dreadnought

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  1. I believe you will find that heaven is what our lives turn into when we repent of our sin.
  2. I don't think heaven is a physical place. I think heaven is peace of mind.
  3. The paradise is in your mind.
  4. Yes, there is a life after this one. I call it the resurrection.
  5. "The kingdom of God is within you". = miss-TRANSLATION
LUKE 17: (NASB)
20 Now having been questioned by the Pharisees as to when the kingdom of God was coming,
He answered them and said,
“The kingdom of God is not coming with signs to be observed;
21 nor will they say, ‘Look, here it is!’ or, ‘There it is!’
For behold, the "kingdom of God" (JESUS) is (STANDING) in your midst.”

Second Coming Foretold

22 And He said to the disciples,
“The days will come when you will long to see one of the days of the Son of Man, and you will not see it.
23 They will say to you, ‘Look there! Look here!’
Do not go away, and do not run after them.
24 For just like the lightning, when it flashes out of one part of the sky, shines to the other part of the sky,
so will the Son of Man be in His day (RETURN).
25 But first He must suffer many things and be rejected by this generation.
26 And just as it happened in the days of Noah, so it will be also in the days of the Son of Man. (SUDDEN, UNEXPECTED)

ALL 5. ABOVE ARE UNTRUE AND UN-SCRIPTURAL !!

There are two separated eternal SPIRITUAL REALMS into which a perfectly JUST God judges Man's immortal SPIRIT to "go".

Hebrews 9:27
And inasmuch as it is appointed for men to die (mortal Body/Soul combo) once and after this comes judgment,(of immortal SPIRIT!)

1. Heavenly Realm for BELIEVERS.
2. "Lake of Fire" for UN-BELIEVERS.

#1. Heavenly Realm for BELIEVERS.
Genesis 1:1 [The Creation]
In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.

Genesis 28:12
He had a dream, and behold, a ladder was set on the earth with its top reaching to heaven; and behold, the angels of God were ascending and descending on it.

2 Kings 2:1 [Elijah Taken to Heaven ]
And it came about when the Lord was about to take up Elijah by a whirlwind to heaven.

Job 38:33
“Do you know the ordinances of the heavens, Or fix their rule over the earth?

Psalm 11:4
The Lord is in His holy temple; the Lord’s throne is in heaven;

Matthew 5:12
Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great...

Matthew 6:9
“Pray, then, in this way: ‘Our Father who is in heaven, Hallowed be Your name.

Matthew 5:48
Therefore you are to be perfect (mature), as your heavenly Father is perfect (holy).

Luke 2:13
And suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,

Matthew 18:10
“See that you do not despise one of these little ones, for I say to you that their angels in heaven continually see the face of My Father who is in heaven.

Matthew 22:30
For in the resurrection they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like angels in heaven.

Luke 21:33
Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will not pass away.

1 Corinthians 15:40
There are also heavenly bodies and earthly bodies, but the glory of the heavenly is one, and the glory of the earthly is another.

Ephesians 1:20
which He brought about in Christ, when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places,

Ephesians 2:6
and raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus,

2 Timothy 4:18
The Lord will rescue me from every evil deed, and will bring me safely to His heavenly kingdom; to Him be the glory forever and ever. Amen.

#2 . "Lake of Fire" for UN-BELIEVERS.
"lake of fire", Hades, Hell, Gehenna, Sheol =YES

"HELL" research...

The word "hell" from the Greek is mentioned 88 times in the Bible: ...BUT...
64 times as the Hebrew word "Sheol" in the OT, ...the lowest grave in the earth
11 times as "Hades" in the NT
1 time as "Tartarus",
12 times as "Geenna".
RESULT: inaccurate translations of similar words!

The "lake of fire" of Revelation is clearly described.

1. It is a place created by God to restrain and spritually separate satan, demons, the un-holy trinity, Death, and the bad side of Abraham's Bosom...Hades.
2. It is a place of eternal spiritual separation from the TRI-UNE GOD's realm in the future New Heavens and the New Earth and the New Jerusalem.
3. At the Great White Throne Judgment, God sentences unbelievers whose names are NOT written in the Lamb's Book of Life to dwell therein.

Revelation 20:15 (NASB); SEE ALSO: 21:8 below
And if anyone’s name was not found written in the (Lamb's) "book of life" (believers),
he (unbelievers) was thrown into the "lake of fire".


Revelation 21:8 (NASB)
But for the cowardly and unbelieving and abominable and murderers and immoral persons and sorcerers and idolaters and all liars (unsaved sinners),
their part will be in the lake that burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.”

And there is no provision for the removal of the SPIRITS sentenced to reside there for eternity.

Matthew 13:50...Jesus' parable explained
and (angels) will throw them (tares=unbelievers) into the "furnace of fire";
in that PLACE there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
I think the lake of fire is the trouble we can get ourselves into when we sin.
 
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Tutorman

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My friend you are very far from orthodox Christianity. The Nicene creed, something you reject and must agree with to post here, outlines orthodox Christianity with scriptural proof. Here it is from the forums:

Statement of Faith
The Nicene Creed
We believe in (Romans 10:8-10; 1John 4:15)
ONE God, (Deuteronomy 6:4, Ephesians 4:6)
the Father (Matthew 6:9)
Almighty, (Exodus 6:3)
Maker of Heaven and Earth, (Genesis 1:1)
and of all things visible and invisible. (Colossians 1:15-16)
And in ONE Lord Jesus Christ, (Acts 11:17)
the Son of God, (Mathew 14:33; 16:16)
the Only-Begotten, (John 1:18; 3:16)
Begotten of the Father before all ages. (John 1:2)
Light of Light; (Psalm 27:1; John 8:12; Matthew 17:2,5)
True God of True God; (John 17:1-5)
Begotten, not made; (John 1:18)
of one essence with the Father (John 10:30)
by whom all things were made; (Hebrews 1:1-2)
Who for us men and for our salvation (1Timothy 2:4-5)
came down from Heaven, (John 6:33,35)
and was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary, (Luke 1:35)
and became man. (John 1:14)
And was crucified for us (Mark 15:25; 1Cointhians 15:3)
under Pontius Pilate, (John 19:6)
and suffered, (Mark 8:31)
and was buried. (Luke 23:53; 1Corinthians 15:4)
And the third day He rose again, according to the Scriptures. (Luke 24:1 1Corinthians 15:4)
And ascended into Heaven, (Luke 24:51; Acts 1:10)
and sits at the right hand of the Father. (Mark 16:19; Acts 7:55)
And He shall come again with glory (Matthew 24:27)
to judge the living and the dead; (Acts 10:42; 2Timothy 4:1)
whose Kingdom shall have no end. (2 Peter 1:11)
And in the Holy Spirit, (John 14:26)
the Lord, (Acts 5:3-4)
the Giver of Life, (Genesis 1:2)
Who proceeds from the Father; (John 15:26)
Who with the Father and the Son together is worshipped and glorified; (Matthew 3:16-17)
Who spoke through the prophets. (1 Samuel 19:20 ; Ezekiel 11:5,13) In one, (Matthew 16: 18)
holy, (1 Peter 2:5,9)
catholic*, (Mark 16:15)
and apostolic Church. (Acts 2:42; Ephesians 2:19-22)
I acknowledge one baptism for the remission of sins**. (Ephesians 4:5; Acts 2:38)
I look for the resurrection of the dead, (John 11:24; 1Corinthians 15:12-49; Hebrews 6:2; Revelation 20:5)
and the life of the world to come. (Mark 10:29-30)
AMEN. (Psalm 106:48)

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There are forums reserved for Christian members only. Please do not post in these forums unless you are truly a Christian (please see our Statement of Faith to know exactly what that is). Unorthodox, non-Nicene Christian theology may only be discussed in the Controversial Theology forum.

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and now you know
 
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dreadnought

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My friend you are very far from orthodox Christianity. The Nicene creed, something you reject and must agree with to post here, outlines orthodox Christianity with scriptural proof. Here it is from the forums:

Statement of Faith
The Nicene Creed
We believe in (Romans 10:8-10; 1John 4:15)
ONE God, (Deuteronomy 6:4, Ephesians 4:6)
the Father (Matthew 6:9)
Almighty, (Exodus 6:3)
Maker of Heaven and Earth, (Genesis 1:1)
and of all things visible and invisible. (Colossians 1:15-16)
And in ONE Lord Jesus Christ, (Acts 11:17)
the Son of God, (Mathew 14:33; 16:16)
the Only-Begotten, (John 1:18; 3:16)
Begotten of the Father before all ages. (John 1:2)
Light of Light; (Psalm 27:1; John 8:12; Matthew 17:2,5)
True God of True God; (John 17:1-5)
Begotten, not made; (John 1:18)
of one essence with the Father (John 10:30)
by whom all things were made; (Hebrews 1:1-2)
Who for us men and for our salvation (1Timothy 2:4-5)
came down from Heaven, (John 6:33,35)
and was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary, (Luke 1:35)
and became man. (John 1:14)
And was crucified for us (Mark 15:25; 1Cointhians 15:3)
under Pontius Pilate, (John 19:6)
and suffered, (Mark 8:31)
and was buried. (Luke 23:53; 1Corinthians 15:4)
And the third day He rose again, according to the Scriptures. (Luke 24:1 1Corinthians 15:4)
And ascended into Heaven, (Luke 24:51; Acts 1:10)
and sits at the right hand of the Father. (Mark 16:19; Acts 7:55)
And He shall come again with glory (Matthew 24:27)
to judge the living and the dead; (Acts 10:42; 2Timothy 4:1)
whose Kingdom shall have no end. (2 Peter 1:11)
And in the Holy Spirit, (John 14:26)
the Lord, (Acts 5:3-4)
the Giver of Life, (Genesis 1:2)
Who proceeds from the Father; (John 15:26)
Who with the Father and the Son together is worshipped and glorified; (Matthew 3:16-17)
Who spoke through the prophets. (1 Samuel 19:20 ; Ezekiel 11:5,13) In one, (Matthew 16: 18)
holy, (1 Peter 2:5,9)
catholic*, (Mark 16:15)
and apostolic Church. (Acts 2:42; Ephesians 2:19-22)
I acknowledge one baptism for the remission of sins**. (Ephesians 4:5; Acts 2:38)
I look for the resurrection of the dead, (John 11:24; 1Corinthians 15:12-49; Hebrews 6:2; Revelation 20:5)
and the life of the world to come. (Mark 10:29-30)
AMEN. (Psalm 106:48)

CF Statement of Faith | Christian Forums

Christians Only Forums
There are forums reserved for Christian members only. Please do not post in these forums unless you are truly a Christian (please see our Statement of Faith to know exactly what that is). Unorthodox, non-Nicene Christian theology may only be discussed in the Controversial Theology forum.

Terms of Service and Christian Forum Rules | Christian Forums

and now you know
I didn't say I rejected the Nicene Creed. If it agrees with the teachings of God and Jesus, then I am for it.
 
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RaymondG

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  1. I believe you will find that heaven is what our lives turn into when we repent of our sin.
  2. I don't think heaven is a physical place. I think heaven is peace of mind.
  3. The paradise is in your mind.
  4. Yes, there is a life after this one. I call it the resurrection.
  5. "The kingdom of God is within you". = miss-TRANSLATION
LUKE 17: (NASB)
20 Now having been questioned by the Pharisees as to when the kingdom of God was coming,
He answered them and said,
“The kingdom of God is not coming with signs to be observed;
21 nor will they say, ‘Look, here it is!’ or, ‘There it is!’
For behold, the "kingdom of God" (JESUS) is (STANDING) in your midst.”

Second Coming Foretold

22 And He said to the disciples,
“The days will come when you will long to see one of the days of the Son of Man, and you will not see it.
23 They will say to you, ‘Look there! Look here!’
Do not go away, and do not run after them.
24 For just like the lightning, when it flashes out of one part of the sky, shines to the other part of the sky,
so will the Son of Man be in His day (RETURN).
25 But first He must suffer many things and be rejected by this generation.
26 And just as it happened in the days of Noah, so it will be also in the days of the Son of Man. (SUDDEN, UNEXPECTED)

ALL 5. ABOVE ARE UNTRUE AND UN-SCRIPTURAL !!

There are two separated eternal SPIRITUAL REALMS into which a perfectly JUST God judges Man's immortal SPIRIT to "go".

Hebrews 9:27
And inasmuch as it is appointed for men to die (mortal Body/Soul combo) once and after this comes judgment,(of immortal SPIRIT!)

1. Heavenly Realm for BELIEVERS.
2. "Lake of Fire" for UN-BELIEVERS.

#1. Heavenly Realm for BELIEVERS.
Genesis 1:1 [The Creation]
In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.

Genesis 28:12
He had a dream, and behold, a ladder was set on the earth with its top reaching to heaven; and behold, the angels of God were ascending and descending on it.

2 Kings 2:1 [Elijah Taken to Heaven ]
And it came about when the Lord was about to take up Elijah by a whirlwind to heaven.

Job 38:33
“Do you know the ordinances of the heavens, Or fix their rule over the earth?

Psalm 11:4
The Lord is in His holy temple; the Lord’s throne is in heaven;

Matthew 5:12
Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great...

Matthew 6:9
“Pray, then, in this way: ‘Our Father who is in heaven, Hallowed be Your name.

Matthew 5:48
Therefore you are to be perfect (mature), as your heavenly Father is perfect (holy).

Luke 2:13
And suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,

Matthew 18:10
“See that you do not despise one of these little ones, for I say to you that their angels in heaven continually see the face of My Father who is in heaven.

Matthew 22:30
For in the resurrection they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like angels in heaven.

Luke 21:33
Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will not pass away.

1 Corinthians 15:40
There are also heavenly bodies and earthly bodies, but the glory of the heavenly is one, and the glory of the earthly is another.

Ephesians 1:20
which He brought about in Christ, when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places,

Ephesians 2:6
and raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus,

2 Timothy 4:18
The Lord will rescue me from every evil deed, and will bring me safely to His heavenly kingdom; to Him be the glory forever and ever. Amen.

#2 . "Lake of Fire" for UN-BELIEVERS.
"lake of fire", Hades, Hell, Gehenna, Sheol =YES

"HELL" research...

The word "hell" from the Greek is mentioned 88 times in the Bible: ...BUT...
64 times as the Hebrew word "Sheol" in the OT, ...the lowest grave in the earth
11 times as "Hades" in the NT
1 time as "Tartarus",
12 times as "Geenna".
RESULT: inaccurate translations of similar words!

The "lake of fire" of Revelation is clearly described.

1. It is a place created by God to restrain and spritually separate satan, demons, the un-holy trinity, Death, and the bad side of Abraham's Bosom...Hades.
2. It is a place of eternal spiritual separation from the TRI-UNE GOD's realm in the future New Heavens and the New Earth and the New Jerusalem.
3. At the Great White Throne Judgment, God sentences unbelievers whose names are NOT written in the Lamb's Book of Life to dwell therein.

Revelation 20:15 (NASB); SEE ALSO: 21:8 below
And if anyone’s name was not found written in the (Lamb's) "book of life" (believers),
he (unbelievers) was thrown into the "lake of fire".


Revelation 21:8 (NASB)
But for the cowardly and unbelieving and abominable and murderers and immoral persons and sorcerers and idolaters and all liars (unsaved sinners),
their part will be in the lake that burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.”

And there is no provision for the removal of the SPIRITS sentenced to reside there for eternity.

Matthew 13:50...Jesus' parable explained
and (angels) will throw them (tares=unbelievers) into the "furnace of fire";
in that PLACE there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
Are you telling all that they should stop seeking the kingdom of God now.....only believe and wait for after death? What is the point in seeking if it cant be found now. And why did Jesus say that everyone who seeks finds if it was not true?
 
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Ron Gurley

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Q: Are you telling all that they should stop seeking the "kingdom of God" now.....???

A: NO!

Matthew 6:33 [Full Chapter]
But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

Ephesians 2:
3 Among them we too all formerly lived in the lusts of our flesh, indulging the desires of the flesh (sin nature) and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, even as the rest.
4 But God, being rich in mercy,
because of His great love with which He loved us,
5 even when we were dead in our transgressions,
made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved),
6 and raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus,
7 so that in the ages to come He might show the surpassing riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.

Daniel 4:34b
I blessed the Most High and praised and honored Him who lives forever;
For His dominion is an everlasting dominion,
And His kingdom endures from generation to generation.

And His kingdom...Hebrew 4437...malkuw (Aramaic)...
A.royalty, kingship, kingly authority
B.kingdom
C.realm (of territory)
D.reign (of time)

Matthew 5:10
“Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

of heaven...Greek 3772...ouranos...
I.the vaulted expanse of the sky with all things visible in it
A.the universe, the world
B.the aerial heavens or sky, the region where the clouds and the tempests gather, and where thunder and lightning are produced
C.the sidereal or starry heavens
II.the region above the sidereal heavens,
the seat of order of things eternal and consummately perfect where God dwells and other heavenly beings

For may parables/comparisons SEE: Matthew 13; 18

Kingdom of God

Mark 1:15...Jesus' first sermon...and saying,
“The time (prophecy) is fulfilled, and the "kingdom of God" (the Divine Messiah come) is at hand;
repent (turn to God) and believe in the "gospel".”
"gospel" = Jesus the Divine Messiah has come down from heaven to save man!!

Luke 17:20-21 ...Jesus preaching among inquisitors
Now having been questioned by the Pharisees as to when the kingdom of God was coming, He answered them and said,
“The kingdom of God is not coming with signs to be observed;
nor will they say, ‘Look, here it is!’ or, ‘There it is!’
For behold, the "kingdom of God" (Jesus) is(standing) in your midst.”

1 Corinthians 15:50 [The Mystery of Resurrection]
Now I say this, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God;
nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable.

The "Kingdom of God" / "Kingdom of Heaven" are purely SPIRITUAL REALMS inhabited by the TRI-UNE GOD + angels + saved believers.

The FINAL one:

Isaiah 65:17...[New Heavens and a New Earth]
“For behold, I create new heavens and a new earth;
And the former things will not be remembered or come to mind.

Isaiah 66:22
“For just as the new heavens and the new earth Which I make will endure before Me,”
declares the Lord, “So your offspring and your name will endure.

2 Peter 3:10, 13[ A New Heaven and New Earth ]
But "the day of the Lord" will come like a thief,
in which the heavens (atmosphere?) will pass away with a roar and the elements (chemical materials) will be destroyed with intense heat, and the earth and its "works" will be burned up...
But according to His PROMISE, we are looking for new heavens and a new earth, in which righteousness dwells.

Revelation 21:1[ The New Heaven and New Earth ] Then I saw a NEW heaven and a NEW earth;
for the FIRST heaven and the FIRST earth passed away, (OUR PLANET EARTH NOW?!)
and there is no longer any sea.

2 And I saw the holy city, NEW Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God,
made ready as a "bride" (THE "CHURCH") adorned for her husband.
3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne (GOD THE FATHER?), saying,
“Behold, the tabernacle of God is among men, and
He will dwell among them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself will be among them,
4 and He will wipe away every tear from their eyes;
and there will no longer be any death;
there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain;
the "first things" (THE WORLD {cosmos], THE FLESH, and THE DEVIL) have passed away.”

The New Jerusalem

10 And he carried me away in the Spirit to a great and high mountain,
and showed me the holy city, (NEW) Jerusalem,
coming down out of heaven from God, 11 having the glory of God.

then...>A detailed and vivid description of "The Holy City", verses 11-26

27 and nothing unclean, and no one who practices abomination and lying, shall ever come into it,
but only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s "book of life".(true believers)

SOOO ...let's talk about the PRESENT: "the FIRST heaven and the FIRST earth"
 
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Viren

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Revelation 21:1[ The New Heaven and New Earth ] Then I saw a NEW heaven and a NEW earth;
for the FIRST heaven and the FIRST earth passed away, (OUR PLANET EARTH NOW?!)
and there is no longer any sea.

2 And I saw the holy city, NEW Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God,
made ready as a "bride" (THE "CHURCH") adorned for her husband.
3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne (GOD THE FATHER?), saying,
“Behold, the tabernacle of God is among men, and
He will dwell among them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself will be among them,
4 and He will wipe away every tear from their eyes;
and there will no longer be any death;
there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain;
the "first things" (THE WORLD {cosmos], THE FLESH, and THE DEVIL) have passed away.”

The New Jerusalem

10 And he carried me away in the Spirit to a great and high mountain,
and showed me the holy city, (NEW) Jerusalem,
coming down out of heaven from God, 11 having the glory of God.

then...>A detailed and vivid description of "The Holy City", verses 11-26

27 and nothing unclean, and no one who practices abomination and lying, shall ever come into it,
but only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s "book of life".(true believers)

SOOO ...let's talk about the PRESENT: "the FIRST heaven and the FIRST earth"

"The Jerusalem that is above is free, which is our mother." Galatians 4:26

That sounds like present tense to me. John was in the Spirit when he was describing the city. It should be interpreted spiritually.
 
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ViaCrucis

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I don't think heaven is a physical place. I think heaven is peace of mind.

There's of course a third option--it's neither of those.

-CryptoLutheran
 
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ViaCrucis

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Well, "peace of mind" covers a lot of territory.

And it would still be wrong.

Biblically "the heavens" refers to what we see when we look up, which Scripture then goes further and we have Solomon who says, "The heavens, not even the heavens of heavens, can contain You". The phrase "heavens of heavens" is common Hebraism, we see it in other instances such as "king of kings" or "god of gods" and means the greatest, highest, or most sublime. Which is why "heavens of heavens" is often rendered instead as "the highest heavens", just as "holy of holies" often becomes "the most holy place" (that is, the innermost sanctum of the Temple where the Divine Presence dwelt above the Ark of the Covenant).

God is the most high, the highest, He is higher than all things, greater than all things. Thus He was conceptually perceived as higher than all the heavens, bigger and greater than anything we can see or perceive when we look upward. In this way "heaven" became symbolic and euphemistic of God and God's dwelling place; this is why Matthew's Gospel contains the phrase "kingdom of heaven" rather than "kingdom of God" as found in Mark and Luke--these mean the same thing, "heaven" here is euphemism for "God".

Of course "Heaven" isn't a place, but it's not some abstract "peace of mind" either. It is the immediate and glorious presence of God; as such it is incomprehensible (indeed, the Apostle has written that God "dwells in unapproachable light"). Trying to define it as place or a state of mind are equally faulty. "Heaven", if we should give it definition, probably ought to be something like--where God is and where the saints and angels dwell in His glorious presence. That "where" is not a "place", but a far more incomprehensible reality. Indeed, since God is everywhere.

In some respects it may simply be best to not try and overly define what is, fundamentally, incomprehensible mystery.

-CryptoLutheran
 
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dreadnought

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And it would still be wrong.

Biblically "the heavens" refers to what we see when we look up, which Scripture then goes further and we have Solomon who says, "The heavens, not even the heavens of heavens, can contain You". The phrase "heavens of heavens" is common Hebraism, we see it in other instances such as "king of kings" or "god of gods" and means the greatest, highest, or most sublime. Which is why "heavens of heavens" is often rendered instead as "the highest heavens", just as "holy of holies" often becomes "the most holy place" (that is, the innermost sanctum of the Temple where the Divine Presence dwelt above the Ark of the Covenant).

God is the most high, the highest, He is higher than all things, greater than all things. Thus He was conceptually perceived as higher than all the heavens, bigger and greater than anything we can see or perceive when we look upward. In this way "heaven" became symbolic and euphemistic of God and God's dwelling place; this is why Matthew's Gospel contains the phrase "kingdom of heaven" rather than "kingdom of God" as found in Mark and Luke--these mean the same thing, "heaven" here is euphemism for "God".

Of course "Heaven" isn't a place, but it's not some abstract "peace of mind" either. It is the immediate and glorious presence of God; as such it is incomprehensible (indeed, the Apostle has written that God "dwells in unapproachable light"). Trying to define it as place or a state of mind are equally faulty. "Heaven", if we should give it definition, probably ought to be something like--where God is and where the saints and angels dwell in His glorious presence. That "where" is not a "place", but a far more incomprehensible reality. Indeed, since God is everywhere.

In some respects it may simply be best to not try and overly define what is, fundamentally, incomprehensible mystery.

-CryptoLutheran
I don't think so. Can heaven be heaven without peace of mind?
 
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Ron Gurley

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ALL Scripture should be interpreted spiritually, AND where possible, LITERALLY in context.

Revelation: a book of letters, SPIRITUAL images, and primarily PROPHECY!

Revelation 1(NASB)...The Revelation of Jesus the Christ to John the Elder on Patmos
1 The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show to His bond-servants, the things which must soon take place; and He sent and communicated it by His angel to His bond-servant John,
2 who testified to the word of God and to the testimony of Jesus Christ, even to all that he saw.
3 Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of the prophecy, and heed the things which are written in it; for the time is near...
5 ...and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To Him who loves us and released us from our sins by His blood—...
8... “I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.”
 
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Galilee63

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Holy Saint Catherine Emmerich has seen many Holy Visions of Heaven and all of Jesus Christ, God The Most High and Holy Spirit and Holy Mother Mary's Holy Saints now in Heaven - all mentioned in Gods Holy Word - have had Jesus tell them to repent of sins in remorse and Trust in Him, to receive His Blessed Holy Sacraments two of which are Holy Confession and Holy Communion in Him, to receive our Lord Jesus Real Holy Divine Flesh and Blood and to be absolved from sins through His Precious Holy Blood poured out upon us and cleansing our souls of our sins in Holy Confession - Jesus has Two Holy Rays in His unfathomable Divine Mercy for us. One Jesus says is for the LifeBlood of Souls and the pale ray stands for the Righteousness of Souls. Jesus shines His Holy Rays of Divine Mercy out upon us in His Holy Will and in His Holy Divine Ways.

On the Cross in Heaven, Jesus has His Precious Holy Blood flowing out to those whom our Lord Jesus is Blessing Gifting and Gracing - for those prayed for in His Holy Wound Chaplet immersed in His Precious Holy Blood and Holy Sacred Wounds with Jesus asking Saint Marie Chambon another of His Saints/Nuns to Beseech God The Most High to look upon and through His Holy Sacred Wounds and Precious Holy Blood and upon His Holy Divine Countenance. Jesus in His Holy Will then pours,our Lord explains, His Holy Precious Blood upon the world and different Nations receiving His Holy Blessings Gifts and Graces from Heaven.

In Holy Confession, Jesus told Holy Saint Faustina another of His Holy Saints that He stands behind His Priests where the misery of the soul meets His Fount of Mercy - our unfathomable Divine Mercy Himself.

www.jesus-passion.com/ANNE_CATHERINE_EMMERICH.htm


FROM THE MEDITATIONS OF

ANNE CATHERINE EMMERICH


emmerich.gif


Blessed Anne Catherine Emmerich (1774-1824)
Mystic, Stigmatist, Visionary, and Prophet

THE DOLOROUS PASSION OF
OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST


NIHIL OBSTAT: GEORGIVS D. SMITH. D.D.

CENSOR DEPVTATVS

IMPRIMATUR: EDM. CAN. SVRMONT

VICARIVS GENERALIS

WESTMONASTERII, DIE XXI MAII MCMXXVIII

ONE VOLUME

AND
THE FOUR VOLUME WORK:

THE LOWLY LIFE AND BITTER PASSION
OF
OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST
AND
HIS BLESSED MOTHER
TOGETHER WITH
THE MYSTERIES OF THE OLD TESTAMENT

FROM THE
VISIONS OF BLESSED ANNE CATHERINE EMMERICH
As Recorded in the Journal of Clement Brentano
AND EDITED BY
VERY REV. C.E. SCHMOGER, C. SS. R.
1914
NIHIL OBSTAT
Brugis, 25 Martii, 1914.
Em. De Jaegher,
Can., lib.cens.

IMPRIMATUR.
Brugis, 27 Martii, 1914.
A.C. DE SCHREVEL
vic. gen.







BRIEF SUMMATION OF THIS BOOK

Blessed Anne Catherine Emmerich was an Augustinian nun at the Convent of Agnetenberg, Dulmen, Westphalia, Germany. She lived between 1774 to 1824. During her life, God gave her extensive visions of the past, the present and the future. Many theologians believe that she received from God more visions than any other saint. The Sorrowful (Dolorous) Passion of Our Lord Jesus Christ are the visions of Anne Catherine Emmerich concerning the horrific sufferings our Dear Lord Jesus Christ suffered in his work to save mankind. This includes the Last Supper, the Agony in the Garden, the Arrest, the Scourging the Crowning of Thorns, the Trial by Pontius Pilate, the Carrying of the Cross, the Crucifixion and the Dying on the Cross and the Resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. They are incredibly, highly detailed and descriptive, revealing to us more information about the Life of Jesus Christ besides what we read of Him in the Bible. These excerpts are from the book: THE DOLOROUS PASSION OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST.

The addendum on the Resurrection, Ascension, Day of Pentecost and the Life of Mary after the Ascension of Christ are from the book: The Lowly Life and Bitter Passion of OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST AND HIS BLESSED MOTHER. Recorded in the Journals of Clemens Brentano, arranged and edited by the Very Reverend Carl E. Schmöger, C.SS.R.



THE DOLOROUS PASSION OF
OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST

FROM THE MEDITATIONS OF ANNE CATHERINE EMMERICH

TABLE OF CONTENTS

PREFACE Preface to the French Translation Pages v-x
INTRODUCTION Introduction to the Book. Pages xi
LIFE OF ANNE CATHERINE EMMERICH Religious of the Order of St. Augustine, at the Convent of Agnetenberg, Dulmen, Westphalia. Pages 15-59
TO THE READER Introduction Page 65
MEDITATION I Preparatons for the Pasch Pages 67-67
MEDITATION II The Supper-Room Pages 68-69
MEDITATION III Arrangements for eating the Paschal Lamb Pages 70-71
MEDITATION IV The Chalice used at the Last Supper Pages 72-73
MEDITATION V Jesus goes up to Jerusalem Pages 74-75
MEDITATION VI The Last Pasch Pages 76-80
MEDITATION VII The Washing of the Feet Pages 81-83
MEDITATION VIII Institution of the Holy Eucharist Pages 84-88
MEDITATION IX Private Instructions and Consecrations Pages 89-93
THE PASSION



Introduction


Pages 95-97
CHAPTER 1 Jesus in the Garden of Olives Pages 97-121
CHAPTER 2 Judas and his Band Pages 121-127
CHAPTER 3 Jesus is Arrested Pages 127-137
CHAPTER 4 Means Employed by the Enemies of Jesus for Carrying out Their Designs Against Him Pages 138-139
CHAPTER 5 A Glance at Jerusalem Pages 140-144
CHAPTER 6 Jesus before Annas Pages 145-148
CHAPTER 7 The Tribunal of Caiphas Pages 149-150
CHAPTER 8 Jesus before Caiphas Pages 151-158
CHAPTER 9 The Insults received by Jesus in the court of Caiphas Pages 158-160
CHAPTER 10 The Denial of St. Peter Pages 161-164
CHAPTER 11 Mary in the House of Caiphas Pages 164-167
CHAPTER 12 Jesus Confined in the Subterranean Prison Pages 167-170
CHAPTER 13 The Morning Trial Pages 171-173
CHAPTER 14 The Despair of Judas Pages 173-176
CHAPTER 15 Jesus is taken before Pilate Pages 176-179
CHAPTER 16 Description of Pilate's Palace and the Adjacent Buildings Pages 179-183
CHAPTER 17 Jesus before Pilate Pages 183-189
CHAPTER 18 The Origin of the Way of the Cross Pages 189-191
CHAPTER 19 Pilate and his Wife Pages 191-194
CHAPTER 20 Jesus before Herod Pages 194-199
CHAPTER 21 Jesus led back from the Court of Herod to that of Pilate Pages 200-205
CHAPTER 22 The Scourging of Jesus Pages 205-210
CHAPTER 23 Mary during the Flagellation of our Lord Pages 210-212
CHAPTER 24 Interruption of the Visions of the Passion by the Appearance of St. Joseph under the form of a Child Pages 212-218
CHAPTER 25 Description of the Personal Appearance of the Blessed Virgin Pages 218-219
CHAPTER 26 The Crowning with Thorns Pages 220-221
CHAPTER 27 Ecce Homo Pages 222-224
CHAPTER 28 Reflections on the Visions Pages 225-226
CHAPTER 29 Jesus Condemned to be Crucified Pages 227-232
CHAPTER 30 The Carriage of the Cross Pages 233-236
CHAPTER 31 The First Fall of Jesus Pages 236
CHAPTER 32 The Second Fall of Jesus Pages 237-238
CHAPTER 33 Simon of Cyrene.---Third Fall of Jesus Pages 239
CHAPTER 34 The Veil of Veronica Pages 241-242
CHAPTER 35 The Fourth and Fifth Falls of Jesus.---The Daughters of Jerusalem Pages 243-244
CHAPTER 36 Jesus on Mount Golgotha.---Sixth and Seventh Falls of Jesus Pages 245-246
CHAPTER 37 The Departure of Mary and the Holy Women of Calvary. Pages 247-248
CHAPTER 38 The Nailing of Jesus to the Cross Pages 249-252
CHAPTER 39 Erection of the Cross Pages 253
CHAPTER 40 Crucifixion of the Thieves Pages 254-255
CHAPTER 41 Jesus Hanging on the Cross Between Two Thieves Pages 256-257
CHAPTER 42 First Word of Jesus on the Cross Pages 258
CHAPTER 43 Eclipse of the Sun.---Second and Third Word of Jesus on the Cross Pages 259-260
CHAPTER 44 The Fear felt by the Inhabitants of Jerusalem.---Fourth Word of Jesus on the Cross Pages 261-265
CHAPTER 45 Fifth, Sixth, and Seventh Words of Jesus on the Cross.---His Death Pages 266-269
CHAPTER 46 The Earthquake.---Apparitions of the Dead in Jerusalem Pages 270-273
CHAPTER 47 The Request of Joseph of Arimathea to be allowed to have the Body of Jesus Pages 274
CHAPTER 48 The Opening of the Side of Jesus.---Death of the Two Thieves Pages 275-277
CHAPTER 49 A Description of Some Parts of Ancient Jerusalem Pages 278-280
CHAPTER 50 The Descent from the Cross Pages 281-285
CHAPTER 51 The Embalming of the Body of Jesus Pages 286-291
CHAPTER 52 The Body of Our Lord Placed in the Sepulchre Pages 292
CHAPTER 53 The Return from the Sepulchre.---Joseph of Arimathea is put in Prison Pages 293-294
CHAPTER 54 On the Name of Calvary Pages 295-296
CHAPTER 55 The Cross and the Wine-press Pages 297
CHAPTER 56 Apparitions on Occasion of the Death of Jesus Pages 298-299
CHAPTER 57 Guards are Placed Around the Tomb of Jesus Pages 300
CHAPTER 58 A Glance at the Disciples of Jesus on Holy Saturday Pages 301-304
CHAPTER 59 A Detached Account of the Descent into Hell Pages 305-310
CHAPTER 60 The Eve of the Resurrection Pages 311
CHAPTER 61 Joseph of Arimathea Miraculously Set at Large Pages 312
CHAPTER 62 The Night of Resurrection Pages 313-316
CHAPTER 63 The Resurrection of Our Lord Pages 317
CHAPTER 64 The Holy Women at the Sepulchre Pages 318-323
CHAPTER 65 The Relation which was given by the Sentinels who were placed around the Sepulchre Pages 324-325
CHAPTER 66 The End of the Lenten Meditations Pages 326
APPENDIX Detached Account of Longinus Pages 327-330

THE END OF THE DOLOROUS PASSION OF JESUS CHRIST




CONTINUATION OF THE RESURRECTION OF CHRIST: INCLUDES THE RESURRECTION, THE ASCENSION OF CHRIST INTO HEAVEN AND THE DAY OF PENTECOST AND THE LIFE OF THE VIRGIN MARY AFTER THE ASCENSION OF JESUS INTO HEAVEN:
FROM THE BOOK: THE LIFE OF OUR LORD AND SAVIOUR JESUS CHRIST Combined with THE BITTER PASSION and THE LIFE OF MARY, VOLUME IV. from the visions of Blessed Anna Catharina Emmerick.
(PDF Format) (Loads very, very slow for dial-up modem users)
CLICK THE LINKS BELOW FOR MORE FROM THE VISIONS OF BLESSED ANNE CATHERINE EMMERICH



CONTINUATION OF RESURRECTION & ASCENSION
373-430


PENTECOST AND BEGINNINGS OF THE CHURCH
430-449


LIFE OF MARY AFTER CHRIST ASCENDS INTO HEAVEN
449-476


THE BOOK OF BLESSED ANNE CATHERINE EMMERICH'S VISION OF THE LIFE OF CHRIST:
THE LOWLY LIFE AND BITTER PASSION OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST AND HIS BLESSED MOTHER TOGETHER WITH THE MYSTERIES OF THE OLD TESTAMENT (VISIONS OF BLESSED ANNE CATHERINE EMMERICH) (.PDF FILES)

(LOADS VERY SLOWLY FOR DIAL -UP MODEM USERS)

VOLUME I

VOLUME II
VOLUME III

VOLUME IV





OTHER WEB SITES WHERE THE DOLOROUS PASSION OF CHRIST
CAN BE FOUND:



IN ENGLISH LANGUAGE:

http://www.catholicplanet.com/ebooks/Dolorous-Passion.pdf

http://my.homewithgod.com/israel/acemmerich1/



IN THE FRENCH LANGUAGE:

LA DOULOUREUSE PASSION DE N. S. JESUS-CHRIST et VIE de N. S. JESUS CHRIST: D'APRÈS LES VISIONS D'ANNE CATHERINE EMMERICH



IN THE SPANISH LANGUAGE:

LA DOLOROSA PASION DE CRISTO


IN THE GERMAN LANGUAGE:

Das Leiden unseres Herrn Jesu Christi (PDF segmented for Dial up modem users)

Das Bittere Leiden unseres Herrn Jesu Christ Buch (PDF: The whole book unsegmented, for high speed internet users)







v

PREFACE TO THE FRENCH TRANSLATION

BY THE ABBÉ DE CAZALES




THE writer of this Preface was travelling in Germany, when he chanced to meet with a book, entitled, The History of the Passion of our Lord Jesus Christ, from the Meditations of Anne Catherine Emmerich, which appeared to him both interesting and edifying. Its style was unpretending, its ideas simple, its tone unassuming, its sentiments unexaggerated, and its every sentence expressive of the most complete and entire submission to the Church. Yet, at the same time, it would have been difficult anywhere to meet with a more touching and life-like paraphrase of the Gospel narrative. He thought that a book possessing such qualities deserved to be known on this side of the Rhine, and that there could be no reason why it should not be valued for its own sake, independent of the somewhat singular source whence it emanated.

Still, the translator has by no means disguised to himself that this work is written, in the first place, for Christians; that is to say, for men who have the right to be very diffident in giving credence to particulars concerning facts which are articles of faith; and although he is aware that St. Bonaventure and many others, in their paraphrases of the Gospel history, have mixed up traditional details with those given in the sacred text, even these examples have not wholly reassured him. St. Bonaventure professed only to give a paraphrase, whereas these revelations appear to be something more. It is certain that the holy maiden herself gave them no higher title than that of dreams, and that the transcriber of her narratives treats as blasphemous the idea of regarding them in any degree as equivalent to a fifth Gospel; still it is evident that the confessors who exhorted Sister Emmerich to relate what she saw, the celebrated poet who passed four years near her couch, eagerly transcribing all he heard her say, and the German Bishops, who encouraged the publication of his book, considered it as something more than a paraphrase. Some explanations are needful on this head.



vi

The writings of many Saints introduce us into a new, and, if I may be allowed the expression, a miraculous world. In all ages there have been revelations about the past, the present, the future, and even concerning things absolutely inaccessible to the human intellect. In the present day men are inclined to regard these revelations as simple hallucinations, or as caused by a sickly condition of body.

The Church, according to the testimony of her most approved writers, recognises three descriptions of ecstasy; of which the first is simply natural, and entirely brought about by certain physical tendencies and a highly imaginative mind; the second divine or angelic, arising from intercourse held with the supernatural world; and the third produced by infernal agency.* Lest we should here write a book in.stead of a preface, we will not enter into any development of this doctrine, which appears to us highly philosophical, and without which no satisfactory explanation can be given on the subject of the soul of man and its various states.

The Church directs certain means to be employed to ascertain by what spirit these ecstasies are produced, according to the maxim of St. John: ‘Try the spirits, if they be of God.’ When circumstances or events claiming to be supernatural have been properly examined according to certain rules, the Church has in all ages made a selection from them.



* See, on this head, the work of Cardinal Bona, De Discretionc Spiritaum.



vii

Many persons who have been habitually in a state of ecstasy have been canonised, and their books approved. But this approbation has seldom amounted to more than a declaration that these books contained nothing contrary to faith, and that they were likely to promote a spirit of piety among the faithful. For the Church is only founded on the word of Christ and on the revelations made to the Apostles. Whatever may since have been revealed to certain saints possesses purely a relative value, the reality of which may even be disputed—it being one of the admirable characteristics of the Church, that, though inflexibly one in dogma, she allows entire liberty to the human mind in all besides. Thus, we may believe private revelations, above all, when those persons to whom they were made have been raised by the Church to the rank of Saints publicly honoured, invoked, and venerated; but, even in these cases, we may, without ceasing to be perfectly orthodox, dispute their authenticity and divine origin. It is the place of reason to dispute and to select as it sees best.

With regard to the rule for discerning between the good and the evil spirit, it is no other, according to all theologians, than that of the Gospel. A fructibus eorum cognoscetis eos. By their fruits you shall know them. It must be examined in the first place whether the person who professes to have revelations mistrusts what passes within himself; whether he would prefer a more common path ; whether far from boasting of the extraordinary graces which he receives, he seeks to hide them, and only makes them known through obedience; and, finally, whether he is continually advancing in humility, mortification, and charity. Next, the revelations themselves must be very closely examined into; it must be seen whether there is anything in them contrary to faith whether they are conformable to Scripture and Apostolical tradition; and whether they are related in a headstrong spirit, or in a spirit of entire submission to the Church.



viii

Whoever reads the life of Anne Catherine Emmerich, and her book, will be satisfied that no fault can be found in any of these respects either with herself or with her revelations. Her book resembles in many points the writings of a great number of saints, and her life also bears the most striking similitudeto theirs. To be convinced of this fact, we need but study the writings or what is related of Saints Francis of Assissium, Bernard, Bridget, Emmerich to have been inspired by God’s Holy Spirit, we Ignatius, John of the Cross, Teresa, and an immense number of other holy persons who are less known. So much being conceded, it is clear that in considering Sister Emmerich to have been inspired by God’s Holy Spirit, we are not ascribing more merit to her book than is allowed by the Church to all those of the same class. They are all edifying, and may serve to promote piety, which is their sole object. We must not exaggerate their importance by holding as an absolute fact that they proceed from divine inspiration, a favour so great that its existence in any particular case should not be credited save with the utmost circumspection.

With regard, however, to our present publication, it may be urged that, considering the superior talents of the transcriber of Sister Emmerich’s narrations, the language and expressions which he has made use of may not always have been identical with those which she employed. We have no hesitation whatever in allowing the force of this argument. Most fully do we believe in the entire sincerity of M. Clement Brentano, because we both know and love him, and, besides, his exemplary piety and the retired life which he leads, secluded from a world in which it would depend but on himself to hold the highest place, are guarantees amply sufficient to satisfy any impartial mind of his sincerity. A poem such as he might publish, if he only pleased, would cause him to be ranked at once among the most eminent of the German poets, whereas the office which he has taken upon himself of secretary to a poor visionary has brought him nothing but contemptuous raillery. Nevertheless, we have no intention to assert that in giving the conversations and discourses of Sister Emmerich that order and coherency in which they were greatly wanting, and writing them down in his own way, he may not unwittingly have arranged, explained, and embellished them. But this would not have the effect of destroying the originality of the recital, or impugning either the sincerity of the nun, or that of the writer.



ix

The translator professes to be unable to understand how any man can write for mere writing’s sake, and without considering the probable effects which his work will produce. This book, such as it is, appears to him to be at once unusually edifying, and highly poetical. It is perfectly clear that it has, properly speaking, no literary pretensions whatever. Neither the uneducated maiden whose visions are here related, nor the excellent Christian writer who has published them in so entire a spirit of literary disinterestedness, ever had the remotest idea of such a thing. And yet there are not, in our opinion, many highly worked-up compositions calculated to produce an effect in any degree comparable to that which will be brought about by the perusal of this unpretending little work. It is our hope that it will make a strong impression even upon worldlings, and that in many hearts it will prepare the way for better ideas—perhaps even for a lasting change of life.

In the next place, we are not sorry to call public attention in some degree to all that class of phenomena which preceded the foundation of the Church, which has since been perpetuated uninterruptedly, and which too many Christians are disposed to reject altogether, either through Ignorance and want of reflection, or purely through human respect. This is a field which has hitherto been but little explored historically, psychologically, and physiologically; and it would be well if reflecting minds were to bestow upon it a careful and attentive investigation. To our Christian readers we must remark that this work has received the approval of ecclesiastical authorities. It has been prepared for the press under the superintendence of the two late Bishops of Ratisbonne, Sailer and Wittman. These names are but little known in France; but in Germany they are identical with learning, piety, ardent charity, and a life wholly devoted to the maintenance and propagation of the Catholic faith. Many French priests have given their opinion that the translation of a book of this character could not but tend to nourish piety, without, however, countenancing that weakness of spirit which is disposed to lend more importance in some respects to private than to general revelations, and consequently to substitute matters which we are simply permitted to believe, in the place of those which are of faith.



x

We feel convinced that no one will take offence at certain details given on the subject of the outrages which were suffered by our divine Lord during the course of his passion. Our readers will remember the words of the psalmist: ‘I am a worm and no man; the reproach of men, and the outcast of the people;’ and those of the apostle: ‘Tempted in all things like as we are, without sin.’ Did we stand in need of a precedent, we should request our readers to remember how plainly and crudely Bossuet describes the same scenes in the most eloquent of his four sermons on the Passion of our Lord. On the other hand, there have been so many grand platonic or rhetorical sentences in the books published of late years, concerning that abstract entity, on which the writers have been pleased to bestow the Christian title of the Word, or Logos, that it may be eminently useful to show the Man-God, the Word made flesh, in all the reality of his life on earth, of his humiliation, and of his sufferings. It must be evident that the cause of truth, and still more that of edification, will not be the losers.

******


xi

INTRODUCTION
_____


THE following meditations will probably rank high among many similar works which the contemplative love of Jesus has produced; but it is our duty here plainly to affirm that they have no pretensions whatever to be regarded as history. They are but intended to take one of the lowest places among those numerous representations of the Passion which have been given us by pious writers and artists, and to be considered at the very utmost as the Lenten meditations of a devout nun, related in all simplicity, and written down in the plainest and most literal language, from her own dictation. To these meditations, she herself never attached more than a mere human value, and never related them except through obedience, and upon the repeated commands of the directors of her conscience.

The writer of the following pages was introduced to this holy religious by Count Leopold de Stolberg.* Dean Bernard Overberg, her director extraordinary, and Bishop Michael Sailer,* who had often been her counsellor and consoler, urged her to relate to us in detail all that she experienced; and the latter, who survived her, took the deepest interest in the arrangement and publication of the notes taken down from her dictation. These illustrious and holy men, now dead, and whose memory is blessed, were in continual communion of prayer with Anne Catherine, whom they loved and respected, on account of the singular graces with which God had favoured her. The editor of this book received equal encouragement, and met with no less sympathy in his labours, from the late Bishop of Ratisbonne, Mgr. Wittman.* This holy Bishop, who was so deeply versed in the ways of Divine grace, and so well acquainted with its effects on certain souls, both from his private investigations of the subject, and his own experience, took the most lively interest in all that concerned Anne Catherine, and on hearing of the work in which the editor of this book was engaged, he strongly exhorted him to publish it. ‘These things have not been communicated to you for nothing,’ would he often say; ‘God has his views in all. Publish something at least of what you know, for you will thereby benefit many souls.’ He at the same time brought forward various instances from his own experience and that of others, showing the benefit which had been derived from the study of works of a similar character. He delighted in calling such privileged souls as Anne Catherine the marrow of the bones of the Church, according to the expression of St. John Chrysostorn, medulla enim hujus mundi sunt, and he encouraged the publication of their lives and writings as far as lay in his power.

The editor of this book being taken by a kind friend to the dying bed of the holy Bishop, had no reason whatever to expect to be recognised, as he had only once in his life conversed with him for a few minutes; nevertheless the dying saint knew him again, and after a few most kind words blessed and exhorted him to continue his work for the glory of God.

Encouraged by the approbation of such men, we therefore yield to the wishes of many virtuous friends in publishing the Meditations on the Passion, of this humble religious, to whom God granted the favour of being at times simple, ingenuous, and ignorant as a child, while at others she was clear-sighted, sensible, possessed of a deep insight into the most mysterious and hidden things, and consumed with burning and heroic zeal, but ever forgetful of self, deriving her whole strength from Jesus alone, and steadfast in the most perfect humility and entire sclf-abnegation.

We give our readers a slight sketch of her life, intending at some future day to publish her biography more in full.


* The Count de Stolberg is one of the most eminent converts whom the Catholic Church has made from Protestarnism. He died in 1819.

* The Bishop of Ratisbonne, one of the most celebrated defenders of the faith in Germany.

* Mgr. Wittman was the worthy successor of Sailer, and a man of eminent sanctity, whose memory is held in veneration by all the Catholics of the south of Germany.



*****
 
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Viren

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If the kingdom God and the kingdom of Heaven are used interchangeably in the Bible then our experience of God and Heaven could be peace of mind. It's what Jesus had to give to the disciples in John 14:27. Also, the peace of God that transcends all understanding is mentioned in Philippians 4:7. Also, Romans 16:20 mentions the God of peace overcoming Satan.
 
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he-man

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If the kingdom God and the kingdom of Heaven are used interchangeably in the Bible then our experience of God and Heaven could be peace of mind. It's what Jesus had to give to the disciples in John 14:27. Also, the peace of God that transcends all understanding is mentioned in Philippians 4:7. Also, Romans 16:20 mentions the God of peace overcoming Satan.
The Kingdom of God is to be here upon the earth known as Zion.The Kingdom of heaven is the present state of things until God establishes His Kingdom here on the earth.
 
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Ron Gurley

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Jesus the Divine Messiah was/IS the "Kingdom of God" PERSONIFIED! Good News! He has come to SAVE Man!

Luke 17: Jesus..The Heavenly Coming/Sending of the "Kingdom of God"
20 Once, having been asked by the Pharisees when the "kingdom of God" would come, Jesus replied,
"The kingdom of God does not come with your careful observation,
21 nor will people say, 'Here it is,' or 'There it is,' because the "kingdom of God" is AMONG you."
(Jesus was in the midst of his inquisitors...Jesus was the LIVING "kingdom of God" )
22 Then he said to his disciples,
"The time is coming when you will long to see one of the days of the Son of Man, but you will not see it.
23 Men will tell you, 'There he is!' or 'Here he is!' Do not go running off after them.
24 For the Son of Man (in his day)(Second Coming) will be like the lightning,
which flashes and lights up the sky from one end to the other.
25 But first he must suffer many things and be rejected by this generation.
(...sudden destruction of unbelievers...)...Sodom...Noah...examples
30 "It will be just like this "on the day the Son of Man is revealed" (Second Coming)...
37 "Where, Lord?" they asked.
He replied, "Where there is a dead body, there the vultures will gather." (unbelievers after the Resurrection?)

Matthew 10: Jesus sends first missionaries
5 These twelve Jesus sent out with the following instructions: "Do not go among the Gentiles or enter any town of the Samaritans.
6 Go rather to the lost sheep of Israel.
7 As you go, preach this message:
'The "kingdom of heaven" is near.' (Jesus is the Divine Messiah!)

Luke 22: Jesus:...the Last Supper
18 For I tell you, I will not drink again of the fruit of the vine until the "kingdom of God " comes." (Resurrection)

As a spirtual Person of the TRI-UNE GOD, Jesus The God-Man RULES

Hebrews 1:8 ...Paul?: Jesus' DEITY!
But about the Son he says,
“Your throne, O God, will (is certain to)last for ever and ever; a scepter of justice will (is certain to) be the scepter of your kingdom.

2 Chronicles 20:6
and he said,
“O Lord, the God of our fathers, are You not God in the heavens? And are You not ruler over all the kingdoms of the nations?
Power and might are in Your hand so that no one can stand against You.

Psalm 103:19
The Lord has established His throne in the heavens,
And His sovereignty rules over all.

Colossians 1:16 ...The incomparable Jesus the God-Man
For by Him all things were created,
both in the heavens and on earth,
visible and invisible,
whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities
—all things have been created THROUGH Him and for Him.

Ephesians 2:
3 Among them we too all formerly lived in the lusts of our flesh, indulging the desires of the flesh (sin nature) and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, even as the rest.
4 But God, being rich in mercy,
because of His great love with which He loved us,
5 even when we were dead in our transgressions,
made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved),
6 and raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus,
7 so that in the ages to come He might show the surpassing riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.

Daniel 4:34b
I blessed the Most High and praised and honored Him who lives forever;
For His dominion is an everlasting dominion,
And His kingdom endures from generation to generation.

And His kingdom...Hebrew 4437...malkuw (Aramaic)...
A.royalty, kingship, kingly authority
B.kingdom
C.realm (of territory)
D.reign (of time)

Matthew 5:10
“Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

of heaven...Greek 3772...ouranos...
I.the vaulted expanse of the sky with all things visible in it
A.the universe, the world
B.the aerial heavens or sky, the region where the clouds and the tempests gather, and where thunder and lightning are produced
C.the sidereal or starry heavens
II.the region above the sidereal heavens,
the seat of order of things eternal and consummately perfect where God dwells and other heavenly beings

For may parables/comparisons SEE: Matthew 13; 18

Kingdom of God

Mark 1:15...Jesus' first sermon...and saying,
“The time (prophecy) is fulfilled, and the "kingdom of God" (the Divine Messiah come) is at hand;
repent (turn to God) and believe in the "gospel".”
("gospel" = Jesus the Divine Messiah has come down from heaven to save man!!)

1 Corinthians 15:50 [The Mystery of Resurrection]
Now I say this, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God;
nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable.
 
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Viren

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The Kingdom of God is to be here upon the earth known as Zion.The Kingdom of heaven is the present state of things until God establishes His Kingdom here on the earth.

The Kingdom of God is the reign of God. Since our body is the temple for him, he reigns in us in the form of the Holy Spirit. That's why Jesus said his kingdom is within you.
 
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he-man

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Jesus the Divine Messiah was/IS the "Kingdom of God" PERSONIFIED! Good News! He has come to SAVE Man!
Luke 17: Jesus..The Heavenly Coming/Sending of the "Kingdom of God"
20 Once, having been asked by the Pharisees when the "kingdom of God" would come, Jesus replied,
"The kingdom of God does not come with your careful observation,
21 nor will people say, 'Here it is,' or 'There it is,' because the "kingdom of God" is AMONG you." (Jesus was in the midst of his inquisitors...Jesus was the LIVING "kingdom of God" ) 22 Then he said to his disciples,
"The time is coming when you will long to see one of the days of the Son of Man, but you will not see it. 23 Men will tell you, 'There he is!' or 'Here he is!' Do not go running off after them. 24 For the Son of Man (in his day)(Second Coming) will be like the lightning,
which flashes and lights up the sky from one end to the other. 25 But first he must suffer many things and be rejected by this generation. (...sudden destruction of unbelievers...)...Sodom...Noah...examples
30 "It will be just like this "on the day the Son of Man is revealed" (Second Coming)...
37 "Where, Lord?" they asked. He replied, "Where there is a dead body, there the vultures will gather." (unbelievers after the Resurrection?) Matthew 10: Jesus sends first missionaries 7 As you go, preach this message: 'The "kingdom of heaven" is near.' (Jesus is the Divine Messiah!) Luke 22: Jesus:...the Last Supper 18 For I tell you, I will not drink again of the fruit of the vine until the "kingdom of God " comes." (Resurrection)
As a spirtual Person of the TRI-UNE GOD, Jesus The God-Man RULES Hebrews 1:8 ...Paul?: Jesus' DEITY! But about the Son he says, “Your throne, O God, will (is certain to)last for ever and ever; a scepter of justice will (is certain to) be the scepter of your kingdom. 2 Chronicles 20:6 and he said, “O Lord, the God of our fathers, are You not God in the heavens? And are You not ruler over all the kingdoms of the nations? Power and might are in Your hand so that no one can stand against You. Psalm 103:19 The Lord has established His throne in the heavens,
And His sovereignty rules over all. Colossians 1:16 ...The incomparable Jesus the God-Man
For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things have been created.
Col 1:16 For in him all things have been created...on account of him and for him. Luk 22:18 says the Kingdom of God is coming (near by). Heb 1:8 says "the son says, O God your throne is forever". Revelation 11:15; Luk 17:20 says that Kingdom of God is not coming with signs..
And the Bible says Jesus will be subject to God that God may be all in ALL 1 Corinthians 15:28
Isaiah 49:5-7; Psalms 45:6 God's throne not Jesus
 
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