Witches vs Secret Societies: Threat or Real Threat?

In Judaism, during Bible times, the practice of witchcraft was forbidden. Not just witches, but sorcerers, soothsayers, fortune-tellers (psychics), etc. Those who engaged in such activities were counted as nothing more than deceivers with evil intent. The practitioners claimed that they had supernatural powers and some sort of direct connection to the gods or God, which they did not have. Because they dared to say that they could communicate as a medium or intercessor and could convey messages to and from the Divine, knowing full well that they had no such powers or capabilities, how could their intentions have been pure and honest? There was no doubt that their aim or purpose was to defraud another person or do even worse than that. For this reason, the punishment for practicing witchcraft was severe. (That's my understanding.) 

During the first century, converts to Christianity, openly and publicly renounced the practices of witchcraft, sorcery, etc. - referred to as "curious arts" - and professed that their faith was the only power needed to overcome evil and to commune with the Creator.

Persecution of witches (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

• Witchcraft: Past and Present

  
  Science? Philosophy? Religion? Exploring your religious options? Some say witchcraft is a religion. Let's explore.
  

That was then.  Today we need to focus our attention on real threats like ...

SECRET SOCEITIES. 

Related articles

• What is folk religion?(altruistico.wordpress.com)

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• Hunting for witches in the UK(skeptical-science.com)

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Women of the Bible: Rahab - The Noble Harlot

In the History of the Jews, Rahab was a Canaanite Harlot Who Believed.  The genealogy of Jesus in the Gospel of Matthew mentions five women. One of them is Rahab.

{Before you read this I have a couple of questions that are not answered in the Bible about Rahab, but it would be interesting to know the answers. QUESTION:  When the spies entered Rahab’s house or “business”, she told them she believed the account of an incident that had occurred 40 years ago.  It was not breaking news on CNN.  So … how old was Rahab?  Was she about 50 years old?  Was she older than 50?  Older than 50 and turning tricks?  (“Turning tricks” means still servicing customers.) ANOTHER QUESTION:  Because of her actions in hiding the spies, she saved her father, her mother and her brothers.  Would you not say her family was incredibly trusting and really had a lot of confidence in her?  But she was a whore!  Hoes get no respect!  Her family put their lives in her hands? To think of it, the story of Rahab is a remarkable story!]
 

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(Image credit: Tissot_The_Harlot_of_Jericho_and_the_Two_Spies.jpg )


Rahab (alternately spelled Rachab) was a Canaanite harlot who lived in Jericho . Her house was on the city wall. Though forty years has passed and Moses, the great Jewish leader and prophet who led the Israelites out of Egypt had died, Rahab spoke to the Jewish spies who came to her house, about the parting of the Red Sea as if it were a current event. (The writers impression.) She mentioned the event along with another happening, the destruction of Sihon and Og, the two kings of the Amorites and informed the spies that the people of Jericho were afraid for their lives, as was she.

Unlike the inhabitants of the land of Jericho, Rahab's heart did not melt. Rahab had decided (because she believed the reports about Jehovah, God of the children of Israel) that since the destruction of Jericho was as certain to become an historical event as had the other two events she referenced, she could only bargain for her life and those with her, and hope that the Israelites would honor the agreement. The Jewish spies promised her protection. They agreed that when they attacked the city of Jericho, she and whoever was in her house with her their lives would be spared. This they promised because Rahab had risked her life by hiding them from the kings messengers and helped them to escape. When the Israelites captured Jericho they kept their promise to Rahab.

Indeed Rahab was afraid but her survival instinct seems to have overruled her fear. Or was it her faith? The kings messengers could have discovered her secret and what would have been her end? The Jewish spies could have just as easily broken their promise and what would have been her end? Why did she do what she did? Was it fear? Or was it faith? Faith in a God she had only heard reports of, about incidents she had not witnessed. No scriptures for her to read. No prophet to guide her. No one to teach her the difference between the gods she likely had been taught to worship versus Jehovah.

In Christian (New Testament) scriptures, Rahab is listed as one of the heroes of faith (Heb 11: 31) and commended for her example of faith (James 2: 25). Rahab was accepted as a proselyte (convert) to the Judaism and became an ancestor of King David, the beloved second monarch who ruled over the united kingdom of Israel. Though Matthew the Apostle and Saint Luke both trace the lineage of Jesus, only Matthew mentions Rahab a prostitute who became the wife of Salmon and the mother of Boaz, the grandmother of Obed, the great grandmother of Jesse, who was the father of David, King of Israel. (Matt 1: 5, 6) 



References:

• The scriptural references provided can be used to piece together Rahab's real life story. JOSH 2: 1; 6:17, 25; MATT 1: 5; HEB 11: 31; JMS 2: 25

• "Seekers of the Promised Land." Great People of the Bible and How They Lived. Pleasantville, NY: Reader's Digest Association, 1974.

• Youngblood, Ronald F., F. F. Bruce, and R. K. Harrison. Nelson's New Illustrated Bible Dictionary. Nashville: T. Nelson, 1995. 

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Rahab’s Story: A Novel (Women of the Bible)

Bible Women: All Their Words and Why They Matter

The Olive Tree has been highly regarded since ancient times ...

The olive branch holds a special place in Jewish and Christian beliefs and traditions.

There were olive trees in the garden of Gethsemane where Jesus and his disciples often withdrew to for spiritual solace. There are still olive trees growing in Gethsemane today.

Olive trees are considered as "Immortal" because they can live for up to two hundred years, and just before a tree dies, new branches sprout from its roots.

Throughout history, the olive tree has been regarded as a symbol of peace and goodwill.

There are artists living and working in the Holy City of Bethlehem who specialize in sculpting unique treasures and creating inspirational art from olive wood.  

• The craft of olive wood carving has been practiced since the 4th century.

Lion and Lamb Olive Wood Carving

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Related articles

• Trees Talking History
• Trees Deserve Respect
• Fun olive facts

Glackens - Hillside with Olive Trees Poster by Virginia5050
Shop for a Poster template or design online at Zazzle.com

Have you visited my partner site ~ Joie de Vivre Magazine Blog?

Ten Commandments in Christianity - INTRO

Some think or believe that these Divine edicts were done away with via Christianity. This is false. In Christian Scriptures, these Commandments are restated in the gospels by Jesus Christ and in the epistles by His Apostles.

This is a somewhat complicated study which hopefully is presented in a simplified, easy-to-read and understand format. Blessings!

Scriptural references for the Ten Commandments are found in the Jewish scriptures: Exodus 20: 1 -17 and also Deuteronomy 5: 1 - 21.

Some think or believe that these Divine edicts were done away with via Christianity. This is false. In Christian Scriptures, these Commandments are restated in the gospels by Jesus Christ and in the epistles by His Apostles.

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THE TEN COMMANDMENTS Summarily Restated by Jesus Christ as the 1st and 2nd Greatest Commandments:

MATT 22: 36 - 40 * * * * * 36) Master, which is the great commandment in the law?37) Jesus said unto him, THOU SHALT LOVE THE LORD THY GOD WITH ALL THY HEART, AND WITH ALL THY, AND WITH ALL THY SOUL, AND WITH ALL THY MIND. 38) This is the first and great commandment. 39) And the second is like unto it, THOU SHALT LOVE THY NEIGHBOR AS THYSELF. 40) On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.

THE 2nd COMMANDMENT Also Summarily Restated by Apostle Paul:

ROM 13: 8 - 10 * * * * * 8) Owe no man any thing but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law. 9) For this, THOU SHALT NOT COMMIT ADULTERY, THOU SHALT NOT KILL, THOU SHALT NOT STEAL, THOU SHALT NOT BEAR FALSE WITNESS, THOU SHALT NOT COVET; and if there be any other commandment , it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, THOU SHALT LOVE THY NEIGHBOR AS THYSELF. 10) Love worketh no ill to his neighbor: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.

JESUS DID NOT COME TO DESTROY THE LAW OF MOSES:

MATT 5: 17 - 18 * * * * * 17) Think not that I am come to destroy the law and the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill. 18) For verily I say unto you, Til heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, til all be fulfilled. MATT 16: 16 - 17 * * * * * 16) The law and the prophets were until John: since that time the kingdom of heaven and preached, and every man presseth into it. 17) It is easier for heaven and earth to pass, than one tittle of the law to fail.

♦
Read the Complete Post Series:

Ten Commandments in Christianity - 1st

Ten Commandments in Christianity - 2nd

Ten Commandments in Christianity - 3rd

Ten Commandments in Christianity - 4th

Ten Commandments in Christianity - 5th

Ten Commandments in Christianity - 6th

Ten Commandments in Christianity - 7th

Ten Commandments in Christianity - 8th

Ten Commandments in Christianity - 9th

Ten Commandments in Christianity - 10th

Ten Commandments in Christianity - Final Post


Jesus (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The Humble King. Who rides a donkey on his way to die for his enemies.

The Kind Leader. Who enters our cities to serve us not to dominate us.

The Carpenter from Nazareth. Who builds a table of inclusion for all.

Let’s get off our high horses.
And follow him.#PalmSunday pic.twitter.com/hqOCM0ca45

— Carlos A. Rodríguez (@CarlosHappyNPO) April 5, 2020

Ancient History: Modern Day Arabs and Their Father Abraham

Genealogy has been and always will be a topic of interest to human beings. We are all curious about our beginnings or origins. These days some even pay for expensive DNA tests to see if they can determine their ancestry. Others comb through paper documents, computerized records, etc. and/or combine the findings of the research of historical records with the scientific test results to confirm their lineage. Some people search the scriptures.

Image credit: Français : Agar et Ismaël dans le désert (1820...

We know the Hebrew patriarch Abraham had many sons and that God promised him that his descendants would be innumerable.  One of his sons was Ishmael born to him by Hagar, the Egyptian slave, who served as a surrogate mother for Sarah, his wife.  

The Ishmaelites were, are, or should be the descendants of Ishmael. For genealogy purposes, this matter seems pretty cut and dry. But who are the true Ishmaelites? 

Find the answer to this question at:

• Modern Day Arabs and Their Father Abraham

How Many Sons Did Abraham, the Patriarch Have?
Take the Quiz.

More articles on the Science of DNA

• DNA Ancestry Tests Are Meaningless for Your Genealogy Search
• Barack Obama's slave ancestry - not what you'd expect
• Has Facebook become the new family tree?

● #Genealogy: Modern Day #Arabs and Their #FatherAbraham https://t.co/7IjrJn8jm8 #historyofIsrael #Jewishhistory #seedofAbraham #Biblestudy

— Treathyl Fox (aka cmoneyspinner) ~ Freelancer (@cmoneyspinner) April 13, 2020

Freelance Writing Opportunities : Are You a Wizzler Too? (Wizzley.com)

Once heard the late Gene Kelly (1912 - 1996) describe the late Michael Jackson (1958 - 2009) as being “eclectic”. The word “ec·lec·tic” is an adjective and it means, in the sense that it was used by Mr. Kelly, that Mr. Jackson derived ideas, style, or taste from a broad and diverse range of sources, and applied this knowledge quite well, especially when he performed.

If I were to describe my collection of pages published at Wizzley.com, the word eclectic would paint a very nice picture.

My first article – accepted for publication two five years ago - was about modern day Arabs who claim to be the seed of Abraham and there is no reason why anybody should doubt their claims. The Hebrew patriarch that the Jews, Christians and Muslims all call Father Abraham had many sons (one by his first wife, Sarah; one by his first wife's maid servant, Hagar; and several more by his second wife, Keturah, whom he married after the death of his first wife). Those sons had a bunch more sons and the lineage just kept on growing!! One of the sons of Abraham was Ishmael and he went to live in the desert. It is believed that the “desert people”, the Arabs, are his descendants.

My pages are eclectic because finding a “niche” has proven to be a most difficult task. Can't seem to find a specific topic to focus on. Consequently, my pages are about movies , music and books ; real estate , art , history , food , blogging , etc. To date, 37 pages have been published.

The Wizzley Team encourages their writers to publish a Wizzography ; which is very similar to our introductions here at Persona Paper; only it's not required. Very much enjoy writing at this site and the community is exceptionally friendly and supportive and … way smarter than me!  :)



* * *  Source: Persona Paper

Popular Pages on Wizzley

Ten Commandments in Christianity - Final Post

This concludes my study of the Ten Commandments in Christianity. Hope others find it helpful.

 

NEW Testament Penalty for Violating the Commandments: +++ Scrip Ref(s): Matthew 5: 19; Hebrews 10: 28 - 31"Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.""He that despised Moses' Law died without mercy under two or three witnesses: --of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy , who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite to the Spirit of grace? --For we know Him that hath said, VENGEANCE IS MINE, I WILL RECOMPENSE, says the Lord. And again, THE LORD SHALL JUDGE HIS PEOPLE. --It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God."

Ten Commandments in Christianity - 10th

** 10th Commandment:

COVETOUSNESS FORBIDDEN

- Stated in the Law of Moses: EXO 20: 17 "Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy neighbor's." Penalty for Violating: NONE. Covetous is a sin of the heart. No one knows it is being committed except the person coveting. Whenever covetous is manifested, one of the other commandments is usually broken - theft, adultery, murder, etc. Examples of covetousness in the Bible: Achan (Joshua 7); Saul (1 Samuel 15:9, 19); Judas (Matthew 26:14, 15); Ananias and Sapphira (Acts 5:1-11); Balaam (2 Peter 2:15 with Jude 1:11). 10th COMMANDMENT Incorporated/Summarily ~ Restated by Jesus Christ as the Second Greatest Commandment. See MATT 22: 39 and refer also to ROM 13: 8 - 10 ~ Restated in NEW Testament: EPH 5: 3   NEW Testament Penalty for Violating: See Comments Marked '+++' in Final Post for this Series.

Ten Commandments in Christianity - 9th

** 9th Commandment:

FALSE WITNESS FORBIDDEN

- Stated in the Law of Moses: EXO 20: 16 "Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor." Penalty for Violating: DEATH: Deut 18: 16-21 9th COMMANDMENT Incorporated/Summarily ~ Restated by Jesus Christ as the Second Greatest Commandment. See MATT 22: 39 and refer also to ROM 13: 8 - 10 ~ Restated in NEW Testament: COL 3: 9, 10   NEW Testament Penalty for Violating: See Comments Marked '+++' in Final Post for this Series.

Ten Commandments in Christianity - 8th

** 8th Commandment:

THEFT FORBIDDEN

- Stated in the Law of Moses: EXO 20: 15 "Thou shalt not steal." Penalty for Violating: DEATH: EXO 21: 16 8th COMMANDMENT Incorporated/Summarily ~ Restated by Jesus Christ as the Second Greatest Commandment. See MATT 22: 39 and refer also to ROM 13: 8 - 10 ~ Restated in NEW Testament: EPH 4: 28   NEW Testament Penalty for Violating: See Comments Marked '+++' in Final Post for this Series.

Ten Commandments in Christianity - 7th

** 7th Commandment:

ADULTERY FORBIDDEN

- Stated in the Law of Moses: EXO 20: 14 "Thou shalt not commit adultery." Penalty for Violating: DEATH: Lev 20: 10 7th COMMANDMENT Incorporated/Summarily ~ Restated by Jesus Christ as the Second Greatest Commandment. See MATT 22: 39 and refer also to ROM 13: 8 - 10 ~ Restated or clarified by Jesus Christ: Matt 5: 27 - 32 "Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, THOU SHALT NOT COMMIT ADULTERY. But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh upon a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart. And if they right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell. And if thy right hand offend thee, cut it off, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell. It hath been said, WHOSOEVER SHALL PUT AWAY HIS WIFE, LET HIM GIVE HER A WRITING OF DIVORCEMENT. But I say unto you, That whosoever shall put away his wife, saving for the cause of fornication, causeth her to commit adultery." READ also Mark 10: 2-12; and Luke 16: 18. ~ Restated in NEW Testament: 1 COR 6: 9, 10   NEW Testament Penalty for Violating: See Comments Marked '+++' in Final Post for this Series.

Ten Commandments in Christianity - 6th

** 6th Commandment:

MURDER FORBIDDEN

- Stated in the Law of Moses: EXO 20: 13 "Thou shalt not kill." Penalty for Violating: DEATH: EXO 21: 12 6th COMMANDMENT Incorporated/Summarily ~ Restated by Jesus Christ as the Second Greatest Commandment. See MATT 22: 39 and refer also to ROM 13: 8 - 10 ~ Restated or clarified by Jesus Christ: Matt 5: 21 - 26 "Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, THOU SHALT NOT KILL: and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment; and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council; and whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire. Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee: leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift. Agree with thine adversary quickly, whiles thou art in the way with him; lest at any time he deliver thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and thou be cast into prison. Verily I say unto thee, Thou shalt by no means come out thence, til thou hast paid the uttermost farthing." ~ Restated in NEW Testament: 1 JOHN 3: 15 NEW Testament Penalty for Violating: See Comments Marked '+++' in Final Post for this Series.

Ten Commandments in Christianity - 5th

** 5th Commandment:

DISOBEDIENCE TO PARENTS FORBIDDEN

- Stated in the Law of Moses: EXO 20: 12 "Honor thy mother and thy father, that thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee." Penalty for Violating: DEATH: EXO 1: 15-17 ~ Restated or clarified by Jesus Christ: Mark 7: 9 - 13 (and Matt 15: 4 - 6) "And He said unto them, Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition. For Moses said, HONOUR THY FATHER AND THY MOTHER; and, WHOSO CURSETH FATHER OR MOTHER, LET HIM DIE THE DEATH. But ye say, If a man shall say to his father or mother, It is Corban (that is to say, a gift), by whatsoever thou mightest be profited by me; he shall be free (of his obligations and duties to his parents). And ye suffer him no more to do anything for his father or his mother; making the word of God of none effect through your tradition ..." ~ Restated in NEW Testament: EPH 6: 1 NEW Testament Penalty for Violating: See Comments Marked '+++' in Final Post for this Series.

Ten Commandments in Christianity - 4th

** 4th Commandment:

SABBATH DAY - WORK FORBIDDEN

- Stated in the Law of Moses: EXO 20: 8 "Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy. --Six days shalt thou labor, and do all thy work: --but the seventh day is the sabbath of the Lord thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates. --For in six days the Lord made the heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the Lord blessed the seventh day and hallowed it." Penalty for Violating: DEATH: Num 15: 32-36 ~ Restated or clarified by Jesus Christ: Matt 12: 5 - 8; 11 - 12; John 7: 21 - 24 "Or have ye not read in the law, how that on sabbath days the priests in the temple profane the sabbath, and are blameless? But I say unto you, That in this place is One greater than the temple. But if ye had known what this meaneth, I WILL HAVE MERCY, AND NOT SACRIFICE, ye would not have condemned the guiltless. For the Son of Man is Lord even of the sabbath day." "And He said unto them, What man shall there be among you, that shall have one sheep, and if it fall into a pit on the Sabbath day, will he not lay hold on it, and lift it out? How much then is a man better than a sheep? Wherefore it is lawful to do well on the sabbath days." "Jesus answered and said, I have done one work and ye all marvel. Moses therefore gave unto you circumcision: (not because it is of Moses, but of the fathers;) and ye on the sabbath day circumcise a man. If a man on the sabbath day receive circumcision, that the law of Moses should not be broken; are ye angry at Me, because I have made a man every whit whole on the sabbath day? Judge not according to appearance, but judge righteous judgment." ~ Restated in NEW Testament: COL 2: 16 nullifies The Sabbath was a day of rest. The first day of the week (Sunday) is a day of worship. NEW Testament Penalty for Violating: See Comments Marked '+++' in Final Post for this Series.

Ten Commandments in Christianity - 3rd

** 3rd Commandment:

SWEARING FORBIDDEN

- Stated in the Law of Moses: EXO 20: 7 "Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain; for the Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh His name in vain." Penalty for Violating: DEATH: Lev 24: 15, 16 ~ Restated or application clarified by Jesus Christ: Matt 5: 33 - 37 "Again ye have heard that it hath been said by them of old time, THOU SHALT NOT FORSWEAR THYSELF, BUT SHALL PERFORM UNTO THE LORD THINE OATHS. But I say unto you, Swear not at all; neither by heaven; for it is God's throne: nor by the earth; for it is God's footstool: neither by Jerusalem; for it is the city of the great King. Neither shalt thou swear by thy head, because thou canst not make one hair white or black. But let your communication be Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil." Read also Matt 23: 16 - 23 The Jewish leaders, who were supposed to be the spiritual advisers to the people and interpreters of the Law, had so corrupted the interpretation and application of this commandment, Jesus angrily condemned their hypocrisy and iniquity and pronounced WOES upon them. ~ Restated in NEW Testament: JAMES 5: 12 NEW Testament Penalty for Violating: See Comments Marked '+++' in Final Post for this Series.

Ten Commandments in Christianity - 2nd

** 2nd Commandment:

GRAVEN IMAGES FORBIDDEN

- Stated in the Law of Moses: EXO 20: 4 "Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth. --Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them; for I the Lord thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generations of them that hate Me; --and showing mercy unto thousands of them that love Me, and keep My commandments." Penalty for Violating: DEATH: Deut 27: 15 2nd COMMANDMENT Summarily ~ Restated by Jesus Christ. See MATT 22: 36 - 38 ~ Restated in NEW Testament: 1 JOHN 5: 21 NEW Testament Penalty for Violating: See Comments Marked '+++' in Final Post for this Series.

Ten Commandments in Christianity - 1st

** 1st Commandment:

POLYTHEISM FORBIDDEN

- Stated in the Law of Moses: EXO 20: 3 "Thou shalt have no other gods before Me." Penalty for Violating: DEATH: EXO 22:20; Deut 6: 13-15 1st COMMANDMENT Summarily ~ Restated by Jesus Christ. See MATT 22: 36 - 38 ~ Restated in NEW Testament: ACTS 14: 15 NEW Testament Penalty for Violating: See Comments Marked '+++' in Final Post for this Series.