Land of the Giants

Genesis 6: 4
The Nephilim were on the earth in those days- and also afterward (Cp. Numbers 13: 33a)- when the sons of God went to the daughters of men and had children by them. They were the heroes of old, men of renown.

NOTE: Heroes would seem to indicate valor, bravery and honor and not depravity, wickedness or ungodliness. This could very well explain the mythologies, magical pantheons and demi-gods of civilizations across the planet, though in some corrupted form or another.

Genesis 14: 5

In the fourteenth year, Kedorlaomer and the kings allied with him went out and defeated the Rephaites in Ashteroth Karnaim, the Zuzites in Ham [Egypt], the Emites in Shaveh Kiriathaim, and the “Horites” in the hill country of Seir, as far as Paran near the desert.

Numbers 13: 22a, 32b-33a

They went up through the Negev and came to Hebron; where Ahiman, Sheshai and Talmai, the descendants of Anak lived. They said, “The land we explored devours those living in it. All the people we saw there are of great size. We saw the Nephilim there (the descendants of Anak come from the Nephilim).”

Joshua 11: 21-22

At that time Joshua went and destroyed the Anakites from the hill country; from Hebron, Debir and Anab, from all the hill country of Judah and from all the hill country of Israel. Joshua totally destroyed them and their towns. No Anakites were left in Israelite territory; only in Gaza, Gath and Ashdod did any survive.

Judges 1: 10

After that, the men of Judah went down to fight against the Canaanites living in the hill country, the Negev and the western foothills. They advanced against the Canaanites living in Hebron (formerly called Kriath Arba) and defeated Sheshai, Ahiman and Talmai (Cp. Joshua 15: 14).

Deuteronomy 2: 10

(The Emites used to live there- a people strong and numerous, and as tall as the Anakites. Like the Anakites, they too were considered Rephaites but the Moabites called them Emites. (That too was considered a land of the Rephaites, who used to live there; but the Ammonites called them Zamzummites. They were a people strong and numerous, and as tall as the Anakites).

NOTE: So far we have the Anakites (descended from the Nephilim, then Rephaites (called “Emites” by the Moabites), and lastly, Rephaites who were also called “Zamzummites” by the Ammonites.

Deuteronomy 3: 10, 13b

(Only Og king of Bashan was left of the remnant of the Rephaites. His bed was made of iron and was more than thirty feet long and six feet wide. It is still in Rabbah of the Ammonites. The whole region of Argob in Bashan used to be known as a land of the Rephaites).

Deuteronomy 9: 1-2

Hear, O Israel. You are now about to cross the Jordan to go in and dispossess nations greater and stronger than you, with large cities that has walls up to the sky. The people are strong and tall- Anakites!

2 Samuel 21: 15-16, 18-22

Once again there was a battle between the Philistines and Israel. David went down with his men to fight against the Philistines, and he became exhausted. And Ishbi-Benob, one of the descendants of Rapha (“Rephaites”), whose bronze spearhead weighed three hundred shekels (7.5 lbs.), and was armed with a new sword, said he would kill David. In the course of time, there was another battle with the Philistines, at Gob. At that time Sibbecai the Hushathite killed Saph, one of the descendants of Rapha (“Rephaites”). In another battle with the Philistines at Gob, Elhanan son of Jaare-Oregim the Bethlehemite killed Goliath the Gittite, who had a spear with a shaft like a weaver’s rod. In still another battle, which took place at Gath, there was a huge man with six fingers on each hand and six toes on each foot- twenty-four in all. He was also descended from Rapha. When he taunted Israel, Jonathan son of Shimei, David’s brother, killed him. These four were descendants of Rapha in Gath, and they all fell at the hands of David and his men.

NOTE: Elhanan son of Jair (Jaare-Oregim the Bethlehemite) didn’t kill Goliath but rather his brother Lahmi (Cp. 1 Chronicles 20: 5).

COMMENTARY: There are many scoffers who think of giants as some kind of “tall tales” (no pun intended) and fabrications spun of an overactive, imaginative mind that has no more basis in reality than bedtimes stories told to little children with visions of fairies, elves, leprechauns, and magical pixie dust. Yet, for these rational thinkers it is easier to accept Area 51 conspiracies regarding classified U.S. intelligence reports of contact with aliens from outer space than the plausible biblical mention of a group of beings that were first mentioned as present in the antediluvian period [days of Noah], millennia ago. Apparently they were not destroyed by the ‘Great Deluge’ or at least not all of them, and they seemed to settle down in certain areas within the land of Canaan. Either the “Nephilim” are the offspring of copulation between ones called the “sons of God” and human females (‘daughters of men’) or they were already on Earth when this kind of thing started happening. It is possible that the root “naphal” (to fall) depicts this group; hence Nephilim means “fallen ones.” The “sons of God” are another group of celestial beings are either their progenitors or competitors in some way.

The narrative in Genesis 6 doesn’t really give the reader any significant trail of bread crumbs to follow. Just like in any mythical account there is always the battle between the forces of good and evil and it may very well be the case here. The Nephilim are never involved in any fighting but rather others like the sons of Anak (‘Anakites’), the Rephaites, Zamzummites, or Emites. Perhaps the goal of Nephilim is to introduce some kind of non-human genetic strain into human DNA, a kind of eugenics experiment to duplicate the ‘genesis’ creation after their own kind and image; just as Elohim created man in His own image and likeness. This could also explain why the Israelites were told to annihilate the inhabitants of various Canaanite tribes because of the contamination from the Anakites (first order of the Nephilim). The wickedness of these other nations (Cp. Deuteronomy chapter 9) had more to do with idolatry than anything else because that theme is the most frequently occurring in the Old Testament canon (TANAKH). Greek mythology depicts the battle of the Titans against Zeus and his family so perhaps Nephilim battle Elohim, if not directly, then through the Israelites on one side and the other gigantic races who inhabited and perhaps comingled their seed among the indigenous Canaanite inhabitants, on the opposing side. Be that as it may, there doesn’t appear to be any further mention of them, or rather their mutated offspring since the times of King David.

 

Robert Randle
776 Commerce St. #B-11
Tacoma, WA 98402
May 28, 2013
robertrandle51@yahoo.com

Explaining about Baptism of the Holy Spirit and Fire

One of the common practices and teachings among Pentecostal, Holiness and Charismatic Christian congregations is the doctrine of Holy Spirit and Fire baptism, just like the apostles received on “Pentecost Day” after the Feast of Passover, when the LORD Jesus was crucified. This study will review biblical texts to get a perspective as to see how such a theological perspective originated.

 Matthew 3: 11-12

I baptize you with water for repentance. But after me will come One who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not fit to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire (Cp. Luke 3: 16b).

NOTE: Before trying to understand the context it is necessary to start back at verse 7, paying careful attention to the narrative, as in the following:

Matthew 3: 7-8, 10

But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to where he was baptizing, he said to them: “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Produce fruit in keeping with repentance. The ax is already at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and cast into the fire (Cp. Luke 3: 7,-8, 9).

Matthew 7: 16a, 17, 19

By their fruit you will recognize them. Likewise every good tree bears good [fresh] fruit, but a bad tree bears bad [rotten] fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.

Luke 3: 17

His winnowing fork is in His hand to clear His threshing floor and to gather the wheat into His barn, but He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.

NOTE: What has been presented so far is a series of contrasts: baptism of the Holy Spirit/fire; good fruit/bad fruit; and wheat/chaff.

Acts 1: 3-5

After His suffering, He showed himself to these men and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God. On one occasion, while He was eating with them, He gave them this command: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift My Father promised, which you have heard Me speak about (Cp. Luke 24: 49). For John baptized with water; but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit (Cp. Acts 11: 16).

NOTE: Jesus did not say that they would be baptized with the Holy Spirit and fire, too.

Acts 2: 2-3

Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the entire house where they were sitting. They “saw” what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues [languages] as the Spirit enabled [empowered, directed, guided] them.

CONCLUSION: In all due respects to my Spirit-filled, tongues-speaking Christian brethren it is all a matter of rightly dividing the word of truth (Cp. 2 Timothy 2: 15). Jesus mentioned to His disciples (apostles) before His ascension back to heaven that they were to tarry in the city (Jerusalem) until they be imbued [clothed] with power from on High. Jesus said that John baptized in water but that they would be baptized by the Holy Spirit, and there was no mention about fire. What the apostles experienced on “Pentecost” was a unique and extraordinary gift of divine grace that was given to them as the special emissaries of the LORD Jesus and messengers of His gospel to the world. Other believers subsequently spoke in tongues but the scriptures does not have any record of a person or group who heard a violent rushing wind or sound [perhaps like that of a hurricane, whirlwind, or tornado] and actually “saw” some kind of supernatural manifestation described as “tongues of fire” that afterward separated and quantities or aspects of that ‘something’ came and rested upon any of them. Lastly, this accounts for the “baptism” of the Holy Spirit part to which all believers experience presently, however, in a different way from the ‘original’ apostles but the remaining “fire” [baptism] will occur at the end of the Age.

Revelation 20: 11-12, 15

Then I saw a great white throne and Him who was seated on it. Earth and sky fled from His presence, and there was no place for them. And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Another book was opened, which is the book of Life. The dead were judged according to what they had done according to the books. If anyone’s name was not found written in the book of Life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.

Robert Randle

776 Commerce St. #B-11
Tacoma, WA 98402
May 19, 2013
robertrandle51@yahoo.com

 

 

 

 

A perspective on Christian Persecution in the Roman Empire

In the controversial new book, "The Myth of Persecution: How Early Christians Invented a Story of Martyrdom," University of Notre Dame Professor of Christianity Candida Moss says that many of the stories of Christians defying an imperial world power to the point of death is mostly exaggeration and historical embellishment. No populist movement, be it religious, political, or otherwise, is immune from occasional literary and oral propaganda or expansion. The idea of suffering is almost hardwired into the believer’s spiritual DNA, especially thousands of years ago, but does such a mindset promulgate the kind of behavior leading to a predictable outcome that is in conflict with societal values and expectations? The most important component of Roman society was respect for law and the Pax Romana, or civil peace. Since the empire was heterogeneous and consisted of people from many different ethnicities and cultures with disparate religious beliefs and practices, it mattered not to Roman officials what they did as long as they weren’t trying to undermine the social order and break lawful ordinances and statutes as administered by the local authorities.

The Roman religion was more or less a civil one where every citizen was to respect deity only as far as it pertains to ensuring the welfare and prosperity of the state or empire, and not so much about having ‘faith’ in or experiencing a personal relationship with any of the Roman gods as such. To offer sacrifice on one of the altars was more or less a pledge of allegiance to the state, and to Caesar as the representative head of government, ruler of the people and commander of the Roman legions, and to faithfully abide by all laws as a loyal Roman citizen. Whether a person believed in the gods was not so much an issue, but  when someone chose to show public disdain for the practice through some overt action, it was seen as not supporting societal values or norms, and being against everything that Rome offered; like freedom, peace, prosperity, security, and so forth.

I am not aware of any decree that someone was required to worship any member of the Roman pantheon of gods or if there were temples dedicated to them where attendance was compulsory. There were various cults associated with many pagan religious practices as well as the more esoteric and mystery religions of Egypt, Babylon, or Greece. The thing is, though, why were these groups able to operate under the radar of the government and the Christians singled out for such horrible mistreatment? A possible answer could be the “overemphasis” on persecution, suffering, trial, imprisonment, and tribulation narrated in the Scriptures and taught by the early followers of Jesus’ disciples and apostles where the actions that believers take or the way they live among people, created the kind of violent reaction from others in society where martyrdom becomes a self-fulfilling prophesy. Also, another point is found in Acts 17: 6b, 7 which reads: “These men have caused trouble all over the world [empire]. They are all defying Caesar’s decrees [laws], saying that there is another king, Jesus.” Now think upon that statement for a moment. What upset the people and authorities were not Christian believers practicing their religion but rather breaking the laws, and most importantly, saying that there was another king besides Caesar.

Let’s try and look at how this might have looked to the average Greek or Roman citizen. If Caesar is not a true king then his rule is illegitimate because there is someone else who is a legitimate or true king; in fact someone who is King of kings. If Caesar is a usurper, imposter, or unauthorized to rule then his laws or creeds are null and void. Ignoring heretofore royal and legal decrees, as well as saying that there is a higher or greater throne to pay allegiance to would doubtless be viewed as subversive, insurrection, anarchistic, and the whole structure of governance throughout the empire could unravel; destroying the Pax Romana. Whenever an authoritarian, autocratic regime is in jeopardy of some kind of potential threat or revolt, sometimes extreme measures have to be taken to discourage such attacks by setting an example to warn future dissidents of the consequences of rebellion; and also because most leaders are insecure and fearful of assassinations, poisonings, or other measures to get rid of them.

 It is time to make some comparisons and contrasts, starting with the apostle Paul:

Acts 21: 38

Aren’t you that Egyptian who started a revolt and led four thousand terrorists (“jihadists or insurgents”) into the desert some time ago?

 Acts 24: 5

We have found this man to be a troublemaker, stirring up riots among the Jews all over the world [empire]. He is a ringleader of the Nazarene sect.

 Romans 13: 1-5

Everyone must submit to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong [rebellion, rioting, insurrection, anarchy??]. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and he will commend you. For he is God’s servant to do you good. But if you do wrong [disobey the laws], be afraid. He is God’s servant, an agent of wrath [cruel, inhumane, violent treatment or torture] to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. Therefore it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also because of punishment.

NOTE: Does submitting to the authorities include living in obedience to corrupt authoritarian, democratic, socialist, communist, illiberal democracies, and dictatorships who deny civil liberties, civil rights, and perpetrate ‘genocide’ and “ethnic cleansing” violating international human rights laws as war criminals?

1 Thessalonians 4: 11a

Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life and mind your own business.

1Timothy 2: 1-3

I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession, and thanksgiving be made for everyone-for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior.

1 Peter 2: 13-14, 17

Submit yourselves for the LORD’s sake to every authority instituted among men; whether to the king, as the supreme authority [in the empire], or to governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right. Show the proper respect to everyone: Love the brotherhood of believers, fear, honor the king [earthly ruler, government official or ruler].

1 Peter 3: 13-14a

Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good? But even “IF” you should [not always will] suffer for what is right, you are blessed.

While not wanting to minimize the noble sacrifices of the nameless Christian martyrs who are not listed in the books of classical or medieval history or writings of the Church Fathers, there is the other side of the story that has to be acknowledged, too. After Christianity became the state religion by a pagan Roman Emperor who saw a vision of a “cross” in the sky the persecuted became the persecutors. During the Inquisition of medieval times pagans who did not submit to belief in Jesus as the Son of God were treated with horrible abuses that were just as vicious, brutal, and merciless as the ones they had received when the shoe was on the other foot. In fact, hundreds of thousands who resisted the word of God at the edge of a sword or barrel of a gun were slaughtered. Their lands taken as well as all the precious minerals and other goods or resources to fill papal coffers and royal treasuries [kings and queens who funded the expeditions of conquest and conversion to find riches in new undiscovered lands] in the home countries of Christian missionaries and explorers.  Christians even punished other believers deemed as ‘heretics’ who did not go along with the theological party line through torture, banishment, seizure of property, and execution. It is not a pretty picture and of course it is much easier to sell if it is one-sided and through the experience of ‘victimology.’

Another important thing to look at is the earthly life of Jesus in His contemporary time. He lived under an occupation force of a foreign world power and hegemony [imperial Rome], and the people are anxious for deliverance so much that they lived with a siege mentality. The people were desperate as evidenced in Luke 3: 15, where it says: The people were waiting expectantly [with a sense of urgency or importance] and were wondering in their hearts if John might be the Christ [“Messiah/Deliver’]. Interestingly, Jesus did not give attention to the political situation of the day, although He mentioned frequently about the “kingdom of God.” As human nature proves, though, anxiety, frustration and impatience can spill over into clashes with authorities, civil disobedience, and if it is not contained by a strong show of force, sometimes excessive, can lead to anarchy and the destruction of state political, social, religious, and economic institutions.  

Applying this analysis to Christian martyrs, it is entirely possible that quite a few of them might have been massacred due more to irrational “anti-social” conduct or visions of Apocalyptic end-of-the-world battle between good and evil, and not strictly because of their [superstitious] religious beliefs and practices. What needs to be kept in mind is proportionality of the punishment to the offense and was government action arbitrary or capricious, and over how long of a time frame. Notwithstanding, believers come in all types and there could have been a few influential radicals whose fiery rhetoric can fan the flames of people’s discontent, much like the leaders of al-Qaida, Taliban, or fanatical religious jihadists in the Middle East today. Consequently, someone can walk into the arena or coliseum and be torn apart, one limb or body part at a time from a half-starved animal, or have their flesh burn away while in the center of a bonfire because they want to go to heaven and see their LORD Jesus; or enjoy the pleasures of the celestial virgins in paradise awaiting faithful Muslim martyrs [suicide bombers]. This seems to be one side of an extreme anti-life perspective that sees the entire world from the standpoint of believers versus infidels, but it may very well be that such severe punishment is more the result of law-breaking than faith- practicing.

 

Robert Randle
776 Commerce St. #B-11
Tacoma, WA 98402
May 4, 2013
robertrandle51@yahoo.com