Lucifer is not Satan - A Thread

In most of the English versions of the Bible the name "Lucifer" appears only one time, in Isaiah . This verse reads:

How are you fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning... (Isaiah ).

Now the word "Lucifer" is not an English word, but a Latin word. And so the question is:

Who gave the world this Latin name "lucifer"? And why did they give us this Latin name? The origin of the name "Lucifer" can be traced back to a pivotal moment in the history of Bible translation. In 382 A.D., Pope Damasus tasked the scholar Jerome with revising the various Latin versions of the Bible circulating within the Catholic Church. Jerome embarked on this endeavor in Bethlehem, primarily relying on the Greek Septuagint version of the Old Testament, crafted by Origen around 140 years earlier.

By 405 A.D., Jerome completed his work, known today as "The Latin Vulgate" Bible. However, rather than a direct translation, Jerome's Vulgate offered an interpretive rendering in elegant Latin. Unfortunately, this interpretation relied heavily on the Greek Septuagint rather than the original Hebrew texts.

In Isaiah 14:12, Jerome identified the subject as Satan, translating the Hebrew word "heylel" into Latin as "Lucifer." This translation, however, was inaccurate. While "Lucifer" in Latin means "Light-bearer" or "Light-bringer," it does not capture the meaning of the Hebrew "heylel."

For a millennium, the Vulgate remained unchallenged, leaving no room for comparison with other translations or original manuscripts. Consequently, Satan became widely known as Lucifer throughout Europe, firmly established long before English translations emerged.

When the Bible was eventually translated into English, translators inherited the paradigm of equating "Lucifer" with Satan. Rather than accurately translating "heylel," they substituted it with the familiar Latin term. However, this substitution was not truly accurate.

To understand the root of the error, we must examine the Greek Septuagint and the Latin Vulgate. The Greek translation of Isaiah 14:12 rendered "heylel" as "eosphoros," an earlier form of "phosphoros," meaning "light-bearer" or "light-bringer" - identical in meaning to "Lucifer" in Latin.

Jerome's choice to translate "heylel" as "Lucifer" mirrored the Greek Septuagint's interpretation, without considering the nuances of the original Hebrew. Thus, "Lucifer" became ingrained as the name for Satan in European tradition, perpetuated through successive translations.

Names of Christians given in the Talmud

1. Abhodah Zarah—Strange worship, idolatry. The Talmudic Tract on Idolatry is thus entitled: Obhde Abhodah Zarah—Idol Worshippers. That Abhodah Zarah really means the cult of idols is clear from the Talmud itself: 'Let Nimrod come and testify that Abraham was not a server of Abhodah Zarah.' But in the days of Abraham there existed no strange cult either of the Turks or the Nazarenes, but only the worship of the true God and idolatry. In Schabbath (ibid. 82a), it says:

"Rabbi Akibah says: How do we know that Abhodah Zarah, like an unclean woman, contaminates those who subscribe to it? Because Isaiah says: Thou shalt cast them away like a menstruation cloth; and shalt say unto it, Get thee hence."

In the first part of this verse mention is made of idols made from gold and silver.

The learned Maimonides also clearly demonstrates that the Jews regarded Christians as Abhodah Zarah. In Perusch (78c) he says:

"And be it known that Christian people who follow Jesus, although their teachings vary, are all worshippers of idols (Abhodah Zarah)."

2. Akum—This word is made up of the initial letters of the words Obhde Kokhabkim U Mazzaloth—worshippers of stars and planets. It was thus that the Jews formerly styled the Gentiles who lacked all knowledge of the true God. Now, however, the word Akum in Jewish books, especially in the Schulkhan Arukh, is applied to Christians. This is evident from numerous passages:

In the Orach Chaiim (113,8) those who use a cross are called Akum. In the Iore Dea (148, 5, 12), those who celebrate the feasts of Christmas and New Year, eight days afterwards, are called worshippers of the stars and planets:

"Thus if a gift is sent to the Akum, even in these times, on the eighth day after Christmas, which they call the New Year," etc.

3. Obhde Elilim—Servers of idols. This name has the same meaning as Akum. Non-Jews are frequently called by this name. In the Orach Chaiim, for example (215, 5), it says:

"A blessing should not be pronounced over incense which belongs to the servers of idols."

But at the same time when the Schulkhan Arukh was written there were no worshippers of the stars and planets (Akum); there were no 'servers of idols' among those who lived with the Jews. Thus, for example, the author of the Commentary on the Schulkhan Arukh (entitled Magen Abraham), Rabbi Calissensis who died in Poland in 1775, in note 8, on No. 244 of the Orach Chaiim (where it is allowed to finish a work on the Sabbath with the help of an Akum) says: "Here in our city the question is raised about the price of hiring worshippers of the stars and planets who sweep the public streets when they work on the Sabbath."(34)

(34) cf. Ecker, Judensp. p. 17

4. Minim—Heretics. In the Talmud those who possess books called the Gospels are heretics. Thus in Schabbath (116a) it says:

"Rabbi Meir calls the books of the Minim Aven Gilaion [iniquitous volumes] because they call them Gospels."

5. Edom—Edomites. Rabbi Aben Ezra, when he speaks about the Emperor Constantine who changed his religion and placed the image of him who was hanged on his banner, adds:

"Rome therefore is called the Kingdom of the Edomites."

And Rabbi Bechai, in his Kad Hakkemach (fol. 20a, on Isaiah, ch. LXVI, 17) writes:

"They are called Edomites who move their fingers 'here and here' " (who make the sign of the cross).

Likewise Rabbi Bechai, commenting on the words of Isaiah (loc. cit.), "those who eat the flesh of swine" adds: "These are the Edomites." Rabbi Kimchi, however, calls them "Christians." And Rabbi Abarbinel, in his work Maschima Ieschua (36d) says: "The Nazarenes are Romans, the sons of Edom."

6. Goi—Race, or people. The Jews also call a man a Goi—a gentile; they call a gentile woman a Goiah. Sometimes, but very rarely, Israelites are called by this name.(35) It is mostly applied to non-Jews, or idolators. In Jewish books which treat of Idolatry,(36) worshippers of idols are often called by this single word Goi. For this reason, in more recent editions of the Talmud(37) the use of the word Goi is purposely avoided and other words for non-Jews are substituted.

(35) . Genes. XII, 2; Exod. XIX, 6; Isaiah, I,4.
(36) cf. Abhodah Zarah, and Hilkoth Akum of Maimonides
(37) cf. The Warsaw Edition of 1863
It is well known that in the Jewish language, the Jews call Christians among whom they live, Goim. Nor do the Jews deny this. Sometimes in their popular magazines they say that this word means nothing harmful or evil.(38) But the contrary can be seen in their books written in the Hebrew language. For instance, in Choschen Hammischpat (34,22), the name Goi is used in a depraved sense:
"Traitors and Epicureans and Apostates are worse than Goim"(38) cf. Israelita, No. 48, 1891

7. Nokhrim—strangers, foreigners. This name is used for all who are not Jews, and therefore for Christians.

8. Amme Haarets—People of the earth, idiots. There are some who say(39) that people of other races are not meant by this, but only crude and uneducated people. There are passages, however, which leave no doubt about the matter. In the Holy Scripture, Book of Esra, ch. X, 2, we read: We have sinned against our God, and have taken strange wives [nokhrioth] of the people of the earth. That people of the earth denotes idolators is clear from Zohar, I, 25a: "The People of the earth—Obhde Abhodah Zarah, idolaters.(40)

(39) cf. Franz Delitzsch, Schachmatt den Blutluhnern, 1883, p. 41
(40) Buxtorf is therefore correct (Lexicon, col. 1626) by translating Amme haarets as 'gentiles,' which displeases Prof. Delitzsch

9. Basar Vedam—Flesh and blood; carnal men who are destined to perdition and who can have no communion with God. That Christians are flesh and blood, is proved from the prayer book:

"Whoever meets a wise and educated Christian can say: Blessed art thou O Lord, King of the Universe, who dispenseth of thy wisdom to Flesh and Blood," etc.

Likewise in another prayer, in which they ask God soon to restore the kingdom of David and to send Elias and the Messiah, etc., they ask him to take away their poverty so that they will have no need to accept gifts from "flesh and blood," nor to trade with them, nor to seek wages from them.(41)
(41) cf. Synag. Jud. C. XII, p. 257 and 263

10. Apikorosim—Epicureans. All are called by this name who do not observe God's precepts, as well as all those, even Jews themselves, who express private judgments in matters of faith.(42) How much more, therefore, Christians!

(42) The Jews of Warsaw showed an example of this when, in 1892, they denounced the editor of the newspaper Hatseflrah because he dared to say that everything in the Talmud was not of the same religious value nor of the same authority.

11. Kuthim—Samaritans. But since there are no longer any Samaritans, and since there are many references in recent Jewish books to Samaritans, who can doubt that this does not mean the Christians?

Furthermore, in this matter of naming those who are not Jews, it is to be particularly noted that Jewish writings apply these names indiscriminately and promiscuously when they speak of the same thing, and almost in the same words. For instance, in the Tract Abhodah Zarah (25b) the word Goi is employed, but in the Schulkhan Arukh (Iore Dea 153, 2) Akum is used. Kerithuth (6b) uses Goim; Jebhammoth (61a) uses Akum; Abhodah Zar. (2a) uses Obhde Elilim; Thoseph uses Goim and Obhde Ab., Choschen Ham (Venetian ed.) uses Kuthi; (Slav. ed.) Akum. And many more instances could be quoted.

*Sourdce the talmud

Maimonides in his book on Idolatry indiscriminately calls all the following idolators: Goim, Akum, Obhde Kokhabhim, Obhde Elilim, etc.

Return to top of page Lets unpack: It does not appear that the quote attributed to Isaiah in the Talmudic passage is entirely accurate or in context. Here is some background:

- The quote seems to be referencing Isaiah 30:22, which reads in full (KJV): "Ye shall defile also the covering of thy graven images of silver, and the ornament of thy molten images of gold: thou shalt cast them away as a menstruous cloth; thou shalt say unto it, Get thee hence."

- However, this verse in Isaiah is not specifically about "Abhodah Zarah" or idol worshippers. It is addressing those who made idols out of gold and silver and is telling them to throw away these graven images.

- The metaphors of defilement and menstruation are about the idols themselves being unclean or impure, not about the idolaters.

- So the Talmud appears to be creatively adapting a verse directed at idols to apply to idol worshippers instead. But the original context does not support this application or the claim that Isaiah says this about "Abhodah Zarah."

In summary, while the Talmud quotes Isaiah here, the quote does not seem to accurately reflect the wording or context of the cited biblical verse. The Isaiah passage is focused just on graven images, not their worshippers.

Revelation 12

- In Revelation 12, John describes a vision of a pregnant woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet.

- She gives birth to a male child who will rule the nations with a rod of iron. The child is threatened by a dragon but is taken to the throne of God.

- Most biblical scholars interpret the woman as representing Israel/the church. The child represents Jesus Christ.

- The dragon threatens the child, similar to how Herod tried killing the infant Jesus in the Gospels.

- But God protects the child, who then ascends into heaven, symbolic of Christ's resurrection and ascension after his crucifixion.

The passage is understood as using symbolic imagery to describe God protecting the messianic child Jesus - often linked to the Mary and Jesus narrative in the Gospels.

Specifically, Revelation 12:17 and 13:1 introduce the beast rising out of the sea:

"Then the dragon was enraged at the woman and went off to wage war against the rest of her offspring—those who keep God’s commands and hold fast their testimony about Jesus." (Revelation 12:17)

"The dragon stood on the shore of the sea. And I saw a beast coming out of the sea." (Revelation 13:1)

Most biblical interpreters see the beast from the sea as symbolic of the Roman Empire and its emperors who persecuted Christians. The beast wages war against the woman's offspring - a reference to the church.

So the narrative flow is:

- The woman gives birth to the Messianic child Jesus (12:5)

- The dragon fails to defeat the child (12:5)

- The dragon then wages war against the woman's offspring - the church (12:17)

- The beast from the sea is introduced as the primary threat and tool of the dragon to persecute the church (13:1)

The Messianic child Jesus is protected from harm while the imperial beast oppresses the church, showing God's preservation of Christ and the suffering of believers.

Interpretation

The "imperial beast" in Revelation refers to the Roman Empire and its emperors who persecuted early Christians. Revelation was written at a time when the church was facing intense persecution under certain Roman emperors like Nero and Domitian.

The beast from the sea in Revelation 13 is a symbolic figure representing this oppressive Roman power. Some key points:

- The beast is described as having 10 horns and 7 heads, which are interpreted as the emperors of Rome. The 7 heads may specifically refer to the line of emperors from Augustus to Domitian.

- The beast derives its power and authority from the dragon (Revelation 13:2) - understood as Satan, who motivates Roman persecution of the church.

- The beast is worshipped and marveled at by the inhabitants of the earth (13:3-4), depicting the dominance and influence of the Roman Empire.

- The beast utters proud words and blasphemies against God (13:5-6), reminiscent of certain emperor's claims of divinity and demands to be worshipped.

- The beast makes war on the saints and conquers them (13:7), describing the martyrdom of Christians under persecution.

The imperial beast represents the Roman Empire as the source of violent oppression and persecution against the early Christian church. The imagery draws on the global power and arrogant claims of divinity made by certain Roman emperors.

What we’re the claims?

The key arrogant claims made by certain Roman emperors that relate to the "beast" imagery in Revelation include:

- Claiming divine status and demanding worship: Some emperors like Caligula and Domitian claimed divine prerogatives and formally adopted titles like "Lord and God." They demanded worship from their subjects. This connects to the beast being worshipped (Rev 13:4) and uttering blasphemies (13:5-6).

- Enforcing emperor worship: Several emperors enforced the imperial cult of worshiping the emperor. This included persecuting Christians who refused to acknowledge the emperor as a god. This aligns with the beast's persecution of the saints (Rev 13:7). - Assertion of supreme power: Emperors made absolutist claims of authority, depicting themselves as all-powerful over the empire and even the world. The beast's global authority (Rev 13:7) mirrors this.

- Persecution of Christians: Specific emperors like Nero and Domitian directly instigated persecution of Christians, executing them for refusal to worship the emperor. This relates to the beast's conquest of the saints (Rev 13:7).

- Self-deification: Some emperors claimed divine honors while alive, directly claiming to be gods. Domitian styled himself "Lord and God." This fits the blasphemous pretensions of the beast.

So in general, the arrogant claims of Roman emperors to divine status, global power, and the right to demand worship connect metaphorically to the actions and character of the blasphemous beast in Revelation. This imagery would have resonated strongly with the early Christian readers facing such persecution.

Corresponding verses

Claiming divine status and demanding worship:

- Revelation 13:4 - "People worshiped the dragon because he had given authority to the beast, and they also worshiped the beast and asked, “Who is like the beast? Who can wage war against it?”"

- Caligula claiming divinity (Philo, On the Embassy to Gaius, 116-118)

- Domitian taking the title "Lord and God" (Suetonius, Life of Domitian 13)

Enforcing emperor worship:

- Revelation 13:15 - "The second beast was given power to give breath to the image of the first beast, so that the image could speak and cause all who refused to worship the image to be killed."

- Pliny correspondence with Trajan on persecuting Christians who won't worship emperor (Pliny the Younger, Letters 10.96-97)

Assertion of supreme power:

- Revelation 13:7 - "It was given power to wage war against God’s holy people and to conquer them. And it was given authority over every tribe, people, language and nation."

- Augustus boasts of his supremacy (Res Gestae Divi Augusti, 35)

Persecution of Christians:

- Revelation 13:7 - "And it was given authority over every tribe, people, language and nation."

- Nero's persecution after Rome fire (Tacitus, Annals 15:44)

- Domitian's persecution (Eusebius, Church History 3.17-20)

Self-deification:

- Revelation 13:6 - "It opened its mouth to blaspheme God, and to slander his name and his dwelling place and those who live in heaven."

- Domitian's self-titling as "Lord and God" (Dio Cassius, Roman History 67.4

Arguments that Revelation relates to its first audience:

The book opens by addressing the “seven churches that are in Asia” (Rev 1:4), contemporary communities facing trials.

The imperial cult and worship of the emperor as a god was a clear issue facing Christians under Domitian when Revelation was likely written.
The numerical symbolismcouch as 666 (Rev 13:18) is argued by some to correspond with “Nero Caesar” using Hebrew gematria.

Revelation appears to promise deliverance from specific trials facing the early believers, not just a distant hope.

The book warns that the events described “must soon take place” (Rev 1:1; 22:6), not thousands of years later.

It is reasonable to suggest that some of the events and imagery in the Book of Revelation could refer to future end-times prophecies that have not yet been fulfilled. There are a few factors that support this view:

- As I noted, some of the apocalyptic visions seem to "transcend" the historical context of the early church and point to cosmic scale events. Things like worldwide natural disasters, the sun and moon being darkened, stars falling from the sky, the return of Christ, a final resurrection and judgment, and the advent of a "new heaven and new earth" arguably go beyond the Roman Empire setting.

- Revelation nowhere states that all the events described would be fulfilled in the early church era or within a short period of time. So there could be a mix of near-term prophecies and long-term prophecies.

How Israel was created by militant zionist terrorism not by God #GazaGenocides #Gazabombing 2

How Israel was created by militant zionist terrorism not by God #GazaGenocides #Gazabombing

Every Christian should read this

Navigating Biblical Promises and Modern Complexities in Israel-Palestine

By RA I wrote this and researched it all myself. .

This exploration untangles the multifaceted biblical texts regarding God's covenant promises to Israel in relation to complex debates about the modern state of Israel. It examines key questions around chosen lineage, inheritance rights, the role of the church, and principles of justice.

While God made unconditional covenant promises to Abraham's descendants in biblical times, the dispersion of the tribes and blurred bloodlines over centuries make ancestral ties difficult to prove today. Though many Jews have connections to the ancient land, the diverse roots of contemporary Jewish identity complicate notions of "true heirs."

Israel's founding in 1948 involved displacing many Palestinian residents, raising ethical concerns. Though providing refuge for Jews was a motive, the human impact on Palestinians must also be acknowledged. Biblical principles suggest unrighteous violence may nullify rights to the land.

In the end, the nuances around ancestral rights, citizenship, and justice in the modern Middle East resist simplistic solutions. The painful history requires empathy for Palestinians , nuance and rejection of biased narratives. Biblical scripture offers wisdom, if you would only take the time to read it.

God's promises to Israel were unconditional - based on His covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. They were not suddenly transferred to the church.

What we’re Gods promises to the Jews?

The promise to Abraham to make his DESCENDENTS a great nation, bless them, and make them a blessing to all peoples (Genesis 12:1-3)

#FreePalestine #Jewsindispora #TheNationOfIsraelisFake Page 2

Who are Abraham’s descendents?

The Bible indicates that Abraham's descendants include:

Isaac and Jacob (later Israel) - Genesis 21:12 says "But God said to Abraham, “Do not be distressed because of the boy and because of your slave woman. Whatever Sarah tells you, listen to her, because your offspring will be traced through Isaac."

The nation of Israel - Deuteronomy 1:8 refers to the promise to Abraham being fulfilled as Israel prepared to enter the Promised Land: "See, I have given you this land. Go in and take possession of the land the Lord swore he would give to your fathers—to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob—and to their descendants after them.”
Jewish believers in Jesus (Messianic Jews) - Galatians 3:29 says "And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise."

Gentile believers in Jesus - Romans 4:16-17 indicates Abraham is "the father of us all" by faith, both of uncircumcised Gentiles and Jews. "Therefore, the promise comes by faith, so that it may be by grace and may be guaranteed to all Abraham’s offspring—not only to those who are of the law but also to those who have the faith of Abraham."

#FreePalestine #Jewsindispora #TheNationOfIsraelisFake

Give them bread and circus. I’m enjoying the show.
7:30 time Donald Trump was booked in
7 in Freemasonry
It represents the idea of perfection or completeness. This stems from ancient history where 7 was considered a mystic number. There are 7 liberal arts and sciences - grammar, rhetoric, logic, arithmetic, geometry, music and astronomy. These are considered foundational teachings in Freemasonry.
The Masonic apron has 7 tassels representing the 7 liberal arts and sciences.