, 19 since they believe that they, like our patriarchs Abraham and Isaac and Jacob, do not die to God, but live to God. 20 No contradiction therefore arises when some persons appear to be dominated by their emotions because of the weakness of their reason. 21 What person who lives as a philosopher by the whole rule of philosophy, and trusts in God, 22 and knows that it is blessed to endure any suffering for the sake of virtue, would not be able to overcome the emotions through godliness? 23 For only the wise and courageous are masters of their emotions.<br /><em><strong></strong></em></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /><span style="text-decoration: underline; font-weight: bold;">IV Maccabees, Chapter 8 </span><br />1 For this is why even the very young, by following a philosophy in accordance with devout reason, have prevailed over the most painful instruments of torture. 2 For when the tyrant was conspicuously defeated in his first attempt, being unable to compel an aged man to eat defiling foods, then in violent rage he commanded that others of the Hebrew captives be brought, and that any who ate defiling food would be freed after eating, but if any were to refuse, they would be tortured even more cruelly. 3 When the tyrant had given these orders, seven brothers-handsome, modest, noble, and accomplished in every way-were brought before him along with their aged mother. 4 When the tyrant saw them, grouped about their mother as though a chorus, he was pleased with them. And struck by their appearance and nobility, he smiled at them, and summoned them nearer and said, 5 “Young men, with favorable feelings I admire each and every one of you, and greatly respect the beauty and the number of such brothers. Not only do I advise you not to display the same madness as that of the old man who has just been tortured, but I also exhort you to yield to me and enjoy my friendship. 6 Just as I am able to punish those who disobey my orders, so I can be a benefactor to those who obey me. 7 Trust me, then, and you will have positions of authority in my government if you will renounce the ancestral tradition of your national life. 8 Enjoy your youth by adopting the Greek way of life and by changing your manner of living. 9 But if by disobedience you rouse my anger, you will compel me to destroy each and every one of you with dreadful punishments through tortures. 10 Therefore take pity on yourselves. Even I, your enemy, have compassion for your youth and handsome appearance. 11 Will you not consider this, that if you disobey, nothing remains for you but to die on the rack?” 12 When he had said these things, he ordered the instruments of torture to be brought forward so as to persuade them out of fear to eat the defiling food. 13 When the guards had placed before them wheels and joint-dislocators, rack and hooks and catapults and caldrons, braziers and thumbscrews and iron claws and wedges and bellows, the tyrant resumed speaking: 14 “Be afraid, young fellows; whatever justice you revere will be merciful to you when you transgress under compulsion.” 15 But when they had heard the inducements and saw the dreadful devices, not only were they not afraid, but they also opposed the tyrant with their own philosophy, and by their right reasoning nullified his tyranny. 16 Let us consider, on the other hand, what arguments might have been used if some of them had been cowardly and unmanly. Would they not have been the following? 17 “O wretches that we are and so senseless! Since the king has summoned and exhorted us to accept kind treatment if we obey him, 18 why do we take pleasure in vain resolves and venture upon a disobedience that brings death? 19 O men and brothers, should we not fear the instruments of torture and consider the threats of torments, and give up this vain opinion and this arrogance that threatens to destroy us? 20 Let us take pity on our youth and have compassion on our mother’s age; 21 and let us seriously consider that if we disobey we are dead! 22 Also, divine justice will excuse us for fearing the king when we are under compulsion. 23 Why do we banish ourselves from this most pleasant life and deprive ourselves of this delightful world? 24 Let us not struggle against compulsion or take hollow pride in being put to the rack. 25 Not even the law itself would arbitrarily put us to death for fearing the instruments of torture. 26 Why does such contentiousness excite us and such a fatal stubbornness please us, when we can live in peace if we obey the king?” 27 But the youths, though about to be tortured, neither said any of these things nor even seriously considered them. 28 For they were contemptuous of the emotions and sovereign over agonies, 29 so that as soon as the tyrant had ceased counseling them to eat defiling food, all with one voice together, as from one mind, said:</span><em><strong></strong></em><br /><p><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="text-decoration: underline; font-weight: bold;">IV Maccabees, Chapter 9 </span><br />1 “Why do you delay, O tyrant? For we are ready to die rather than transgress our ancestral commandments; 2 we are obviously putting our forebears to shame unless we should practice ready obedience to the law and to Moses our counselor. 3 Tyrant and counselor of lawlessness, in your hatred for us do not pity us more than we pity ourselves. 4 For we consider this pity of yours, which insures our safety through transgression of the law, to be more grievous than death itself. 5 You are trying to terrify us by threatening us with death by torture, as though a short time ago you learned nothing from Eleazar. 6 And if the aged men of the Hebrews because of their religion lived piously while enduring torture, it would be even more fitting that we young men should die despising your coercive tortures, which our aged instructor also overcame. 7 Therefore, tyrant, put us to the test; and if you take our lives because of our religion, do not suppose that you can injure us by torturing us. 8 For we, through this severe suffering and endurance, shall have the prize of virtue and shall be with God, on whose account we suffer; 9 but you, because of your bloodthirstiness toward us, will deservedly undergo from the divine justice eternal torment by fire.” 10 When they had said these things, the tyrant was not only indignant, as at those who are disobedient, but also infuriated, as at those who are ungrateful. 11 Then at his command the guards brought forward the eldest, and having torn off his tunic, they bound his hands and arms with thongs on each side. 12 When they had worn themselves out beating him with scourges, without accomplishing anything, they placed him upon the wheel. 13 When the noble youth was stretched out around this, his limbs were dislocated, 14 and with every member disjointed he denounced the tyrant, saying, 15 “Most abominable tyrant, enemy of heavenly justice, savage of mind, you are mangling me in this manner, not because I am a murderer, or as one who acts impiously, but because I protect the divine law.” 16 And when the guards said, “Agree to eat so that you may be released from the tortures,” 17 he replied, “You abominable lackeys, your wheel is not so powerful as to strangle my reason. Cut my limbs, burn my flesh, and twist my joints; 18 through all these tortures I will convince you that children of the Hebrews alone are invincible where virtue is concerned.” 19 While he was saying these things, they spread fire under him, and while fanning the flames they tightened the wheel further. 20 The wheel was completely smeared with blood, and the heap of coals was being quenched by the drippings of gore, and pieces of flesh were falling off the axles of the machine. 21 Although the ligaments joining his bones were already severed, the courageous youth, worthy of Abraham, did not groan, 22 but as though transformed by fire into immortality, he nobly endured the rackings. 23 “Imitate me, brothers,” he said. “Do not leave your post in my struggle or renounce our courageous family ties. 24 Fight the sacred and noble battle for religion. Thereby the just Providence of our ancestors may become merciful to our nation and take vengeance on the accursed tyrant.” 25 When he had said this, the saintly youth broke the thread of life. 26 While all were marveling at his courageous spirit, the guards brought in the next eldest, and after fitting themselves with iron gauntlets having sharp hooks, they bound him to the torture machine and catapult. 27 Before torturing him, they inquired if he were willing to eat, and they heard his noble decision. 28 These leopard-like beasts tore out his sinews with the iron hands, flayed all his flesh up to his chin, and tore away his scalp. But he steadfastly endured this agony and said, 29 “How sweet is any kind of death for the religion of our ancestors!” 30 To the tyrant he said, “Do you not think, you most savage tyrant, that you are being tortured more than I, as you see the arrogant design of your tyranny being defeated by our endurance for the sake of religion? 31 I lighten my pain by the joys that come from virtue, 32 but you suffer torture by the threats that come from impiety. You will not escape, you most abominable tyrant, the judgments of the divine wrath.”<br /><em><strong><br /></strong></em><em><strong></strong></em></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="text-decoration: underline; font-weight: bold;">IV Maccabees, Chapter 10</span><br />1 When he too had endured a glorious death, the third was led in, and many repeatedly urged him to save himself by tasting the meat. 2 But he shouted, “Do you not know that the same father begot me as well as those who died, and the same mother bore me, and that I was brought up on the same teachings? 3 I do not renounce the noble kinship that binds me to my brothers.” 5 Enraged by the man’s boldness, they disjointed his hands and feet with their instruments, dismembering him by prying his limbs from their sockets, 6 and breaking his fingers and arms and legs and elbows. 7 Since they were not able in any way to break his spirit, they abandoned the instruments and scalped him with their fingernails in a Scythian fashion. 8 They immediately brought him to the wheel, and while his vertebrae were being dislocated by this, he saw his own flesh torn all around and drops of blood flowing from his entrails. 9 When he was about to die, he said, 10 “We, most abominable tyrant, are suffering because of our godly training and virtue, 11 but you, because of your impiety and bloodthirstiness, will undergo unceasing torments.” 12 When he too had died in a manner worthy of his brothers, they dragged in the fourth, saying, 13 “As for you, do not give way to the same insanity as your brothers, but obey the king and save yourself.” 14 But he said to them, “You do not have a fire hot enough to make me play the coward. 15 No-by the blessed death of my brothers, by the eternal destruction of the tyrant, and by the everlasting life of the pious, I will not renounce our noble family ties. 16 Contrive tortures, tyrant, so that you may learn from them that I am a brother to those who have just now been tortured.” 17 When he heard this, the bloodthirsty, murderous, and utterly abominable Antiochus gave orders to cut out his tongue. 18 But he said, “Even if you remove my organ of speech, God hears also those who are mute. 19 See, here is my tongue; cut it off, for in spite of this you will not make our reason speechless. 20 Gladly, for the sake of God, we let our bodily members be mutilated. 21 God will visit you swiftly, for you are cutting out a tongue that has been melodious with divine hymns.”</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:100%;"><em><strong></strong></em></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="text-decoration: underline; font-weight: bold;">IV Maccabees, Chapter 11</span><br />1 When he too died, after being cruelly tortured, the fifth leaped up, saying, 2 “I will not refuse, tyrant, to be tortured for the sake of virtue. 3 I have come of my own accord, so that by murdering me you will incur punishment from the heavenly justice for even more crimes. 4 Hater of virtue, hater of humankind, for what act of ours are you destroying us in this way? 5 Is it because we revere the Creator of all things and live according to his virtuous law? 6 But these deeds deserve honors, not tortures.” 9 While he was saying these things, the guards bound him and dragged him to the catapult; 10 they tied him to it on his knees, and fitting iron clamps on them, they twisted his back around the wedge on the wheel, so that he was completely curled back like a scorpion, and all his members were disjointed. 11 In this condition, gasping for breath and in anguish of body, 12 he said, “Tyrant, they are splendid favors that you grant us against your will, because through these noble sufferings you give us an opportunity to show our endurance for the law.” 13 When he too had died, the sixth, a mere boy, was led in. When the tyrant inquired whether he was willing to eat and be released, he said, 14 “I am younger in age than my brothers, but I am their equal in mind. 15 Since to this end we were born and bred, we ought likewise to die for the same principles. 16 So if you intend to torture me for not eating defiling foods, go on torturing!” 17 When he had said this, they led him to the wheel. 18 He was carefully stretched tight upon it, his back was broken, and he was roasted from underneath. 19 To his back they applied sharp spits that had been heated in the fire, and pierced his ribs so that his entrails were burned through. 20 While being tortured he said, “O contest befitting holiness, in which so many of us brothers have been summoned to an arena of sufferings for religion, and in which we have not been defeated! 21 For religious knowledge, O tyrant, is invincible. 22 I also, equipped with nobility, will die with my brothers, 23 and I myself will bring a great avenger upon you, you inventor of tortures and enemy of those who are truly devout. 24 We six boys have paralyzed your tyranny. 25 Since you have not been able to persuade us to change our mind or to force us to eat defiling foods, is not this your downfall? 26 Your fire is cold to us, and the catapults painless, and your violence powerless. 27 For it is not the guards of the tyrant but those of the divine law that are set over us; therefore, unconquered, we hold fast to reason.”</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:100%;"><em><strong></strong></em></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">IV Maccabees, Chapter 12</span></span><br />1 When he too, thrown into the caldron, had died a blessed death, the seventh and youngest of all came forward. 2 Even though the tyrant had been vehemently reproached by the brothers, he felt strong compassion for this child when he saw that he was already in fetters. He summoned him to come nearer and tried to persuade him, saying, 3 “You see the result of your brothers’ stupidity, for they died in torments because of their disobedience. 4 You too, if you do not obey, will be miserably tortured and die before your time, 5 but if you yield to persuasion you will be my friend and a leader in the government of the kingdom.” 6 When he had thus appealed to him, he sent for the boy’s mother to show compassion on her who had been bereaved of so many sons and to influence her to persuade the surviving son to obey and save himself. 7 But when his mother had exhorted him in the Hebrew language, as we shall tell a little later, 8 he said, “Let me loose, let me speak to the king and to all his friends that are with him.” 9 Extremely pleased by the boy’s declaration, they freed him at once. 10 Running to the nearest of the braziers, 11 he said, “You profane tyrant, most impious of all the wicked, since you have received good things and also your kingdom from God, were you not ashamed to murder his servants and torture on the wheel those who practice religion? 12 Because of this, justice has laid up for you intense and eternal fire and tortures, and these throughout all time will never let you go. 13 As a man, were you not ashamed, you most savage beast, to cut out the tongues of men who have feelings like yours and are made of the same elements as you, and to maltreat and torture them in this way? 14 Surely they by dying nobly fulfilled their service to God, but you will wail bitterly for having killed without cause the contestants for virtue.” 15 Then because he too was about to die, he said, 16 “I do not desert the excellent example of my brothers, 17 and I call on the God of our ancestors to be merciful to our nation; 18 but on you he will take vengeance both in this present life and when you are dead.” 19 After he had uttered these imprecations, he flung himself into the braziers and so ended his life.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:100%;"><em><strong></strong></em></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="text-decoration: underline; font-weight: bold;">IV Maccabees, Chapter 13 </span><br />1 Since, then, the seven brothers despised sufferings even unto death, everyone must concede that devout reason is sovereign over the emotions. 2 For if they had been slaves to their emotions and had eaten defiling food, we would say that they had been conquered by these emotions. 3 But in fact it was not so. Instead, by reason, which is praised before God, they prevailed over their emotions. 4 The supremacy of the mind over these cannot be overlooked, for the brothers mastered both emotions and pains. 5 How then can one fail to confess the sovereignty of right reason over emotion in those who were not turned back by fiery agonies? 6 For just as towers jutting out over harbors hold back the threatening waves and make it calm for those who sail into the inner basin, 7 so the seven-towered right reason of the youths, by fortifying the harbor of religion, conquered the tempest of the emotions. 8 For they constituted a holy chorus of religion and encouraged one another, saying, 9 “Brothers, let us die like brothers for the sake of the law; let us imitate the three youths in Assyria who despised the same ordeal of the furnace. 10 Let us not be cowardly in the demonstration of our piety.” 11 While one said, “Courage, brother,” another said, “Bear up nobly,” 12 and another reminded them, “Remember whence you came, and the father by whose hand Isaac would have submitted to being slain for the sake of religion.” 13 Each of them and all of them together looking at one another, cheerful and undaunted, said, “Let us with all our hearts consecrate ourselves to God, who gave us our lives, and let us use our bodies as a bulwark for the law. 14 Let us not fear him who thinks he is killing us, 15 for great is the struggle of the soul and the danger of eternal torment lying before those who transgress the commandment of God. 16 Therefore let us put on the full armor of self-control, which is divine reason. 17 For if we so die, Abraham and Isaac and Jacob will welcome us, and all the fathers will praise us.” 18 Those who were left behind said to each of the brothers who were being dragged away, “Do not put us to shame, brother, or betray the brothers who have died before us.” 19 You are not ignorant of the affection of family ties, which the divine and all-wise Providence has bequeathed through the fathers to their descendants and which was implanted in the mother’s womb. 20 There each of the brothers spent the same length of time and was shaped during the same period of time; and growing from the same blood and through the same life, they were brought to the light of day. 21 When they were born after an equal time of gestation, they drank milk from the same fountains. From such embraces brotherly-loving souls are nourished; 22 and they grow stronger from this common nurture and daily companionship, and from both general education and our discipline in the law of God. 23 Therefore, when sympathy and brotherly affection had been so established, the brothers were the more sympathetic to one another. 24 Since they had been educated by the same law and trained in the same virtues and brought up in right living, they loved one another all the more. 25 A common zeal for nobility strengthened their goodwill toward one another, and their concord, 26 because they could make their brotherly love more fervent with the aid of their religion. 27 But although nature and companionship and virtuous habits had augmented the affection of family ties, those who were left endured for the sake of religion, while watching their brothers being maltreated and tortured to death.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:100%;"><em><strong></strong></em></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>IV Maccabees, Chapter 14</strong></span><br />1 Furthermore, they encouraged them to face the torture, so that they not only despised their agonies, but also mastered the emotions of brotherly love. 2 O reason, more royal than kings and freer than the free! 3 O sacred and harmonious concord of the seven brothers on behalf of religion! 4 None of the seven youths proved coward or shrank from death, 5 but all of them, as though running the course toward immortality, hastened to death by torture. 6 Just as the hands and feet are moved in harmony with the guidance of the mind, so those holy youths, as though moved by an immortal spirit of devotion, agreed to go to death for its sake. 7 O most holy seven, brothers in harmony! For just as the seven days of creation move in choral dance around religion, 8 so these youths, forming a chorus, encircled the sevenfold fear of tortures and dissolved it. 9 Even now, we ourselves shudder as we hear of the suffering of these young men; they not only saw what was happening, not only heard the direct word of threat, but also bore the sufferings patiently, and in agonies of fire at that. 10 What could be more excruciatingly painful than this? For the power of fire is intense and swift, and it consumed their bodies quickly. 11 Do not consider it amazing that reason had full command over these men in their tortures, since the mind of woman despised even more diverse agonies, 12 for the mother of the seven young men bore up under the rackings of each one of her children. 13 Observe how complex is a mother’s love for her children, which draws everything toward an emotion felt in her inmost parts. 14 Even unreasoning animals, as well as human beings, have a sympathy and parental love for their offspring. 15 For example, among birds, the ones that are tame protect their young by building on the housetops, 16 and the others, by building in precipitous chasms and in holes and tops of trees, hatch the nestlings and ward off the intruder. 17 If they are not able to keep the intruder away, they do what they can to help their young by flying in circles around them in the anguish of love, warning them with their own calls. 18 And why is it necessary to demonstrate sympathy for children by the example of unreasoning animals, 19 since even bees at the time for making honeycombs defend themselves against intruders and, as though with an iron dart, sting those who approach their hive and defend it even to the death? 20 But sympathy for her children did not sway the mother of the young men; she was of the same mind as Abraham.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:100%;"><em><strong></strong></em></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">IV Maccabees, Chapter 15 </span></span><br />1 O reason of the children, tyrant over the emotions! O religion, more desirable to the mother than her children! 2 Two courses were open to this mother, that of religion, and that of preserving her seven sons for a time, as the tyrant had promised. 3 She loved religion more, the religion that preserves them for eternal life according to God’s promise. 4 In what manner might I express the emotions of parents who love their children? We impress upon the character of a small child a wondrous likeness both of mind and of form. Especially is this true of mothers, who because of their birth pangs have a deeper sympathy toward their offspring than do the fathers. 5 Considering that mothers are the weaker sex and give birth to many, they are more devoted to their children. 6 The mother of the seven boys, more than any other mother, loved her children. In seven pregnancies she had implanted in herself tender love toward them, 7 and because of the many pains she suffered with each of them she had sympathy for them; 8 yet because of the fear of God she disdained the temporary safety of her children. 9 Not only so, but also because of the nobility of her sons and their ready obedience to the law, she felt a greater tenderness toward them. 10 For they were righteous and self-controlled and brave and magnanimous, and loved their brothers and their mother, so that they obeyed her even to death in keeping the ordinances. 11 Nevertheless, though so many factors influenced the mother to suffer with them out of love for her children, in the case of none of them were the various tortures strong enough to pervert her reason. 12 But each child separately and all of them together the mother urged on to death for religion’s sake. 13 O sacred nature and affection of parental love, yearning of parents toward offspring, nurture and indomitable suffering by mothers! 14 This mother, who saw them tortured and burned one by one, because of religion did not change her attitude. 15 She watched the flesh of her children being consumed by fire, their toes and fingers scattered on the ground, and the flesh of the head to the chin exposed like masks. 16 O mother, tried now by more bitter pains than even the birth pangs you suffered for them! 17 O woman, who alone gave birth to such complete devotion! 18 When the firstborn breathed his last, it did not turn you aside, nor when the second in torments looked at you piteously nor when the third expired; 19 nor did you weep when you looked at the eyes of each one in his tortures gazing boldly at the same agonies, and saw in their nostrils the signs of the approach of death. 20 When you saw the flesh of children burned upon the flesh of other children, severed hands upon hands, scalped heads upon heads, and corpses fallen on other corpses, and when you saw the place filled with many spectators of the torturings, you did not shed tears. 21 Neither the melodies of sirens nor the songs of swans attract the attention of their hearers as did the voices of the children in torture calling to their mother. 22 How great and how many torments the mother then suffered as her sons were tortured on the wheel and with the hot irons! 23 But devout reason, giving her heart a man’s courage in the very midst of her emotions, strengthened her to disregard, for the time, her parental love. 24 Although she witnessed the destruction of seven children and the ingenious and various rackings, this noble mother disregarded all these because of faith in God. 25 For as in the council chamber of her own soul she saw mighty advocates-nature, family, parental love, and the rackings of her children- 26 this mother held two ballots, one bearing death and the other deliverance for her children. 27 She did not approve the deliverance that would preserve the seven sons for a short time, 28 but as the daughter of God-fearing Abraham she remembered his fortitude. 29 O mother of the nation, vindicator of the law and champion of religion, who carried away the prize of the contest in your heart! 30 O more noble than males in steadfastness, and more courageous than men in endurance! 31 Just as Noah’s ark, carrying the world in the universal flood, stoutly endured the waves, 32 so you, O guardian of the law, overwhelmed from every side by the flood of your emotions and the violent winds, the torture of your sons, endured nobly and withstood the wintry storms that assail religion.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:100%;"><em><strong></strong></em></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="text-decoration: underline; font-weight: bold;">IV Maccabees, Chaper 16 </span><br />1 If, then, a woman, advanced in years and mother of seven sons, endured seeing her children tortured to death, it must be admitted that devout reason is sovereign over the emotions. 2 Thus I have demonstrated not only that men have ruled over the emotions, but also that a woman has despised the fiercest tortures. 3 The lions surrounding Daniel were not so savage, nor was the raging fiery furnace of Mishael so intensely hot, as was her innate parental love, inflamed as she saw her seven sons tortured in such varied ways. 4 But the mother quenched so many and such great emotions by devout reason. 5 Consider this also: If this woman, though a mother, had been fainthearted, she would have mourned over them and perhaps spoken as follows: 6 “O how wretched am I and many times unhappy! After bearing seven children, I am now the mother of none! 7 O seven childbirths all in vain, seven profitless pregnancies, fruitless nurturings and wretched nursings! 8 In vain, my sons, I endured many birth pangs for you, and the more grievous anxieties of your upbringing. 9 Alas for my children, some unmarried, others married and without offspring. I shall not see your children or have the happiness of being called grandmother. 10 Alas, I who had so many and beautiful children am a widow and alone, with many sorrows. 11 And when I die, I shall have none of my sons to bury me.” 12 Yet that holy and God-fearing mother did not wail with such a lament for any of them, nor did she dissuade any of them from dying, nor did she grieve as they were dying. 13 On the contrary, as though having a mind like adamant and giving rebirth for immortality to the whole number of her sons, she implored them and urged them on to death for the sake of religion. 14 O mother, soldier of God in the cause of religion, elder and woman! By steadfastness you have conquered even a tyrant, and in word and deed you have proved more powerful than a man. 15 For when you and your sons were arrested together, you stood and watched Eleazar being tortured, and said to your sons in the Hebrew language, 16 “My sons, noble is the contest to which you are called to bear witness for the nation. Fight zealously for our ancestral law. 17 For it would be shameful if, while an aged man endures such agonies for the sake of religion, you young men were to be terrified by tortures. 18 Remember that it is through God that you have had a share in the world and have enjoyed life, 19 and therefore you ought to endure any suffering for the sake of God. 20 For his sake also our father Abraham was zealous to sacrifice his son Isaac, the ancestor of our nation; and when Isaac saw his father’s hand wielding a knife and descending upon him, he did not cower. 21 Daniel the righteous was thrown to the lions, and Hananiah, Azariah, and Mishael were hurled into the fiery furnace and endured it for the sake of God. 22 You too must have the same faith in God and not be grieved. 23 It is unreasonable for people who have religious knowledge not to withstand pain.” 24 By these words the mother of the seven encouraged and persuaded each of her sons to die rather than violate God’s commandment. 25 They knew also that those who die for the sake of God live to God, as do Abraham and Isaac and Jacob and all the patriarchs.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:100%;"><em><strong></strong></em></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">IV Maccabees, Chapter 17</span></span><br />1 Some of the guards said that when she also was about to be seized and put to death she threw herself into the flames so that no one might touch her body. 2 O mother, who with your seven sons nullified the violence of the tyrant, frustrated his evil designs, and showed the courage of your faith! 3 Nobly set like a roof on the pillars of your sons, you held firm and unswerving against the earthquake of the tortures. 4 Take courage, therefore, O holy-minded mother, maintaining firm an enduring hope in God. 5 The moon in heaven, with the stars, does not stand so august as you, who, after lighting the way of your star-like seven sons to piety, stand in honor before God and are firmly set in heaven with them. 6 For your children were true descendants of father Abraham. 7 If it were possible for us to paint the history of your religion as an artist might, would not those who first beheld it have shuddered as they saw the mother of the seven children enduring their varied tortures to death for the sake of religion? 8 Indeed it would be proper to inscribe on their tomb these words as a reminder to the people of our nation: 9 “Here lie buried an aged priest and an aged woman and seven sons, because of the violence of the tyrant who wished to destroy the way of life of the Hebrews. 10 They vindicated their nation, looking to God and enduring torture even to death.” 11 Truly the contest in which they were engaged was divine, 12 for on that day virtue gave the awards and tested them for their endurance. The prize was immortality in endless life. 13 Eleazar was the first contestant, the mother of the seven sons entered the competition, and the brothers contended. 14 The tyrant was the antagonist, and the world and the human race were the spectators. 15 Reverence for God was victor and gave the crown to its own athletes. 16 Who did not admire the athletes of the divine legislation? Who were not amazed? 17 The tyrant himself and all his council marveled at their endurance, 18 because of which they now stand before the divine throne and live the life of eternal blessedness. 19 For Moses says, “All who are consecrated are under your hands.” 20 These, then, who have been consecrated for the sake of God, are honored, not only with this honor, but also by the fact that because of them our enemies did not rule over our nation, 21 the tyrant was punished, and the homeland purified-they having become, as it were, a ransom for the sin of our nation. 22 And through the blood of those devout ones and their death as an atoning sacrifice, divine Providence preserved Israel that previously had been mistreated. 23 For the tyrant Antiochus, when he saw the courage of their virtue and their endurance under the tortures, proclaimed them to his soldiers as an example for their own endurance, 24 and this made them brave and courageous for infantry battle and siege, and he ravaged and conquered all his enemies.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:100%;"><em><strong></strong></em></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">IV Maccabees, Chapter 18</span></span><br />1 O Israelite children, offspring of the seed of Abraham, obey this law and exercise piety in every way, 2 knowing that devout reason is master of all emotions, not only of sufferings from within, but also of those from without. 3 Therefore those who gave over their bodies in suffering for the sake of religion were not only admired by mortals, but also were deemed worthy to share in a divine inheritance. 4 Because of them the nation gained peace, and by reviving observance of the law in the homeland they ravaged the enemy. 5 The tyrant Antiochus was both punished on earth and is being chastised after his death. Since in no way whatever was he able to compel the Israelites to become pagans and to abandon their ancestral customs, he left Jerusalem and marched against the Persians. 6 The mother of seven sons expressed also these principles to her children: 7 “I was a pure virgin and did not go outside my father’s house; but I guarded the rib from which woman was made. 8 No seducer corrupted me on a desert plain, nor did the destroyer, the deceitful serpent, defile the purity of my virginity. </span><span style="font-size:100%;">9 In the time of my maturity I remained with my husband, and when these sons had grown up their father died. A happy man was he, who lived out his life with good children, and did not have the grief of bereavement. 10 While he was still with you, he taught you the law and the prophets. 11 He read to you about Abel slain by Cain, and Isaac who was offered as a burnt offering, and about Joseph in prison. 12 He told you of the zeal of Phinehas, and he taught you about Hananiah, Azariah, and Mishael in the fire. 13 He praised Daniel in the den of the lions and blessed him. 14 He reminded you of the scripture of Isaiah, which says, “Even though you go through the fire, the flame shall not consume you.’ 15 He sang to you songs of the psalmist David, who said, “Many are the afflictions of the righteous.’ 16 He recounted to you Solomon’s proverb, “There is a tree of life for those who do his will.’ 17 He confirmed the query of Ezekiel, “Shall these dry bones live?’ 18 For he did not forget to teach you the song that Moses taught, which says, 19 “I kill and I make alive: this is your life and the length of your days.’ ” 20 O bitter was that day-and </span><span style="font-size:100%;">yet not bitter-when that bitter tyrant of the Greeks quenched fire with fire in his cruel caldrons, and in his burning rage brought those seven sons of the daughter of Abraham to the catapult and back again to more tortures, 21 pierced the pupils of their eyes and cut out their tongues, and put them to death with various tortures. 22 For these crimes divine justice pursued and will pursue the accursed tyrant. 23 But the sons of Abraham with their victorious mother are gathered together into the chorus of the fathers, and have received pure and immortal souls from God, 24 to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.</span></p><p><span style="font-size:small;"><span style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></p>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07904347198100907985noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3760010985082351599.post-68280864716721165192011-09-20T19:40:00.000-07:002011-09-20T21:34:42.212-07:00Maccabee Scriptures - The Third Book of the Maccabees<p><span style="text-decoration: underline; font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size:medium;">III Maccabees, Chapter 1</span></span><br />1 When Philopator learned from those who returned that the regions which he had controlled had been seized by Antiochus, he gave orders to all his forces, both infantry and cavalry, took with him his sister Arsinoe, and marched out to the region near Raphia, where Antiochus’s supporters were encamped.<br />2 But a certain Theodotus, determined to carry out the plot he had devised, took with him the best of the Ptolemaic arms that had been previously issued to him, and crossed over by night to the tent of Ptolemy, intending single-handed to kill him and thereby end the war.<br />3 But Dositheus, known as the son of Drimylus, a Jew by birth who later changed his religion and apostatized from the ancestral traditions, had led the king away and arranged that a certain insignificant man should sleep in the tent; and so it turned out that this man incurred the vengeance meant for the king.<br />4 When a bitter fight resulted, and matters were turning out rather in favor of Antiochus, Arsinoe went to the troops with wailing and tears, her locks all disheveled, and exhorted them to defend themselves and their children and wives bravely, promising to give them each two minas of gold if they won the battle.<br />5 And so it came about that the enemy was routed in the action, and many captives also were taken.<br />6 Now that he had foiled the plot, Ptolemy decided to visit the neighboring cities and encourage them.<br />7 By doing this, and by endowing their sacred enclosures with gifts, he strengthened the morale of his subjects.<br />8 Since the Jews had sent some of their council and elders to greet him, to bring him gifts of welcome, and to congratulate him on what had happened, he was all the more eager to visit them as soon as possible.<br />9: After he had arrived in Jerusalem, he offered sacrifice to the supreme God and made thank-offerings and did what was fitting for the holy place. Then, upon entering the place and being impressed by its excellence and its beauty,<br />10: he marveled at the good order of the temple, and conceived a desire to enter the holy of holies.<br />11: When they said that this was not permitted, because not even members of their own nation were allowed to enter, nor even all of the priests, but only the high priest who was pre-eminent over all, and he only once a year, the king was by no means persuaded.<br />12: Even after the law had been read to him, he did not cease to maintain that he ought to enter, saying, “Even if those men are deprived of this honor, I ought not to be.<br />13: And he inquired why, when he entered every other temple, no one there had stopped him.<br />14: And someone heedlessly said that it was wrong to take this as a sign in itself.<br />15: “But since this has happened,” the king said, “why should not I at least enter, whether they wish it or not?”<br />16: Then the priests in all their vestments prostrated themselves and entreated the supreme God to aid in the present situation and to avert the violence of this evil design, and they filled the temple with cries and tears;<br />17: and those who remained behind in the city were agitated and hurried out, supposing that something mysterious was occurring.<br />18: The virgins who had been enclosed in their chambers rushed out with their mothers, sprinkled their hair with dust, and filled the streets with groans and lamentations.<br />19: Those women who had recently been arrayed for marriage abandoned the bridal chambers prepared for wedded union, and, neglecting proper modesty, in a disorderly rush flocked together in the city.<br />20: Mothers and nurses abandoned even newborn children here and there, some in houses and some in the streets, and without a backward look they crowded together at the most high temple.<br />21: Various were the supplications of those gathered there because of what the king was profanely plotting.<br />22: In addition, the bolder of the citizens would not tolerate the completion of his plans or the fulfillment of his intended purpose.<br />23: They shouted to their fellows to take arms and die courageously for the ancestral law, and created a considerable disturbance in the holy place; and being barely restrained by the old men and the elders, they resorted to the same posture of supplication as the others.<br />24: Meanwhile the crowd, as before, was engaged in prayer,<br />25: while the elders near the king tried in various ways to change his arrogant mind from the plan that he had conceived.<br />26: But he, in his arrogance, took heed of nothing, and began now to approach, determined to bring the aforesaid plan to a conclusion.<br />27: When those who were around him observed this, they turned, together with our people, to call upon him who has all power to defend them in the present trouble and not to overlook this unlawful and haughty deed.<br />28: The continuous, vehement, and concerted cry of the crowds resulted in an immense uproar;<br />29: for it seemed that not only the men but also the walls and the whole earth around echoed, because indeed all at that time preferred death to the profanation of the place.</p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline; font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size:medium;">III Maccabees, Chapter 2</span></span><br />1: Then the high priest Simon, facing the sanctuary, bending his knees and extending his hands with calm dignity, prayed as follows:<br />2: “Lord, Lord, king of the heavens, and sovereign of all creation, holy among the holy ones, the only ruler, almighty, give attention to us who are suffering grievously from an impious and profane man, puffed up in his audacity and power.<br />3: For you, the creator of all things and the governor of all, are a just Ruler, and you judge those who have done anything in insolence and arrogance.<br />4: You destroyed those who in the past committed injustice, among whom were even giants who trusted in their strength and boldness, whom you destroyed by bringing upon them a boundless flood.<br />5: You consumed with fire and sulphur the men of Sodom who acted arrogantly, who were notorious for their vices; and you made them an example to those who should come afterward.<br />6: You made known your mighty power by inflicting many and varied punishments on the audacious Pharaoh who had enslaved your holy people Israel.<br />7: And when he pursued them with chariots and a mass of troops, you overwhelmed him in the depths of the sea, but carried through safely those who had put their confidence in you, the Ruler over the whole creation.<br />8: And when they had seen works of your hands, they praised you, the Almighty.<br />9: You, O King, when you had created the boundless and immeasurable earth, chose this city and sanctified this place for your name, though you have no need of anything; and when you had glorified it by your magnificent manifestation, you made it a firm foundation for the glory of your great and honored name.<br />10: And because you love the house of Israel, you promised that if we should have reverses, and tribulation should overtake us, you would listen to our petition when we come to this place and pray.<br />11: And indeed you are faithful and true.<br />12: And because oftentimes when our fathers were oppressed you helped them in their humiliation, and rescued them from great evils,<br />13: see now, O holy King, that because of our many and great sins we are crushed with suffering, subjected to our enemies, and overtaken by helplessness.<br />14: In our downfall this audacious and profane man undertakes to violate the holy place on earth dedicated to your glorious name.<br />15: For your dwelling, the heaven of heavens, is unapproachable by man.<br />16: But because you graciously bestowed your glory upon your people Israel, you sanctified this place.<br />17: Do not punish us for the defilement committed by these men, or call us to account for this profanation, lest the transgressors boast in their wrath or exult in the arrogance of their tongue, saying,<br />18: `We have trampled down the house of the sanctuary as offensive houses are trampled down.’<br />19: Wipe away our sins and disperse our errors, and reveal your mercy at this hour.<br />20: Speedily let your mercies overtake us, and put praises in the mouth of those who are downcast and broken in spirit, and give us peace.”<br />21: Thereupon God, who oversees all things, the first Father of all, holy among the holy ones, having heard the lawful supplication, scourged him who had exalted himself in insolence and audacity.<br />22: He shook him on this side and that as a reed is shaken by the wind, so that he lay helpless on the ground and, besides being paralyzed in his limbs, was unable even to speak, since he was smitten by a righteous judgment.<br />23: Then both friends and bodyguards, seeing the severe punishment that had overtaken him, and fearing lest he should lose his life, quickly dragged him out, panic-stricken in their exceedingly great fear.<br />24: After a while he recovered, and though he had been punished, he by no means repented, but went away uttering bitter threats.<br />25: When he arrived in Egypt, he increased in his deeds of malice, abetted by the previously mentioned drinking companions and comrades, who were strangers to everything just.<br />26: He was not content with his uncounted licentious deeds, but he also continued with such audacity that he framed evil reports in the various localities; and many of his friends, intently observing the king’s purpose, themselves also followed his will.<br />27: He proposed to inflict public disgrace upon the Jewish community, and he set up a stone on the tower in the courtyard with this inscription:<br />28: “None of those who do not sacrifice shall enter their sanctuaries, and all Jews shall be subjected to a registration involving poll tax and to the status of slaves. Those who object to this are to be taken by force and put to death;<br />29: those who are registered are also to be branded on their bodies by fire with the ivy-leaf symbol of Dionysus, and they shall also be reduced to their former limited status.”<br />30: In order that he might not appear to be an enemy to all, he inscribed below: “But if any of them prefer to join those who have been initiated into the mysteries, they shall have equal citizenship with the Alexandrians.”<br />31: Now some, however, with an obvious abhorrence of the price to be exacted for maintaining the religion of their city, readily gave themselves up, since they expected to enhance their reputation by their future association with the king.<br />32: But the majority acted firmly with a courageous spirit and did not depart from their religion; and by paying money in exchange for life they confidently attempted to save themselves from the registration.<br />33: They remained resolutely hopeful of obtaining help, and they abhorred those who separated themselves from them, considering them to be enemies of the Jewish nation, and depriving them of common fellowship and mutual help.</p> <p><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:medium;" ><span style="text-decoration: underline;">III Maccabees, Chapter 3</span></span><br />1: When the impious king comprehended this situation, he became so infuriated that not only was he enraged against those Jews who lived in Alexandria, but was still more bitterly hostile toward those in the countryside; and he ordered that all should promptly be gathered into one place, and put to death by the most cruel means.<br />2: While these matters were being arranged, a hostile rumor was circulated against the Jewish nation by men who conspired to do them ill, a pretext being given by a report that they hindered others from the observance of their customs.<br />3: The Jews, however, continued to maintain good will and unswerving loyalty toward the dynasty;<br />4: but because they worshiped God and conducted themselves by his law, they kept their separateness with respect to foods. For this reason they appeared hateful to some;<br />5: but since they adorned their style of life with the good deeds of upright people, they were established in good repute among all men.<br />6: Nevertheless those of other races paid no heed to their good service to their nation, which was common talk among all;<br />7: instead they gossiped about the differences in worship and foods, alleging that these people were loyal neither to the king nor to his authorities, but were hostile and greatly opposed to his government. So they attached no ordinary reproach to them.<br />8: The Greeks in the city, though wronged in no way, when theysaw an unexpected tumult around these people and the crowds that suddenly were forming, were not strong enough to help them, for they lived under tyranny. They did try to console them, being grieved at the situation, and expected that matters would change;<br />9: for such a great community ought not be left to its fate when it had committed no offense.<br />10: And already some of their neighbors and friends and business associates had taken some of them aside privately and were pledging to protect them and to exert more earnest efforts for their assistance.<br />11: Then the king, boastful of his present good fortune, and not considering the might of the supreme God, but assuming that he would persevere constantly in his same purpose, wrote this letter against them:<br />12: “King Ptolemy Philopator to his generals and soldiers in Egypt and all its districts, greetings and good health.<br />13: I myself and our government are faring well.<br />14: When our expedition took place in Asia, as you yourselves know, it was brought to conclusion, according to plan, by the gods’ deliberate alliance with us in battle,<br />15: and we considered that we should not rule the nations inhabiting Coele-Syria and Phoenicia by the power of the spear but should cherish them with clemency and great benevolence, gladly treating them well.<br />16: And when we had granted very great revenues to the temples in the cities, we came on to Jerusalem also, and went up to honor the temple of those wicked people, who never cease from their folly.<br />17: They accepted our presence by word, but insincerely by deed, because when we proposed to enter their inner temple and honor it with magnificent and most beautiful offerings,<br />18: they were carried away by their traditional conceit, and excluded us from entering; but they were spared the exercise of our power because of the benevolence which we have toward all.<br />19: By maintaining their manifest ill-will toward us, they become the only people among all nations who hold their heads high in defiance of kings and their own benefactors, and are unwilling to regard any action as sincere.<br />20: “But we, when we arrived in Egypt victorious, accommodated ourselves to their folly and did as was proper, since we treat all nations with benevolence.<br />21: Among other things, we made known to all our amnesty toward their compatriots here, both because of their alliance with us and the myriad affairs liberally entrusted to them from the beginning; and we ventured to make a change, by deciding both to deem them worthy of Alexandrian citizenship and to make them participants in our regular religious rites.<br />22: But in their innate malice they took this in a contrary spirit, and disdained what is good. Since they incline constantly to evil,<br />23: they not only spurn the priceless citizenship, but also both by speech and by silence they abominate those few among them who are sincerely disposed toward us; in every situation, in accordance with their infamous way of life, they secretly suspect that we may soon alter our policy.<br />24: Therefore, fully convinced by these indications that they are ill-disposed toward us in every way, we have taken precautions lest, if a sudden disorder should later arise against us, we should have these impious people behind our backs as traitors and barbarous enemies.<br />25: Therefore we have given orders that, as soon as this letter shall arrive, you are to send to us those who live among you, together with their wives and children, with insulting and harsh treatment, and bound securely with iron fetters, to suffer the sure and shameful death that befits enemies.<br />26: For when these all have been punished, we are sure that for the remaining time the government will be established for ourselves in good order and in the best state.<br />27: But whoever shelters any of the Jews, old people or children or even infants, will be tortured to death with the most hateful torments, together with his family.<br />28: Any one willing to give information will receive the property of the one who incurs the punishment, and also two thousand drachmas from the royal treasury, and will be awarded his freedom.<br />29: Every place detected sheltering a Jew is to be made unapproachable and burned with fire, and shall become useless for all time to any mortal creature.”<br />30: The letter was written in the above form.</p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline; font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size:medium;">III Maccabees, Chapter 4</span></span><br />1: In every place, then, where this decree arrived, a feast at public expense was arranged for the Gentiles with shouts and gladness, for the inveterate enmity which had long ago been in their minds was now made evident and outspoken.<br />2: But among the Jews there was incessant mourning, lamentation, and tearful cries; everywhere their hearts were burning, and they groaned because of the unexpected destruction that had suddenly been decreed for them.<br />3: What district or city, or what habitable place at all, or what streets were not filled with mourning and wailing for them?<br />4: For with such a harsh and ruthless spirit were they being sent off, all together, by the generals in the several cities, that at the sight of their unusual punishments, even some of their enemies, perceiving the common object of pity before their eyes, reflected upon the uncertainty of life and shed tears at the most miserable expulsion of these people.<br />5: For a multitude of gray-headed old men, sluggish and bent with age, was being led away, forced to march at a swift pace by the violence with which they were driven in such a shameful manner.<br />6: And young women who had just entered the bridal chamber to share married life exchanged joy for wailing, their myrrh-perfumed hair sprinkled with ashes, and were carried away unveiled, all together raising a lament instead of a wedding song, as they were torn by the harsh treatment of the heathen.<br />7: In bonds and in public view they were violently dragged along as far as the place of embarkation.<br />8: Their husbands, in the prime of youth, their necks encircled with ropes instead of garlands, spent the remaining days of their marriage festival in lamentations instead of good cheer and youthful revelry, seeing death immediately before them.<br />9: They were brought on board like wild animals, driven under the constraint of iron bonds; some were fastened by the neck to the benches of the boats, others had their feet secured by unbreakable fetters,<br />10: and in addition they were confined under a solid deck, so that with their eyes in total darkness, they should undergo treatment befitting traitors during the whole voyage.<br />11: When these men had been brought to the place called Schedia, and the voyage was concluded as the king had decreed, he commanded that they should be enclosed in the hippodrome which had been built with a monstrous perimeter wall in front of the city, and which was well suited to make them an obvious spectacle to all coming back into the city and to those from the city going out into the country, so that they could neither communicate with the king’s forces nor in any way claim to be inside the circuit of the city.<br />12: And when this had happened, the king, hearing that the Jews’ compatriots from the city frequently went out in secret to lament bitterly the ignoble misfortune of their brothers,<br />13: ordered in his rage that these men be dealt with in precisely the same fashion as the others, not omitting any detail of their punishment.<br />14: The entire race was to be registered individually, not for the hard labor that has been briefly mentioned before, but to be tortured with the outrages that he had ordered, and at the end to be destroyed in the space of a single day.<br />15: The registration of these people was therefore conducted with bitter haste and zealous intentness from the rising of the sun till its setting, and though uncompleted it stopped after forty days.<br />16: The king was greatly and continually filled with joy, organizing feasts in honor of all his idols, with a mind alienated from truth and with a profane mouth, praising speechless things that are not able even to communicate or to come to one’s help, and uttering improper words against the supreme God.<br />17: But after the previously mentioned interval of time the scribes declared to the king that they were no longer able to take the census of the Jews because of their innumerable multitude,<br />18: although most of them were still in the country, some still residing in their homes, and some at the place; the task was impossible for all the generals in Egypt.<br />19: After he had threatened them severely, charging that they had been bribed to contrive a means of escape, he was clearly convinced about the matter<br />20: when they said and proved that both the paper and the pens they used for writing had already given out.<br />21: But this was an act of the invincible providence of him who was aiding the Jews from heaven.</p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline; font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size:medium;">III Maccabees, Chapter 5</span></span><br />1: Then the king, completely inflexible, was filled with overpowering anger and wrath; so he summoned Hermon, keeper of the elephants,<br />2: and ordered him on the following day to drug all the elephants — five hundred in number — with large handfuls of frankincense and plenty of unmixed wine, and to drive them in, maddened by the lavish abundance of liquor, so that the Jews might meet their doom.<br />3: When he had given these orders he returned to his feasting, together with those of his friends and of the army who were especially hostile toward the Jews.<br />4: And Hermon, keeper of the elephants, proceeded faithfully to carry out the orders.<br />5: The servants in charge of the Jews went out in the evening and bound the hands of the wretched people and arranged for their continued custody through the night, convinced that the whole nation would experience its final destruction.<br />6: For to the Gentiles it appeared that the Jews were left without any aid,<br />7: because in their bonds they were forcibly confined on every side. But with tears and a voice hard to silence they all called upon the Almighty Lord and Ruler of all power, their merciful God and Father, praying<br />8: that he avert with vengeance the evil plot against them and in a glorious manifestation rescue them from the fate now prepared for them.<br />9: So their entreaty ascended fervently to heaven.<br />10: Hermon, however, when he had drugged the pitiless elephants until they had been filled with a great abundance of wine and satiated with frankincense, presented himself at the courtyard early in the morning to report to the king about these preparations.<br />11: But the Lord sent upon the king a portion of sleep, that beneficence which from the beginning, night and day, is bestowed by him who grants it to whomever he wishes.<br />12: And by the action of the Lord he was overcome by so pleasant and deep a sleep that he quite failed in his lawless purpose and was completely frustrated in his inflexible plan.<br />13: Then the Jews, since they had escaped the appointed hour, praised their holy God and again begged him who is easily reconciled to show the might of his all-powerful hand to the arrogant Gentiles.<br />14: But now, since it was nearly the middle of the tenth hour, the person who was in charge of the invitations, seeing that the guests were assembled, approached the king and nudged him.<br />15: And when he had with difficulty roused him, he pointed out that the hour of the banquet was already slipping by, and he gave him an account of the situation.<br />16: The king, after considering this, returned to his drinking, and ordered those present for the banquet to recline opposite him.<br />17: When this was done he urged them to give themselves over to revelry and to make the present portion of the banquet joyful by celebrating all the more.<br />18: After the party had been going on for some time, the king summoned Hermon and with sharp threats demanded to know why the Jews had been allowed to remain alive through the present day.<br />19: But when he, with the corroboration of his friends, pointed out that while it was still night he had carried out completely the order given him,<br />20: the king, possessed by a savagery worse than that of Phalaris, said that the Jews were benefited by today’s sleep, “but,” he added, “tomorrow without delay prepare the elephants in the same way for the destruction of the lawless Jews!”<br />21: When the king had spoken, all those present readily and joyfully with one accord gave their approval, and each departed to his own home.<br />22: But they did not so much employ the duration of the night in sleep as in devising all sorts of insults for those they thought to be doomed.<br />23: Then, as soon as the cock had crowed in the early morning, Hermon, having equipped the beasts, began to move them along in the great colonnade.<br />24: The crowds of the city had been assembled for this most pitiful spectacle and they were eagerly waiting for daybreak.<br />25: But the Jews, at their last gasp, since the time had run out, stretched their hands toward heaven and with most tearful supplication and mournful dirges implored the supreme God to help them again at once.<br />26: The rays of the sun were not yet shed abroad, and while the king was receiving his friends, Hermon arrived and invited him to come out, indicating that what the king desired was ready for action.<br />27: But he, upon receiving the report and being struck by the unusual invitation to come out — since he had been completely overcome by incomprehension — inquired what the matter was for which this had been so zealously completed for him.<br />28: This was the act of God who rules over all things, for he had implanted in the king’s mind a forgetfulness of the things he had previously devised.<br />29: Then Hermon and all the king’s friends pointed out that the beasts and the armed forces were ready, “O king, according to your eager purpose.”<br />30: But at these words he was filled with an overpowering wrath, because by the providence of God his whole mind had been deranged in regard to these matters; and with a threatening look he said,<br />31: “Were your parents or children present, I would have prepared them to be a rich feast for the savage beasts instead of the Jews, who give me no ground for complaint and have exhibited to an extraordinary degree a full and firm loyalty to my ancestors.<br />32: In fact you would have been deprived of life instead of these, were it not for an affection arising from our nurture in common and your usefulness.”<br />33: So Hermon suffered an unexpected and dangerous threat, and his eyes wavered and his face fell.<br />34: The king’s friends one by one sullenly slipped away and dismissed the assembled people, each to his own occupation.<br />35: Then the Jews, upon hearing what the king had said, praised the manifest Lord God, King of kings, since this also was his aid which they had received.<br />36: The king, however, reconvened the party in the same manner and urged the guests to return to their celebrating.<br />37: After summoning Hermon he said in a threatening tone, “How many times, you poor wretch, must I give you orders about these things?<br />38: Equip the elephants now once more for the destruction of the Jews tomorrow!”<br />39: But the officials who were at table with him, wondering at his instability of mind, remonstrated as follows:<br />40: “O king, how long will you try us, as though we are idiots, ordering now for a third time that they be destroyed, and again revoking your decree in the matter?<br />41: As a result the city is in a tumult because of its expectation; it is crowded with masses of people, and also in constant danger of being plundered.”<br />42: Upon this the king, a Phalaris in everything and filled with madness, took no account of the changes of mind which had come about within him for the protection of the Jews, and he firmly swore an irrevocable oath that he would send them to death without delay, mangled by the knees and feet of the beasts,<br />43: and would also march against Judea and rapidly level it to the ground with fire and spear, and by burning to the ground the temple inaccessible to him would quickly render it forever empty of those who offered sacrifices there.<br />44: Then the friends and officers departed with great joy, and they confidently posted the armed forces at the places in the city most favorable for keeping guard.<br />45: Now when the beasts had been brought virtually to a state of madness, so to speak, by the very fragrant draughts of wine mixed with frankincense and had been equipped with frightful devices, the elephant keeper<br />46: entered at about dawn into the courtyard — the city now being filled with countless masses of people crowding their way into the hippodrome — and urged the king on to the matter at hand.<br />47: So he, when he had filled his impious mind with a deep rage, rushed out in full force along with the beasts, wishing to witness, with invulnerable heart and with his own eyes, the grievous and pitiful destruction of the aforementioned people.<br />48: And when the Jews saw the dust raised by the elephants going out at the gate and by the following armed forces, as well as by the trampling of the crowd, and heard the loud and tumultuous noise,<br />49: they thought that this was their last moment of life, the end of their most miserable suspense, and giving way to lamentation and groans they kissed each other, embracing relatives and falling into one another’s arms — parents and children, mothers and daughters, and others with babies at their breasts who were drawing their last milk.<br />50: Not only this, but when they considered the help which they had received before from heaven they prostrated themselves with one accord on the ground, removing the babies from their breasts,<br />51: and cried out in a very loud voice, imploring the Ruler over every power to manifest himself and be merciful to them, as they stood now at the gates of death.<br /><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><span style="font-size:medium;"><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">III Maccabees, Chapter 6</span></span></span><br />1: Then a certain Eleazar, famous among the priests of the country, who had attained a ripe old age and throughout his life had been adorned with every virtue, directed the elders around him to cease calling upon the holy God and prayed as follows:<br />2: “King of great power, Almighty God Most High, governing all creation with mercy,<br />3: look upon the descendants of Abraham, O Father, upon the children of the sainted Jacob, a people of your consecrated portion who are perishing as foreigners in a foreign land.<br />4: Pharaoh with his abundance of chariots, the former ruler of this Egypt, exalted with lawless insolence and boastful tongue, you destroyed together with his arrogant army by drowning them in the sea, manifesting the light of your mercy upon the nation of Israel.<br />5: Sennacherib exulting in his countless forces, oppressive king of the Assyrians, who had already gained control of the whole world by the spear and was lifted up against your holy city, speaking grievous words with boasting and insolence, you, O Lord, broke in pieces, showing your power to many nations.<br />6: The three companions in Babylon who had voluntarily surrendered their lives to the flames so as not to serve vain things, you rescued unharmed, even to a hair, moistening the fiery furnace with dew and turning the flame against all their enemies.<br />7: Daniel, who through envious slanders was cast down into the ground to lions as food for wild beasts, you brought up to the light unharmed.<br />8: And Jonah, wasting away in the belly of a huge, sea-born monster, you, Father, watched over and restored unharmed to all his family.<br />9: And now, you who hate insolence, all-merciful and protector of all, reveal yourself quickly to those of the nation of Israel — who are being outrageously treated by the abominable and lawless Gentiles.<br />10: Even if our lives have become entangled in impieties in our exile, rescue us from the hand of the enemy, and destroy us, Lord, by whatever fate you choose.<br />11: Let not the vain-minded praise their vanities at the destruction of your beloved people, saying, `Not even their god has rescued them.’<br />12: But you, O Eternal One, who have all might and all power, watch over us now and have mercy upon us who by the senseless insolence of the lawless are being deprived of life in the manner of traitors.<br />13: And let the Gentiles cower today in fear of your invincible might, O honored One, who have power to save the nation of Jacob.<br />14: The whole throng of infants and their parents entreat you with tears.<br />15: Let it be shown to all the Gentiles that you are with us, O Lord, and have not turned your face from us; but just as you have said, `Not even when they were in the land of their enemies did I neglect them,’ so accomplish it, O Lord.”<br />16: Just as Eleazar was ending his prayer, the king arrived at the hippodrome with the beasts and all the arrogance of his forces.<br />17: And when the Jews observed this they raised great cries to heaven so that even the nearby valleys resounded with them and brought an uncontrollable terror upon the army.<br />18: Then the most glorious, almighty, and true God revealed his holy face and opened the heavenly gates, from which two glorious angels of fearful aspect descended, visible to all but the Jews.<br />19: They opposed the forces of the enemy and filled them with confusion and terror, binding them with immovable shackles.<br />20: Even the king began to shudder bodily, and he forgot his sullen insolence.<br />21: The beasts turned back upon the armed forces following them and began trampling and destroying them.<br />22: Then the king’s anger was turned to pity and tears because of the things that he had devised beforehand.<br />23: For when he heard the shouting and saw them all fallen headlong to destruction, he wept and angrily threatened his friends, saying,<br />24: “You are committing treason and surpassing tyrants in cruelty; and even me, your benefactor, you are now attempting to deprive of dominion and life by secretly devising acts of no advantage to the kingdom.<br />25: Who is it that has taken each man from his home and senselessly gathered here those who faithfully have held the fortresses of our country?<br />26: Who is it that has so lawlessly encompassed with outrageous treatment those who from the beginning differed from all nations in their goodwill toward us and often have accepted willingly the worst of human dangers?<br />27: Loose and untie their unjust bonds! Send them back to their homes in peace, begging pardon for your former actions!<br />28: Release the sons of the almighty and living God of heaven, who from the time of our ancestors until now has granted an unimpeded and notable stability to our government.”<br />29: These then were the things he said; and the Jews, immediately released, praised their holy God and Savior, since they now had escaped death.<br />30: Then the king, when he had returned to the city, summoned the official in charge of the revenues and ordered him to provide to the Jews both wines and everything else needed for a festival of seven days, deciding that they should celebrate their rescue with all joyfulness in that same place in which they had expected to meet their destruction.<br />31: Accordingly those disgracefully treated and near to death, or rather, who stood at its gates, arranged for a banquet of deliverance instead of a bitter and lamentable death, and full of joy they apportioned to celebrants the place which had been prepared for their destruction and burial.<br />32: They ceased their chanting of dirges and took up the song of their fathers, praising God, their Savior and worker of wonders. Putting an end to all mourning and wailing, they formed choruses as a sign of peaceful joy.<br />33: Likewise also the king, after convening a great banquet to celebrate these events, gave thanks to heaven unceasingly and lavishly for the unexpected rescue which he had experienced.<br />34: And those who had previously believed that the Jews would be destroyed and become food for birds, and had joyfully registered them, groaned as they themselves were overcome by disgrace, and their fire-breathing boldness was ignominiously quenched.<br />35: But the Jews, when they had arranged the aforementioned choral group, as we have said before, passed the time in feasting to the accompaniment of joyous thanksgiving and psalms.<br />36: And when they had ordained a public rite for these things in their whole community and for their descendants, they instituted the observance of the aforesaid days as a festival, not for drinking and gluttony, but because of the deliverance that had come to them through God.<br />37: Then they petitioned the king, asking for dismissal to their homes.<br />38: So their registration was carried out from the twenty-fifth of Pachon to the fourth of Epeiph, for forty days; and their destruction was set for the fifth to the seventh of Epeiph, the three days<br />39: on which the Lord of all most gloriously revealed his mercy and rescued them all together and unharmed.<br />40: Then they feasted, provided with everything by the king, until the fourteenth day, on which also they made the petition for their dismissal.<br />41: The king granted their request at once and wrote the following letter for them to the generals in the cities, magnanimously expressing his concern:<br /><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><span style="font-size:medium;"><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">III Maccabees, Chapter 7</span></span></span><br />1: “King Ptolemy Philopator to the generals in Egypt and all in authority in his government, greetings and good health.<br />2: We ourselves and our children are faring well, the great God guiding our affairs according to our desire.<br />3: Certain of our friends, frequently urging us with malicious intent, persuaded us to gather together the Jews of the kingdom in a body and to punish them with barbarous penalties as traitors;4: for they declared that our government would never be firmly established until this was accomplished, because of the ill-will which these people had toward all nations.<br />5: They also led them out with harsh treatment as slaves, or rather as traitors, and, girding themselves with a cruelty more savage than that of Scythian custom, they tried without any inquiry or examination to put them to death.<br />6: But we very severely threatened them for these acts, and in accordance with the clemency which we have toward all men we barely spared their lives. Since we have come to realize that the God of heaven surely defends the Jews, always taking their part as a father does for his children,<br />7: and since we have taken into account the friendly and firm goodwill which they had toward us and our ancestors, we justly have acquitted them of every charge of whatever kind.<br />8: We also have ordered each and every one to return to his own home, with no one in any place doing them harm at all or reproaching them for the irrational things that have happened.<br />9: For you should know that if we devise any evil against them or cause them any grief at all, we always shall have not man but the Ruler over every power, the Most High God, in everything and inescapably as an antagonist to avenge such acts. Farewell.”<br />10: Upon receiving this letter the Jews did not immediately hurry to make their departure, but they requested of the king that at their own hands those of the Jewish nation who had willfully transgressed against the holy God and the law of God should receive the punishment they deserved.<br />11: For they declared that those who for the belly’s sake had transgressed the divine commandments would never be favorably disposed toward the king’s government.<br />12: The king then, admitting and approving the truth of what they said, granted them a general license so that freely and without royal authority or supervision they might destroy those everywhere in his kingdom who had transgressed the law of God.<br />13: When they had applauded him in fitting manner, their priests and the whole multitude shouted the Hallelujah and joyfully departed.<br />14: And so on their way they punished and put to a public and shameful death any whom they met of their fellow-countrymen who had become defiled.<br />15: In that day they put to death more than three hundred men; and they kept the day as a joyful festival, since they had destroyed the profaners.<br />16: But those who had held fast to God even to death and had received the full enjoyment of deliverance began their departure from the city, crowned with all sorts of very fragrant flowers, joyfully and loudly giving thanks to the one God of their fathers, the eternal Savior of Israel, in words of praise and all kinds of melodious songs.<br />17: When they had arrived at Ptolemais, called “rose-bearing” because of a characteristic of the place, the fleet waited for them, in accord with the common desire, for seven days.<br />18: There they celebrated their deliverance, for the king had generously provided all things to them for their journey, to each as far as his own house.<br />19: And when they had landed in peace with appropriate thanksgiving, there too in like manner they decided to observe these days as a joyous festival during the time of their stay.<br />20: Then, after inscribing them as holy on a pillar and dedicating a place of prayer at the site of the festival, they departed unharmed, free, and overjoyed, since at the king’s command they had been brought safely by land and sea and river each to his own place.<br />21: They also possessed greater prestige among their enemies, being held in honor and awe; and they were not subject at all to confiscation of their belongings by any one.<br />22: Besides they all recovered all of their property, in accordance with the registration, so that those who held any restored it to them with extreme fear. So the supreme God perfectly performed great deeds for their deliverance.<br />23 Blessed be the Deliverer of Israel through all times! Amen.</p>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07904347198100907985noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3760010985082351599.post-12124910516022596352011-09-20T19:17:00.001-07:002011-09-21T03:19:25.436-07:00Maccabee Scriptures - The Second Book of the Maccabees<u><span style="font-weight: bold;">II Maccabees, Chapter 1 </span></u><br />
1 The Jewish brethren in Jerusalem and those in the land of Judea, To their Jewish brethren in Egypt, Greeting, and good peace.<br />
2 May God do good to you, and may he remember his covenant with Abraham and Isaac and Jacob, his faithful servants.<br />
3 May He give you all a heart to worship Him and to do His will with a strong heart and a willing spirit.<br />
4 May He open your heart to his law and his commandments, and may he bring peace.<br />
5 May He hear your prayers and be reconciled to you, and may he not forsake you in time of evil.<br />
6 We are now praying for you here.<br />
7 In the reign of Demetrius, in the one hundred and sixty-ninth year, we Jews wrote to you, in the critical distress which came upon us in those years after Jason and his company revolted from the holy land and the kingdom<br />
8 and burned the gate and shed innocent blood. We besought the Lord and we were heard, and we offered sacrifice and cereal offering, and we lighted the lamps and we set out the loaves.<br />
9 And now see that you keep the feast of booths in the month of Chislev, in the one hundred and eighty-eighth year.<br />
10 Those in Jerusalem and those in Judea and the senate and Judas,<br />
To Aristobulus, who is of the family of the anointed priests, teacher of Ptolemy the king, and to the Jews in Egypt,<br />
Greeting, and good health.<br />
11 Having been saved by God out of grave dangers we thank him greatly for taking our side against the king.<br />
12 For he drove out those who fought against the holy city.<br />
13 For when the leader reached Persia with a force that seemed irresistible, they were cut to pieces in the temple of Nanea by a deception employed by the priests of Nanea.<br />
14 For under pretext of intending to marry her, Antiochus came to the place together with his friends, to secure most of its treasures as a dowry.<br />
15 When the priests of the temple of Nanea had set out the treasures and Antiochus had come with a few men inside the wall of the sacred precinct, they closed the temple as soon as he entered it.<br />
16 Opening the secret door in the ceiling, they threw stones and struck down the leader and his men, and dismembered them and cut off their heads and threw them to the people outside.<br />
17 Blessed in every way be our God, who has brought judgment upon those who have behaved impiously.<br />
18 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 Nehemiah, who built the temple and the altar, offered sacrifices.<br />
19 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.<br />
20 But after many years had passed, when it pleased God, Nehemiah, 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.<br />
21 And when the materials for the sacrifices were presented, Nehemiah ordered the priests to sprinkle the liquid on the wood and what was laid upon it.<br />
22 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.<br />
23 And while the sacrifice was being consumed, the priests offered prayer — the priests and every one. Jonathan led, and the rest responded, as did Nehemiah.<br />
24 The prayer was to this effect:<br />
“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,<br />
25 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,<br />
26 accept this sacrifice on behalf of all thy people Israel and preserve thy portion and make it holy.<br />
27 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.<br />
28 Afflict those who oppress and are insolent with pride.<br />
29 Plant thy people in thy holy place, as Moses said.”<br />
30 Then the priests sang the hymns.<br />
31 And when the materials of the sacrifice were consumed, Nehemiah ordered that the liquid that was left should be poured upon large stones.<br />
32 When this was done, a flame blazed up; but when the light from the altar shone back, it went out.<br />
33 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 Nehemiah and his associates had burned the materials of the sacrifice,<br />
34 the king investigated the matter, and enclosed the place and made it sacred.<br />
35 And with those persons whom the king favored he exchanged many excellent gifts.<br />
36 Nehemiah and his associates called this “nephthar,” which means purification, but by most people it is called naphtha.<span style="text-decoration: underline;"><b><br /><br />II Maccabees, Chapter 2</b></span><br />
1 One finds in the records that Jeremiah the prophet ordered those who were being deported to take some of the fire, as has been told,<br />
2 and that the prophet after giving them the law instructed those who were being deported not to forget the commandments of the Lord, nor to be led astray in their thoughts upon seeing the gold and silver statues and their adornment.<br />
3 And with other similar words he exhorted them that the law should not depart from their hearts.<br />
4 It was also in the writing that the prophet, having received an oracle, ordered that the tent and the ark should follow with him, and that he went out to the mountain where Moses had gone up and had seen the inheritance of God.<br />
5 And Jeremiah came and found a cave, and he brought there the tent and the ark and the altar of incense, and he sealed up the entrance.<br />
6 Some of those who followed him came up to mark the way, but could not find it.<br />
7 When Jeremiah learned of it, he rebuked them and declared: “The place shall be unknown until God gathers his people together again and shows his mercy.<br />
8 And then the Lord will disclose these things, and the glory of the Lord and the cloud will appear, as they were shown in the case of Moses, and as Solomon asked that the place should be specially consecrated.”<br />
9 It was also made clear that being possessed of wisdom Solomon offered sacrifice for the dedication and completion of the temple.<br />
10 Just as Moses prayed to the Lord, and fire came down from heaven and devoured the sacrifices, so also Solomon prayed, and the fire came down and consumed the whole burnt offerings.<br />
11 And Moses said, “They were consumed because the sin offering had not been eaten.”<br />
12 Likewise Solomon also kept the eight days.<br />
13 The same things are reported in the records and in the memoirs of Nehemiah, and also that he founded a library and collected the books about the kings and prophets, and the writings of David, and letters of kings about votive offerings.<br />
14 In the same way Judas also collected all the books that had been lost on account of the war which had come upon us, and they are in our possession.<br />
15 So if you have need of them, send people to get them for you.<br />
16 Since, therefore, we are about to celebrate the purification, we write to you. Will you therefore please keep the days?<br />
17 It is God who has saved all his people, and has returned the inheritance to all, and the kingship and priesthood and consecration,<br />
18 as he promised through the law. For we have hope in God that he will soon have mercy upon us and will gather us from everywhere under heaven into his holy place, for he has rescued us from great evils and has purified the place.<br />
19 The story of Judas Maccabeus and his brothers, and the purification of the great temple, and the dedication of the altar,<br />
20 and further the wars against Antiochus Epiphanes and his son Eupator,<br />
21 and the appearances which came from heaven to those who strove zealously on behalf of Judaism, so that though few in number they seized the whole land and pursued the barbarian hordes,<br />
22 and recovered the temple famous throughout the world and freed the city and restored the laws that were about to be abolished, while the Lord with great kindness became gracious to them –<br />
23 all this, which has been set forth by Jason of Cyrene in five volumes, we shall attempt to condense into a single book.<br />
24 For considering the flood of numbers involved and the difficulty there is for those who wish to enter upon the narratives of history because of the mass of material,<br />
25 we have aimed to please those who wish to read, to make it easy for those who are inclined to memorize, and to profit all readers.<br />
26 For us who have undertaken the toil of abbreviating, it is no light matter but calls for sweat and loss of sleep,<br />
27 just as it is not easy for one who prepares a banquet and seeks the benefit of others. However, to secure the gratitude of many we will gladly endure the uncomfortable toil,<br />
28 leaving the responsibility for exact details to the compiler, while devoting our effort to arriving at the outlines of the condensation.<br />
29 For as the master builder of a new house must be concerned with the whole construction, while the one who undertakes its painting and decoration has to consider only what is suitable for its adornment, such in my judgment is the case with us.<br />
30 It is the duty of the original historian to occupy the ground and to discuss matters from every side and to take trouble with details,<br />
31 but the one who recasts the narrative should be allowed to strive for brevity of expression and to forego exhaustive treatment.<br />
32 At this point therefore let us begin our narrative, adding only so much to what has already been said; for it is foolish to lengthen the preface while cutting short the history itself.<br />
<br />
<span style="text-decoration: underline;"><b>II Maccabees, Chapter 3</b></span><br />
1 While the holy city was inhabited in unbroken peace and the laws were very well observed because of the piety of the high priest Onias and his hatred of wickedness,<br />
2 it came about that the kings themselves honored the place and glorified the temple with the finest presents,<br />
3 so that even Seleucus, the king of Asia, defrayed from his own revenues all the expenses connected with the service of the sacrifices.<br />
4 But a man named Simon, of the tribe of Benjamin, who had been made captain of the temple, had a disagreement with the high priest about the administration of the city market;<br />
5 and when he could not prevail over Onias he went to Apollonius of Tarsus, who at that time was governor of Coelesyria and Phoenicia.<br />
6 He reported to him that the treasury in Jerusalem was full of untold sums of money, so that the amount of the funds could not be reckoned, and that they did not belong to the account of the sacrifices, but that it was possible for them to fall under the control of the king.<br />
7 When Apollonius met the king, he told him of the money about which he had been informed. The king chose Heliodorus, who was in charge of his affairs, and sent him with commands to effect the removal of the aforesaid money.<br />
8 Heliodorus at once set out on his journey, ostensibly to make a tour of inspection of the cities of Coelesyria and Phoenicia, but in fact to carry out the king’s purpose.<br />
9 When he had arrived at Jerusalem and had been kindly welcomed by the high priest of the city, he told about the disclosure that had been made and stated why he had come, and he inquired whether this really was the situation.<br />
10 The high priest explained that there were some deposits belonging to widows and orphans,<br />
11 and also some money of Hyrcanus, son of Tobias, a man of very prominent position, and that it totaled in all four hundred talents of silver and two hundred of gold. To such an extent the impious Simon had misrepresented the facts.<br />
12 And he said that it was utterly impossible that wrong should be done to those people who had trusted in the holiness of the place and in the sanctity and inviolability of the temple which is honored throughout the whole world.<br />
13 But Heliodorus, because of the king’s commands which he had, said that this money must in any case be confiscated for the king’s treasury.<br />
14 So he set a day and went in to direct the inspection of these funds. There was no little distress throughout the whole city.<br />
15 The priests prostrated themselves before the altar in their priestly garments and called toward heaven upon him who had given the law about deposits, that he should keep them safe for those who had deposited them.<br />
16 To see the appearance of the high priest was to be wounded at heart, for his face and the change in his color disclosed the anguish of his soul.<br />
17 For terror and bodily trembling had come over the man, which plainly showed to those who looked at him the pain lodged in his heart.<br />
18 People also hurried out of their houses in crowds to make a general supplication because the holy place was about to be brought into contempt.<br />
19 Women, girded with sackcloth under their breasts, thronged the streets. Some of the maidens who were kept indoors ran together to the gates, and some to the walls, while others peered out of the windows.<br />
20 And holding up their hands to heaven, they all made entreaty.<br />
21 There was something pitiable in the prostration of the whole populace and the anxiety of the high priest in his great anguish.<br />
22 While they were calling upon the Almighty Lord that he would keep what had been entrusted safe and secure for those who had entrusted it,<br />
23 Heliodorus went on with what had been decided.<br />
24 But when he arrived at the treasury with his bodyguard, then and there the Sovereign of spirits and of all authority caused so great a manifestation that all who had been so bold as to accompany him were astounded by the power of God, and became faint with terror.<br />
25 For there appeared to them a magnificently caparisoned horse, with a rider of frightening mien, and it rushed furiously at Heliodorus and struck at him with its front hoofs. Its rider was seen to have armor and weapons of gold.<br />
26 Two young men also appeared to him, remarkably strong, gloriously beautiful and splendidly dressed, who stood on each side of him and scourged him continuously, inflicting many blows on him.<br />
27 When he suddenly fell to the ground and deep darkness came over him, his men took him up and put him on a stretcher<br />
28 and carried him away, this man who had just entered the aforesaid treasury with a great retinue and all his bodyguard but was now unable to help himself; and they recognized clearly the sovereign power of God.<br />
29 While he lay prostrate, speechless because of the divine intervention and deprived of any hope of recovery,<br />
30 they praised the Lord who had acted marvelously for his own place. And the temple, which a little while before was full of fear and disturbance, was filled with joy and gladness, now that the Almighty Lord had appeared.<br />
31 Quickly some of Heliodorus’ friends asked Onias to call upon the Most High and to grant life to one who was lying quite at his last breath.<br />
32 And the high priest, fearing that the king might get the notion that some foul play had been perpetrated by the Jews with regard to Heliodorus, offered sacrifice for the man’s recovery.<br />
33 While the high priest was making the offering of atonement, the same young men appeared again to Heliodorus dressed in the same clothing, and they stood and said, “Be very grateful to Onias the high priest, since for his sake the Lord has granted you your life.<br />
34 And see that you, who have been scourged by heaven, report to all men the majestic power of God.” Having said this they vanished.<br />
35 Then Heliodorus offered sacrifice to the Lord and made very great vows to the Savior of his life, and having bidden Onias farewell, he marched off with his forces to the king.<br />
36 And he bore testimony to all men of the deeds of the supreme God, which he had seen with his own eyes.<br />
37 When the king asked Heliodorus what sort of person would be suitable to send on another mission to Jerusalem, he replied,<br />
38 “If you have any enemy or plotter against your government, send him there, for you will get him back thoroughly scourged, if he escapes at all, for there certainly is about the place some power of God.<br />
39 For he who has his dwelling in heaven watches over that place himself and brings it aid, and he strikes and destroys those who come to do it injury.”<br />
40 This was the outcome of the episode of Heliodorus and the protection of the treasury.<br />
<br />
<span style="text-decoration: underline;"><b>II Maccabees, Chapter 4</b></span><br />
1 The previously mentioned Simon, who had informed about the money against his own country, slandered Onias, saying that it was he who had incited Heliodorus and had been the real cause of the misfortune.<br />
2 He dared to designate as a plotter against the government the man who was the benefactor of the city, the protector of his fellow countrymen, and a zealot for the laws.<br />
3 When his hatred progressed to such a degree that even murders were committed by one of Simon’s approved agents,<br />
4 Onias recognized that the rivalry was serious and that Apollonius, the son of Menestheus and governor of Coelesyria and Phoenicia, was intensifying the malice of Simon.<br />
5 So he betook himself to the king, not accusing his fellow citizens but having in view the welfare, both public and private, of all the people.<br />
6 For he saw that without the king’s attention public affairs could not again reach a peaceful settlement, and that Simon would not stop his folly.<br />
7 When Seleucus died and Antiochus who was called Epiphanes succeeded to the kingdom, Jason the brother of Onias obtained the high priesthood by corruption,<br />
8 promising the king at an interview three hundred and sixty talents of silver and, from another source of revenue, eighty talents.<br />
9 In addition to this he promised to pay one hundred and fifty more if permission were given to establish by his authority a gymnasium and a body of youth for it, and to enrol the men of Jerusalem as citizens of Antioch.<br />
10 When the king assented and Jason came to office, he at once shifted his countrymen over to the Greek way of life.<br />
11 He set aside the existing royal concessions to the Jews, secured through John the father of Eupolemus, who went on the mission to establish friendship and alliance with the Romans; and he destroyed the lawful ways of living and introduced new customs contrary to the law.<br />
12 For with alacrity he founded a gymnasium right under the citadel, and he induced the noblest of the young men to wear the Greek hat.<br />
13 There was such an extreme of Hellenization and increase in the adoption of foreign ways because of the surpassing wickedness of Jason, who was ungodly and no high priest,<br />
14 that the priests were no longer intent upon their service at the altar. Despising the sanctuary and neglecting the sacrifices, they hastened to take part in the unlawful proceedings in the wrestling arena after the call to the discus,<br />
15 disdaining the honors prized by their fathers and putting the highest value upon Greek forms of prestige.<br />
16 For this reason heavy disaster overtook them, and those whose ways of living they admired and wished to imitate completely became their enemies and punished them.<br />
17 For it is no light thing to show irreverence to the divine laws — a fact which later events will make clear.<br />
18 When the quadrennial games were being held at Tyre and the king was present,<br />
19 the vile Jason sent envoys, chosen as being Antiochian citizens from Jerusalem, to carry three hundred silver drachmas for the sacrifice to Hercules. Those who carried the money, however, thought best not to use it for sacrifice, because that was inappropriate, but to expend it for another purpose.<br />
20 So this money was intended by the sender for the sacrifice to Hercules, but by the decision of its carriers it was applied to the construction of triremes.<br />
21 When Apollonius the son of Menestheus was sent to Egypt for the coronation of Philometor as king, Antiochus learned that Philometor had become hostile to his government, and he took measures for his own security. Therefore upon arriving at Joppa he proceeded to Jerusalem.<br />
22 He was welcomed magnificently by Jason and the city, and ushered in with a blaze of torches and with shouts. Then he marched into Phoenicia.<br />
23 After a period of three years Jason sent Menelaus, the brother of the previously mentioned Simon, to carry the money to the king and to complete the records of essential business.<br />
24 But he, when presented to the king, extolled him with an air of authority, and secured the high priesthood for himself, outbidding Jason by three hundred talents of silver.<br />
25 After receiving the king’s orders he returned, possessing no qualification for the high priesthood, but having the hot temper of a cruel tyrant and the rage of a savage wild beast.<br />
26 So Jason, who after supplanting his own brother was supplanted by another man, was driven as a fugitive into the land of Ammon.<br />
27 And Menelaus held the office, but he did not pay regularly any of the money promised to the king.<br />
28 When Sostratus the captain of the citadel kept requesting payment, for the collection of the revenue was his responsibility, the two of them were summoned by the king on account of this issue.<br />
29 Menelaus left his own brother Lysimachus as deputy in the high priesthood, while Sostratus left Crates, the commander of the Cyprian troops.<br />
30 While such was the state of affairs, it happened that the people of Tarsus and of Mallus revolted because their cities had been given as a present to Antiochis, the king’s concubine.<br />
31 So the king went hastily to settle the trouble, leaving Andronicus, a man of high rank, to act as his deputy.<br />
32 But Menelaus, thinking he had obtained a suitable opportunity, stole some of the gold vessels of the temple and gave them to Andronicus; other vessels, as it happened, he had sold to Tyre and the neighboring cities.<br />
33 When Onias became fully aware of these acts he publicly exposed them, having first withdrawn to a place of sanctuary at Daphne near Antioch.<br />
34 Therefore Menelaus, taking Andronicus aside, urged him to kill Onias. Andronicus came to Onias, and resorting to treachery offered him sworn pledges and gave him his right hand, and in spite of his suspicion persuaded Onias to come out from the place of sanctuary; then, with no regard for justice, he immediately put him out of the way.<br />
35 For this reason not only Jews, but many also of other nations, were grieved and displeased at the unjust murder of the man.<br />
36 When the king returned from the region of Cilicia, the Jews in the city appealed to him with regard to the unreasonable murder of Onias, and the Greeks shared their hatred of the crime.<br />
37 Therefore Antiochus was grieved at heart and filled with pity, and wept because of the moderation and good conduct of the deceased;<br />
38 and inflamed with anger, he immediately stripped off the purple robe from Andronicus, tore off his garments, and led him about the whole city to that very place where he had committed the outrage against Onias, and there he dispatched the bloodthirsty fellow. The Lord thus repaid him with the punishment he deserved.<br />
39 When many acts of sacrilege had been committed in the city by Lysimachus with the connivance of Menelaus, and when report of them had spread abroad, the populace gathered against Lysimachus, because many of the gold vessels had already been stolen.<br />
40 And since the crowds were becoming aroused and filled with anger, Lysimachus armed about three thousand men and launched an unjust attack, under the leadership of a certain Auranus, a man advanced in years and no less advanced in folly.<br />
41 But when the Jews became aware of Lysimachus’ attack, some picked up stones, some blocks of wood, and others took handfuls of the ashes that were lying about, and threw them in wild confusion at Lysimachus and his men.<br />
42 As a result, they wounded many of them, and killed some, and put them all to flight; and the temple robber himself they killed close by the treasury.<br />
43 Charges were brought against Menelaus about this incident.<br />
44 When the king came to Tyre, three men sent by the senate presented the case before him.<br />
45 But Menelaus, already as good as beaten, promised a substantial bribe to Ptolemy son of Dorymenes to win over the king.<br />
46 Therefore Ptolemy, taking the king aside into a colonnade as if for refreshment, induced the king to change his mind.<br />
47 Menelaus, the cause of all the evil, he acquitted of the charges against him, while he sentenced to death those unfortunate men, who would have been freed uncondemned if they had pleaded even before Scythians.<br />
48 And so those who had spoken for the city and the villages and the holy vessels quickly suffered the unjust penalty.<br />
49 Therefore even the Tyrians, showing their hatred of the crime, provided magnificently for their funeral.<br />
50 But Menelaus, because of the cupidity of those in power, remained in office, growing in wickedness, having become the chief plotter against his fellow citizens. <br />
<span style="text-decoration: underline;"><b>II Maccabees, Chapter 5</b></span><br />1 About this time Antiochus made his second invasion of Egypt.<br />2 And it happened that over all the city, for almost forty days, there appeared golden-clad horsemen charging through the air, in companies fully armed with lances and drawn swords –<br />3 troops of horsemen drawn up, attacks and counterattacks made on this side and on that, brandishing of shields, massing of spears, hurling of missiles, the flash of golden trappings, and armor of all sorts.<br />4 Therefore all men prayed that the apparition might prove to have been a good omen.<br />5 When a false rumor arose that Antiochus was dead, Jason took no less than a thousand men and suddenly made an assault upon the city. When the troops upon the wall had been forced back and at last the city was being taken, Menelaus took refuge in the citadel.<br />6 But Jason kept relentlessly slaughtering his fellow citizens, not realizing that success at the cost of one’s kindred is the greatest misfortune, but imagining that he was setting up trophies of victory over enemies and not over fellow countrymen.<br />7 He did not gain control of the government, however; and in the end got only disgrace from his conspiracy, and fled again into the country of the Ammonites.<br />8 Finally he met a miserable end. Accused before Aretas the ruler of the Arabs, fleeing from city to city, pursued by all men, hated as a rebel against the laws, and abhorred as the executioner of his country and his fellow citizens, he was cast ashore in Egypt;<br />9 and he who had driven many from their own country into exile died in exile, having embarked to go to the Lacedaemonians in hope of finding protection because of their kinship.<br />10 He who had cast out many to lie unburied had no one to mourn for him; he had no funeral of any sort and no place in the tomb of his fathers.<br />11 When news of what had happened reached the king, he took it to mean that Judea was in revolt. So, raging inwardly, he left Egypt and took the city by storm.<br />12 And he commanded his soldiers to cut down relentlessly every one they met and to slay those who went into the houses.<br />13 Then there was killing of young and old, destruction of boys, women, and children, and slaughter of virgins and infants.<br />14 Within the total of three days eighty thousand were destroyed, forty thousand in hand-to-hand fighting; and as many were sold into slavery as were slain.<br />15 Not content with this, Antiochus dared to enter the most holy temple in all the world, guided by Menelaus, who had become a traitor both to the laws and to his country.<br />16 He took the holy vessels with his polluted hands, and swept away with profane hands the votive offerings which other kings had made to enhance the glory and honor of the place.<br />17 Antiochus was elated in spirit, and did not perceive that the Lord was angered for a little while because of the sins of those who dwelt in the city, and that therefore he was disregarding the holy place.<br />18 But if it had not happened that they were involved in many sins, this man would have been scourged and turned back from his rash act as soon as he came forward, just as Heliodorus was, whom Seleucus the king sent to inspect the treasury.<br />19 But the Lord did not choose the nation for the sake of the holy place, but the place for the sake of the nation.<br />20 Therefore the place itself shared in the misfortunes that befell the nation and afterward participated in its benefits; and what was forsaken in the wrath of the Almighty was restored again in all its glory when the great Lord became reconciled.<br />21 So Antiochus carried off eighteen hundred talents from the temple, and hurried away to Antioch, thinking in his arrogance that he could sail on the land and walk on the sea, because his mind was elated.<br />22 And he left governors to afflict the people: at Jerusalem, Philip, by birth a Phrygian and in character more barbarous than the man who appointed him;<br />23 and at Gerizim, Andronicus; and besides these Menelaus, who lorded it over his fellow citizens worse than the others did. In his malice toward the Jewish citizens,<br />24 Antiochus sent Apollonius, the captain of the Mysians, with an army of twenty-two thousand, and commanded him to slay all the grown men and to sell the women and boys as slaves.<br />25 When this man arrived in Jerusalem, he pretended to be peaceably disposed and waited until the holy sabbath day; then, finding the Jews not at work, he ordered his men to parade under arms.<br />26 He put to the sword all those who came out to see them, then rushed into the city with his armed men and killed great numbers of people.<br />27 But Judas Maccabeus, with about nine others, got away to the wilderness, and kept himself and his companions alive in the mountains as wild animals do; they continued to live on what grew wild, so that they might not share in the defilement.<br />
<span style="text-decoration: underline;"><b>II Maccabees, Chapter 6</b></span><br />1 Not long after this, the king sent an Athenian senator to compel the Jews to forsake the laws of their fathers and cease to live by the laws of God,<br />2 and also to pollute the temple in Jerusalem and call it the temple of Olympian Zeus, and to call the one in Gerizim the temple of Zeus the Friend of Strangers, as did the people who dwelt in that place.<br />3 Harsh and utterly grievous was the onslaught of evil.<br />4 For the temple was filled with debauchery and reveling by the Gentiles, who dallied with harlots and had intercourse with women within the sacred precincts, and besides brought in things for sacrifice that were unfit.<br />5 The altar was covered with abominable offerings which were forbidden by the laws.<br />6 A man could neither keep the sabbath, nor observe the feasts of his fathers, nor so much as confess himself to be a Jew.<br />7 On the monthly celebration of the king’s birthday, the Jews were taken, under bitter constraint, to partake of the sacrifices; and when the feast of Dionysus came, they were compelled to walk in the procession in honor of Dionysus, wearing wreaths of ivy.<br />8 At the suggestion of Ptolemy a decree was issued to the neighboring Greek cities, that they should adopt the same policy toward the Jews and make them partake of the sacrifices,<br />9 and should slay those who did not choose to change over to Greek customs. One could see, therefore, the misery that had come upon them.<br />10 For example, two women were brought in for having circumcised their children. These women they publicly paraded about the city, with their babies hung at their breasts, then hurled them down headlong from the wall.<br />11 Others who had assembled in the caves near by, to observe the seventh day secretly, were betrayed to Philip and were all burned together, because their piety kept them from defending themselves, in view of their regard for that most holy day.<br />12 Now I urge those who read this book not to be depressed by such calamities, but to recognize that these punishments were designed not to destroy but to discipline our people.<br />13 In fact, not to let the impious alone for long, but to punish them immediately, is a sign of great kindness.<br />14 For in the case of the other nations the Lord waits patiently to punish them until they have reached the full measure of their sins; but he does not deal in this way with us,<br />15 in order that he may not take vengeance on us afterward when our sins have reached their height.<br />16 Therefore he never withdraws his mercy from us. Though he disciplines us with calamities, he does not forsake his own people.<br />17 Let what we have said serve as a reminder; we must go on briefly with the story.<br />18 Eleazar, one of the scribes in high position, a man now advanced in age and of noble presence, was being forced to open his mouth to eat swine’s flesh.<br />19 But he, welcoming death with honor rather than life with pollution, went up to the the rack of his own accord, spitting out the flesh,<br />20 as men ought to go who have the courage to refuse things that it is not right to taste, even for the natural love of life.<br />21 Those who were in charge of that unlawful sacrifice took the man aside, because of their long acquaintance with him, and privately urged him to bring meat of his own providing, proper for him to use, and pretend that he was eating the flesh of the sacrificial meal which had been commanded by the king,<br />22 so that by doing this he might be saved from death, and be treated kindly on account of his old friendship with them.<br />23 But making a high resolve, worthy of his years and the dignity of his old age and the gray hairs which he had reached with distinction and his excellent life even from childhood, and moreover according to the holy God-given law, he declared himself quickly, telling them to send him to Hades.<br />24 “Such pretense is not worthy of our time of life,” he said, “lest many of the young should suppose that Eleazar in his ninetieth year has gone over to an alien religion,<br />25 and through my pretense, for the sake of living a brief moment longer, they should be led astray because of me, while I defile and disgrace my old age.<br />26 For even if for the present I should avoid the punishment of men, yet whether I live or die I shall not escape the hands of the Almighty.<br />27 Therefore, by manfully giving up my life now, I will show myself worthy of my old age<br />28 and leave to the young a noble example of how to die a good death willingly and nobly for the revered and holy laws.”<br />When he had said this, he went at once to the rack.<br />29 And those who a little before had acted toward him with good will now changed to ill will, because the words he had uttered were in their opinion sheer madness.<br />30 When he was about to die under the blows, he groaned aloud and said: “It is clear to the Lord in his holy knowledge that, though I might have been saved from death, I am enduring terrible sufferings in my body under this beating, but in my soul I am glad to suffer these things because I fear him.”<br />31 So in this way he died, leaving in his death an example of nobility and a memorial of courage, not only to the young but to the great body of his nation.<br />
<span style="text-decoration: underline;"><b>II Maccabees, Chapter 7</b></span><br />1 It happened also that seven brothers and their mother were arrested and were being compelled by the king, under torture with whips and cords, to partake of unlawful swine’s flesh.<br />2 One of them, acting as their spokesman, said, “What do you intend to ask and learn from us? For we are ready to die rather than transgress the laws of our fathers.”<br />3 The king fell into a rage, and gave orders that pans and caldrons be heated.<br />4 These were heated immediately, and he commanded that the tongue of their spokesman be cut out and that they scalp him and cut off his hands and feet, while the rest of the brothers and the mother looked on.<br />5 When he was utterly helpless, the king ordered them to take him to the fire, still breathing, and to fry him in a pan. The smoke from the pan spread widely, but the brothers and their mother encouraged one another to die nobly, saying,<br />6 “The Lord God is watching over us and in truth has compassion on us, as Moses declared in his song which bore witness against the people to their faces, when he said, `And he will have compassion on his servants.’”<br />7 After the first brother had died in this way, they brought forward the second for their sport. They tore off the skin of his head with the hair, and asked him, “Will you eat rather than have your body punished limb by limb?”<br />8 He replied in the language of his fathers, and said to them, “No.” Therefore he in turn underwent tortures as the first brother had done.<br />9 And when he was at his last breath, he said, “You accursed wretch, you dismiss us from this present life, but the King of the universe will raise us up to an everlasting renewal of life, because we have died for his laws.”<br />10 After him, the third was the victim of their sport. When it was demanded, he quickly put out his tongue and courageously stretched forth his hands,<br />11 and said nobly, “I got these from Heaven, and because of his laws I disdain them, and from him I hope to get them back again.”<br />12 As a result the king himself and those with him were astonished at the young man’s spirit, for he regarded his sufferings as nothing.<br />13 When he too had died, they maltreated and tortured the fourth in the same way.<br />14 And when he was near death, he said, “One cannot but choose to die at the hands of men and to cherish the hope that God gives of being raised again by him. But for you there will be no resurrection to life!”<br />15 Next they brought forward the fifth and maltreated him.<br />16 But he looked at the king, and said, “Because you have authority among men, mortal though you are, you do what you please. But do not think that God has forsaken our people.<br />17 Keep on, and see how his mighty power will torture you and your descendants!”<br />18 After him they brought forward the sixth. And when he was about to die, he said, “Do not deceive yourself in vain. For we are suffering these things on our own account, because of our sins against our own God. Therefore astounding things have happened.<br />19 But do not think that you will go unpunished for having tried to fight against God!”<br />20 The mother was especially admirable and worthy of honorable memory. Though she saw her seven sons perish within a single day, she bore it with good courage because of her hope in the Lord.<br />21 She encouraged each of them in the language of their fathers. Filled with a noble spirit, she fired her woman’s reasoning with a man’s courage, and said to them,<br />22 “I do not know how you came into being in my womb. It was not I who gave you life and breath, nor I who set in order the elements within each of you.<br />23 Therefore the Creator of the world, who shaped the beginning of man and devised the origin of all things, will in his mercy give life and breath back to you again, since you now forget yourselves for the sake of his laws.”<br />24 Antiochus felt that he was being treated with contempt, and he was suspicious of her reproachful tone. The youngest brother being still alive, Antiochus not only appealed to him in words, but promised with oaths that he would make him rich and enviable if he would turn from the ways of his fathers, and that he would take him for his friend and entrust him with public affairs.<br />25 Since the young man would not listen to him at all, the king called the mother to him and urged her to advise the youth to save himself.<br />26 After much urging on his part, she undertook to persuade her son.<br />27 But, leaning close to him, she spoke in their native tongue as follows, deriding the cruel tyrant: “My son, have pity on me. I carried you nine months in my womb, and nursed you for three years, and have reared you and brought you up to this point in your life, and have taken care of you.<br />28 I beseech you, my child, to look at the heaven and the earth and see everything that is in them, and recognize that God did not make them out of things that existed. Thus also mankind comes into being.<br />29 Do not fear this butcher, but prove worthy of your brothers. Accept death, so that in God’s mercy I may get you back again with your brothers.”<br />30 While she was still speaking, the young man said, “What are you waiting for? I will not obey the king’s command, but I obey the command of the law that was given to our fathers through Moses.<br />31 But you, who have contrived all sorts of evil against the Hebrews, will certainly not escape the hands of God.<br />32 For we are suffering because of our own sins.<br />33 And if our living Lord is angry for a little while, to rebuke and discipline us, he will again be reconciled with his own servants.<br />34 But you, unholy wretch, you most defiled of all men, do not be elated in vain and puffed up by uncertain hopes, when you raise your hand against the children of heaven.<br />35 You have not yet escaped the judgment of the almighty, all-seeing God.<br />36 For our brothers after enduring a brief suffering have drunk of everflowing life under God’s covenant; but you, by the judgment of God, will receive just punishment for your arrogance.<br />37 I, like my brothers, give up body and life for the laws of our fathers, appealing to God to show mercy soon to our nation and by afflictions and plagues to make you confess that he alone is God,<br />38 and through me and my brothers to bring to an end the wrath of the Almighty which has justly fallen on our whole nation.”<br />39 The king fell into a rage, and handled him worse than the others, being exasperated at his scorn.<br />40 So he died in his integrity, putting his whole trust in the Lord.<br />41 Last of all, the mother died, after her sons.<br />42 Let this be enough, then, about the eating of sacrifices and the extreme tortures.<br />
<span style="text-decoration: underline;"><b>II Maccabees, Chapter 8</b></span><br />1 Meanwhile, Judas, who was also called Maccabeus, and his companions secretly entered the villages and summoned their kinsmen and enlisted those who had continued in the Jewish faith, and so they gathered about six thousand men.<br />2 They besought the Lord to look upon the people who were oppressed by all, and to have pity on the temple which had been profaned by ungodly men,<br />3 and to have mercy on the city which was being destroyed and about to be leveled to the ground, and to hearken to the blood that cried out to him,<br />4 and to remember also the lawless destruction of the innocent babies and the blasphemies committed against his name, and to show his hatred of evil.<br />5 As soon as Maccabeus got his army organized, the Gentiles could not withstand him, for the wrath of the Lord had turned to mercy.<br />6 Coming without warning, he would set fire to towns and villages. He captured strategic positions and put to flight not a few of the enemy.<br />7 He found the nights most advantageous for such attacks. And talk of his valor spread everywhere.<br />8 When Philip saw that the man was gaining ground little by little, and that he was pushing ahead with more frequent successes, he wrote to Ptolemy, the governor of Coelesyria and Phoenicia, for aid to the king’s government.<br />9 And Ptolemy promptly appointed Nicanor the son of Patroclus, one of the king’s chief friends, and sent him, in command of no fewer than twenty thousand Gentiles of all nations, to wipe out the whole race of Judea. He associated with him Gorgias, a general and a man of experience in military service.<br />10 Nicanor determined to make up for the king the tribute due to the Romans, two thousand talents, by selling the captured Jews into slavery.<br />11 And he immediately sent to the cities on the seacoast, inviting them to buy Jewish slaves and promising to hand over ninety slaves for a talent, not expecting the judgment from the Almighty that was about to overtake him.<br />12 Word came to Judas concerning Nicanor’s invasion; and when he told his companions of the arrival of the army,<br />13 those who were cowardly and distrustful of God’s justice ran off and got away.<br />14 Others sold all their remaining property, and at the same time besought the Lord to rescue those who had been sold by the ungodly Nicanor before he ever met them,<br />15 if not for their own sake, yet for the sake of the covenants made with their fathers, and because he had called them by his holy and glorious name.<br />16 But Maccabeus gathered his men together, to the number six thousand, and exhorted them not to be frightened by the enemy and not to fear the great multitude of Gentiles who were wickedly coming against them, but to fight nobly,<br />17 keeping before their eyes the lawless outrage which the Gentiles had committed against the holy place, and the torture of the derided city, and besides, the overthrow of their ancestral way of life.<br />18 “For they trust to arms and acts of daring,” he said, “but we trust in the Almighty God, who is able with a single nod to strike down those who are coming against us and even the whole world.”<br />19 Moreover, he told them of the times when help came to their ancestors; both the time of Sennacherib, when one hundred and eighty-five thousand perished,<br />20 and the time of the battle with the Galatians that took place in Babylonia, when eight thousand in all went into the affair, with four thousand Macedonians; and when the Macedonians were hard pressed, the eight thousand, by the help that came to them from heaven, destroyed one hundred and twenty thousand and took much booty.<br />21 With these words he filled them with good courage and made them ready to die for their laws and their country; then he divided his army into four parts.<br />22 He appointed his brothers also, Simon and Joseph and Jonathan, each to command a division, putting fifteen hundred men under each.<br />23 Besides, he appointed Eleazar to read aloud from the holy book, and gave the watchword, “God’s help”; then, leading the first division himself, he joined battle with Nicanor.<br />24 With the Almighty as their ally, they slew more than nine thousand of the enemy, and wounded and disabled most of Nicanor’s army, and forced them all to flee.<br />25 They captured the money of those who had come to buy them as slaves. After pursuing them for some distance, they were obliged to return because the hour was late.<br />26 For it was the day before the sabbath, and for that reason they did not continue their pursuit.<br />27 And when they had collected the arms of the enemy and stripped them of their spoils, they kept the sabbath, giving great praise and thanks to the Lord, who had preserved them for that day and allotted it to them as the beginning of mercy.<br />28 After the sabbath they gave some of the spoils to those who had been tortured and to the widows and orphans, and distributed the rest among themselves and their children.<br />29 When they had done this, they made common supplication and besought the merciful Lord to be wholly reconciled with his servants.<br />30 In encounters with the forces of Timothy and Bacchides they killed more than twenty thousand of them and got possession of some exceedingly high strongholds, and they divided very much plunder, giving to those who had been tortured and to the orphans and widows, and also to the aged, shares equal to their own.<br />31 Collecting the arms of the enemy, they stored them all carefully in strategic places, and carried the rest of the spoils to Jerusalem.<br />32 They killed the commander of Timothy’s forces, a most unholy man, and one who had greatly troubled the Jews.<br />33 While they were celebrating the victory in the city of their fathers, they burned those who had set fire to the sacred gates, Callisthenes and some others, who had fled into one little house; so these received the proper recompense for their impiety.<br />34 The thrice-accursed Nicanor, who had brought the thousand merchants to buy the Jews,<br />35 having been humbled with the help of the Lord by opponents whom he regarded as of the least account, took off his splendid uniform and made his way alone like a runaway slave across the country till he reached Antioch, having succeeded chiefly in the destruction of his own army!<br />36 Thus he who had undertaken to secure tribute for the Romans by the capture of the people of Jerusalem proclaimed that the Jews had a Defender, and that therefore the Jews were invulnerable, because they followed the laws ordained by him.<br />
<span style="text-decoration: underline;"><b>II Maccabees, Chapter 9</b></span><br />1 About that time, as it happened, Antiochus had retreated in disorder from the region of Persia.<br />2 For he had entered the city called Persepolis, and attempted to rob the temples and control the city. Therefore the people rushed to the rescue with arms, and Antiochus and his men were defeated, with the result that Antiochus was put to flight by the inhabitants and beat a shameful retreat.<br />3 While he was in Ecbatana, news came to him of what had happened to Nicanor and the forces of Timothy.<br />4 Transported with rage, he conceived the idea of turning upon the Jews the injury done by those who had put him to flight; so he ordered his charioteer to drive without stopping until he completed the journey. But the judgment of heaven rode with him! For in his arrogance he said, “When I get there I will make Jerusalem a cemetery of Jews.”<br />5 But the all-seeing Lord, the God of Israel, struck him an incurable and unseen blow. As soon as he ceased speaking he was seized with a pain in his bowels for which there was no relief and with sharp internal tortures –<br />6 and that very justly, for he had tortured the bowels of others with many and strange inflictions.<br />7 Yet he did not in any way stop his insolence, but was even more filled with arrogance, breathing fire in his rage against the Jews, and giving orders to hasten the journey. And so it came about that he fell out of his chariot as it was rushing along, and the fall was so hard as to torture every limb of his body.<br />8 Thus he who had just been thinking that he could command the waves of the sea, in his superhuman arrogance, and imagining that he could weigh the high mountains in a balance, was brought down to earth and carried in a litter, making the power of God manifest to all.<br />9 And so the ungodly man’s body swarmed with worms, and while he was still living in anguish and pain, his flesh rotted away, and because of his stench the whole army felt revulsion at his decay.<br />10 Because of his intolerable stench no one was able to carry the man who a little while before had thought that he could touch the stars of heaven.<br />11 Then it was that, broken in spirit, he began to lose much of his arrogance and to come to his senses under the scourge of God, for he was tortured with pain every moment.<br />12 And when he could not endure his own stench, he uttered these words: “It is right to be subject to God, and no mortal should think that he is equal to God.”<br />13 Then the abominable fellow made a vow to the Lord, who would no longer have mercy on him, stating<br />14 that the holy city, which he was hastening to level to the ground and to make a cemetery, he was now declaring to be free;<br />15 and the Jews, whom he had not considered worth burying but had planned to throw out with their children to the beasts, for the birds to pick, he would make, all of them, equal to citizens of Athens;<br />16 and the holy sanctuary, which he had formerly plundered, he would adorn with the finest offerings; and the holy vessels he would give back, all of them, many times over; and the expenses incurred for the sacrifices he would provide from his own revenues;<br />17 and in addition to all this he also would become a Jew and would visit every inhabited place to proclaim the power of God.<br />18 But when his sufferings did not in any way abate, for the judgment of God had justly come upon him, he gave up all hope for himself and wrote to the Jews the following letter, in the form of a supplication. This was its content:<br />19 “To his worthy Jewish citizens, Antiochus their king and general sends hearty greetings and good wishes for their health and prosperity.<br />20 If you and your children are well and your affairs are as you wish, I am glad. As my hope is in heaven,<br />21 I remember with affection your esteem and good will. On my way back from the region of Persia I suffered an annoying illness, and I have deemed it necessary to take thought for the general security of all.<br />22 I do not despair of my condition, for I have good hope of recovering from my illness,<br />23 but I observed that my father, on the occasions when he made expeditions into the upper country, appointed his successor,<br />24 so that, if anything unexpected happened or any unwelcome news came, the people throughout the realm would not be troubled, for they would know to whom the government was left.<br />25 Moreover, I understand how the princes along the borders and the neighbors to my kingdom keep watching for opportunities and waiting to see what will happen. So I have appointed my son Antiochus to be king, whom I have often entrusted and commended to most of you when I hastened off to the upper provinces; and I have written to him what is written here.<br />26 I therefore urge and beseech you to remember the public and private services rendered to you and to maintain your present good will, each of you, toward me and my son.<br />27 For I am sure that he will follow my policy and will treat you with moderation and kindness.”<br />28 So the murderer and blasphemer, having endured the more intense suffering, such as he had inflicted on others, came to the end of his life by a most pitiable fate, among the mountains in a strange land.<br />29 And Philip, one of his courtiers, took his body home; then, fearing the son of Antiochus, he betook himself to Ptolemy Philometor in Egypt.<br />
<span style="text-decoration: underline;"><b> II Maccabees, Chapter 10</b></span><br />1 Now Maccabeus and his followers, the Lord leading them on, recovered the temple and the city;<br />2 and they tore down the altars which had been built in the public square by the foreigners, and also destroyed the sacred precincts.<br />3 They purified the sanctuary, and made another altar of sacrifice; then, striking fire out of flint, they offered sacrifices, after a lapse of two years, and they burned incense and lighted lamps and set out the bread of the Presence.<br />4 And when they had done this, they fell prostrate and besought the Lord that they might never again fall into such misfortunes, but that, if they should ever sin, they might be disciplined by him with forbearance and not be handed over to blasphemous and barbarous nations.<br />5 It happened that on the same day on which the sanctuary had been profaned by the foreigners, the purification of the sanctuary took place, that is, on the twenty-fifth day of the same month, which was Chislev.<br />6 And they celebrated it for eight days with rejoicing, in the manner of the feast of booths, remembering how not long before, during the feast of booths, they had been wandering in the mountains and caves like wild animals.<br />7 Therefore bearing ivy-wreathed wands and beautiful branches and also fronds of palm, they offered hymns of thanksgiving to him who had given success to the purifying of his own holy place.<br />8 They decreed by public ordinance and vote that the whole nation of the Jews should observe these days every year.<br />9 Such then was the end of Antiochus, who was called Epiphanes.<br />10 Now we will tell what took place under Antiochus Eupator, who was the son of that ungodly man, and will give a brief summary of the principal calamities of the wars.<br />11 This man, when he succeeded to the kingdom, appointed one Lysias to have charge of the government and to be chief governor of Coelesyria and Phoenicia.<br />12 Ptolemy, who was called Macron, took the lead in showing justice to the Jews because of the wrong that had been done to them, and attempted to maintain peaceful relations with them.<br />13 As a result he was accused before Eupator by the king’s friends. He heard himself called a traitor at every turn, because he had abandoned Cyprus, which Philometor had entrusted to him, and had gone over to Antiochus Epiphanes. Unable to command the respect due his office, he took poison and ended his life.<br />14 When Gorgias became governor of the region, he maintained a force of mercenaries, and at every turn kept on warring against the Jews.<br />15 Besides this, the Idumeans, who had control of important strongholds, were harassing the Jews; they received those who were banished from Jerusalem, and endeavored to keep up the war.<br />16 But Maccabeus and his men, after making solemn supplication and beseeching God to fight on their side, rushed to the strongholds of the Idumeans.<br />17 Attacking them vigorously, they gained possession of the places, and beat off all who fought upon the wall, and slew those whom they encountered, killing no fewer than twenty thousand.<br />18 When no less than nine thousand took refuge in two very strong towers well equipped to withstand a siege,<br />19 Maccabeus left Simon and Joseph, and also Zacchaeus and his men, a force sufficient to besiege them; and he himself set off for places where he was more urgently needed.<br />20 But the men with Simon, who were money-hungry, were bribed by some of those who were in the towers, and on receiving seventy thousand drachmas let some of them slip away.<br />21 When word of what had happened came to Maccabeus, he gathered the leaders of the people, and accused these men of having sold their brethren for money by setting their enemies free to fight against them.<br />22 Then he slew these men who had turned traitor, and immediately captured the two towers.<br />23 Having success at arms in everything he undertook, he destroyed more than twenty thousand in the two strongholds.<br />24 Now Timothy, who had been defeated by the Jews before, gathered a tremendous force of mercenaries and collected the cavalry from Asia in no small number. He came on, intending to take Judea by storm.<br />25 As he drew near, Maccabeus and his men sprinkled dust upon their heads and girded their loins with sackcloth, in supplication to God.<br />26 Falling upon the steps before the altar, they besought him to be gracious to them and to be an enemy to their enemies and an adversary to their adversaries, as the law declares.<br />27 And rising from their prayer they took up their arms and advanced a considerable distance from the city; and when they came near to the enemy they halted.<br />28 Just as dawn was breaking, the two armies joined battle, the one having as pledge of success and victory not only their valor but their reliance upon the Lord, while the other made rage their leader in the fight.<br />29 When the battle became fierce, there appeared to the enemy from heaven five resplendent men on horses with golden bridles, and they were leading the Jews.<br />30 Surrounding Maccabeus and protecting him with their own armor and weapons, they kept him from being wounded. And they showered arrows and thunderbolts upon the enemy, so that, confused and blinded, they were thrown into disorder and cut to pieces.<br />31 Twenty thousand five hundred were slaughtered, besides six hundred horsemen.<br />32 Timothy himself fled to a stronghold called Gazara, especially well garrisoned, where Chaereas was commander.<br />33 Then Maccabeus and his men were glad, and they besieged the fort for four days.<br />34 The men within, relying on the strength of the place, blasphemed terribly and hurled out wicked words.<br />35 But at dawn of the fifth day, twenty young men in the army of Maccabeus, fired with anger because of the blasphemies, bravely stormed the wall and with savage fury cut down every one they met.<br />36 Others who came up in the same way wheeled around against the defenders and set fire to the towers; they kindled fires and burned the blasphemers alive. Others broke open the gates and let in the rest of the force, and they occupied the city.<br />37 They killed Timothy, who was hidden in a cistern, and his brother Chaereas, and Apollophanes.<br />38 When they had accomplished these things, with hymns and thanksgivings they blessed the Lord who shows great kindness to Israel and gives them the victory.<br />
<span style="text-decoration: underline;"><b>II Maccabees, Chapter 11</b></span><br />1 Very soon after this, Lysias, the king’s guardian and kinsman, who was in charge of the government, being vexed at what had happened,<br />2 gathered about eighty thousand men and all his cavalry and came against the Jews. He intended to make the city a home for Greeks,<br />3 and to levy tribute on the temple as he did on the sacred places of the other nations, and to put up the high priesthood for sale every year.<br />4 He took no account whatever of the power of God, but was elated with his ten thousands of infantry, and his thousands of cavalry, and his eighty elephants.<br />5 Invading Judea, he approached Beth-zur, which was a fortified place about five leagues from Jerusalem, and pressed it hard.<br />6 When Maccabeus and his men got word that Lysias was besieging the strongholds, they and all the people, with lamentations and tears, besought the Lord to send a good angel to save Israel.<br />7 Maccabeus himself was the first to take up arms, and he urged the others to risk their lives with him to aid their brethren. Then they eagerly rushed off together.<br />8 And there, while they were still near Jerusalem, a horseman appeared at their head, clothed in white and brandishing weapons of gold.<br />9 And they all together praised the merciful God, and were strengthened in heart, ready to assail not only men but the wildest beasts or walls of iron.<br />10 They advanced in battle order, having their heavenly ally, for the Lord had mercy on them.<br />11 They hurled themselves like lions against the enemy, and slew eleven thousand of them and sixteen hundred horsemen, and forced all the rest to flee.<br />12 Most of them got away stripped and wounded, and Lysias himself escaped by disgraceful flight.<br />13 And as he was not without intelligence, he pondered over the defeat which had befallen him, and realized that the Hebrews were invincible because the mighty God fought on their side. So he sent to them<br />14 and persuaded them to settle everything on just terms, promising that he would persuade the king, constraining him to be their friend.<br />15 Maccabeus, having regard for the common good, agreed to all that Lysias urged. For the king granted every request in behalf of the Jews which Maccabeus delivered to Lysias in writing.<br />16 The letter written to the Jews by Lysias was to this effect:<br />“Lysias to the people of the Jews, greeting.<br />17 John and Absalom, who were sent by you, have delivered your signed communication and have asked about the matters indicated therein.<br />18 I have informed the king of everything that needed to be brought before him, and he has agreed to what was possible.<br />19 If you will maintain your good will toward the government, I will endeavor for the future to help promote your welfare.<br />20 And concerning these matters and their details, I have ordered these men and my representatives to confer with you.<br />21 Farewell. The one hundred and forty-eighth year, Dioscorinthius twenty-fourth.”<br />22 The king’s letter ran thus:<br />“King Antiochus to his brother Lysias, greeting.<br />23 Now that our father has gone on to the gods, we desire that the subjects of the kingdom be undisturbed in caring for their own affairs.<br />24 We have heard that the Jews do not consent to our father’s change to Greek customs but prefer their own way of living and ask that their own customs be allowed them.<br />25 Accordingly, since we choose that this nation also be free from disturbance, our decision is that their temple be restored to them and that they live according to the customs of their ancestors.<br />26 You will do well, therefore, to send word to them and give them pledges of friendship, so that they may know our policy and be of good cheer and go on happily in the conduct of their own affairs.”<br />27 To the nation the king’s letter was as follows:<br />“King Antiochus to the senate of the Jews and to the other Jews, greeting.<br />28 If you are well, it is as we desire. We also are in good health.<br />29 Menelaus has informed us that you wish to return home and look after your own affairs.<br />30 Therefore those who go home by the thirtieth day of Xanthicus will have our pledge of friendship and full permission<br />31 for the Jews to enjoy their own food and laws, just as formerly, and none of them shall be molested in any way for what he may have done in ignorance.<br />32 And I have also sent Menelaus to encourage you.<br />33 Farewell. The one hundred and forty-eighth year, Xanthicus fifteenth.”<br />34 The Romans also sent them a letter, which read thus: “Quintus Memmius and Titus Manius, envoys of the Romans, to the people of the Jews, greeting.<br />35 With regard to what Lysias the kinsman of the king has granted you, we also give consent.<br />36 But as to the matters which he decided are to be referred to the king, as soon as you have considered them, send some one promptly, so that we may make proposals appropriate for you. For we are on our way to Antioch.<br />37 Therefore make haste and send some men, so that we may have your judgment.<br />38 Farewell. The one hundred and forty-eighth year, Xanthicus fifteenth.”<br />
<span style="text-decoration: underline;"><b>II Maccabees, Chapter 12</b></span><br />1 When this agreement had been reached, Lysias returned to the king, and the Jews went about their farming.<br />2 But some of the governors in various places, Timothy and Apollonius the son of Gennaeus, as well as Hieronymus and Demophon, and in addition to these Nicanor the governor of Cyprus, would not let them live quietly and in peace.<br />3 And some men of Joppa did so ungodly a deed as this: they invited the Jews who lived among them to embark, with their wives and children, on boats which they had provided, as though there were no ill will to the Jews;<br />4 and this was done by public vote of the city. And when they accepted, because they wished to live peaceably and suspected nothing, the men of Joppa took them out to sea and drowned them, not less than two hundred.<br />5 When Judas heard of the cruelty visited on his countrymen, he gave orders to his men<br />6 and, calling upon God the righteous Judge, attacked the murderers of his brethren. He set fire to the harbor by night, and burned the boats, and massacred those who had taken refuge there.<br />7 Then, because the city’s gates were closed, he withdrew, intending to come again and root out the whole community of Joppa.<br />8 But learning that the men in Jamnia meant in the same way to wipe out the Jews who were living among them,<br />9 he attacked the people of Jamnia by night and set fire to the harbor and the fleet, so that the glow of the light was seen in Jerusalem, thirty miles distant.<br />10 When they had gone more than a mile from there, on their march against Timothy, not less than five thousand Arabs with five hundred horsemen attacked them.<br />11 After a hard fight Judas and his men won the victory, by the help of God. The defeated nomads besought Judas to grant them pledges of friendship, promising to give him cattle and to help his people in all other ways.<br />12 Judas, thinking that they might really be useful in many ways, agreed to make peace with them; and after receiving his pledges they departed to their tents.<br />13 He also attacked a certain city which was strongly fortified with earthworks and walls, and inhabited by all sorts of Gentiles. Its name was Caspin.<br />14 And those who were within, relying on the strength of the walls and on their supply of provisions, behaved most insolently toward Judas and his men, railing at them and even blaspheming and saying unholy things.<br />15 But Judas and his men, calling upon the great Sovereign of the world, who without battering-rams or engines of war overthrew Jericho in the days of Joshua, rushed furiously upon the walls.<br />16 They took the city by the will of God, and slaughtered untold numbers, so that the adjoining lake, a quarter of a mile wide, appeared to be running over with blood.<br />17 When they had gone ninety-five miles from there, they came to Charax, to the Jews who are called Toubiani.<br />18 They did not find Timothy in that region, for he had by then departed from the region without accomplishing anything, though in one place he had left a very strong garrison.<br />19 Dositheus and Sosipater, who were captains under Maccabeus, marched out and destroyed those whom Timothy had left in the stronghold, more than ten thousand men.<br />20 But Maccabeus arranged his army in divisions, set men in command of the divisions, and hastened after Timothy, who had with him a hundred and twenty thousand infantry and two thousand five hundred cavalry.<br />21 When Timothy learned of the approach of Judas, he sent off the women and the children and also the baggage to a place called Carnaim; for that place was hard to besiege and difficult of access because of the narrowness of all the approaches.<br />22 But when Judas’ first division appeared, terror and fear came over the enemy at the manifestation to them of him who sees all things; and they rushed off in flight and were swept on, this way and that, so that often they were injured by their own men and pierced by the points of their swords.<br />23 And Judas pressed the pursuit with the utmost vigor, putting the sinners to the sword, and destroyed as many as thirty thousand men.<br />24 Timothy himself fell into the hands of Dositheus and Sosipater and their men. With great guile he besought them to let him go in safety, because he held the parents of most of them and the brothers of some and no consideration would be shown them.<br />25 And when with many words he had confirmed his solemn promise to restore them unharmed, they let him go, for the sake of saving their brethren.<br />26 Then Judas marched against Carnaim and the temple of Atargatis, and slaughtered twenty-five thousand people.<br />27 After the rout and destruction of these, he marched also against Ephron, a fortified city where Lysias dwelt with multitudes of people of all nationalities. Stalwart young men took their stand before the walls and made a vigorous defense; and great stores of war engines and missiles were there.<br />28 But the Jews called upon the Sovereign who with power shatters the might of his enemies, and they got the city into their hands, and killed as many as twenty-five thousand of those who were within it.<br />29 Setting out from there, they hastened to Scythopolis, which is seventy-five miles from Jerusalem.<br />30 But when the Jews who dwelt there bore witness to the good will which the people of Scythopolis had shown them and their kind treatment of them in times of misfortune,<br />31 they thanked them and exhorted them to be well disposed to their race in the future also. Then they went up to Jerusalem, as the feast of weeks was close at hand.<br />32 After the feast called Pentecost, they hastened against Gorgias, the governor of Idumea.<br />33 And he came out with three thousand infantry and four hundred cavalry.<br />34 When they joined battle, it happened that a few of the Jews fell.<br />35 But a certain Dositheus, one of Bacenor’s men, who was on horseback and was a strong man, caught hold of Gorgias, and grasping his cloak was dragging him off by main strength, wishing to take the accursed man alive, when one of the Thracian horsemen bore down upon him and cut off his arm; so Gorgias escaped and reached Marisa.<br />36 As Esdris and his men had been fighting for a long time and were weary, Judas called upon the Lord to show himself their ally and leader in the battle.<br />37 In the language of their fathers he raised the battle cry, with hymns; then he charged against Gorgias’ men when they were not expecting it, and put them to flight.<br />38 Then Judas assembled his army and went to the city of Adullam. As the seventh day was coming on, they purified themselves according to the custom, and they kept the sabbath there.<br />39 On the next day, as by that time it had become necessary, Judas and his men went to take up the bodies of the fallen and to bring them back to lie with their kinsmen in the sepulchres of their fathers.<br />40 Then under the tunic of every one of the dead they found sacred tokens of the idols of Jamnia, which the law forbids the Jews to wear. And it became clear to all that this was why these men had fallen.<br />41 So they all blessed the ways of the Lord, the righteous Judge, who reveals the things that are hidden;<br />42 and they turned to prayer, beseeching that the sin which had been committed might be wholly blotted out. And the noble Judas exhorted the people to keep themselves free from sin, for they had seen with their own eyes what had happened because of the sin of those who had fallen.<br />43 He also took up a collection, man by man, to the amount of two thousand drachmas of silver, and sent it to Jerusalem to provide for a sin offering. In doing this he acted very well and honorably, taking account of the resurrection.<br />44 For if he were not expecting that those who had fallen would rise again, it would have been superfluous and foolish to pray for the dead.<br />45 But if he was looking to the splendid reward that is laid up for those who fall asleep in godliness, it was a holy and pious thought. Therefore he made atonement for the dead, that they might be delivered from their sin.<br />
<span style="text-decoration: underline;"><b>II Maccabees, Chapter 13</b></span><br />1 In the one hundred and forty-ninth year word came to Judas and his men that Antiochus Eupator was coming with a great army against Judea,<br />2 and with him Lysias, his guardian, who had charge of the government. Each of them had a Greek force of one hundred and ten thousand infantry, five thousand three hundred cavalry, twenty-two elephants, and three hundred chariots armed with scythes.<br />3 Menelaus also joined them and with utter hypocrisy urged Antiochus on, not for the sake of his country’s welfare, but because he thought that he would be established in office.<br />4 But the King of kings aroused the anger of Antiochus against the scoundrel; and when Lysias informed him that this man was to blame for all the trouble, he ordered them to take him to Beroea and to put him to death by the method which is the custom in that place.<br />5 For there is a tower in that place, fifty cubits high, full of ashes, and it has a rim running around it which on all sides inclines precipitously into the ashes.<br />6 There they all push to destruction any man guilty of sacrilege or notorious for other crimes.<br />7 By such a fate it came about that Menelaus the lawbreaker died, without even burial in the earth.<br />8 And this was eminently just; because he had committed many sins against the altar whose fire and ashes were holy, he met his death in ashes.<br />9 The king with barbarous arrogance was coming to show the Jews things far worse than those that had been done in his father’s time.<br />10 But when Judas heard of this, he ordered the people to call upon the Lord day and night, now if ever to help those who were on the point of being deprived of the law and their country and the holy temple,<br />11 and not to let the people who had just begun to revive fall into the hands of the blasphemous Gentiles.<br />12 When they had all joined in the same petition and had besought the merciful Lord with weeping and fasting and lying prostrate for three days without ceasing, Judas exhorted them and ordered them to stand ready.<br />13 After consulting privately with the elders, he determined to march out and decide the matter by the help of God before the king’s army could enter Judea and get possession of the city.<br />14 So, committing the decision to the Creator of the world and exhorting his men to fight nobly to the death for the laws, temple, city, country, and commonwealth, he pitched his camp near Modein.<br />15 He gave his men the watchword, “God’s victory,” and with a picked force of the bravest young men, he attacked the king’s pavilion at night and slew as many as two thousand men in the camp. He stabbed the leading elephant and its rider.<br />16 In the end they filled the camp with terror and confusion and withdrew in triumph.<br />17 This happened, just as day was dawning, because the Lord’s help protected him.<br />18 The king, having had a taste of the daring of the Jews, tried strategy in attacking their positions.<br />19 He advanced against Beth-zur, a strong fortress of the Jews, was turned back, attacked again, and was defeated.<br />20 Judas sent in to the garrison whatever was necessary.<br />21 But Rhodocus, a man from the ranks of the Jews, gave secret information to the enemy; he was sought for, caught, and put in prison.<br />22 The king negotiated a second time with the people in Beth-zur, gave pledges, received theirs, withdrew, attacked Judas and his men, was defeated;<br />23 he got word that Philip, who had been left in charge of the government, had revolted in Antioch; he was dismayed, called in the Jews, yielded and swore to observe all their rights, settled with them and offered sacrifice, honored the sanctuary and showed generosity to the holy place.<br />24 He received Maccabeus, left Hegemonides as governor from Ptolemais to Gerar,<br />25 and went to Ptolemais. The people of Ptolemais were indignant over the treaty; in fact they were so angry that they wanted to annul its terms.<br />26 Lysias took the public platform, made the best possible defense, convinced them, appeased them, gained their good will, and set out for Antioch. This is how the king’s attack and withdrawal turned out.<br />
<span style="text-decoration: underline;"><b>II Maccabees, Chapter 14</b></span><br />1 Three years later, word came to Judas and his men that Demetrius, the son of Seleucus, had sailed into the harbor of Tripolis with a strong army and a fleet,<br />2 and had taken possession of the country, having made away with Antiochus and his guardian Lysias.<br />3 Now a certain Alcimus, who had formerly been high priest but had wilfully defiled himself in the times of separation, realized that there was no way for him to be safe or to have access again to the holy altar,<br />4 and went to King Demetrius in about the one hundred and fifty-first year, presenting to him a crown of gold and a palm, and besides these some of the customary olive branches from the temple. During that day he kept quiet.<br />5 But he found an opportunity that furthered his mad purpose when he was invited by Demetrius to a meeting of the council and was asked about the disposition and intentions of the Jews. He answered:<br />6 “Those of the Jews who are called Hasideans, whose leader is Judas Maccabeus, are keeping up war and stirring up sedition, and will not let the kingdom attain tranquillity.<br />7 Therefore I have laid aside my ancestral glory — I mean the high priesthood — and have now come here,<br />8 first because I am genuinely concerned for the interests of the king, and second because I have regard also for my fellow citizens. For through the folly of those whom I have mentioned our whole nation is now in no small misfortune.<br />9 Since you are acquainted, O king, with the details of this matter, deign to take thought for our country and our hard-pressed nation with the gracious kindness which you show to all.<br />10 For as long as Judas lives, it is impossible for the government to find peace.”<br />11When he had said this, the rest of the king’s friends, who were hostile to Judas, quickly inflamed Demetrius still more.<br />12 And he immediately chose Nicanor, who had been in command of the elephants, appointed him governor of Judea, and sent him off<br />13 with orders to kill Judas and scatter his men, and to set up Alcimus as high priest of the greatest temple.<br />14 And the Gentiles throughout Judea, who had fled before Judas, flocked to join Nicanor, thinking that the misfortunes and calamities of the Jews would mean prosperity for themselves.<br />15 When the Jews heard of Nicanor’s coming and the gathering of the Gentiles, they sprinkled dust upon their heads and prayed to him who established his own people for ever and always upholds his own heritage by manifesting himself.<br />16 At the command of the leader, they set out from there immediately and engaged them in battle at a village called Dessau.<br />17 Simon, the brother of Judas, had encountered Nicanor, but had been temporarily checked because of the sudden consternation created by the enemy.<br />18 Nevertheless Nicanor, hearing of the valor of Judas and his men and their courage in battle for their country, shrank from deciding the issue by bloodshed.<br />19 Therefore he sent Posidonius and Theodotus and Mattathias to give and receive pledges of friendship.<br />20 When the terms had been fully considered, and the leader had informed the people, and it had appeared that they were of one mind, they agreed to the covenant.<br />21 And the leaders set a day on which to meet by themselves. A chariot came forward from each army; seats of honor were set in place;<br />22 Judas posted armed men in readiness at key places to prevent sudden treachery on the part of the enemy; they held the proper conference.<br />23 Nicanor stayed on in Jerusalem and did nothing out of the way, but dismissed the flocks of people that had gathered.<br />24 And he kept Judas always in his presence; he was warmly attached to the man.<br />25 And he urged him to marry and have children; so he married, settled down, and shared the common life.<br />26 But when Alcimus noticed their good will for one another, he took the covenant that had been made and went to Demetrius. He told him that Nicanor was disloyal to the government, for he had appointed that conspirator against the kingdom, Judas, to be his successor.<br />27 The king became excited and, provoked by the false accusations of that depraved man, wrote to Nicanor, stating that he was displeased with the covenant and commanding him to send Maccabeus to Antioch as a prisoner without delay.<br />28 When this message came to Nicanor, he was troubled and grieved that he had to annul their agreement when the man had done no wrong.<br />29 Since it was not possible to oppose the king, he watched for an opportunity to accomplish this by a stratagem.<br />30 But Maccabeus, noticing that Nicanor was more austere in his dealings with him and was meeting him more rudely than had been his custom, concluded that this austerity did not spring from the best motives. So he gathered not a few of his men, and went into hiding from Nicanor.<br />31 When the latter became aware that he had been cleverly outwitted by the man, he went to the great and holy temple while the priests were offering the customary sacrifices, and commanded them to hand the man over.<br />32 And when they declared on oath that they did not know where the man was whom he sought,<br />33 he stretched out his right hand toward the sanctuary, and swore this oath: “If you do not hand Judas over to me as a prisoner, I will level this precinct of God to the ground and tear down the altar, and I will build here a splendid temple to Dionysus.”<br />34 Having said this, he went away. Then the priests stretched forth their hands toward heaven and called upon the constant Defender of our nation, in these words:<br />35 “O Lord of all, who hast need of nothing, thou wast pleased that there be a temple for thy habitation among us;<br />36 so now, O holy One, Lord of all holiness, keep undefiled for ever this house that has been so recently purified.”<br />37 A certain Razis, one of the elders of Jerusalem, was denounced to Nicanor as a man who loved his fellow citizens and was very well thought of and for his good will was called father of the Jews.<br />38 For in former times, when there was no mingling with the Gentiles, he had been accused of Judaism, and for Judaism he had with all zeal risked body and life.<br />39 Nicanor, wishing to exhibit the enmity which he had for the Jews, sent more than five hundred soldiers to arrest him;<br />40 for he thought that by arresting him he would do them an injury.<br />41 When the troops were about to capture the tower and were forcing the door of the courtyard, they ordered that fire be brought and the doors burned. Being surrounded, Razis fell upon his own sword,<br />42 preferring to die nobly rather than to fall into the hands of sinners and suffer outrages unworthy of his noble birth.<br />43 But in the heat of the struggle he did not hit exactly, and the crowd was now rushing in through the doors. He bravely ran up on the wall, and manfully threw himself down into the crowd.<br />44 But as they quickly drew back, a space opened and he fell in the middle of the empty space.<br />45 Still alive and aflame with anger, he rose, and though his blood gushed forth and his wounds were severe he ran through the crowd; and standing upon a steep rock,<br />46 with his blood now completely drained from him, he tore out his entrails, took them with both hands and hurled them at the crowd, calling upon the Lord of life and spirit to give them back to him again. This was the manner of his death.<br />
<span style="text-decoration: underline;"><b>II Maccabees, Chapter 15</b></span><br />1 When Nicanor heard that Judas and his men were in the region of Samaria, he made plans to attack them with complete safety on the day of rest.<br />2 And when the Jews who were compelled to follow him said, “Do not destroy so savagely and barbarously, but show respect for the day which he who sees all things has honored and hallowed above other days,”<br />3 the thrice-accursed wretch asked if there were a sovereign in heaven who had commanded the keeping of the sabbath day.<br />4 And when they declared, “It is the living Lord himself, the Sovereign in heaven, who ordered us to observe the seventh day,”<br />5 he replied, “And I am a sovereign also, on earth, and I command you to take up arms and finish the king’s business.” Nevertheless, he did not succeed in carrying out his abominable design.<br />6 This Nicanor in his utter boastfulness and arrogance had determined to erect a public monument of victory over Judas and his men.<br />7 But Maccabeus did not cease to trust with all confidence that he would get help from the Lord.<br />8 And he exhorted his men not to fear the attack of the Gentiles, but to keep in mind the former times when help had come to them from heaven, and now to look for the victory which the Almighty would give them.<br />9 Encouraging them from the law and the prophets, and reminding them also of the struggles they had won, he made them the more eager.<br />10 And when he had aroused their courage, he gave his orders, at the same time pointing out the perfidy of the Gentiles and their violation of oaths.<br />11 He armed each of them not so much with confidence in shields and spears as with the inspiration of brave words, and he cheered them all by relating a dream, a sort of vision, which was worthy of belief.<br />12 What he saw was this: Onias, who had been high priest, a noble and good man, of modest bearing and gentle manner, one who spoke fittingly and had been trained from childhood in all that belongs to excellence, was praying with outstretched hands for the whole body of the Jews.<br />13 Then likewise a man appeared, distinguished by his gray hair and dignity, and of marvelous majesty and authority.<br />14 And Onias spoke, saying, “This is a man who loves the brethren and prays much for the people and the holy city, Jeremiah, the prophet of God.”<br />15 Jeremiah stretched out his right hand and gave to Judas a golden sword, and as he gave it he addressed him thus:<br />16 “Take this holy sword, a gift from God, with which you will strike down your adversaries.”<br />17 Encouraged by the words of Judas, so noble and so effective in arousing valor and awaking manliness in the souls of the young, they determined not to carry on a campaign but to attack bravely, and to decide the matter, by fighting hand to hand with all courage, because the city and the sanctuary and the temple were in danger.<br />18 Their concern for wives and children, and also for brethren and relatives, lay upon them less heavily; their greatest and first fear was for the consecrated sanctuary.<br />19 And those who had to remain in the city were in no little distress, being anxious over the encounter in the open country.<br />20 When all were now looking forward to the coming decision, and the enemy was already close at hand with their army drawn up for battle, the elephants strategically stationed and the cavalry deployed on the flanks,<br />21 Maccabeus, perceiving the hosts that were before him and the varied supply of arms and the savagery of the elephants, stretched out his hands toward heaven and called upon the Lord who works wonders; for he knew that it is not by arms, but as the Lord decides, that he gains the victory for those who deserve it.<br />22 And he called upon him in these words: “O Lord, thou didst send thy angel in the time of Hezekiah king of Judea, and he slew fully a hundred and eighty-five thousand in the camp of Sennacherib.<br />23 So now, O Sovereign of the heavens, send a good angel to carry terror and trembling before us.<br />24 By the might of thy arm may these blasphemers who come against thy holy people be struck down.” With these words he ended his prayer.<br />25 Nicanor and his men advanced with trumpets and battle songs;<br />26 and Judas and his men met the enemy in battle with invocation to God and prayers.<br />27 So, fighting with their hands and praying to God in their hearts, they laid low no less than thirty-five thousand men, and were greatly gladdened by God’s manifestation.<br />28 When the action was over and they were returning with joy, they recognized Nicanor, lying dead, in full armor.<br />29 Then there was shouting and tumult, and they blessed the Sovereign Lord in the language of their fathers.<br />30 And the man who was ever in body and soul the defender of his fellow citizens, the man who maintained his youthful good will toward his countrymen, ordered them to cut off Nicanor’s head and arm and carry them to Jerusalem.<br />31 And when he arrived there and had called his countrymen together and stationed the priests before the altar, he sent for those who were in the citadel.<br />32 He showed them the vile Nicanor’s head and that profane man’s arm, which had been boastfully stretched out against the holy house of the Almighty;<br />33 and he cut out the tongue of the ungodly Nicanor and said that he would give it piecemeal to the birds and hang up these rewards of his folly opposite the sanctuary.<br />34 And they all, looking to heaven, blessed the Lord who had manifested himself, saying, “Blessed is he who has kept his own place undefiled.”<br />35 And he hung Nicanor’s head from the citadel, a clear and conspicuous sign to every one of the help of the Lord.<br />36 And they all decreed by public vote never to let this day go unobserved, but to celebrate the thirteenth day of the twelfth month — which is called Adar in the Syrian language — the day before Mordecai’s day.<br />37This, then, is how matters turned out with Nicanor. And from that time the city has been in the possession of the Hebrews. So I too will here end my story.<br />38 If it is well told and to the point, that is what I myself desired; if it is poorly done and mediocre, that was the best I could do.<br />39 For just as it is harmful to drink wine alone, or, again, to drink water alone, while wine mixed with water is sweet and delicious and enhances one’s enjoyment, so also the style of the story delights the ears of those who read the work. And here will be the endAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07904347198100907985noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3760010985082351599.post-54367989379158255402011-09-20T18:06:00.000-07:002011-09-20T18:52:19.397-07:00The Maccabee - 10 Simple Reasons why Christianity should Practice Male Circumcision<p style="text-align: center;"><span class=""><img class="photo_img img" src="http://a1.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/294688_217715584957078_100001559154019_605721_1063680582_n.jpg" alt="" /><span class="caption"></span></span></p><p><em>'Is not my word like fire,” declares the LORD, 'and like a <strong>hammer </strong>that breaks a rock in pieces?'</em></p><p>- Jeremiah 23:29</p><p style="text-align: center;"><span class=""><img class="photo_img img" src="http://a5.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/304045_217721758289794_100001559154019_605737_1940864800_n.jpg" alt="" /><span class="caption"></span></span></p><p> </p><p>For almost 2,000 years, the consensus of Christianity has been that male circumcision is not required for the faith. Nonetheless, there are numerous and fairly valid reasons to finally reintroduce this practice among Christians throughout the world. There are also some specific passages that seem to suggest that the religion of Judaism should also promote and perhaps even require circumcision among the Gentiles as a part of their own faith.</p><p><em>This is my covenant, which ye shall keep, between me and you and thy seed after thee; Every man child among you shall be <strong>circumcised.</strong></em></p><p>- Genesis 17:10</p><p>The covenant of male circumcision started with Abraham, the founding father of the three major faiths of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. For Christianity to truly be a part of the House of Abraham, they should circumcise their male children. After all, Christians have fulfilled the prophecy that his descendants would be as numerous as the stars in the sky and the sands upon the seashore. There are some who would claim that Christianity obeys the Seven laws of Noah and that only Jews are actually required to practice circumcision. That is the wrong assumption as the following passages from the Jewish Talmud clearly show:</p><p><em>The Master said: Every precept which was given to the sons of Noah and repeated at Sinai was meant for both [Noachides and Israelites] </em></p><p>- Sanhedrin 59a</p><p><em>But <strong>circumcision,</strong> which was given to the Sons of Noah, for it is written, 'Thou shalt keep my covenant, and repeated at Sinai, And in the eighth day the flesh of his foreskin shall be <strong>circumcised,' </strong></em></p><p>- Sandhedrin 59b</p><p><em> This law was not learned from the teaching of Moses our teacher, until Ezekiel came and taught, 'No alien, <strong>uncircumcised </strong>in heart and <strong>uncircumcised </strong>in flesh shall enter into my Sanctuary to serve me'</em></p><p>- Sanhedrin 22b</p><p>One should remember that the compromise concerning uncircumcised Christian Gentiles found in the Book of Acts was not a unanimous decision and was probably not meant to be an eternal dictate that Christians didn't need to circumcise their male children. What follows are ten excellent reasons why Christianity should practice circumcision as a standard aspect of their faith:</p><p style="text-align: center;"><span class=""><img class="photo_img img" src="http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/297549_217716634956973_100001559154019_605729_1950572466_n.jpg" alt="" /><span class="caption"></span></span></p><p><em><strong>Ten Reasons Why Christianity should Practice Circumcision</strong></em></p><p><span class="fbUnderline"><strong>I. The Covenant of Abraham</strong></span></p><p><strong>BIBLE: </strong>This is my covenant, which you shall keep…Every man child among you shall be <strong>circumcised</strong>. (Genesis 17:10)</p><p><strong>CONCLUSION: </strong>Though many Christians are not blood-related to Abraham, they are a part of his House and subject to the same law. Many followers of Abraham practiced circumcision.</p><p><span class="fbUnderline"><strong>II. The Gospels of Jesus Christ</strong></span></p><p><strong>BIBLE:</strong> It is easier for Heaven and earth to pass away, than one part of the law to become invalid. (Luke 16:17)</p><p><strong>CONCLUSION: </strong> Circumcision is one of the oldest Hebrew laws and was commanded by God Himself. Regardless of past Christian tradition circumcision is still the law.</p><p><span class="fbUnderline"><strong>III. St. Paul’s Obvious Approval</strong></span></p><p><strong>BIBLE</strong>: What value is there in <strong>circumcision</strong>? Much in every way! First of all, they have been entrusted with the very words of God. (Romans 3:1-2)</p><p><strong>CONCLUSION: </strong> Although St. Paul appears to disapprove of circumcision in some passages, this is because he was fighting against those Christians who still believed it should be required. Paul himself was circumcised.</p><p><span class="fbUnderline"><strong>IV. To Be Like Christ - Christian</strong></span></p><p><strong>BIBLE:</strong> When eight days had passed for the<strong> circumcising</strong> of the child, His name was called Jesus. (Luke 2:21)</p><p><strong>CONCLUSION:</strong> Jesus Christ was circumcised on the eighth day. To be like Christ is to be circumcised. To be a Christian mother is to be like Mary’s and to circumcise their sons.</p><p><span class="fbUnderline"><strong>V. To Be Like the Apostles</strong></span></p><p><strong>BIBLE:</strong> And it came to pass, that on the eighth day they came to circumcise the child…His mother answered…he shall be called John.- Luke 1:59-60</p><p><strong>CONCLUSION:</strong> All of the Apostles and all the Disciples were circumcised. Jesus Christ Himself was circumcised along with His father, his brothers and all his ancestors and early followers.</p><p><span class="fbUnderline"><strong>VI. To Honor the Christian Martyrs</strong></span></p><p><strong>BIBLE:</strong> They put to death certain women, that had caused their children to be circumcised.- I Maccabees 1:60</p><p><strong>CONCLUSION</strong>: St. Peter, St. Jason, St. James, St. Stephen, St. Thomas, , St. John & many other Christian Martyrs were circumcised.</p><p><span class="fbUnderline"><strong>VII. To Renew the Hebrew Tradition </strong></span></p><p><strong>BIBLE:</strong> Abraham took…every male among the men of Abraham's house; and <strong>circumcised </strong>the flesh of their foreskin.(Genesis 17:2)</p><p><strong>CONCLUSION</strong>: To truly become a member of the House of Abraham, to distinguish oneself from the Pagans, and in order to fulfill the laws of God as commanded by Jesus, all Christians should now circumcise all their male sons by the age of 18.</p><p><span class="fbUnderline"><strong>VIII. To Remove all Pagan Customs</strong></span></p><p><strong>BIBLE:</strong> They…leave their children <strong>uncircumcised</strong>, and make their souls abominable with all manner of uncleanness and profanation. (I Maccabees 1:48 )</p><p><strong>CONCLUSION: </strong>Today, a growing number of Jewish and Christian mothers leave their sons uncircumcised. In the years to come, more and more Pagans will become hostile to Christianity and to the practice of circumcision. Oppose the Pagans.</p><p><span class="fbUnderline"><strong>IX. To Convert the Jews & Muslims </strong></span></p><p><strong>BIBLE: </strong>Ishmael…was thirteen years old, when he was <strong>circumcised</strong>. (Genesis 17:25) Abraham circumcised his son Isaac at eight days old, as God had commanded him. (Genesis 21:4)</p><p><strong>CONCLUSION:</strong> Jews and Muslims would more likely convert to a Christianity that practices circumcision.<strong> </strong></p><p><span class="fbUnderline"><strong>X. In Tribute to the Early Saints</strong></span></p><p><strong>BIBLE: </strong>Mattathias and his allies…forcibly <strong>circumcised</strong> any uncircumcised boys whom they found in the territory of Israel…They save the law from the hands of the Gentiles. (I Maccabees 2:45)</p><p><strong>CONCLUSION: </strong>The first 5 Saints of Christianity, St. Judas, Jonathan, John, Simon, and Eleazar were all circumcised Jews who fought against the Greeks who butchered anyone that practiced or opposed the new law that banned circumcision.</p><p>Maccabee Christianity is fully supportive of the practice of circumcision by those of the Christian faith. Indeed, read carefully, Scriptures seem to indicate that the practice of circumcision may well be destined to become universal among all men on planet Earth. History, and the Bible, stands as a clear warning to those who would so blithely disdain male circumcision as a barbaric custom of the past. Here are just a few pertinent quotes:</p><p><em>In those days there appeared in Israel men who were breakers of the law, and they seduced many people…They covered over the mark of their <strong>circumcision </strong>and abandoned the holy covenant; they allied themselves with the Gentiles and sold themselves into wrongdoing. </em></p><p>- I Maccabees 1:11-15</p><p><em>Women who had their babies <strong>circumcised</strong> were put to death, in keeping with the decree, with the babies hung from their necks; their families also and those who had circumcised them were killed</em>.</p><p>- I Maccabees 1:60-61</p><p><em>The King sent messengers with letter to Jerusalem and to the cities of Judah, ordering them to follow customs foreign to the land…to leave their sons <strong>uncircumcised</strong>, and to let themselves be defiled with every kind of impurity and abomination.</em></p><p>- I Maccabees 1:44-48</p><p style="text-align: center;"><span class=""><img class="photo_img img" src="http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/308489_217721714956465_100001559154019_605736_2133393308_n.jpg" alt="" /><span class="caption"></span></span></p><p>May the LORD God bless you in the name of St. Judas Maccabaeus.</p><p> </p><p style="text-align: center;"><span class=""><img class="photo_img img" src="http://a4.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/60228_109659682429336_100001559154019_76372_7346282_n.jpg" alt="" /></span></p><p style="text-align: center;">The Sign of Circumcision<br /><span class=""><span class="caption"></span></span></p>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07904347198100907985noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3760010985082351599.post-46302301595405201702011-01-15T21:55:00.000-08:002011-01-15T22:09:33.181-08:00The Maccabee Videos, Part I. Brief Takes on the MaccabeesWhat follows is just a few short video clips about the Maccabees. This includes two short documentaries on the Book of the Maccabeses I and II, along with a book advertisement about the Maccabees and a beer commercial for Maccabee beer, a lager brewed in Israel. Here they are:<br /><br /><object height="385" width="480"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/p/E59BDB9002E5647C?hl=en_US&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/p/E59BDB9002E5647C?hl=en_US&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" height="385" width="480"></embed></object><br /><br /><br />May the LORD God bless you in the name of St. Judas Maccabaeus.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07904347198100907985noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3760010985082351599.post-14783459360383709622011-01-15T20:24:00.000-08:002011-01-15T20:28:37.004-08:00The Hammer of God, Part I. the Judaizers have Returned<em>“Is not My word like fire?” declares the LORD, “and like a <strong>hammer</strong> which shatters a rock?</em> <p>- Jeremiah 23:29<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jeremiah+23:28-30&version=NASB"><br /></a></p><br /> <h2 style="text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwNsyOY0Ti5jw60zl0PV12_36dVUS_awbsluGUsI1c5RMQd-jLp4pLMUYsKckQ2tv9SAH-lYNdA4UL9TvtQrHxFpAbPnBXcd84yHnaRfVfI70DfoVnBHTuJLA5QB9mSilMSzU27nYdPPc/s1600/hammerofGodsignature.png"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 39px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwNsyOY0Ti5jw60zl0PV12_36dVUS_awbsluGUsI1c5RMQd-jLp4pLMUYsKckQ2tv9SAH-lYNdA4UL9TvtQrHxFpAbPnBXcd84yHnaRfVfI70DfoVnBHTuJLA5QB9mSilMSzU27nYdPPc/s400/hammerofGodsignature.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5562623277522267650" border="0" /></a></h2> <p> </p> <div class="mceTemp mceIEcenter"><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><dl style="text-align: center;" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><dt class="wp-caption-dt"><a href="http://maccabaeus.files.wordpress.com/2011/01/51-716-jpghammerbest2.jpeg"><img class="size-full wp-image-784" title="Hammer" src="http://maccabaeus.files.wordpress.com/2011/01/51-716-jpghammerbest2.jpeg?w=450&h=243" alt="" height="243" width="450" /></a></dt><h3 style="font-weight: normal; font-style: italic;" class="wp-caption-dd">The Maccabee means Hammer in Hebrew</h3><br /></dl> </div> <p> </p> <span style="font-size:130%;">Part I. The Future Judaizers of the Catholic Church</span><br /><p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>The Coming Age of Christian Hanukkah</strong></span><br />One of the more important changes that are bound to take place in the Roman Catholic Church will be a new movement called the Order of the Maccabees, or the Order of the Hammer. One of their new traditions will include the Christian celebration of Hanukkah every year with families lighting the seven candle menorah and with Catholic Churches around the world eventually agreeing to also celebrate this so-called ‘Jewish’ holiday. The fact remains that, in the West, only the Roman Catholics include the Divinely-inspired Books of the Maccabees in their version of the Holy Bible. The official symbol of the Order of the Maccabees will, of course, be the seven-candled Menorah and the five Jewish Saints, Judas, Jonathan, John, Simon, and Eleazar will be studied and celebrated by all future Roman Catholics. Jewish tradition notes the following:</p> <p><em>The LORD said unto Moses, ‘…During the existence of the </em><br /><em>Temple you will sacrifice, but the lighting of the lamps shall </em><br /><em>be for ever, and the blessing with which I have charged you </em><br /><em>to bless the people shall also exist for ever. Through the </em><br /><em>destruction of the Temple the sacrifices will be abolished, </em><br /><em>but the lighting of the dedication of the Hasmoneans will </em><br /><em>never cease.’</em></p> <p><em> – Jewish Folk-lore</em></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>The Order of the Maccabees</strong></span><br />This Order will require all males to be circumcised before the age of 18 and will offer 5-10 year, as well as life-long, sisterhoods and brotherhoods, which will basically be little more than short or long-term stints as a monk or a nun. Priests of the Order of the Maccabees will consist of three distinct degrees. The Bishops of Matthias will be completely shaven, including all their body hair, and will not be allowed to marry. The Priests of Judas will remain clean-shaven, except for long side-burns and can either marry or not. They will be held to strict sexual standards, which include no masturbation and no sex until marriage. The Priests of Simon, John, Jonathan, and Eleazar will either be completely bearded, goateed, or mustached, and already married. These specifics can be seen in the following manner:</p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Hierarchy of Maccabaeus: Hair Requirements, Marital Status</strong></span><br />1) Bishops of Matthias: Totally shaven all over, Completely Celibate<br />2) Priests of Judas: Shaven with Side-burns, May Marry or Not<br />3) Priests of Simon, etc: Bearded, mustached, etc., Should be Married</p> <p>Some critics scoff at the idea that circumcision will be the wave of the future among Christians and contend that, even if Christianity manages to survive the New Age, it would never actually practice the ‘barbaric’ customs of the Jews and the Muslims by ‘forcibly’ removing the foreskins of male penises. Instead, they expect Christianity to eventually become more Pagan as well as more accepting of sexual degenerate behavior, especially homosexual behavior among white males. The Roman Catholic Church, especially the Congregation of the Doctrine of Faith, tends to disagree with these blasphemous predictions. Instead, they are already preparing for a massive wave of iconoclastic, Christian Judaizers who will begin exhibiting supernatural abilities probably before the end of the 21st century. A major part of their religious campaigns will include the need for all good Christians to circumcise their male sons, regardless of the Apostles’ earlier agreement to allow Gentile converts to ignore this essential covenant law of Abraham. A new book of prophecy, written by a new God-fearing prophet, and included in the new section of the Holy Bible known as the Final Testament, may read something like this:</p> <p><em>In the beginning, the heart of the Gentiles was made of </em><br /><em>stone, but the words of the peaceful, gentle Christ Jesus </em><br /><em>caused them to stumble and fall on their way to Mount </em><br /><em>Olympus, where Satan sat upon his throne waiting to </em><br /><em>rule over them forever. In time, the teachings of the </em><br /><em>Nazarene, spread by His 12 Apostles and 73 Disciples, </em><br /><em>took root among them. Soon enough, their hearts of stone </em><br /><em>slowly became hearts of gold so that they might finally turn </em><br /><em>away from the ancient mountain of wickedness and evil </em><br /><em>and instead look towards Mount Zion for their salvation. </em><br /><em>Now, as the 8th day of Creation has come upon both Jew </em><br /><em>and Gentile, there will be only one law among them and </em><br /><em>one law alone. Older than either Moses or Jesus, some would </em><br /><em>say this law is the most important law of them all. It is the law </em><br /><em>of the 8th day. Just as Abraham was commanded by the LORD </em><br /><em>Himself, Rabbi Jesus now commands all men to circumcise </em><br /><em>their sons so that the LORD may take away their greedy hearts </em><br /><em>of gold and instead make them hearts of flesh and blood that </em><br /><em>will love and serve Him forever. For in the beginning, the Gentiles </em><br /><em>were stubborn of heart. Now that they are older and wiser, they </em><br /><em>must move forward into the 8th day of Creation so that their hearts </em><br /><em>will become stubborn no more.</em></p> <p><em> – The Book of Jason, Final Testament, the Bible</em></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>The New Age of Judaized Christianity</strong></span><br />One thing is certain. The Pagan Hellenizers of Christianity have lost to the Judaizers once again in many different ways. It is simply a matter of time before more and more Christians start to take the Old Testament seriously again and find that the Roman Catholic Church, which is little more than the Temple in exile, already has long-term plans to re-establish a civilization which is more obedient to all the laws of God. This includes the laws that only the Orthodox Jews seem to take seriously anymore. Messianic Judaism, along with a massive influx of Jewish influences into Christianity, is expected to create a unique and very Biblical society in the years to come. After that comes the thunder, and then the lightning, and then the knowledge that the third millennium, the New Age of Christianity, has only just begun.</p> <p>May the LORD God bless you in the name of St. Judas Maccabaeus, the Hammer of God. </p>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07904347198100907985noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3760010985082351599.post-54847338683543504772011-01-15T20:17:00.000-08:002011-01-15T20:18:37.934-08:00The Hammer of God, Part II. The Maccabee Laws of God<em>“Is not My word like fire?” declares the LORD, “and like a <strong>hammer</strong> which shatters a rock?</em> <p>- Jeremiah 23:29<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jeremiah+23:28-30&version=NASB"><br /></a></p> <h2 style="text-align: center;"><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgErEU-cP44E8upSVkq4UM_3SdsYfPLEVuAjheTxbjTWFGhfNQpw2ica1VrK2vMLljh8feINlOZQSgrooeh9JxfRq96ezVFDlWIqsq3SyTbJxWBf9pBeTKxA5_oANLfW-WY7UwJOQcdJGk/s1600/hammerofGodsignature.png"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 39px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgErEU-cP44E8upSVkq4UM_3SdsYfPLEVuAjheTxbjTWFGhfNQpw2ica1VrK2vMLljh8feINlOZQSgrooeh9JxfRq96ezVFDlWIqsq3SyTbJxWBf9pBeTKxA5_oANLfW-WY7UwJOQcdJGk/s400/hammerofGodsignature.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5562623275253805250" border="0" /></a></h2> <h3 style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://maccabaeus.files.wordpress.com/2011/01/51-716-jpghammerbest21.jpeg"><img class="aligncenter" title="51-716.jpg.jpeghammerbest2" src="http://maccabaeus.files.wordpress.com/2011/01/51-716-jpghammerbest21.jpeg?w=450&h=243" alt="" height="243" width="450" /></a><em></em></h3><h3 style="text-align: center; font-weight: normal;"><em>The Maccabee stands for Hammer in Hebrew</em></h3> <h3><br /></h3><h3>Part II. The Maccabee Laws of God</h3> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>The Maccabees Enforce the Laws of God</strong></span><br />The tradition of the Maccabees within the Church, both in the West and in the East, has always been a tradition of what modern society would call law enforcement. Since the beginning of Christianity, they have actively promoted the rule of law, most especially the moral and ethical laws found in the Old Testament. Sometimes their law enforcement policies have been quite brutal. It is no coincidence that the word Maccabee is Hebrew for the word hammer, while the main text on witchcraft called Malleus Maleficarum is better known as ‘The Hammer of the Witches’.</p> <p><a href="http://maccabaeus.files.wordpress.com/2011/01/torahscrll1.jpeg"><img class="aligncenter" title="Torahscrll1" src="http://maccabaeus.files.wordpress.com/2011/01/torahscrll1.jpeg?w=160&h=119" alt="" height="119" width="160" /></a><br />Today, the Maccabees are playing a leading role in trying to heal the Schism between Eastern and Western Christianity. They are also a highly influential element of the Office of the Congregation of the Doctrine of Faith, commonly known as the Inquisition.</p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>The Maccabees & The United States Military</strong></span><br />The five brothers of the Maccabees basically assisted in writing the United States Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ). Read carefully, this code seems very Old Testament in its outlook. Literally all forms of sexual perversion are prohibited outright. Rape, adultery, sodomy, and fornication are not only grounds for demotion and possible dishonorable discharge, but can also result in criminal punishment, including prison time depending upon the severity of the offense. Even using vulgar language with sexual connotations is considered punishable. The U.S. Code of Military Justice carries some of the harshest penalties for sex crimes in the known world. A partial list of these sex offenses and their penalties are as follows:</p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Criminal Sex Act (USCMJ): Criminal Sentence (USCMJ) </strong></span><br /><em>Rape and Rape of a Child: Death Penalty/Life Imprisonment </em><br /><em>Aggravated Sexual Assault: 30 Years Imprisonment </em><br /><em>Aggravated Sexual Assault of a Child: 20 Years Imprisonment </em><br /><em>Aggravated Sexual Abuse of a Child: 20 Years Imprisonment </em><br /><em>Aggravated Sexual Contact: 20 Years Imprisonment </em><br /><em>Aggravated Sexual Contact with a Child: 20 Years Imprisonment </em><br /><em>Abusive Sexual Contact with a Child: 15 Years Imprisonment </em><br /><em>Indecent Liberty with a Child: 15 Years Imprisonment </em><br /><em>Abusive Sexual Contact: 7 Years Imprisonment </em><br /><em>Indecent Act: 5 Years Imprisonment </em><br /><em>Forcible Pandering: 5 Years Imprisonment </em><br /><em>Wrongful Sexual Contact: 1 Year Imprisonment </em><br /><em>Indecent Exposure: 1 Year Imprisonment </em></p> <p>Far more than anyone else, it has been the Maccabees, especially St. Judas Maccabeus, that have insisted upon keeping the unique tradition of an ‘officer and a gentleman’ alive and well within the United States Military. Unfortunately, this tradition has broken down in recent years and many potential problems have simply been ignored. In the past, religious Chaplains actively serving in the military were required to be ordained Roman Catholic Priests, Jewish Rabbis or Protestant Ministers. In other words, the U.S. Military only provided religious services for Jews and Christians and no one else. These days, those who practice witchcraft and even outright Pagans have also gained the ‘right’ to have their own respective denominations represented among U.S. Military Chaplains. It is only a matter of time before avowed Satanists also assert their ‘rights.’ Imagine that, a Satanic Priest serving as a chaplain in tomorrow’s military and being paid a salary using tax-payer dollars! By any standard, the Maccabees would consider this an outrage.</p> <p><em>The United States army has recognized white witchcraft as a </em><br /><em>religion and has appointed chaplains to oversee pagan ceremonies </em><br /><em>on at least five bases. A Pentagon spokesman said yesterday that </em><br /><em>there were believed to be at least 100 witches attending covens at </em><br /><em>Fort Hood, Texas, the army’s largest base with more than 42,000 </em><br /><em>troops. So respectful has the army become of the pagan rites that </em><br /><em>security was increased at Fort Hood’s Boy Scout camp, where </em><br /><em>covens are held. The move is to deter members of Christian groups </em><br /><em>from intimidating the group. The pagans, called Wiccans, are </em><br /><em>accorded the same privileges as practitioners of Christianity, </em><br /><em>Judaism andIslam. They are encouraged to have their religious </em><br /><em>preference stamped on the metal dog-tags each soldier wears.</em></p> <p><em>- Ben Fenton</em></p> <p>What is even more outrageous is the sexual misconduct that has become rampant in today’s United States Military. Because of the unisexual, co-ed practices that are now prevalent, fornication and even adultery have become commonplace, even in places such as Iraq, an active war-zone. Allowing men and women to mingle freely may have helped the case for women’s equality, but it has also caused an almost complete break-down in the sexual morality of U.S. troops, especially among the enlisted. Even the top military academies have not escaped unscathed. There have been numerous reports of lecherous male cadets dropping their pants in front of female cadets in full anticipation of receiving oral sex. Apparently, this was what was expected of them! Grown males, with some of the highest educational achievements in the nation, were exposing themselves to female Naval, Air Force, Army and Marine cadets, with similar academic credentials, as a standard hazing practice.</p> <p><em>They covered…the mark of their circumcision and abandoned </em><br /><em>the holy covenant; they allied themselves with the Gentiles and </em><br /><em>sold themselves to wrongdoing.</em></p> <p><em>- I Maccabees 1:15</em></p> <p>This is a far cry from the U.S. Military traditions of yesteryear in which well-dressed, unmarried young men and women would attend dances, balls, and celebrations in their finest attire and would dance and sing eloquently to the approval of the older married men and women with families. It is to be hoped that the age-old tradition of an ‘officer and a gentleman’ that originates from the devout, chaste behavior of numerous Israelite warriors throughout history will someday return.<a href="http://maccabaeus.files.wordpress.com/2011/01/menorahgoldgood.jpeg"><br /></a><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong> </strong></span></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>The Five Brothers of the Maccabees & Their Legacy </strong></span><br />More than two thousand years ago, the victorious Maccabees and their followers lit a candle that miraculously lasted for eight days before burning out. That candle continues to survive within the Roman Catholic Church and within Orthodox Judaism. To a lesser extent, it also resides in the modern Evangelical Protestant Church and still flickers within the United States Military. It can be seen in nature itself as when crows, pigeons and other birds will forcibly bob their heads and peck at the ground as if they were living hammers pounding on the dirt, or concrete, in tribute and remembrance of St. Judas Maccabeus, the hammer, and his brothers. Many traditional religious believers will insist that this is no mere coincidence. The actual names of the five brothers of the Maccabees, the sons of Matthias, are as follows:</p> <p><strong>St. John Gaddi- John, the Treasure</strong><br /><strong> St. Simon Thassi- Simon, the Zealous Guide</strong><br /><strong> St. Judas Maccabeus- Judas, the Hammer</strong><br /><strong> St. Eleazar Avaran- Eleazar, the Piercer</strong><br /><strong> St. Jonathan Apphus- Jonathan, the Wary</strong></p> <p>As mentioned previously, these five brothers were, in fact, the very first Saints of the Christian Church before it split into different sects. Even though they were never Christian in their own life-times, they were instrumental in organizing and carrying out the rebellion and subsequent war against the pagan Greco-Roman gods of old. They willingly followed Rabbi Jesus and His rebellion against Zeus and Apollo after His death on the cross when ‘He descended into Hell.’ Wikipedia states the following:</p> <p><em>The Roman Catholic Church regarded the Holy Maccabees as </em><br /><em>martyrs in their Calendar of Saints, although this feast was </em><br /><em>suppressed in 1969. The Eastern Orthodox Church continues to </em><br /><em>celebrate the Holy Maccabean Martyrs on August 1, the first </em><br /><em>day of the Dormition Fast.</em></p> <p>As Christian Saints they are considered by the Church to reside in the Kingdom of Heaven. Their status among the Jews remains less clear, but even the non-Christian Jerusalem Talmud states on numerous occasions, ‘Blessed be the Angels and the Saints.’ Because of the sharp influx of Gentiles into the early Church, there was a slight hesitation among some early Christians in accepting mere Jews equally with the true Saints of the Church such as the Apostles. In the end, these God-fearing Gentiles had no problem in accepting the Jewish Saints known as the Maccabees as part of the overall Canon. Arnaldo Momigliano writes, ‘The Fathers of the Church persuaded their flock…that the seven “Maccabean” brothers deserved to be treated as Christian saints.’</p> <p><a href="http://maccabaeus.files.wordpress.com/2011/01/menorahgoldgood.jpeg"><img class="aligncenter" title="MENORAHGOLDGOOD" src="http://maccabaeus.files.wordpress.com/2011/01/menorahgoldgood.jpeg?w=198&h=255" alt="" height="255" width="198" /></a></p> <p>May the LORD God bless you in the name of St. Judas Maccabaeus, the Hammer of God. </p>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07904347198100907985noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3760010985082351599.post-9642361171916688412011-01-15T19:48:00.001-08:002011-01-15T20:02:39.325-08:00The Hammer of God, Part III. The Maccabees Supernatural Rebellion Against Mt. Olympus“Is not My word like fire?” declares the LORD, “and like a hammer which shatters a rock?”<br /><br />- Jeremiah 23:29<br /><br /><h2 style="text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNICfdldDGn8S3l_-zWwcBSUJg_bmAO3gJNm0dLDNuh6bgIThQmhRKBOY_CyNfGTsZfTHwS-h8i7wB4yuWA8rNQ4aKigF_vluJDWoPymoDCQ3C5CW3bdIqMK0XZir72Ai5_ybuAkFzy0Q/s1600/hammerofGodsignature.png"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 39px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNICfdldDGn8S3l_-zWwcBSUJg_bmAO3gJNm0dLDNuh6bgIThQmhRKBOY_CyNfGTsZfTHwS-h8i7wB4yuWA8rNQ4aKigF_vluJDWoPymoDCQ3C5CW3bdIqMK0XZir72Ai5_ybuAkFzy0Q/s400/hammerofGodsignature.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5562623271441975506" border="0" /></a></h2> <h3 style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://maccabaeus.files.wordpress.com/2011/01/51-716-jpghammerbest21.jpeg"><img class="aligncenter" title="51-716.jpg.jpeghammerbest2" src="http://maccabaeus.files.wordpress.com/2011/01/51-716-jpghammerbest21.jpeg?w=450&h=243" alt="" height="243" width="450" /></a><em></em></h3><h3 style="text-align: center; font-weight: normal;"><em>The Maccabee stands for Hammer in Hebrew</em></h3><br /><br /><h3 style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size:130%;">Part III. The Maccabees Supernatural Rebellion Against Mt. Olympus</span></h3> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Telepathy, Sexuality, and the War of the Maccabees</strong></span><br />Sometimes, living men and women have been forced to use somewhat nontraditional, heterodox means in order to establish telepathic communication. Though the Church remains extremely unlikely to ever officially admit to their existence, there are, in fact, certain methods that can assist God-fearing individuals in obtaining telepathic and perhaps other supernatural abilities (See St. Judas and the Temple of the Black Diamond). Indeed, legends indicate that these somewhat unorthodox practices were of vital importance in helping Judas Maccabeus and his brothers win the civil war against the Greek occupiers of ancient Israel and their sexually degenerate, and many times uncircumcised, Jewish allies.</p> <p>Apparently, Judas Maccabeus, the rebel leader, began receiving reports early on indicating that an elite cabal of homosexual Jews and Greeks were using long-distance telepathy as a part of their military operations, including coded written messages in both Greek and Hebrew. Truth be told, it is unclear whether or not the Maccabees and their religious allies were even familiar with telepathic communication. They probably had some experience with it through personal interaction with the wild, desert prophets and other religious authorities, but it is quite obvious that they had little to no idea about how to harness it effectively in order to win the war.</p> <p>Historically speaking, there is some evidence that telepathy played a role in the successful slave rebellion led by Moses and Aaron against the Egyptians. Indeed, Aaron and his sister Miriam were probably both highly telepathic along with many of the other early Levites. Several scholars will also claim that forty years of wandering in the desert, where most of the Israelites fed themselves with the mysterious manna (Red Dragon fat) provided by God for years on end, eventually caused many, if not all, of the families involved to become very telepathic. Nevertheless, it is more than possible that the power of telepathy had become almost completely forgotten by most of the Israelites during the Age of the Maccabees more than a thousand years later.</p> <p>Regardless of the specifics, Judas Maccabeus quickly discovered through spies that frenzied homosexual orgies, including high-powered anal and oral sex, along with the frequent, mutual swallowing of semen, may have been involved in the Greeks seemingly Divine telepathic powers. Apparently, these hyper-sexualized rituals, which took place both outdoors in public, as well in total darkness in underground chambers, were causing the participants to become demonically-possessed, telepathic beings, who were able to see through each other’s eyes. They were also using remote viewing to track rebel troop movements and hunt down those Jews still practicing Orthodox Judaism.</p> <p><em>Her feet go down to death; her steps take hold on Hell.</em></p> <p><em> – Proverbs 5:3-5</em></p> <p>In addition, it is quite possible that these evil, wicked enemies of God were eating each other’s feces and urine and staring directly at the sun for long periods of time in order to manifest these powers. Put bluntly, at least some of them were looking into the sun while committing sodomy. It was truly a time of the Beast 666 and his motives could be clearly seen by the sexual immorality that had completely taken over the Temple of Jerusalem. This intensified the evil in an intolerable and utterly disgusting way.</p> <p><em>The Gentiles filled the Temple with debauchery and revelry; they amused themselves with [male] </em><em>prostitutes and had intercourse with women even in the sacred court. </em></p> <p><em>- II Maccabees 6:3-4</em></p> <p>One could say that either one, or perhaps all, of these particular activities were the real cause of the homosexual Jews and Greeks developing telepathic and other supernatural powers. Because of his desperate circumstances, however, Judas Maccabeus did not have the time to verify exactly what was behind his opponent’s paranormal abilities. Because of this, he immediately ordered at least some of his followers to eat and drink their own, as well as their fellow warrior’s feces and urine. After some trial and error, those involved were told to eat only the hard, rock-like feces that contained numerous, round, small balls like the various, tiny shit-heads of little people. To develop a strong, defensible telepathic communication system, some of them stopped eating anything at all, except for whatever they could find in the wilderness, where they remained in hiding during the early part of the war. The rebels also smoked large amounts of marijuana and/or hashish to soothe their hunger pangs. The Bible states as follows:</p> <p><em>Judas Maccabeus with nine others…withdrew himself into the wilderness, </em><em>and lived in the mountains after the manner of beasts, with his company, who </em><em>fed on herbs continually, lest they should be partakers of the pollution.</em></p> <p><em>- II Maccabees 5:27</em></p> <p>It is also possible that, in desperation, Judas Maccabeus allowed his married soldiers to practice oral sex with their wives, who would then swallow their husband’s semen in order to establish a strong, telepathic connection. Sometimes the link became powerful enough for the wives to see through their husbands’ eyes and hear their thoughts. It is said that more than a few of these couples became telepathic quite quickly and began having the exact same dreams. Throughout the war, married wives helped to relay strategically important messages sent by their scout husbands over long-distances. Fortunately for the Maccabees, this private, two-way method of telepathy between husband and wife eventually became impossible for the sexually perverted enemy to intercept or cause interference. The most probable explanation for this is that the Divinely-sanctioned, monogamous, heterosexual love between the two spouses may have helped to shield their messages from the almost completely homosexual Jewish and Greek telepaths trying to decipher them.</p> <p><em>Matches are made in heaven. </em></p> <p><em>- The Babylonian Talmud, Genesis Rabba 68</em></p> <p><em>In three different places…are we told that heaven appoints the wife of a man. </em></p> <p><em>- The Babylonian Talmud, Genesis Rabba 68</em></p> <p>This new-found technique of undetectable, heterosexual telepathy completely enraged the sexually degenerate occupiers of the Kingdom of Israel, causing them to resort to human sacrifice and cannibalism in the Temple of Jerusalem in an attempt to increase their diabolical, supernatural powers. They also proceeded to take out their frustrations upon many of the unarmed, innocent civilians, perpetrating numerous, hideous atrocities against any and all suspected Jewish sympathizers, yet completely leaving any Greek or other foreign residents alone.</p> <p><em>[Jason] commanded his men of war not to spare [anyone]…and to slay…[all of them]. Thus </em><em>there was killing of young and old, making away of men, women, and children, slaying of </em><em>virgins and infants. </em></p> <p><em>- II Maccabees 5:12-13</em></p> <p>In retrospect, the possible practice of the Maccabees in allowing or encouraging oral sex between a married man and woman, which is prohibited by Jewish law and still defined in the Dictionary as sodomy, was a sinful, ungodly way to defeat the enemies of Israel that should have never been used. Contrary to the wicked, Satanically-inspired, deceivers of the truth who might insist otherwise, Judas Maccabeus never authorized any other abnormal sexual activity in order to develop supernatural powers and severely punished any of his fellow allies who were caught practicing anything except monogamous, heterosexual vaginal intercourse within the sacred bonds of marriage. Even consensual, heterosexual fornication between two unmarried people was punished by the traditional twenty-five, extremely painful lashings with a whip, inflicted on both the male and female offenders.</p> <p><em>Daniel, my brother, you are older than me. Do you still feel the pain of the </em><em>scars that won’t heal? Your eyes have died, but you see more than I. Daniel </em><em>you’re a star in the face of the sky. </em></p> <p><em>- Daniel, by Elton John</em></p> <p>Throughout the military campaign and afterwards, Judas demanded total abstinence from all his followers, even though their Greek enemies promoted, encouraged, and even celebrated degenerate sexual activity in order to achieve telepathic abilities and to summon evil powers to help them defeat the Jews. In the end, the Maccabees basically concluded that the fairly disgusting, highly unsanitary, and possibly lethal, ingestion of feces and urine was, in fact, the primary ingredient that actually helped facilitate telepathy among his soldiers. Staring directly at the sun was another probable method Judas Maccabeus utilized in order to create a strategic system of telepathy that included encoded written messages, commonly known as the Word of God.</p> <p><em>Got a revolution behind my eyes, we got to get up and organize. Got a revolution behind my eyes, </em><em>we got to get up and organize…You want a revolution behind your eyes, we got to get up and organize. </em></p> <p><em>- Battleflag, by Lo Fidelity Allstars</em></p> <p>The legends state that, although the five brothers of the Maccabees never lost their own eyesight, some of the less fortunate troops did go completely blind in their search for supernatural powers. In fact, it is claimed that the mysterious seven watchtowers of Joarib, originally set up as a defensive measure to protect the God-fearing, loyal Israelites that opposed the sexually perverted Jews and Greeks ruling over them, was little more than a 24-hour system of elite soldiers who would stand up and look directly at the sun in shifts all day long. This was also done in order to guard the headquarters of the telepathic, military intelligence corps who played a key role in winning the war of the Maccabees. Urgent written messages from the front would sometimes arrive via the sun and would then be passed on to the appropriate rebel leaders.</p> <p><em>Oh, let the sun beat down upon my face, stars to fill my dream. I am a traveler of both time and space, </em><em>to be where I have been, to sit with elders of the gentle race, this world has seldom seen. They talk of days for </em><em>which they sit and wait, [when] all will be revealed. Talk and song from tongues of lilting grace…but not a word </em><em>I heard could I relay, the story was quite clear. </em></p> <p><em>- Kashmir, by Led Zeppelin</em></p> <p>May the LORD God bless you in the name of St. Judas Maccabaeus. </p>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07904347198100907985noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3760010985082351599.post-16361873845909050872011-01-15T19:44:00.000-08:002011-01-15T19:46:46.599-08:00The Hammer of God, Part IV. The Righteous Maccabee Legacy called the Sicarii<span style="font-size:100%;">“Is not My word like fire?” declares the LORD, “and like a <strong>hammer</strong></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><em><span style="font-weight: bold;"> </span>which shatters a rock?”</em></span><div class="post-816 post type-post status-publish format-standard hentry category-biblical-history category-the-hebrew-tradition category-the-lord-god category-judaism category-christianity category-maccabee-christianity category-saints category-judeo-christian-2 tag-maccabees tag-saints tag-judas-maccabaeus tag-sicarii tag-secret-society tag-supernatural"> <span style="font-size:100%;"> </span> <div class="entry"> <p><span style="font-size:100%;">- Jeremiah 23:29</span></p> <h2 style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzA39mKeOawC0S2-BQZ1IRofFbVQUHAuYXu634RK_P-hq6M9d-74qcGXddNFvhYxMAIX3RKSbmRhqrvWAAjH9-yVWq3QSoej83kuPfreoPPtJiQB0ZDdSKjyYjq_KjjkrCxR2XsYUe6_0/s1600/hammerofGodsignature.png"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 39px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzA39mKeOawC0S2-BQZ1IRofFbVQUHAuYXu634RK_P-hq6M9d-74qcGXddNFvhYxMAIX3RKSbmRhqrvWAAjH9-yVWq3QSoej83kuPfreoPPtJiQB0ZDdSKjyYjq_KjjkrCxR2XsYUe6_0/s400/hammerofGodsignature.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5562623266299620450" border="0" /></a></h2> <h3 style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://maccabaeus.files.wordpress.com/2011/01/51-716-jpghammerbest21.jpeg"><img class="aligncenter" title="51-716.jpg.jpeghammerbest2" src="http://maccabaeus.files.wordpress.com/2011/01/51-716-jpghammerbest21.jpeg?w=450&h=243&h=243" alt="" height="243" width="450" /></a><em></em></h3><h3 style="text-align: center; font-weight: normal;"><em>The Maccabee stands for Hammer in Hebrew</em></h3> <h3 style="font-weight: normal;">Part IV. The Righteous Maccabee Legacy called the Sicarii</h3> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>The Oldest Secret Tradition in the World </strong></span><br />The War of the Maccabees that was fought against the sexually perverted Greek occupiers of Israel resulted in the revival of a tradition that had lain dormant within Judaism for literally thousands of years. For the first time since the Hebrew slave rebellion led by Moses against Pharaoh and the Egyptians, an ultra-secret society was formed with the sole purpose of protecting both Judaism and the Jewish people from any external threats. Legend has it that their symbol was the all-seeing eye below the pyramid, much like the back-side of the Great Seal of the United States turned upside down. Others believe it was simply the Star of David, also known as the Seal of Solomon.</p> <p><em>Solomon was in a different category, because he ruled over the denizens of the upper world as well as of the lower. </em></p> <p><em>- Babylonian Talmud, Mo’ed IV, Megillah 11b</em></p> <p>This secret society, whose members included both the Sadducees and the Pharisees, later became known as the Sicarii, the only group that had actual contact with the Jewish dead. They saw themselves as enforcers of the Law and were instrumental in forming a Jewish educational network that taught literally all Jews the fundamentals of their religion along with basic reading and writing skills, something that had never been done before. Indeed, the Jews were the first people in history to have almost an entirely literate population. The result of this universal religious schooling was a substantial increase in the number of Zealots, pious Jews who knew the Torah, as well as a huge surplus of devout and well-educated Jews who settled throughout the Greco-Roman Empire and excelled in business and commerce. During the rise of Pagan Rome, the overall population of Jews increased exponentially due to their preference for large families and their religious ban on abortions, infanticide, or birth control, something which the Pagans practiced quite frequently.</p> <p>It could be claimed that the secret tradition of Jewish independence from Gentile rule or enslavement and the underground brotherhood that kept this unwritten tradition alive originated with Abraham and was passed down by word of mouth, from father to son, until it culminated in the Sicarii brotherhood many centuries later. The exact lineage can be seen in the following manner:</p> <p><em><strong>Abraham –> The Twelve Sons of Israel –> The Priests of Midian –> The Maccabees</strong></em></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>The Sicarii, the Rebels of the Suprenatural</strong></span><br />The Sicarii were basically hard-core descendants of the Maccabean tradition, some by blood, others by initiation. Rites of passage included learning how to stare directly at the sun without going blind, eating feces and drinking urine to open the mind’s eye, drinking salt-water to induce both diarrhea and vomiting thus clearing the bowels of any unwanted elements.</p> <p><em>Every one is (morally) blind until his eyes are opened for him from above. </em></p> <p><em>- Genesis Rabba 53 </em></p> <p>Further studies included the self-mastering of both dreams and visions- in other words, the conscious control of both the subconscious and unconscious world. This was followed by the teaching of more advanced skills such as remote viewing, detecting ghosts and other spirits, invisibility, telepathy between fellow members and their spouses, and even lycanthropy itself. Jesus and His apostles were also adept at these supernatural, miraculous talents that included healing and exorcisms of evil spirits. The following chart describes some of these supernatural gifts, what the later Church would refer to as gifts of the Holy Ghost, or Charisms:</p> <table border="1" cellspacing="0"> <tbody> <tr> <td><strong><span style="font-size:medium;"> Operation</span></strong></td> <td><strong><span style="font-size:medium;"> Biblical Passage<br /></span></strong></td> <td><strong><span style="font-size:medium;">Rock Song<br /></span></strong></td> </tr> <tr> <td><strong><span style="font-size:small;"> Staring at the Sun </span></strong></td> <td><span style="font-size:small;"> Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. (Matthew 13:43)<br /></span></td> <td><span style="font-size:small;"> You’re not the only one staring at the sun afraid of what you’d find if you stepped back inside. – Staring at the Sun, by U2</span></td> </tr> <tr> <td><strong><span style="font-size:small;"> Ingesting Feces and Urine </span></strong></td> <td><span style="font-size:small;"> To the men that sit upon the wall, that they may eat their own dung, and drink their own piss with you. (Isaiah 36:12), </span></td> <td><span style="font-size:small;"> And another one gone, and another one gone…Hey, I’m going get you too…Another one bites the dust.<br />- Another One Bite the Dust, by Queen<br /></span></td> </tr> <tr> <td><strong><span style="font-size:small;"> Drinking Salt Water<br /></span></strong></td> <td><span style="font-size:small;"> You are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savor…it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men. (Matthew 5:13)<br /></span></td> <td><span style="font-size:small;"> I’m stepping into the twilight zone…Place is a madhouse feels like being cloned…So you’ll come to know when the bullet hits the bone. – Till the Bullet hits the Bone, by Earrings Golden </span></td> </tr> <tr> <td><strong><span style="font-size:small;"> Detecting Ghosts</span></strong></td> <td><span style="font-size:small;"> All manner of sin and blasphemy will be forgiven…but the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost will not be forgiven. (Matthew 12:31) </span></td> <td><span style="font-size:small;"> All we are is dust in the wind… Nothing lasts forever but the earth and sky. It slips away and all your money won’t another minute buy. – Dust in the Wind, by Kansas<br /></span></td> </tr> <tr> <td><strong><span style="font-size:small;"> Remote Viewing<br /></span></strong></td> <td><span style="font-size:small;"> And the devil, taking Him up unto a high mountain, showed…Him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time. (Luke 4:5) </span></td> <td><span style="font-size:small;"> Sundown you better take care If I find you been creeping around my back stairs. She’s…looking like a queen in a sailor’s dream. – Sundown, by Gordon Lightfoot<br /></span></td> </tr> <tr> <td><strong><span style="font-size:small;"> Invisibility<br /></span></strong></td> <td><span style="font-size:small;"> They took…up stones to cast at Him: but Jesus hid Himself, and went out of the temple, going through the midst of them, and so passed by. (John 8:59)<br /></span></td> <td><span style="font-size:small;"> He got early warning. He got muddy water…He say ‘One and one and one is three,’ got to be good-looking because he’s so hard to see. Come together. – Come Together, by The Beatles </span></td> </tr> <tr> <td><strong><span style="font-size:small;"> Telepathy</span></strong></td> <td><span style="font-size:small;"> The LORD said…Why did Sarah laugh, saying, Shall I…bear a child, when I am old? Then Sarah denied, saying, I laughed not; for she was afraid. He said, ‘Nay you did laugh.’ (Genesis18:13-15)<br /></span></td> <td><span style="font-size:small;"> Tell me what you find when you read my mind…Put your back on me, put your back on me. The stars are blazing like rebel diamonds cut out of the sun when you read my mind. – Read my Mind, by The Killers<br /></span></td> </tr> <tr> <td><strong><span style="font-size:small;"> Lyncanthropy</span></strong></td> <td><span style="font-size:small;"> Who knows that the spirit of man goes upward, and that the spirit of the beast goes downward to the earth? (Ecclesiastes 3:21)<br /></span></td> <td><span style="font-size:small;"> I hope we’re not too messianic or a trifle too satanic…I am just a monkey man…I’m glad you are a…monkey woman. I’m a monkey, I’m a monkey. – Monkey Man, by The Rolling Stones</span></td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <p>In addition to this, several of the most exceptional members of the Sicarii, some living some dead, could also use mind reading, thought control, clairvoyance, levitation, teleportation, and were capable of spiritually possessing other people. They weren’t magicians or sorcerers in any manner and Simon Magus was certainly not one of them. For the most part, they viewed their ‘magic’ abilities as deriving from the LORD God and were wary of the Biblical prohibitions against witchcraft and sorcery. They practiced their arts with extreme caution and humility, always fearing they might offend God by accident. An explanatory chart of their more advanced abilities is as follows:</p> <table border="1" cellspacing="0"> <tbody> <tr> <td><strong><span style="font-size:large;"> Operation</span></strong></td> <td><strong><span style="font-size:large;"> Pertinent Biblical Passage<br /></span></strong></td> </tr> <tr> <td><strong><span style="font-size:medium;"> Mind Reading<br /></span></strong></td> <td><span style="font-size:small;"> Thus says the LORD God of Israel…Why have you despised the commandment of the LORD, to do evil in His sight? You have killed Uriah the Hittite with the sword, and have taken his wife to be thy wife. (II Samuel 12:7-9) </span></td> </tr> <tr> <td><strong><span style="font-size:medium;"> Thought Control<br /></span></strong></td> <td><span style="font-size:small;"> The LORD hardened Pharaoh’s heart, so that he would not let the children of Israel go. (Exodus 10:20) </span></td> </tr> <tr> <td><strong><span style="font-size:medium;"> Clairvoyance<br /></span></strong></td> <td><span style="font-size:small;"> When you…see the abomination of desolation…standing where it should not, (let him that reads this understand) then let them that be in Judaea flee to the mountains. (Mark 13:14)<br /></span></td> </tr> <tr> <td><span style="font-size:medium;"><strong> Levitation </strong><br /></span></td> <td><span style="font-size:small;"> And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea. And when the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were troubled…and they cried out for fear. (Matthew 14:25-26) </span></td> </tr> <tr> <td><span style="font-size:medium;"><strong> Teleportation </strong><br /></span></td> <td><span style="font-size:small;"> If you have faith, and doubt not…you shall say unto this mountain, be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; it shall be done. (Matthew 21:21) </span></td> </tr> <tr> <td><span style="font-size:medium;"><strong> Spiritual Possession </strong><br /></span></td> <td><span style="font-size:small;"> Then Satan entered into Judas surnamed Iscariot, being of the number of the twelve. (Luke 22:3)<br /></span></td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <p>With gratitude, the Sicarii looked upon their own personal talents as spiritual gifts bestowed upon them directly by the LORD God. This was quite different from the Pagans’ perception that miraculous abilities came from themselves personally rather than from an external, divine source such as the Hebrew God. For the most part, the Sicarii used their ‘magical’ skills in a precise manner, much like a doctor uses a scalpel for surgery.</p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>The Righteous Knives of the Sicarii</strong></span><br />In time, and because of their rage over the Jews who betrayed them and allied themselves with Rome and their sodomite gods, the Sicarii sometimes resorted to political violence and assassination. Wikipedia writes the following:</p> <p><em>The Sicarii resorted to terror to obtain their objective. Under their cloaks they concealed sicae, or small daggers, from which </em><em>they received their name. At popular assemblies, particularly during the pilgrimage to the Temple Mount, they stabbed their </em><em>enemies (Romans or Roman sympathizers, Herodians, and wealthy Jews comfortable with Roman rule), lamenting ostentatiously </em><em>after the deed to blend into the crowd to escape detection. Literally, Sicarii meant “dagger-men”. </em></p> <p>In truth, the Sicarii were far more than a terrorist sect seeking political independence from Rome. They were folk-heroes, much like Robin Hood, and would have heartily agreed with the sentiment to ‘steal from the rich to give to the poor.’ When they could, the Sicarii would purchase back poor Jews who had been sold into slavery, help young Jewish women leave the life of prostitution, and protect Jewish property from being vandalized or stolen. Many times, their members would work as bodyguards for rich Jews guarding plantations, mansions, and traveling caravans. Not all of them were strictly law-abiding, however. The ancient tradition of defecating and leaving a fresh pile of feces in the homes of the rich after burglarizing them and stealing their possessions was originally a Sicarii tradition that has survived up to the present day.</p> <p>Not all the Sicarii were thieves and the ones that were would tend to burglarize non-Jewish homes such as tax-collectors, slave-traders or Pagan government officials. Theft was still considered a wicked, greedy sin by the upper echelons of the Sicarii hierarchy. If they ever did steal from their fellow Jews, it was from those rich Jews who no longer practiced Judaism and, instead, affiliated with their Roman oppressors even going so far as to worship the Pagan gods.</p> <p>Little known to most modern historians, it was the Sicarii who kept the Jewish districts safe and clean throughout the entire Roman Empire. Unlike their Pagan neighbors, who would leave their own elderly and unwanted infants outside the city’s gates to be killed and eaten by wild, scavenger dogs, the Sicarii helped to care for all Jews, including the poor, orphans and widows. They did not allow raw sewage, or garbage, to build up in Jewish neighborhoods.</p> <p><em>Outside the camp you shall have a place set aside to be used as a toilet. You shall also keep a shovel in your equipment and </em><em>with it, when you go outside to ease nature, you shall first dig a hole and afterward cover up your excrement. For the LORD thy </em><em>God walks in the midst of your camp, to deliver you…therefore shall your camp be holy: that he sees no unclean thing…and turn </em><em>away from you.</em></p> <p><em>- Deuteronomy 23:13-15</em></p> <p>Contrary to those who dislike them, the Sicarii also showed pity upon as many deserving Gentiles as they could and would often sympathize with those outsiders who made an effort to worship the God of Israel and abide by Jewish law. They were not near as ‘racist,’ tribalistic, or ethnocentric as some critics might contend. Indeed, many were born and raised far away from their homeland. More than a few Sicarii were from humble origins and had mixed blood. As the Babylonian Talmud states:</p> <p><em>We support the poor of the heathen along with the poor of Israel, and visit the sick of the heathen along with the sick of Israel, and </em><em>bury the poor of the heathen along with the dead of Israel in the interests of peace. </em></p> <p><em>- Babylonian Talmud, Nashim IV, Gittin 61a</em></p> <p>Throughout the vast Jewish diaspora that existed within the Empire, the Sicarii provided an impenetrable defense against Pagan criminal predators of all varieties. They would walk the streets of Jewish neighborhoods throughout the night keeping the Jewish masses safe in their homes until the break of day. Because of the sexually perverted practices of many Pagan Greco-Romans, which included pedophilia, incest and homosexuality, the Sicarii were always careful to ensure the chastity of all young Jewish children. Although it probably seldom ever occurred, a standard practice of the Sicarii was to hunt down and castrate any Pagan who was guilty of raping a Jewish child, or adult, for that matter. They allowed the rapist to live only to show the other Gentiles what would happen to them if they dared touch any Jew in a sexually aggressive manner. As the Bible states:</p> <p><em>Dinah, the daughter of Leah, which she bare unto Jacob, went out to see the daughters of the land…Shechem, the son of Hamor the Hivite, prince of the country, saw her, he took her, and lay with her, and raped her…And Shechem spoke unto his father Hamor, saying, Get me this damsel for my wife…And Jacob heard that he had raped Dinah his daughter…And the sons of Jacob came out of the field when they heard it: and the men were grieved, and they were very angry, because he had wrought folly in Israel in raping Jacob’s daughter; a thing which should never be done….And Hamor communed with them, saying, The soul of my son Shechem longs for your daughter: I pray you give her him to wife…And they said unto them, We cannot do this thing, to give our sister to one that is uncircumcised…Simeon and Levi, Dinah’s brothers…came upon the city boldly, and slew all the males…And they slew Hamor and Shechem his son with the edge of the sword, and took Dinah out of Shechem’s house, and went out…The sons of Jacob came upon the slain, and spoiled the city, because they had raped their sister.</em></p> <p><em>- Genesis 34:1-27</em></p> <p>Any Pagans, including Roman centurions, who repeatedly mistreated, harassed, or violently threatened the Empire’s Jewish citizens to any great extent would often find themselves dead with their throats cut in some back alley after they refused to leave the Jews alone. Long before the Mafia, there was the Sicarri who did not indulge in gambling, extortion, or prostitution. Indeed, they were instrumental in helping fellow Jews steer clear of these wicked practices. However, they would, in fact, smoke hashish quite frequently and drink large amounts of beer and wine when they were available. There is substantial historical evidence that the ancient Jews grew and smoked marijuana, even using it as medicine. To the upper-class Greco-Romans, the Sicarii were considered a criminal nuisance that posed a potential threat to their establishment. To the pious Rabbis, they were a dirty, sinful bunch of odd-fellows that helped protect vulnerable Jews from the dangerous Gentile hordes- a necessary evil that provided safety for the Jewish lower classes. For many ordinary Jews, however, they were revered as heroes, protectors, and guardians of the Law. In modern times, Jewish Bolsheviks and socialist revolutionaries often thought of themselves in the same manner, seeing themselves as 20th century Maccabees. Beautiful Jewish maidens from rich and/or devout families would swoon at the sight of these handsome, wild outlaws only to be scolded by their parents that they were not meant to ever marry a mere Sicarri, who were mostly lower class Jewish commoners. The answer was no, absolutely not, before their daughters could even ask the question.</p> <p>More than a few Sicarii never married and would satisfy their lusts with suitable partners behind closed doors. These included Pagan widows, demonic Gentile prostitutes, and lonely noble Greco-Roman ladies whose husbands preferred other males. Any offspring they produced were given to suitable Jewish families or were allowed to be brought up in wealthy Pagan households just as Moses had been thousands of years before. Sometimes, their Sicarii fathers would actually return to reclaim them when they had grown older and would then teach them the ancient Jewish traditions of the forefathers, especially male circumcision. Being somewhat ecumenical, the Sicarii would sometimes even recruit sincere Gentiles to join them. During the eighth day of initiation, the standard practice was to give the newcomer a sharp dagger and have them slice off their own foreskins and throw it into the fire rather than having an actual Rabbi perform the procedure. This ritual made them a fellow Hebrew and spiritual son of Abraham.</p> <p>The Sicarii brotherhood was the primary factor behind the Jewish revolt against Rome which ended in disaster and the destruction of both Jerusalem and the Second Temple. Legend has it that giant sodomites came down from Mount Olympus and tore the Jewish Temple to pieces. When direct violence against the enemy gods proved to be a failure, some of them took to the new movement of Christianity. Much like second or third-generation mafia mobsters, they decided to go legitimate and the Christian religion ended up thriving due to their subtle influence and the generous protection they provided. Having seen more than a few ghosts in their time, many of the Sicarii probably had no problem with the belief that Jesus rose from the dead.</p> <p>Some modern scholars, almost all Protestant, have attempted to link the Apostle Judas Iscariot to the Sicarii due to the similarity in spelling. One historian writes: ‘A second theory is that “Iscariot” identifies Judas as a member of the Sicarii. These were a cadre of assassins among Jewish rebels intent on driving the Romans out of Judea.’ The fact of the matter is that Judas Maccabeus and his legacy known as the Sicarii had absolutely nothing to do with Judas Iscariot and the betrayal of Jesus Christ. Anything else is Protestant ignorance, hostility and deliberate defamation of the heroic Maccabee brothers, especially of St. Judas Maccabeus.</p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>The Dark Sicarii Roots of Christianity</strong></span><br />In time, the Sicarii and the Maccabees faded into obscurity and became simply one of the many traditions of the Roman Catholic Church which became less and less Jewish over time. Because of their influence, however, the early Church fathers and other Christians also learned the secret arts of the Holy Ghost, both black ‘magic’ and white ‘magic’, and began displaying the same exceptional abilities that the Sicarii had previously kept completely hidden from public view. In stark contrast to the Sicarii tendency to cover up the supernatural, the Christians openly flaunted their miraculous talents, causing many of the overly superstitious Pagan Gentiles to convert to this new religion. In some respects, the Sicarii brotherhood was the original, enchanted cornerstone of the early Church. Official Christian investigators later developed procedures to record and document genuine miracles of God, long after the legendary Menorah candle that stayed lit for eight days. As it now stands today, Judaism still insists that the last miracle of God occurred during Hanukkah around 2,150 years ago. The Roman Catholic Church believes that supernatural miracles are still occurring even today and will continue to occur until the second coming of Jesus Christ.</p> <p>May the LORD God bless you in the name of St. Judas Maccabaeus, the Hammer of God. </p> <p><a title="51-616.jpg.jpeghammerbest3" href="http://stjudasmaccabaeus.files.wordpress.com/2010/07/51-616-jpghammerbest3.jpeg"><img style="width: 44px; height: 24px;" title="51-616.jpg.jpeghammerbest3" src="http://stjudasmaccabaeus.files.wordpress.com/2010/07/51-616-jpghammerbest3.jpeg?w=69&h=78&h=36" alt="51-616.jpg.jpeghammerbest3" /></a><a title="51-616.jpg.jpeghammerbest3" href="http://stjudasmaccabaeus.files.wordpress.com/2010/07/51-616-jpghammerbest3.jpeg"><img style="width: 44px; height: 24px;" title="51-616.jpg.jpeghammerbest3" src="http://stjudasmaccabaeus.files.wordpress.com/2010/07/51-616-jpghammerbest3.jpeg?w=69&h=78&h=36" alt="51-616.jpg.jpeghammerbest3" /></a><a title="51-616.jpg.jpeghammerbest3" href="http://stjudasmaccabaeus.files.wordpress.com/2010/07/51-616-jpghammerbest3.jpeg"><img style="width: 44px; height: 24px;" title="51-616.jpg.jpeghammerbest3" src="http://stjudasmaccabaeus.files.wordpress.com/2010/07/51-616-jpghammerbest3.jpeg?w=69&h=78&h=36" alt="51-616.jpg.jpeghammerbest3" /></a><a title="51-616.jpg.jpeghammerbest3" href="http://stjudasmaccabaeus.files.wordpress.com/2010/07/51-616-jpghammerbest3.jpeg"><img style="width: 44px; height: 24px;" title="51-616.jpg.jpeghammerbest3" src="http://stjudasmaccabaeus.files.wordpress.com/2010/07/51-616-jpghammerbest3.jpeg?w=69&h=78&h=36" alt="51-616.jpg.jpeghammerbest3" /></a><a title="51-616.jpg.jpeghammerbest3" href="http://stjudasmaccabaeus.files.wordpress.com/2010/07/51-616-jpghammerbest3.jpeg"><img style="width: 44px; height: 24px;" title="51-616.jpg.jpeghammerbest3" src="http://stjudasmaccabaeus.files.wordpress.com/2010/07/51-616-jpghammerbest3.jpeg?w=69&h=78&h=36" alt="51-616.jpg.jpeghammerbest3" /></a><a title="51-616.jpg.jpeghammerbest3" href="http://stjudasmaccabaeus.files.wordpress.com/2010/07/51-616-jpghammerbest3.jpeg"><img style="width: 44px; height: 24px;" title="51-616.jpg.jpeghammerbest3" src="http://stjudasmaccabaeus.files.wordpress.com/2010/07/51-616-jpghammerbest3.jpeg?w=69&h=78&h=36" alt="51-616.jpg.jpeghammerbest3" /></a><a title="51-616.jpg.jpeghammerbest3" href="http://stjudasmaccabaeus.files.wordpress.com/2010/07/51-616-jpghammerbest3.jpeg"><img style="width: 44px; height: 24px;" title="51-616.jpg.jpeghammerbest3" src="http://stjudasmaccabaeus.files.wordpress.com/2010/07/51-616-jpghammerbest3.jpeg?w=69&h=78&h=36" alt="51-616.jpg.jpeghammerbest3" /></a><a title="51-616.jpg.jpeghammerbest3" href="http://stjudasmaccabaeus.files.wordpress.com/2010/07/51-616-jpghammerbest3.jpeg"><img style="width: 44px; height: 24px;" title="51-616.jpg.jpeghammerbest3" src="http://stjudasmaccabaeus.files.wordpress.com/2010/07/51-616-jpghammerbest3.jpeg?w=69&h=78&h=36" alt="51-616.jpg.jpeghammerbest3" /></a><a title="51-616.jpg.jpeghammerbest3" href="http://stjudasmaccabaeus.files.wordpress.com/2010/07/51-616-jpghammerbest3.jpeg"><img style="width: 44px; height: 24px;" title="51-616.jpg.jpeghammerbest3" src="http://stjudasmaccabaeus.files.wordpress.com/2010/07/51-616-jpghammerbest3.jpeg?w=69&h=78&h=36" alt="51-616.jpg.jpeghammerbest3" /></a><a title="51-616.jpg.jpeghammerbest3" href="http://stjudasmaccabaeus.files.wordpress.com/2010/07/51-616-jpghammerbest3.jpeg"></a></p> </div></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07904347198100907985noreply@blogger.com0