While you're contemplating those, at least one. my next question:
According to WTS theology, Jesus died on a 'torture stake' [pole. "i"], and not a "Cross" ["t"], when they say:
"... The Imperial Bible-Dictionary says that the word
staurosʹ “properly signified a stake, an upright pole, or piece of paling, on which anything might be hung, or which might be used in impaling a piece of ground.” The dictionary continues:
“Even amongst the Romans the crux (Latin, from which our cross is derived) appears to have been originally an upright pole.” Thus, it is not surprising that
The Catholic Encyclopedia states:
“Certain it is, at any rate, that the cross originally consisted of a simple vertical pole, sharpened at its upper end.” ..." - [
1]
"...
[Picture on page 18]
A 17th-century drawing of an execution on a
staurosʹ, from
Lipsius’ De Cruce ..." - [
2]
For example, the
Watch Tower and Tract Society,
cites Justus Lipsius' work “De Cruce Liber Primus” [
1] and cite* merely one small section of the work, pointing to a possible type of crucifixion that was historically known, this being the Crux Simplex, Page 19, seen here -
http://brooklyn.org.pl/00000003.gif or here -
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/47/Justus_Lipsius_Crux_Simplex_1629.jpg , which is also seen in a more modern rendition, in the WTS material “
What does the Bible really Teach?”, Page 52 [to which I had been given a copy of from a Jehovah's Witness, whom I knew briefly,and fully read], and also may be seen here -
http://download.jw.org/files/media_books/97/bh_E.pdf
* “... the Watchtower's 1985 Kingdom Interlinear Translation, of which the above woodcut is shown as an illustration:
"`Cross'" is only a later meaning of crux. A single stake for impalement of a criminal was called in Latin crux simplex. One such instrument of torture is illustrated by
Justus Lipsius (1547-1606) in his book De cruce libri tres, Antwerp, 1629, p. 19, which we here present. ... Crux simplex illustrated."” -
[1]
, which the WTS ignored, and altered, ending a sentence with a period, when it should have been either a 'comma' or a set of 'ellipses' because the remainder of the sentence changes the entire thing, 'prominent part', menaing there was more than one part, more than the "pole"/'stake", there was the "cross piece", or "patibulum". More than this, the Imperial Bible Dictionary of Patrick Fairbairn [a triniarian], does not choose a single upright stake, but rather agrees generally with one of the latter of the three: "T", "X", "t" forms.:
The Imperial Bible Dictionary, Historical, Biographical, Geographical, and Doctrinal: Including the Natural History, Antiquities, Manners, Customs, and Religious Rites And Ceremonies Mentioned In The Scriptures, And An Account Of The Several Books Of The Old And New Testaments. Edited By The Rev. Patrick Fairbairn, D.D., Author Of "Typology Of Scripture," "Commentary On Ezekiel," Etc. Illustrated By Numerous Engravers, Volume I, London: Blackie And Son, Paternoster Row; And Glasgow And Edinburgh. MDCCCLXVL.,
pages 376, 377
"... CROSS, CRUCIFY. The Greek word for cross,
σταυρός, properly signified a stake, an upright pole, or piece of paling, on which anything might be hung, or which might be used in impaling a piece of ground. But
a modification was introduced as the dominion and usages of Rome extended themselves through Greek-speaking countries.
Even amongst the Romans the crux (from which our cross is derived) appears to have been originally an upright pole, and this always remained the more prominent part. But from the time that it began to be used as an instrument of punishment,
a transverse piece of wood was commonly added: not, however, always even then. For it would seem that there were more kinds of death than the one by the cross; this being sometimes accomplished by transfixing the criminal with a pole, which was run through his back and spine, and came out at his mouth (adactum per medium hominem, qui per os emergat, stipitem, Seneca, Ep. xiv.) In another place (Consol. ad Marciam, xx.), Seneca mentions three different forms: "I see," says he, "three crosses, not indeed of one sort, but fashioned in different ways; one sort suspending by the head persons bent toward the earth, others transfixing them through their secret parts,
others extending their arms on a patibulum." There can be no doubt, however, that
the latter sort was the more common, and that about the period of the gospel age crucifixion was usually accomplished by suspending the criminal on a cross piece of wood.
But this does not of itself determine the precise form of the cross; for crosses of three different shapes were known to have been in use. One, and that probably the most ancient, was in the form of the letter
T, which as commonly written consisted simply of a perpendicular line with another laid across the top, making two right angles, T. In the earlier Christian writers this letter is often referred to to as a symbol of the cross, and, on account of such a resemblance, Lucian, in his usual style, prefers a charge against the letter (Judio. Voc. xii.) The letter
X represents another sort, which has received the name of St. Andrew, from a tradition that on a cross of this description the apostle of that [Page 376-377] name suffered martyrdom. But
the commonest form, it is understood, was that in which the upright piece of wood was crossed by another near the top, but not precisely at it, the upright pole running above the other, thus t -- and so making four, not merely two right angles. It was on a cross of this form, according to the general voice of tradition, that our Lord suffered; but there is nothing in the narratives of the evangelists which determines this to have been the form employed, rather than either of
the other two.
It is, however, the one most commonly met with in the paintings and sculptures tht have survived from the earlier ages. ..." -
Imperial Bible dictionary : historical, biographical, geographical, and doctrinal including the natural history, antiquities, manners, customs, and religious rites and ceremonies mentioned in the Scriptures, and an account of the several books of the Old and New Testaments
, that were historically known and used, not simply the one pointed out by the WTS, and
he also does not point to the Crux Simplex as the one Jesus was crucified upon, but rather to another, being one with a cross beam, as may be seen here [Begin on Scanned Pages 1157-1234] -
Opera omnia, postremum ab ipso aucta et recensita, nunc primum ..., Volume 3
- Specifically see Pages:
Page 1174 -
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Opera omnia, postremum ab ipso aucta et recensita, nunc primum ..., Volume 3
[and for more on that work, see here] -
Jesus is Jehovah!: Justus Lipsius' De Cruce Liber Tres
The Roman Catholic Encyclopedia actually says:
"... The penalty of
the cross goes back probably to the arbor infelix, or unhappy tree, spoken of by Cicero (Pro, Rabir., iii sqq.) and by Livy, apropos of the condemnation of Horatius after the
murder of his sister. According to Hüschke (Die Multa, 190) the magistrates known as
duoviri perduellionis pronounced this penalty (cf. Liv., I, 266), styled also
infelix lignem (Senec., Ep. ci; Plin., XVI, xxvi; XXIV, ix; Macrob., II, xvi). This primitive form of
crucifixion on trees was long in use, as Justus Lipsius notes ("De cruce", I, ii, 5; Tert., "Apol.", VIII, xvi; and "Martyrol. Paphnut." 25 Sept.). Such
a tree was known as a cross (crux). On an ancient vase we see Prometheus bound to a beam which serves the purpose of a cross. A somewhat different form is seen on an ancient cist at Præneste (
Palestrina), upon which Andromeda is represented nude, and bound by the feet to an instrument of punishment like a military yoke — i.e. two parallel, perpendicular
stakes, surmounted by a transverse bar.
Certain it is, at any rate, that the cross originally consisted of a simple vertical pole, sharpened at its upper end. Mæcenas (Seneca, Epist. xvii, 1, 10) calls it
acuta crux; it could also be called
crux simplex.
To this upright pole a transverse bar was afterwards added to which the sufferer was fastened with nails or cords, and thus remained until he died, whence the expression cruci figere or affigere (Tac., "Ann.", XV, xliv; Potron., "Satyr.", iii) The cross, especially in the earlier times, was generally low. It was elevated only in exceptional cases, particularly whom it was desired to make the punishment more exemplary or when the crime was exceptionally serious. Suetonius (Galba, ix) tells us that Galba did this in the case of a certain criminal for whom he caused to be made a very high cross
painted white — "multo præter cætteras altiorem et dealbatam statui crucem jussit". ...
... Among the Romans the cross never had the symbolical meaning which it had in the ancient Orient; they regarded solely as a material instrument of punishment.
There are in the Old Testament clear allusions to the Cross and Crucifixion of Jesus Christ. Thus the Greek lefter (tau or thau) appears in Ezekiel 9:4, according to St. Jerome and other Fathers, as a solemn symbol of the Cross of Christ — "Mark Thau upon the foreheads of the men that sigh". The only other symbol of crucifixion indicated in the
Old Testament is the brazen serpent in the Book of Numbers (
21:8-9).
Christ Himself thus interpreted the passage: "As Moses lifted up the serpent in the
desert, so must the
Son of man be lifted up" (
John 3:14). The Psalmist predicts the piercing of the hands and the feet (
Psalm 21:17). This was a
true prophecy, inasmuch as it could not be conceived from any custom then existing;
the practice of nailing the condemned to a T-shaped cross being, as we have seen, at that time exclusively Western.
The cross on which Jesus Christ was nailed was of the kind known as immissa, which means that the vertical trunk extended a certain height above the transverse beam; it was thus higher than the crosses of the two thieves, his crime being judged a graver one, according to St. John Chrysostom (Homil. v, c. i., on I Corinth.). The earliest Christian Fathers who speak of the Cross describe it as thus constructed. We gather as much from St. Matthew (27:37), where he tells us that the titulus, or inscription containing the cause of His death, was placed, "over", the head of Jesus Christ (cf. Luke 23:38; John 19:19). St. Irenæus (Adv. Haer., II, xxiv) says that the Cross had five extremities: two in its length, two in its breadth, and the fifth a projection (habitus) in the middle — "Fines et summitates habet quinque, duas in longitudine, duas in latitudine, unam in medio". St. Augustine agrees with him: "Erat latitudo in qua porrectæ sunt manus longitudo a terrâ surgens, in quâ erat corpus infixum; altitudo ab illo divexo ligno sursum quod imminet" (Enarration on Psalm 103; Serm. i, 44) and in other passages quoted by Zöckler (Das Kreuz, 1875, pp. 430, 431).
Nonnus confirms the statement that Jesus Christ was crucified on a quadrilateral cross (). St. Irenæus, in the passage cited above says that the Cross had a fifth extremity, on which the Crucified One was seated.
St. Justin calls it a horn, and compares it to the horn of a rhinoceros (Dialogus cum Tryphone, xci).
Tertullian calls it
sedilus excessus, a projecting seat, or shelf (Ad. Nat., I, xii). This little seat (
equuleus) prevented the weight of the body from completely tearing the nail-pierced hands, and it helped to support the sufferer. It has never been indicated, however, in representations of the Crucifixion. On the Cross of Christ was placed the titulus, as to the wording of which the Four
Evangelists do not agree. St. Matthew (xxvii, 37) gives, "This is
Jesus the King of the
Jews"; St. Mark (xv, 26) "The King of the
Jews"; St. Luke (xxiii, 38), "This is the King of the
Jews"; St. John, an eyewitness (xix, 19), "Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the
Jews". In representations of the Crucifixion there often appears beneath the feet a wooden support (,
suppedaneum); that it ever existed is very
doubtful. The first express mention of it occurs in
Gregory of Tours (De Gloriâ Martyrum, vi).
St. Cyprian, Theodoret, and Rufinus hint at it. ..." -
CATHOLIC ENCYCLOPEDIA: Archaeology of the Cross and Crucifix
The WTS teach that Jesus died on a 'torture stake' [see "What Does the Bible
Really Teach?", page 52 or [
1]] rather than crucified on a "cross".
On what textual, historical, prophetical, typological, medical grounds does the WTS substantiate its claims? [please be specific, cite official sources]
Side Note:
If any Jehovah's Witnesses, choose not to be associated with such
T or
t symbol as the Cross, then this is their choice, but they should know that by simply assaulting this symbol [the Cross], they have left untouched many others which exist in the Wa
tch
Tower and
Trac
t Socie
ty materials [Divine Plan of the Ages, New Creation, etc] and buildings, like the Winged Sun-disk of Thebes, Pyramids, the W-Fingered Hand, Keys, etc.
More than this, the very "torture stake" is also seen within paganism, and
“phallic”, under the
Pole,
May-pole, the
Stella,
Needle,
Pyramid,
Spike,
Yule-Log,
Obelisk and so on. Perhaps they have a
“beam” in their eye on this, while they are attempting to remove the
cross splinter [those who wrongly wear such things] in others.
Yet, none of that would matter so much to us, since even an idol is "nothing" as Paul says, but rather what ought to interest us, is what are the Doctrines that are taught, and are they in harmony with Scripture/Christ Jesus, and that is what is important to us.
If we, who believe Jesus died upon the "cross" are called "fools" for so believing, then let us be "fools" after this manner alone:
1 Corinthians 1:18 KJB - For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.
1 Corinthians 1:27 KJB - But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty;
And prayerfully and hopefully, all may see the love of God that He has for you, and so also I, and desire you to have the Truth, even as it is written.
If people say, "What does it matter?"
Jesus said:
John 17:17 KJB - Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.
John 17:19 KJB - And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth.
For
Error cannot ever sanctify.
Jesus Himself, also went about correcting error and misunderstanding, and I follow after Him.
Matthew 22:29 KJB - Jesus answered and said unto them, Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God.
Mark 12:24 KJB - And Jesus answering said unto them, Do ye not therefore err, because ye know not the scriptures, neither the power of God?
Mark 12:27 KJB - "... ye therefore do greatly err."
etc.
Jesus is very concerned about right answers, in the right attitude, spirit:
Luke 7:43 KJB - Simon answered and said, I suppose that he, to whom he forgave most. And he said unto him, Thou hast rightly judged.
Luke 10:26-28 KJB - [26] He said unto him, What is written in the law? how readest thou? [27] And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself. [28] And he said unto him, Thou hast answered right: this do, and thou shalt live.
Luke 20:21 KJB - And they asked him, saying, Master, we know that thou sayest and teachest rightly, neither acceptest thou the person of any, but teachest the way of God truly:
2 Timothy 2:15 KJB - Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
Jesus said,
John 5:39 KJB - Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.
Psalms 40:7 KJB - Then said I, Lo, I come: in the volume of the book it is written of me,
Hebrews 10:7 KJB - Then said I, Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of me,) to do thy will, O God.
Luke 24:27 KJB - And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself.
John 1:45 KJB - Philip findeth Nathanael, and saith unto him, We have found him, of whom Moses in the law, and the prophets, did write, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.
Acts 28:23 KJB - And when they had appointed him a day, there came many to him into his lodging; to whom he expounded and testified the kingdom of God, persuading them concerning Jesus, both out of the law of Moses, and out of the prophets, from morning till evening.
Acts 3:18 KJB - But those things, which God before had shewed by the mouth of all his prophets, that Christ should suffer, he hath so fulfilled.
The Tree of Life:
The Scriptures declare that though there was the “
tree of life” in the Garden of Eden on earth
[Genesis 2:9, 3:22,24], but later also seen in Heaven
[Ezekiel 47:12; Revelation 2:7, 22:2,14], we can know that though it is a real tree, it but points to the
True Tree – Jesus Christ.
Earth:
Genesis 2:9 KJB - And out of the ground made the LORD God to grow every tree that is pleasant to the sight, and good for food; the tree of life also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of knowledge of good and evil.
Genesis 3:22 KJB - And the LORD God said, Behold, the man is become as one of us, to know good and evil: and now, lest he put forth his hand, and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live for ever:
Genesis 3:24 KJB - So he drove out the man; and he placed at the east of the garden of Eden Cherubims, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to keep the way of the tree of life.
Heaven, and after:
Ezekiel 47:12 KJB And by the river upon the bank thereof, on this side and on that side, shall grow all trees for meat, whose leaf shall not fade, neither shall the fruit thereof be consumed: it shall bring forth new fruit according to his months, because their waters they issued out of the sanctuary: and the fruit thereof shall be for meat, and the leaf thereof for medicine.
Revelation 2:7 KJB - He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.
Revelation 22:2 KJB - In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.
Revelation 22:14 KJB - Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.
The Seed is Christ:
Galatians 3:16 KJB - Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ.
Planted in the soil of the Heart, that it may grow up into a tree after its kind, bearing much fruit to all:
Matthew 13:19 KJB - When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, then cometh the wicked one, and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart. This is he which received seed by the way side.
Where was the Tree of Life planted? In the Garden, even the Heart of man, which God created to be a Garden... where God was to walk, as the Garden outwardly, so the one inwardly [see also Song of Songs [Solomon, etc]] ...
Genesis 2:10 KJB - And a river went out of Eden to water the garden; and from thence it was parted, and became into four heads.
John 4:14 KJB - But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.
[Just as there were 4 in Eden, the number 4 being of menaing 'universal', springing up from within, from Christ, going out unto all the earth from us... bringing life to others in His name.]
Proverbs 11:25 KJB - The liberal soul shall be made fat: and he that watereth shall be watered also himself.
Isaiah 58:11 KJB - And the LORD shall guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in drought, and make fat thy bones: and thou shalt be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters fail not.
Jeremiah 31:12 KJB - Therefore they shall come and sing in the height of Zion, and shall flow together to the goodness of the LORD, for wheat, and for wine, and for oil, and for the young of the flock and of the herd: and their soul shall be as a watered garden; and they shall not sorrow any more at all.
When Man, whom was made of earth/dust, sinned, and tares had been sewn into the earthen heart by Satan and allowed to grow, that afterward outwardly that Tares, thorns and thistles grew.
And as the sin of mankind increases, the whole creation groans and travails, and the other creatures become more diseased and sick? See Hosea 4 and Romans 8:22, etc.
Do we not know that Adam/thus all Mankind in Him was created from the earth, made of the very dust, and placed in a created Garden, given unto Him and He told to “dress” and “keep” it? Mankind was given free will, and He must, by the power of God, Keep that which was entrusted to him by God. Keep out the Tares, that are sewn by Satan, and do not let the seeds of envy, jealousy, pride, etc., develop, but let them never take root! And should anything take root, only the fire of God's Holy Spirit can purge them to their very root...
Genesis 2:15 KJB - And the LORD God took the man, and put him into the garden of Eden to dress it and to keep it.
We must of necessity only allow the True Seed, which is Christ to be planted into the Heart, and by watering, be watered, and allow it to Grow up into that Tree of Life in the Heart, planted by the rivers of water flowing from within, even as from the very Garden of Eden, which sprang upwards, flowing into 4 Heads, 4 being the universal direction, a living witness, and refreshing of Christ Jesus unto all peoples that we come into contact with:
John 4:14 KJB - But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.
Yes, Christ Jesus in you, the Hope of Glory, even that we may grow up into Him, in all things, for the “seed” produces after His Kind:
Ephesians 4:15 KJB - But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:
Genesis 1:11 KJB -And God said, Let the earth bring forth grass, the herb yielding seed, and the fruit tree yielding fruit after his kind, whose seed is in itself, upon the earth: and it was so.
Genesis 1:12 KJB - And the earth brought forth grass, and herb yielding seed after his kind, and the tree yielding fruit, whose seed was in itself, after his kind: and God saw that it was good.
Luke 11:2 KJB - And he said unto them, When ye pray, say, Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, as in heaven, so in earth.
O Man/Woman, know you not, that you are earthen vessels? A Physical Kingdom of Power and Glory to come, a Spiritual Kingdom of Grace already Here...
The True Tree of Life, is Jesus Christ:
John 1:4 KJB - In him was life; and the life was the light of men. John 1:4
John 6:57 KJB - As the living Father hath sent me, and I live by the Father: so he that eateth me, even he shall live by me. [See Genesis 3:22, “... take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live for ever.”]
John 14:6 KJB - Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. John 14:6
Romans 6:23 KJB - For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
2 Timothy 1:1 KJB - Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, according to the promise of life which is in Christ Jesus,
Matthew 7:17 KJB - Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.
Matthew 7:18 KJB - A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.
Luke 6:43 KJB - For a good tree bringeth not forth corrupt fruit; neither doth a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.
Luke 6:44 KJB - For every tree is known by his own fruit. For of thorns men do not gather figs, nor of a bramble bush gather they grapes.
Luke 23:31 KJB - For if they do these things in a green tree, what shall be done in the dry?
Acts 5:30 KJB - The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom ye slew and hanged on a tree.
Acts 10:39 KJB - And we are witnesses of all things which he did both in the land of the Jews, and in Jerusalem; whom they slew and hanged on a tree:
Acts 13:29 KJB - And when they had fulfilled all that was written of him, they took him down from the tree, and laid him in a sepulchre.
Galatians 3:13 KJB - Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:
1 Peter 2:24 KJB - Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.
View attachment 225655
What is the Fruit of the Tree of Life?
Song of Songs [Solomon] KJB - As the apple tree among the trees of the wood, so is my beloved among the sons. I sat down under his shadow with great delight, and his fruit was sweet to my taste.
Genesis 1:11 KJB - And God said, Let the earth bring forth grass, the herb yielding seed, and the fruit tree yielding fruit after his kind, whose seed is in itself, upon the earth: and it was so.
[1] The Fruit of Righteousness:
James 3:18 KJB - And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.
Hebrews 12:11 KJB - Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.
Amos 6:12 KJB - Shall horses run upon the rock? will one plow there with oxen? for ye have turned judgment into gall, and the fruit of righteousness into hemlock:
Philippians 1:11 KJB - Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God.
[2] The Fruit of Thanksgiving:
Hebrews 13:15 KJB - By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.
[3] The Fruit of Holiness:
Romans 6:22 KJB - But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life.
[4-10] The Fruit of the Spirit which is Love [For God is love], which is Christ Jesus, the First Fruits - Joy, Peace, Longsuffering, Gentleness, Goodness, Faith:
Galatians 5:22 KJB - But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
Ephesians 5:9 KJB - (For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth
1 Corinthians 15:23 KJB - But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ's at his coming.
James 3:11 KJB - But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.
[12] The Fruits meet for Repentance:
Matthew 3:8 KJB - Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance:
What are the Leaves of the Tree of Life?
Since Christ Jesus is the True Tree of Life, the Living Word, the words which He speaks, being the written Word, are then the "leaves" [Jeremiah 36:23], even those "leaves" of Healing Medicine, which bring all nations, which have been separated by lands, water, culture, wars, death, etc, then into one fold, one doctrine, one way of life, atonement with God and man:
Psalms 1:3 KJB -And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.
Jeremiah 17:8 KJB - For he shall be as a tree planted by the waters, and that spreadeth out her roots by the river, and shall not see when heat cometh, but her leaf shall be green; and shall not be careful in the year of drought, neither shall cease from yielding fruit.
Ezekiel 47:12 KJB - And by the river upon the bank thereof, on this side and on that side, shall grow all trees for meat, whose leaf shall not fade, neither shall the fruit thereof be consumed: it shall bring forth new fruit according to his months, because their waters they issued out of the sanctuary: and the fruit thereof shall be for meat, and the leaf thereof for medicine.
Revelation 22:2 KJB - In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.
Let us notice that
Acts 3:18, speaks that “
all of his [God's] prophets” foretold that “
Christ should suffer”. This means we ought to be able to go to the Old Testament to see if it speaks of this suffering, and manner by which Jesus would die. We shall then also consider the New Testament texts, which are built upon the foundation of the Old Testament texts.
Deuteronomy 21:22 KJB - And
if a man have committed a sin worthy of death, and
he be to be put to death, and
thou hang him on a tree:
Deuteronomy 21:23 KJB -
His body shall not remain all night upon the tree, but
thou shalt in any wise bury him that day; (for
he that is hanged is accursed of God that thy land be not defiled, which the LORD thy God giveth thee
for an inheritance.
The Hebrew word for “
tree” in
Deuteronomy 21:22,23, is [Hebrew: H6086] “
עֵץ” [transliterated] “
ëtz”
, meaning:
“
Total KJB Occurrences: 334:
wood, 107:
Genesis 6:14, 22:3,6-7 (2),9 (2); Exodus 7:19, 25:5,10,13,23,28, 26:15,26, 27:1,6, 30:1,5, 35:7,24,33, 36:20,31, 37:1, 37:4,10,15,25,28, 38:1; Leviticus 1:6-8 (3),12,17, 3:5, 6:12 (2), 11:32, 14:4,6,49,51-52 (2), 15:12; Numbers 13:20, 19:6, 31:20, 35:18; Deuteronomy 4:28, 10:1,3, 19:5, 28:36,64, 29:11,17; Joshua 9:21,23,27; Judges 6:26; 1 Samuel 6:14; 2 Samuel 6:5, 24:22; 1 Kings 6:15, 18:23 (2),33 (3),38; 2 Kings 6:4, 19:18; 1 Chronicles 21:23, 22:4, 29:2 (2); 2 Chronicles 2:16; Nehemiah 8:4, 10:34, 13:31; Job 41:27; Proverbs 26:20-21 (2); Song of Solomon 3:9 (2); Isaiah 10:15, 30:33, 45:19-20 (2), 60:17; Jeremiah 5:14, 7:18, 28:13, 46:22; Lamentations 5:4,13; Ezekiel 15:3, 20:32, 39:10 (2), 41:16,22 (2); Habakkuk 2:19; Haggai 1:8; Zechariah 12:6
tree, 88
Genesis 1:11-12 (2),29 (2), 2:9 (3),16-17 (2), 3:1,3,6 (2),11-12 (2),17,22,24, 18:4,8, 40:19; Exodus 9:25, 10:5, 15:25; Leviticus 27:30; Deuteronomy 12:2, 19:5, 20:19, 21:22-23 (2), 22:6; Joshua 8:29 (2); Judges 9:10-11 (2); 1 Kings 4:33, 6:23,31-34 (4), 14:23; 2 Kings 3:19, 16:4, 17:10; 2 Chronicles 3:5, 28:4; Esther 2:23; Job 14:7, 19:10, 24:20; Psalms 1:3; Proverbs 3:18, 11:30, 13:12, 15:4; Song of Solomon 2:3 (3); Isaiah 40:20, 44:19 (2),23; Isaiah 56:3, 57:5, 65:22; Jeremiah 2:20, 3:6,13, 10:3, 11:19, 17:8; Ezekiel 6:13, 15:2 (2),6, 17:24 (4), 20:47 (2), 21:10, 31:8, 34:27, 36:30; Joel 2:22; Haggai 2:19
trees, 79
Genesis 3:2,8, 23:17; Exodus 10:15 (2); Leviticus 19:23, 23:40 (2), 26:4; Deuteronomy 16:20-21 (2), 20:19-20 (3), 28:42; Joshua 10:26-27 (3); Judges 9:8-15 (8),48; 2 Samuel 5:11; 1 Kings 4:33, 10:10-12 (7); 2 Kings 3:25; 1 Chronicles 16:33, 22:4; 2 Chronicles 9:10-11 (2); Ezra 3:7; Nehemiah 8:15, 9:25, 10:35,37; Psalms 74:5, 96:12, 104:16, 105:33, 148:9; Ecclesiastes 2:5-6 (2); Song of Solomon 2:3, 4:14; Isaiah 7:2, 10:19, 44:14, 55:12; Jeremiah 7:20; Ezekiel 15:2 (2),6, 17:24, 20:28, 31:4-5 (2),8-9 (3),14-16 (3),18 (2), 47:7; Joel 1:12 (2),19
timber, 23
Exodus 31:5; Leviticus 14:45; 1 Kings 5:6,8 (2),18, 6:10, 15:22; 2 Kings 12:12, 22:6; 1 Chronicles 14:1, 22:14-15 (2); 2 Chronicles 2:8-10 (3),14, 16:6, 34:11; Nehemiah 2:8; Ezekiel 26:12; Habakkuk 2:11; Zechariah 5:4
stick, 9
2 Kings 6:6; Lamentations 4:8; Ezekiel 37:16-17 (4),19 (3)
gallows, 8
Esther 5:14 (2), 6:4, 7:9-10 (2), 8:7, 9:13,25
sticks, 5
Numbers 15:32-33 (2); 1 Kings 17:10,12; Ezekiel 37:20
carpenters, 3
2 Kings 12:11 (2); 1 Chronicles 14:1
staff, 3
2 Samuel 21:19, 23:7; 1 Chronicles 20:5
stock, 2
Jeremiah 2:27, 10:8
stocks, 2
Jeremiah 3:8-9 (2); Hosea 4:12
carpenter, 1
Isaiah 44:12-13 (2)
helve, 1
Deuteronomy 19:5
pine, 1
Nehemiah 8:15
planks, 1
Ezekiel 41:25
stalks, 1
Joshua 2:6”
The “
tree”, as a whole itself, is made up of “
sticks” [Hebrew: H6086, same as the word “
tree” in Deuteronomy 21:22,23 KJB], see
Numbers 15:32,33 KJB:
Numbers 15:32 KJB - And while the children of Israel were in the wilderness, they found a man that gathered sticks upon the sabbath day.
Numbers 15:33 KJB - And they that found him gathering sticks brought him unto Moses and Aaron, and unto all the congregation.
These “
sticks”, or the various parts of the whole “
Tree”, in Scripture, are known as the:
[1] Root/s: [Deuteronomy 29:18; Judges 5:14; 1 Kings 14:15; 2 Kings 19:30; 2 Chronicles 7:20; Job 5:3, 8:17, 14:8, 18:16, 19:28, 28:9, 29:29, 30:4, 31:12; Psalms 52:5, 80:9; Proverbs 12:3,12; Isaiah 5:24, 11:1,10, 14:29,30, 27:6, 37:31, 40:24, 53:2; Jeremiah 1:10, 12:2, 17:8; Ezekiel 17:6,7,9, 31:7; Daniel 4:15,23,26, 7:6, 11:7; Hosea 9:16, 14:5; Amos 2:9; Malachi 4:1; Matthew 3:10, 13:6,21,29; Mark 4:6,17, 11:20; Luke 3:9, 8:13, 17:6; Romans 11:16,17,18, 15:12; 1 Timothy 6:10; Hebrews 12:15; Jude 1:12; Revelation 5:5, 22:16 KJB].
A “root” is that part of the “tree” which is generally “in the earth” [Daniel 4:15,23 KJB], and “beneath” [Job 18:16; Amos 2:9 KJB] or “under” [Ezekiel 17:6 KJB] the soil, or “spreadeth out … by the river” [Jeremiah 17:8 KJB], often “wrapped about the heap … the place of stones” [Job 8:17 KJB].
Any “tree” which was “cut down”, by “the axe” which is “laid unto the root of the trees” [Matthew 3:10; Luke 3:9 KJB] or “plucked up by the roots” [Psalms 52:5; Daniel 7:8; Jude 1:12 KJB], it is “twice dead” [Jude 1:12 KJB], having no hope, it is even as the “second death” [Revelation 2:10, 20:6,14, 21:8 KJB].
[2] Stock/s [Stump, Shoot, Shaft, Stalk/s, Stem]: [Genesis 41:5,22; Exodus 37:17; Leviticus 25:47; Joshua 2:6; 1 Samuel 5:4; Job 14:8; Isaiah 11:1, 40:24, 44:19; Jeremiah 2:27, 3:9, 10:8; Ezekiel 31:14; Daniel 4:15,23,26, Hosea 4:12, 8:7; Acts 13:26; Philippians 3:5 KJB].
As it is written, if a “tree” be cut down, yet not to the root, but to even to the Stump with roots left intact in the earth, it still has hope, “For there is hope of a tree, if it be cut down, that it will sprout again, and that the tender branch thereof will not cease.” [Job 14:7 KJB].
King Nebuchadnezzar [II] of [Neo] Babylon, was “purge[d]” [pruned; John 15:2 KJB] in such a way [Daniel 4:15,23,26 KJB], and was delivered from destruction, and shall be in the Kingdom of Heaven [Daniel 4:1-3,36,37 KJB].
[3] Branch[es] [Bough/s, Rod/s]: [Genesis 30:37,38,39,41, 40:10,12, 49:22; Exodus 4:2,4,17,20, 7:9,10,12,15,17,29,20, 8:5,16,17, 9:23, 10:13, 14:16, 17:5,9, 21:20, 25:31,32,33,35,36, 37:17,18,19,21,22; Leviticus 23:40, 27:32; Numbers 13:23, 17:2,3,5,6,7,8,9,10, 20:8,9,11; Deuteronomy 24:20; Judges 9:48,49; 1 Samuel 14:27,43; 2 Samuel 7:14, 18:9; Nehemiah 8:15; Job 8:6, 9:34, 14:7,9, 15:30,32, 18:16, 21:9, 29:19; Psalms 2:9, 23:4, 74:2, 80:10,11,15, 89:32, 104:12, 110:2, 125:3; Proverbs 10:13, 11:28, 13:24, 14:3, 22:8,15, 23:13,14, 26:3, 29:15; Song of Songs [Solomon] 7:8; Isaiah 4:2, 9:4,14, 10:5,15,24,26,33, 11:1,4, 14:19,29, 16:8, 17:6,9, 18:5, 19:15, 25:5, 27:10,11, 28:27, 30:31, 60:21; Jeremiah 1:11, 10:16, 11:16, 23:5, 33:15, 48:17, 51:19; Lamentations 3:1; Ezekiel 7:10,11, 8:17, 15:2, 17:3,6,7,8,22,23, 19:10,11,12,14, 20:37, 21:10,13, 31:3,5,6,7,8,9,10,12,13,14, 36:8; Daniel 4:12,14,21, 11:7; Hosea 11:6, 14:6; Joel 1:7; Micah 5;1, 6:9, 7:14; Nahum 2:2; Zechariah 3:8, 4;12, 6:12; Malachi 4:1; Matthew 13:32, 21:8, 24:32; Mark 4:32, 11:8, 13:28; Luke 13:19; John 12:13, 15:2,4,5,6; Romans 11:16,17,18,19,21,24; 1 Corinthians 4:21; 2 Corinthians 11:25; Hebrews 9:4; Revelation 2:27, 11:1, 12:5, 19:15 KJB; see also “
barked” [Joel 1:7 KJB]; see also “
beam/s” [Genesis 19:8 [roof]; 1 Kings 6:6,9,36, 7:2,3,12; 2 Kings 6:2,5; 2 Chronicles 3:7; Nehemiah 2:8, 3:3,6; Psalms 104:3; Song of Songs [Solomon] 1:7 KJB]]
[4] Leaf[ves]: [Genesis 3:7, 8:11; Leviticus 26:36; 1 King 6:34; Job 13:25; Psalms 1:3; Isaiah 1:30, 6:13, 34:4, 64:6; Jeremiah 8:13, 17:8, 36:23; Ezekiel 17:9, 41:24, 47:12; Daniel 4:12,14,21; Matthew 21:19, 24:32; Mark 11:13, 13:28; Revelation 22:2 KJB]
[5] Knop/s [Bud[s, ded]]: [Genesis 40:10; Exodus 25:31,33,34,35,36, 37:17,19,20,21,22; Numbers 17:8; 1 Kings 6:18, 7:24; Job 14:9, 38:27; Psalms 132:17; Song of Songs [Solomon] 6:11, 7:12; Isaiah 18:5, 27:6, 55:10, 61:11; Ezekiel 7:10, 16:7, 29:21; Hosea 8:7; Hebrews 9:4 KJB; see also “
lintel” [Amos 9:1; Zephaniah 2:14 KJB]]
[6] Flower/s [Blossom]: [Exodus 25:31,33,34, 37:17,19,20; Leviticus 15:24,33; Numbers 8:4, 17:5; 1 Samuel 2:33; 1 Kings 6:18,29,32,35, 7:26,49; 2 Chronicles 4:5,21; Song of Songs [Solomon] 2:12, 5:13; Job 14:2, 15:33; Psalms 103:15; Isaiah 5:24, 18:5, 27:6, 28:1,4, 35:1,2, 40:6,7,8; Nahum 1:4; Habakkuk 3:17; 1 Corinthians 7:36; James 1:10,11; 1 Peter 1:24 KJB]
[7] Fruit/s: [Genesis 1:11,12,29, 3:2,3,6, 4:3, 30:2, 43:11; Exodus 10:15, 21:22, 22:29, 23:10; Leviticus 19:23,24,25, 23:39, 25:3,15,,16,19,21,22, 26:4,20, 27:30; Numbers 13:20,26,27; Deuteronomy 1:25, 7:13, 11:17, 22:9, 26:2, 28:4,11,18,33,40,42,51,53, 30:9, 33:14; Joshua 5:12; Judges 9:11; 2 Samuel 9:10, 16:1,2; 2 Kings 8:6, 19:19,29,30; Nehemiah 9:25,36, 10:35,37; Job 31:39; Psalms 1:3, 21:10, 72:16, 92:14, 104:13, 105:35, 107:37, 127:3, 132:11; Proverbs 1:31, 8:19, 10:16, 11:30, 12:12,14, 13:2, 18:20,21, 27:18, 31:16,31; Ecclesiastes 2:5; Song of Songs [Solomon] 2:3, 4:13,16, 6:11, 7:13, 8:11,12; Isaiah 3:10, 4:2, 10:12, 13:18, 14:29, 16:9, 27:6,9, 28:4, 33:9, 37:30,31, 40:10,12, 48:32, 57:19, 65:21; Jeremiah 2:7, 6:19, 7:20, 11:16,19, 12:2, 17:8,10, 21:14, 29:5,28, 32:19; Lamentations 2:20, 4:9; Ezekiel 17:8,9,23, 19:12,14, 25:4, 34:27, 36:8,11,30, 47:12; Daniel 4:12,14,21; Hosea 9:16, 10:1,13, 14:8; Joel 2:22; Amos 2:9, 6:12, 7:14, 8:1,2, 9:14; Micah 6:7, 7:1,13; Habakkuk 3:17; Haggai 1:10; Zechariah 8:12; Malachi 1:12, 3:11; Matthew 3:8,10, 7:16,17,18,19,20, 12:33, 13:8,23,26, 21:19,34,41,43, 26:29; Mark 4:7,8,20,28,29, 11:14, 12:2, 14:25; Luke 1:42, 3:8,9, 6:43,44, 8:8,14,15, 12:17,18, 13:6,7,9, 20:10, 22:18; John 4:36, 12:24, 15:2,4,5,8,16; Acts 2:30; Romans 1:13, 6:21,22, 7:4,5, 15:28; 1 Corinthians 9:7; 2 Corinthians 9:10; Galatians 5:22; Ephesians 5:9; Philippians 1:11,22, 4:17; Colossians 1:6; 2 Timothy 2:6; Hebrews 12:11, 13:15; James 3:17,18, 5:7,18; Jude 1:12; Revelation 18:14, 22:2 KJB; see also “
firstfruit/s” [Exodus 23:16,19, 34:22,26; Leviticus 2:12,14, 23:10,17,20; Numbers 18:12, 28:26; Deuteronomy 18:4, 26:10; 2 Kings 4:42; 2 Chronicles 31:5; Nehemiah 10:35,37, 12:44, 13:31; Proverbs 3:9; Jeremiah 2:3; Ezekiel 20:40, 44:30, 48:14; Romans 8:23, 11:16, 16:5; 1 Corinthians 15:20,23, 16:15; James 1:18; Revelation 14:4 KJB]]
[8] Seed/s: [Genesis 1:11,12,29, 3:15, 4:25, 7:3, 9:9, 12:7, 13:15,16, 15:3,5,13,18, 16:10, 17:7,8,9,10, 12,19, 19:32,34, 21:12,13, 22:17,18, 24:7,60, 26:3,4,24, 28:4,13,14, 32:12, 35:12, 38:8,9, 46:6,7, 47:19,23,24, 48:4,11,19; Exodus 16:31, 28:43, 30:21, 32:13, 33:1; Leviticus 11:37,38, 12:2, 15:16,17,18,32, 18:21, 19:19, 20:2,3,4, 21:15,17,21, 22:3,4, 26:16, 27:16,30; Numbers 5:28, 11:7, 14:24, 16:40, 18:19, 20:5, 24:7, 25:13; Deuteronomy 4:37, 10:15, 11:9,10, 14:22, 22:9, 28:38,46,59, 30:6,19, 31:21, 34:4; Joshua 24:3; Ruth 4:12; 1 Samuel 2:20, 8:15, 20:42, 24:21; 2 Samuel 4:8, 7:12, 22:51; 1 Kings 2:33, 11:14,39, 18:32; 2 Kings 5:27, 11:1, 17:20, 25:25; 1 Chronicles 16:13, 17:11; 2 Chronicles 20:7, 22:10; Ezra 2:59, 9:2; Nehemiah 7:61, 9:2,8; Esther 6:13, 9:27,28,31, 10:3; Job 5:25, 21:8, 39:12; Psalms 18:50, 21:10, 22:23,30, 25:13, 37:25,26,28, 69:36, 89:4,29,36, 102:28, 105:6, 106:27, 112:2, 126:6; Proverbs 11:21; Ecclesiastes 11:6; Isaiah 1:4, 5:10, 6:13, 14:20, 17:11, 23:3, 30:23, 41:8, 43:5, 44:3, 45:19,25, 48:19, 53:10, 54:3, 55:10, 57:3,4, 59:21, 61:9. 65:9,23, 66:22; Jeremiah 2:21, 7:15, 22:28,30, 23:8, 29:32, 30:10, 31:27,36,37, 33:22,26, 35:7,9, 36:31, 41:1, 46:27, 49:10; Ezekiel 17:5,13, 20:5, 43:19, 44:22; Daniel 1:3, 2:43, 9:1; Joel 1:17; Amos 9:13; Haggai 2:19; Zechariah 8:12; Malachi 2:3,15; Matthew 13:4,19,20,22,23,24,27,31,32,37,38, 17:20, 22:24; Mark 4:26,27,31, 12:19,20,21,22; Luke 1:55, 8:5,11, 13:19, 17:6, 20:28; John 7:42, 8:33,37; Acts 3:25, 7:5,6, 13:23; Romans 1:3, 4:13,16,18, 9:7,8,29, 11:1; 1 Corinthians 15:38; 2 Corinthians 9:10, 11:22; Galatians 3:16,19,29; 2 Timothy 2:8; Hebrews 2:16, 11:11,18; 1 Peter 1:23; 1 John 3:9; Revelation 12:17 KJB]
Further, it is written, any “
tree” can only bring forth after its “
kind” [Genesis 1:11,12 KJB]:
Matthew 7:17 KJB - Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.
Matthew 7:18 KJB - A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.
Matthew 7:19 KJB - Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.
Matthew 12:33 KJB - Either make the tree good, and his fruit good; or else make the tree corrupt, and his fruit corrupt: for the tree is known by his fruit.
Luke 6:43 KJB - For a good tree bringeth not forth corrupt fruit; neither doth a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.
Paul the Apostle, in the New Testament quotes
Deuteronomy 21:22,23 KJB, in regards to the “
tree” that Jesus was hung upon, when he writes:
Galatians 3:13 KJB - Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:
Peter does the same, recorded by Luke, in reference:
Acts 5:30 - KJB - The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom ye slew and hanged on a tree.
Acts 10:39 - And we are witnesses of all things which he did both in the land of the Jews, and in Jerusalem; whom they slew and hanged on a tree:
1 Peter 2:24 KJB - Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.
Other examples, of others in the Old Testament “
hanged on a tree” are found in
Genesis 40:19; Joshua 8:29; Esther 2:23 KJB.
Now, since it is written, in many places in Scripture, that any “
tree”, including the “
tree”, as Paul writes and cites, upon which Jesus was hung, is not simply made up of a “
root/s”, nor a “
stump”, nor a “
seed/s”, nor a “
flower/s”, nor a “
fruit/s”, nor a “
knop/s”, nor a “
leaf[ves]”, but incorporating them all, then so also includes, the “
branches” which come off of the “
stump” [trunk], and for the cross this is known commonly as the 'transverse' or 'transom' “patibulum”, which Jesus carried, further reading, may be done here, for the historical uses of it -
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Instrument of Jesus%27 crucifixion .
Let us remember, that Jesus said, “Search
the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have
eternal life: and they are
they which testify of me.” [John 5:39 KJB]
Jesus hands were “
stretched out”, on this “
tree”, even to the “
right hand” and to the “
left”:
Psalms 88:9 KJB - Mine eye mourneth by reason of affliction: LORD, I have called daily upon thee, I have stretched out my hands unto thee.
Romans 10:21 KJB - But to Israel he saith, All day long I have stretched forth my hands unto a disobedient and gainsaying people.
Matthew 27:38 KJB - Then were there two thieves crucified with him, one on the right hand, and another on the left.
For it is written of Jesus:
Psalms 22:12 KJB - Many bulls have compassed me: strong bulls of Bashan have beset me round.
Psalms 22:13 KJB - They gaped upon me with their mouths, as a ravening and a roaring lion.
Psalms 22:14 KJB - I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint: my heart is like wax; it is melted in the midst of my bowels.
Psalms 22:15 KJB - My strength is dried up like a potsherd; and my tongue cleaveth to my jaws; and thou hast brought me into the dust of death.
Psalms 22:16 KJB - For dogs have compassed me: the assembly of the wicked have inclosed me: they pierced my hands and my feet.
Psalms 22:17 KJB - I may tell all my bones: they look and stare upon me.
Psalms 22:18 KJB - They part my garments among them, and cast lots upon my vesture.
And further:
Matthew 27:37 KJB - And set up over his head his accusation written, THIS IS JESUS THE KING OF THE JEWS.
For Jesus “
hands” were “
pierced” by the “
nails” [plural], one nail in the right hand, the other in the left, while the accusation, His title, above:
John 20:25 KJB - The other disciples therefore said unto him, We have seen the Lord. But he said unto them, Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe.
Jesus opened his arms wide, as “
far as the east is from the west” in His love, to deliver and save:
Psalms 103:10 KJB - He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities.
Psalms 10:3:11 KJB - For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him.
Psalms 103:12 KJB - As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.
For the Scriptures declare that He would deliver by His “
mighty hand” and “
out stretched arm”.
That Tree of Life:
Deuteronomy 21:23 KJB - His body shall not remain all night upon the tree, but thou shalt in any wise bury him that day; (for he that is hanged [is] accursed of God
that thy land be not defiled, which the LORD thy God giveth thee [for] an inheritance.
Acts 5:30 KJB - The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom ye slew and hanged on a tree.
Acts 10:39 KJB - And we are witnesses of all things which he did both in the land of the Jews, and in Jerusalem; whom they slew and hanged on a tree:
1 Corinthians 2:2 KJB - For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified.
Galatians 2:20 KJB - I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.
Galatians 6:14 KJB - But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.
While the central root "stock" would be a pole-beam, there would also be the cross-beam, the 'Patiblum', which would be the "branches" coming off the root stock, and thus be a "tree" as Paul and others called it.
Even in the
Footnotes of the NWT, they allow for the word
"tree":
"... [Acts 5:20 NWT] The God of our forefathers raised up Jesus, whom you killed, hanging him on a stake.*n ..."; "... *Or “tree.” ..." [1]
"... [Acts 10:39 NWT] And we are witnesses of all the things he did both in the country of the Jews and in Jerusalem; but they did away with him by hanging him on a stake.* ..."; "... *Or “tree.” ..." [1]
"... [Acts 13:29 NWT] And when they had accomplished all the things written about him, they took him down from the stake* and laid him in a tomb.*z ..."; "... *Or “tree.” ..." [1]
"... [1 Peter 2:24 NWT] He himself bore our sinsu in his own body on the stake,*v so that we might die to* sins and live to righteousness. And “by his wounds you were healed.”w ..."; "... *Or “tree.” ..." [1]
Other mentions:
"... [Joshua 8:29 NWT] He hung the king of Aʹi on a stake* until the evening, and as the sun was about to set, Joshua gave the order to take his dead body down from the stake.v Then they pitched it at the entrance of the city gate and raised up a great pile of stones over him, which is there to this day. ..."; "... *Or “tree.” ..." [1]
"... [2 Samuel 18:9,10,14 NWT] 9 Abʹsa·lom eventually found himself facing the servants of David. Abʹsa·lom was riding on a mule, and the mule went under the thick branches of a large tree, and his head got entangled in the big tree, so that he was suspended in midair* while the mule he had been riding kept going.
10 Then someone saw it and told Joʹab:l “Look! I have seen Abʹsa·lom hanging in a big tree.”
14 To this Joʹab said: “I am not going to waste any more time with you!” So he took three spikes* in his hand and drove them through the heart of Abʹsa·lom while he was still alive in the midst of the big tree. ..." [1]
In the
Typology of
2 Samuel 18:9,10,14 KJB, we read of Absalom [the son of David; whose namke means the "Father's peace"] was, because of sin, rebellion against the King, hung upon a tree [by his hair, his glory], and was suspended between Heven and Earth, and struck with three piercings, or as the NWT says,
"three spikes", as large nails, and then in his death buried as wicked.
2 Samuel 18:9 KJB - And Absalom met the servants of David. And Absalom rode upon a mule, and the mule went under the thick boughs of a great oak, and his head caught hold of the oak, and he was taken up between the heaven and the earth; and the mule that was under him went away.
2 Samuel 18:10 KJB - And a certain man saw it, and told Joab, and said, Behold, I saw Absalom hanged in an oak.
2 Samuel 18:14 KJB - Then said Joab, I may not tarry thus with thee. And he took three darts in his hand, and thrust them through the heart of Absalom, while he was yet alive in the midst of the oak.
Just as Jesus, who took our sins upon himself, was hung upon a Tree, the son of David, the Father's peace towards man, suspended between Heaven and Earth, pierced by three nails upon the Cross, then in His death, taken down and buried as with the wicked [Isaiah 53:9 KJB].
View attachment 225655
Jesus also himself said, speaking in another manner:
John 15:1 KJB - I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman.
John 15:5 KJB - I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.
And since Jesus is “
the vine”, it climbs up and supported by wood, and stretches out its tendrils along the trellises.
https://sep.yimg.com/ay/yhst-135559240450413/grape-vine-font-letter-t-3.gif
http://www.baag.com.au/images/pics/grape_spurpruning.jpg
Christ Jesus is the ROD:
Isaiah 11:1 KJB - And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots:
Christ Jesus is the BRANCH:
Isaiah 4:2 KJB - In that day shall the branch of the LORD be beautiful and glorious, and the fruit of the earth shall be excellent and comely for them that are escaped of Israel.
Jeremiah 33:15 KJB - In those days, and at that time, will I cause the Branch of righteousness to grow up unto David; and he shall execute judgment and righteousness in the land.
Zechariah 3:8 KJB - Hear now, O Joshua the high priest, thou, and thy fellows that sit before thee: for they are men wondered at: for, behold, I will bring forth my servant the BRANCH.
Zechariah 6:12 KJB - And speak unto him, saying, Thus speaketh the LORD of hosts, saying, Behold the man whose name is The BRANCH; and he shall grow up out of his place, and he shall build the temple of the LORD:
Jesus Christ is the ROOT:
Revelation 5:5 KJB - And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Juda, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof.
Revelation 22:16 KJB - I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star.
etc.
The Scriptures speak of other “
tree/s of life”, and yet they all point to Jesus Christ:
Wisdom is a Tree of Life:
Proverbs 3:13 KJB - Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding.
Proverbs 3:18 KJB - She is a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her: and happy is every one that retaineth her.
'She' is the feminine, submissive form, that which is under a Head, see 1 Corinthians 11:3 KJB; then see also Philippians 2:1-11 KJB, but does not make Christ Jesus a woman.
According to the text of
Proverbs 8 itself, God was the one who was creating the Heavens and the Earth, and by the Scriptures themselves, we know that
Christ Jesus Himself created all things [Isaiah 45:12; Psalms 95:5; Job 9:8; Jeremiah 10:12; John 1:3; Ephesians 3:9; Colossians 1:16; etc KJB], for it was God by His wisdom [which was always with Him] that they were created.
Proverbs 8:22 KJB - The LORD possessed me in the beginning of his way, before his works of old.
Proverbs 8:23 KJB - I was set up from everlasting, from the beginning, or ever the earth was.
Proverbs 8:24 KJB - When [there were] no depths, I was brought forth; when [there were] no fountains abounding with water.
Proverbs 8:25 KJB - Before the mountains were settled, before the hills was I brought forth:
Proverbs 8:26 KJB - While as yet he had not made the earth, nor the fields, nor the highest part of the dust of the world.
Proverbs 8:27 KJB - When he prepared the heavens, I [was] there: when he set a compass upon the face of the depth:
Proverbs 8:28 KJB - When he established the clouds above: when he strengthened the fountains of the deep:
Proverbs 8:29 KJB - When he gave to the sea his decree, that the waters should not pass his commandment: when he appointed the foundations of the earth:
Proverbs 8:30 KJB - Then I was by him, [as] one brought up [with him]: and I was daily [his] delight, rejoicing always before him;
Yet we know that Christ Jesus is the
“Wisdom of God [the Father]”:
1 Corinthians 1:24 KJB - But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God.
1 Corinthians 1:30 KJB - But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:
Luke 11:49 KJB - Therefore also said the wisdom of God, I will send them prophets and apostles, and some of them they shall slay and persecute:
Therefore, search for “Wisdom”:
Jeremiah 29:13 KJB - And ye shall seek me, and find [me], when ye shall search for me with all your heart.
Jeremiah 29:14 KJB - And I will be found of you, saith the LORD: and I will turn away your captivity, and I will gather you from all the nations, and from all the places whither I have driven you, saith the LORD; and I will bring you again into the place whence I caused you to be carried away captive.
What does it mean “to know Wisdom”:
Proverbs 1:2 KJB - To know wisdom and instruction; to perceive the words of understanding;
John 17:3 KJB - And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.
Proverbs 1:3 KJB - To receive the instruction of wisdom, justice, and judgment, and equity;
Luke 20:1 KJB - And it came to pass, that on one of those days, as he taught the people in the temple, and preached the gospel, the chief priests and the scribes came upon him with the elders,
Psalms 86:11 KJB - Teach me thy way, O LORD; I will walk in thy truth: unite my heart to fear thy name.
John 8:2 KJB - And early in the morning he came again into the temple, and all the people came unto him; and he sat down, and taught them.
Isaiah 28:9 KJB - Whom shall he teach knowledge? and whom shall he make to understand doctrine? them that are weaned from the milk, and drawn from the breasts.
Isaiah 28:6 KJB - For his God doth instruct him to discretion, and doth teach him.
Micah 4:2 KJB - And many nations shall come, and say, Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, and to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for the law shall go forth of Zion, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.
John 6:45 KJB - It is written in the prophets, And they shall be all taught of God. Every man therefore that hath heard, and hath learned of the Father, cometh unto me.
1 Thessalonians 4:9 KJB - But as touching brotherly love ye need not that I write unto you: for ye yourselves are taught of God to love one another.
Psalm 34:8 KJB - O taste and see that the LORD [is] good: blessed [is] the man [that] trusteth in him.
Psalm 34:9 KJB - O fear the LORD, ye his saints: for [there is] no want to them that fear him.
Psalm 34:10 KJB - The young lions do lack, and suffer hunger: but they that seek the LORD shall not want any good [thing].
Psalm 34:11 KJB - Come, ye children, hearken unto me: I will teach you the fear of the LORD.
Psalm 34:12 KJB - What man [is he that] desireth life, [and] loveth [many] days, that he may see good?
Psalm 34:13 KJB - Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from speaking guile.
Psalm 34:14 KJB - Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it.
Psalm 34:15 KJB - The eyes of the LORD [are] upon the righteous, and his ears [are open] unto their cry.
Wisdom in the Heart, Christ in you the Hope of Glory:
Proverbs 2:9 KJB - When wisdom entereth into thine heart, and knowledge is pleasant unto thy soul;
Colossians 1:27 KJB - To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:
What does it mean to “despise Wisdom”:
Proverbs 1:7 KJB - The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.
Psalms 14:1 KJB - [[To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David.]] The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good.
Psalms 53:1 KJB - [[To the chief Musician upon Mahalath, Maschil, A Psalm of David.]] The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. Corrupt are they, and have done abominable iniquity: there is none that doeth good.
It is not so much that they said, “There is no God”, but yet moreso said, “No, God”. For when God said, “I AM”, they said, “No, God”, we are, thus they say “No”, I will not, etc, to God, and also then deny Him in existence as the I AM. When God saith to do this or that, and we say “No, God”, we are in effect denying, yes, even despising, eternal life, and wisdom, etc.
Proverbs 30:9 KJB - Lest I be full, and deny thee, and say, Who is the LORD? or lest I be poor, and steal, and take the name of my God in vain.
Isaiah 53:3 KJB - He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not.
Psalms 22:6 KJB - But I am a worm, and no man; a reproach of men, and despised of the people.
Proverbs 1:20 KJB - They would none of my counsel: they despised all my reproof.
Isaiah 5:24 KJB - Therefore as the fire devoureth the stubble, and the flame consumeth the chaff, so their root shall be as rottenness, and their blossom shall go up as dust: because they have cast away the law of the LORD of hosts, and despised the word of the Holy One of Israel.
The Fruit of the Righteous, is a Tree of Life:
Proverbs 11:30 KJB - The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise.
Hope, when it comes, is a Tree of Life:
Proverbs 13:12 KJB - Hope deferred maketh the heart sick: but when the desire cometh, it is a tree of life.
Whom is our Blessed Hope, event the Desire of all Nations?
Titus 2:13 KJB - Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;
Haggai 2:7 KJB - And I will shake all nations, and the desire of all nations shall come: and I will fill this house with glory, saith the LORD of hosts.
A Wholesome Tongue is a Tree of Life:
Proverbs 15:4 KJB - A wholesome tongue is a tree of life: but perverseness therein is a breach in the spirit.
Wherein is a Wholesome Tongue, but He that speaks the Word?
2 Samuel 23:2 KJB - The Spirit of the LORD spake by me, and his word was in my tongue.
1 Timothy 6:3 KJB - If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness;
John 1:1 KJB - In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
Yet, even of these, they speak of Jesus the Christ, crucified upon the cross.
The plan of Redemption, the Image of God again seen in mankind, the Tree of Life, planted in the Heart, that God may once again Walk in the Garden of the heart of man [a Garden enclosed by the Wall, even that Law of Love], for through sin, we evicted God from the Heart, and He had to evict us from the Garden and from the Tree of Life, but now Christ Jesus has made a way, through Himself, that we may once again be in Atonement with God and man, God with us, yes, God Himself indwelt in us... who can explain it? But what everlasting Joy, what Fruit of Righteousness, what Fruit of Love...
What of the Serpent upon a Pole? Did it have any cross piece or branching? Yes ...
The Hebrew H5251, "נס", "nês", is also used for a "sail" on a Mast of a ship, which is not merely a pole, but a pole with small corssbeams to hold the sails, and top sail, crows nests, etc.:
https://thumbs.dreamstime.com/b/detail-ship-s-mast-greek-flag-32846403.jpg
Isa 33:23 KJB - Thy tacklings are loosed; they could not well strengthen their mast, they could not spread the sail: then is the prey of a great spoil divided; the lame take the prey.
Eze 27:7 KJB - Fine linen with broidered work from Egypt was that which thou spreadest forth to be thy sail; blue and purple from the isles of Elishah was that which covered thee.
It is also used in a "banner", which was an upright pole, with a crosspiece for the ensign:
View attachment 225656
https://www.biblecartoons.co.uk/images/345.jpg
https://i.pinimg.com/736x/96/e8/a7/96e8a76f290c8355b7b7a33543b42d56--israel-flag-bible-knowledge.jpg
standard, 7
Isaiah 49:22, 62:10; Jeremiah 4:6,21; Jeremiah 50:2, 51:12,27
ensign, 6
Isaiah 5:26, 11:10,12, 18:3, 30:17, 31:9
banner, 2
Psalms 60:4; Isaiah 13:2
Just like this:
https://i2.wp.com/craigladams.com/b...ads/2015/03/bronze_serpent_3.jpg?w=1024&ssl=1
https://i.ytimg.com/vi/4juIneRsTj0/maxresdefault.jpg
Link
moses Cross serpent pole picture - Google Search
Numbers 21:8 KJB - And the LORD said unto Moses, Make thee a fiery serpent, and set it upon a pole: and it shall come to pass, that every one that is bitten, when he looketh upon it, shall live.
Numbers 21:9 KJB - And Moses made a serpent of brass, and put it upon a pole, and it came to pass, that if a serpent had bitten any man, when he beheld the serpent of brass, he lived.
The Serpent also represents Christ Jesus, as He bare our sins upn the "tree".
2 Corinthians 5:21 KJB - For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.
1 Peter 2:24 KJB - Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.
Later on the bronze serpent was destroyed:
2 Kings 18:4 KJB - He removed the high places, and brake the images, and cut down the groves, and brake in pieces the brasen serpent that Moses had made: for unto those days the children of Israel did burn incense to it: and he called it Nehushtan.
A Secondary look:
A bit more for our
Jehovah's Witness friends, and also for our
Jewish,
Islamic and even
atheist and
skeptic friends.
A Cross the Scriptures, the Instrument of Suffering:
Jesus and the instrument of suffering.
Jesus, the “
lamb of God” [Genesis 22:8; John 1:29,36; Revelation 5:6, etc KJB] or “
Passover” [1 Corinthians 5:7 KJB] died, even as the one True Sacrifice
[Hebrews, etc], of which all of the shadow/typical/ensamples pointed to
[Colossians 2:17; Hebrews 8:5, 10:1, etc KJB].
While that is the most important thing to consider above all, it is not the only thing to consider, since the Holy Spirit, even the “
another Comforter” [John 14:16 KJB], yes, “
the Spirit of Truth” [James 4:17 KJB], would lead us into all truth
[John 15:26, 16:13 KJB].
A question has been asked by many,
What was the shape of the instrument by which Jesus was Crucified by the Romans?, in other words, was it in the shape of the T[au], t[ee], the 'x', 'y', or was it merely an single upright stake/pole/pallisade, or something else?
While this question is truly secondary to the original and greater reality of Jesus death, and the plan of redemption itself and what it means to God, the Heavenlies and us, there is no reason to consider this question to be invalid, or unworthy of consideration, nor ultimately unimportant, and if to be considered truly and most prayerfully, then what implications or even direct lessons can we learn from the answer to the question, out of/from the Word of God, for everything written is there for a purpose, even for our learning and instruction:
2 Timothy 3:16 KJB - All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
We could begin by citing all manner of facts from history, etc, but let us begin with the Word of God, and then verify through history, since the Bible is the criterion for Truth, and all evidence found cannot disagree with it, since it is written:
John 17:17 KJB - Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.
Psalms 12:6 KJB - The words of the LORD are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times.
Isaiah 8:20 KJB - To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.
Titus 1:2 KJB - “... God, that cannot lie ...”
Hebrews 6:18 KJB - “... impossible for God to lie ...”
Proverbs 8:7 KJB - For my mouth shall speak truth; and wickedness is an abomination to my lips.
1 Peter 2:22 KJB - Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth:
Isaiah 45:19 KJB - I have not spoken in secret, in a dark place of the earth: I said not unto the seed of Jacob, Seek ye me in vain: I the LORD speak righteousness, I declare things that are right.
Yet, it is not enough to simply turn to Scripture and point to one example, and turn from those pages, but we much of necessity “
search the Scriptures” [John 5:39 KJB], and be like the Bereans, which were “
more noble than those in Thessalonica” to see if these “
things were so” [Acts 17:11 KJB], but we must go by the rules of the Bible itself, which is written unto us “
precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little” [Isaiah 28:10,13 KJB], and moreso, must be found in the “
mouth of two or three witnesses” so that every word “
be established” [2 Corinthians 13:1, etc KJB], and so being found in one place of the Prophets, it cannot be found to contradict another, for the spirits of the Prophets are “
subject to the Prophets” [1 Corinthians 14:32 KJB], which are subject to the Law of God, even the Ten Commandments
[Numbers 22:18; Deuteronomy 4:2; Ecclesiastes 12:13,14 KJB].
Let us put away any preconceived ideas, and simply take up the Word of God, even prayerfully, and ask God for the Truth of the matter, for if we are seeking Him, His Will, and His Truth, He will give it freely unto us simply for the asking
[Luke 11:1-13 KJB].
We can know for certain that the Scriptures point us to Christ Jesus, for it is written:
Acts 3:18 KJB - But those things, which God before had shewed by the mouth of all his prophets, that Christ should suffer, he hath so fulfilled.
Let us notice that
Acts 3:18 KJB, speaks that “
all of his [God's]
prophets” foretold that “
Christ should suffer”.
This means we ought to be able to go to the Old Testament to see if it speaks of this suffering, and manner by which Jesus would die.
We shall then also consider the New Testament texts, which are built upon the foundation of the Old Testament texts.
Some have said:
"As for death resulting from being nailed up, the most popular thought is that the Messiah would die of suffocation/asphyxiation..."
However, the Scripture says nothing about Christ dying of "suffocation/asphyxiation", but rather it expresses He died of a great sorrow of heart, and separation, because of our sin, from the Father and Holy Spirit.
Therefore, without in any way saying that any given scientific articles about crucifixion in general is bad, but that the apriori that Christ must have died in that manner is incorrect, and thus, while the science is fine in its specific demonstration, it fails to address the Scriptures in what they themselves portray. We are not dealing in "popular" belief, but rather – Truth.
Matthew 27:45 KJB - Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land unto the ninth hour.
Matthew 27:46 KJB - And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?
Mark 15:33 KJB - And when the sixth hour was come, there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour.
Mark 15:34 KJB - And at the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani? which is, being interpreted, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?
This is citing Psalms 22 KJB, to which Jesus directed us:
Psalm 22:1 KJB - [[To the chief Musician upon Aijeleth Shahar, A Psalm of David.]] My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? [why art thou so] far from helping me, [and from] the words of my roaring?
Psalm 22:2 KJB - O my God, I cry in the daytime, but thou hearest not; and in the night season, and am not silent.
Psalm 22:24 KJB - For he hath not despised nor abhorred the affliction of the afflicted; neither hath he hid his face from him; but when he cried unto him, he heard. etc.
Therefore, all the science which declares a man may indeed suffocate in such a manner being upraised, accurate in its details as may be as demonstrated, is not the Scriptural account at all. Notice where the weight of the sin of the world, already begun to come upon Christ Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane.
Isaiah 53:4 KJB - Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.
Matthew 26:38 KJB - Then saith he unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye here, and watch with me.
Mark 14:34 KJB - And saith unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful unto death: tarry ye here, and watch.
Luke 22:44 KJB - And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground.
Notice please, that Jesus was not suffocating, and dying for lack of breath, for He cries out loud so the whole country side could hear him, even after many hours [3rd hour to 9th hour, about 9 AM to 3 PM, time of the morning and evening sacrifices] upon the Cross, and spoke clearly many times during the events.
This would not be possible if dying for breath and suffocation, and I am sure the same science which has been so kindly demonstrated would reveal this clearly if sought after more deeply:
Psalm 22:1 KJB - [[To the chief Musician upon Aijeleth Shahar, A Psalm of David.]] My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? [why art thou so] far from helping me, [and from] the words of my roaring?
Psalm 22:2 KJB - O my God, I cry in the daytime, but thou hearest not; and in the night season, and am not silent.
Psalm 22:24 KJB - For he hath not despised nor abhorred the affliction of the afflicted; neither hath he hid his face from him; but when he cried unto him, he heard.
Matthew 27:45 KJB - Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land unto the ninth hour.
Matthew 27:46 KJB - And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?
Matthew 27:47 KJB - Some of them that stood there, when they heard [that], said, This [man] calleth for Elias.
Matthew 27:50 KJB - Jesus, when he had cried again with a loud voice, yielded up the ghost.
Mark 15:33 KJB - And when the sixth hour was come, there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour.
Mark 15:34 KJB - And at the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani? which is, being interpreted, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?
Mark 15:35 KJB - And some of them that stood by, when they heard [it], said, Behold, he calleth Elias.
Mark 15:37 KJB - And Jesus cried with a loud voice, and gave up the ghost.
Luke 23:43 KJB - And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.
Luke 23:46 KJB - And when Jesus had cried with a loud voice, he said, Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit: and having said thus, he gave up the ghost.
John 19:26 KJB - When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple standing by, whom he loved, he saith unto his mother, Woman, behold thy son!
John 19:27 KJB - Then saith he to the disciple, Behold thy mother! And from that hour that disciple took her unto his own [home].
John 19:28 KJB - After this, Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the scripture might be fulfilled, saith, I thirst.
John 19:29 KJB - Now there was set a vessel full of vinegar: and they filled a spunge with vinegar, and put [it] upon hyssop, and put [it] to his mouth.
John 19:30 KJB - When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost.
Yet, some may digress and attempt to shift the topic to a "pagan" idea:
Yet, we would still need to ascertain what
the actual shape of the instrument of torture and death that Christ Jesus was "hanged" upon whether paganism used such a symbol or not.
Further, the Bible Society itself, along with Mr. Russell were associated with the symbol of the '
cross and crown', a verified symbol of the secret orders and other such things [which include even people of the occult, like citing Johannes Greber]:
Source -
http://www.jwfacts.com/images/wt_cover_knights_templar.gif
We can see the
"Cross" there, and elsewhere, even amidst the Word
"WATCH TOWER" itself, since it caries two
"T[aus]" in it.
Therefore, when such is brought up, ask them to please remain focused upon the topic of the subject, and not to become side-tracked with other things.
[1] The Sanctuary, the Pattern/Type given by God, reveals the Cross itself, let us take a look.
[It was] therefore necessary that the patterns of things in the heavens should be purified with these; but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these. Hebrews 9:23
The
"earthly" tabernacle,
"the tupos", the type or plan, being
"patterned" after the
"heavenly":
Our fathers had the tabernacle of witness the wilderness, as he had appointed, speaking unto Moses, that he should make it according to the fashion that he had seen. Acts 7:44
And thou shalt rear up the tabernacle according to the fashion thereof which was shewed thee in the mount. Exodus 26:30
… is they, tabernacle in the wilderness, and that which went with it, were merely the
"patterns of things in the heavens", which could not truly be
"purified" with those typological sacrifices ...
Notice it says in the Holy Scriptures, the Heavenly Sanctuary, the True Tabernacle, "
which the Lord pitched and not man",
"the heavenly things themselves", could and must be
"purified" with
"better sacrifices" than the typological/shadowy ones …
Exodus 25:9 KJB -According to all that I shew thee, [after] the pattern of the tabernacle, and the pattern of all the instruments thereof, even so shall ye make [it].
Exodus 25:40 KJB - And look that thou make [them] after their pattern, which was shewed thee in the mount.
Numbers 8:4 KJB - And this work of the candlestick [was of] beaten gold, unto the sh^ft thereof, unto the flowers thereof, [was] beaten work: according unto the pattern which the LORD had shewed Moses, so he made the candlestick.
1 Chronicles 28:19 KJB - All [this, said David], the LORD made me understand in writing by [his] hand upon me, [even] all the works of this pattern.
Ephesians 1:20 KJB - Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set [him] at his own right hand in the heavenly [places],
Hebrews 8:1 KJB - Now of the things which we have spoken [this is] the sum: We have such an high priest, who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens;
Hebrews 8:2 KJB - A minister of the sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, and not man.
Hebrews 8:5 KJB - Who serve unto the example and shadow of heavenly things, as Moses was admonished of God when he was about to make the tabernacle: for, See, saith he, [that] thou make all things according to the pattern shewed to thee in the mount.
Hebrews 9:11;p KJB - “But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands ...”
Hebrews 9:24 KJB - For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, [which are] the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us:
Tupos = type, pattern. Strong's G5179 -
https://www.blueletterbible.org/lang...gs=G5179&t=KJB
See Romans 5:14 KJB, Adam was the "figure" of Him who was to come.
See 1 Corinthians 10:6,11 KJB "ensample/s" is the tupos, of that which we are to learn from, the "pattern".
Skia = shadow, not the substance. Strong's G4639 -
https://www.blueletterbible.org/lang...gs=G4639&t=KJB
See Colossians 2:17 KJB, shadow of the types, see Hebrews 10:1 KJB
See Hebrews 8:5 KJB, earthly priests and High Priests, but a type pointing to Christ Jesus own Priesthood and High Priesthood
See Hebrews 10:1 KJB, shadow of the types, see Colossians 2:17 KJB
AntiTupos = antitype, reality which is greater than the type/shadow. Strong's G499 -
https://www.blueletterbible.org/lang...ngs=G499&t=KJB
See Hebrews 9:24 KJB: “For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, [which are] the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us:"
see also 1 Peter 3:21 KJB.
Let us now establish the pattern/type and reality/antitype:
"...even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us..." 1 Corinthians 5:7;p KJB
John the Baptist understood the type/reality, that Jesus was the Anti-typical [fulfillment/reality, that which is the substance, casting the shadow, not the shadow itself],
"...Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God..." John 1:29;p KJB and
"And looking upon Jesus as he walked, he saith, Behold the Lamb of God" John 1:36 KJB
Since the scripture is clear that Jesus is the
"Lamb of God", and that Christ Jesus is our
"Passover", it is clear that the Passover must of necessity be sacrificed upon the 14th day after trhe New Moon of Abib/Nisan:
Exodus 12:11 KJB - And thus shall ye eat it; [with] your loins girded, your shoes on your feet, and your staff in your hand; and ye shall eat it in haste: it [is] the LORD'S passover.
Exodus 12:21 KJB - Then Moses called for all the elders of Israel, and said unto them, Draw out and take you a lamb according to your families, and kill the passover.
Exodus 12:27 KJB - That ye shall say, It [is] the sacrifice of the LORD'S passover, who passed over the houses of the children of Israel in Egypt, when he smote the Egyptians, and delivered our houses. And the people bowed the head and worshipped.
Leviticus 23:5 KJB- In the fourteenth [day] of the first month at even [is] the LORD'S passover.
This, should be enough to establish that Jesus,
"our passover" was to be killed upon the 14th of Aviv/Nisan, though there is of course many more substantiating texts
[Numbers 9:5, 28:16, etc KJB], see also
Joshua 5:10 KJB, where they obeyed this ordinance:
Joshua 5:10 KJB - And the children of Israel encamped in Gilgal, and kept the passover on the fourteenth day of the month at even in the plains of Jericho.
If Jesus is not the fulfillment of the tupos/type, he being the Anti-type/reality/substance, what then is the point of John pointing to Him and saying that He is the
"Lamb of God", or to Paul saying
"Christ our Passover"? There of course would be no point in them doing so, if the original type did not actually exist to point to the anti-type.
What day then immediately followed the 14th of the Passover? It was the first Day of the feast of Unleavened Bread, which took place always upon the 15th day following the New Moon of the month Abib/Nisan:
Leviticus 23:6 KJB - And on the fifteenth day of the same month [is] the feast of unleavened bread unto the LORD: seven days ye must eat unleavened bread.
This was the tupos or type. Unleavened is to be without sin, since this leaven was pointing to sin. Christ Jesus died without sin and was so buried, for unleavened bread was also eaten on the Passover day previous.
This first day of the feast of Unleavened Bread was a seasonal feast sabbath, where
"no servile work" could be done:
Leviticus 23:7 KJB - In the first day ye shall have an holy convocation: ye shall do no servile work therein.
...this is seen in
Joshua 5:11 KJB, even as the obeyed the ordinances:
Joshua 5:11 KJB - And they did eat of the old corn of the land on the morrow after the passover, unleavened cakes, and parched [corn] in the selfsame day.
The day which immediately followed this first day of unleavened bread, was the wavesheaf/firstfruits offering:
Leviticus 23;10 KJB - Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, When ye be come into the land which I give unto you, and shall reap the harvest thereof, then ye shall bring a sheaf of the firstfruits of your harvest unto the priest:
Leviticus 23:11 KJB - And he shall wave the sheaf before the LORD, to be accepted for you: on the morrow after the sabbath the priest shall wave it.
Leviticus 23:12 KJB - And ye shall offer that day when ye wave the sheaf an he lamb without blemish of the first year for a burnt offering unto the LORD.
...we see what God was doing even as we go back to
Joshua 5 KJB, even the day which followed immediately after the first day of the feast of Unleavened bread:
Joshua 5:12 KJB - And the manna ceased on the morrow after they had eaten of the old corn of the land; neither had the children of Israel manna any more; but they did eat of the fruit of the land of Canaan that year.
Thus from scripture we have so far:
14th Abib/Nisan = Passover
15th Abib/Nisan = First day of the feast of unleavened bread, seasonal feast sabbath, no servile work
16th Abib/Nisan = Firstfruits/Wavesheaf offering
Three consecutive days.
The First fruits is the type/tupos of the Resurrection, being a first part of the great harvest which belongs unto the Lord.
If Christ Jesus was dead for the whole day of the Firstfruits, no matter the chronology, then He is not the fulfillment of the Firstfruits, and we are now stuck with broken scripture, for scripture says of Christ Jesus:
1 Corinthians 15:20 KJB - But now is Christ risen from the dead, [and] become the firstfruits of them that slept.
1 Corinthians 15:23 KJB - But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits afterward they that are Christ's at his coming.
The Great harvest comes later.
Christ Jesus could not become the "Firstfruits" until Resurrected.
And we may follow this into Pentecost, and further using the Pentatuech, Psalms and Acts, Hebrews and Revelation. If any are interested, we may see this evidence later when requested.
Therefore, without having to demonstrate all, as it would be entirely too lengthy for this study, I will jump ahead to the Day of Atonement found in
Leviticus 16 and
23,
Daniel and
Revelation.
In the Day of Atonement, there was to be an entirely different atonement than found in
Leviticus 4. There are multiple atonements, as we may see later, but for the moment, let us consider just the Day of Atonement itself.
The sinner throughout the year, if he committed any sin, could come with a sacrifice [generally] and have those sins confessed over the substitute, slay it, and then the blood was carried into further work into the sanctuary.
The sinner was 'forgiven' and free to go, but his sins remained 'stored' in the blood which was then taken into the Sanctuary.
Once a year there was a total cleansing process where all sin was completely removed. Notice that the sins from the sinner were forgiven beforehand, but not totally removed from the sanctuary until this time.
The peoples who sins were 'stored' in the sanctuary could still be cut off of Israel at this time, see Leviticus 16. Now is the Day of Atonement, by Scripture, and Prophecy, see
Revelation 14:6-12 to begin with, for “the hour of his Judgment is come”, while the Everlasting Gospel goes forward to the whole earth in the last days.
However, moving back into this pattern of the Sanctuary, the very places of the Sanctuary itself, demonstrate the pattern of Jesus suffering and sacrifice.
Beginning at the outer court, we have the Altar of Burnt Offering. Moving from there, we come to the Laver of Blood/Water. From thence in the outer court, we move through the veil into the Holy Place of the Sanctuary, and immediately to our right hand is the Table of Shew Bread, and to our left is then the 7 Branch Golden Candlestick, and ahead of us is the Altar of Incense. Moving past these, through the second veil, into the Most Holy Place, we come to the Ark of the Covenant and the Law of God therein. These are in the Pattern of the Cross itself. In each place, Christ Jesus received a wound.
[1] Altar of Burnt Offering – Jesus was pierced in the Feet, by a nail.
[2] Laver of Blood Water – Jesus was pierced in His Side, by a spear, out then came blood and water.
[3] Table of Shew Bread – Jesus was pierced in the Right Hand, by a nail.
[4] 7 Branch Golden Candlestick – Jesus was pierced in the Left Hand, by a nail.
[5] Altar of Incense – Jesus died of a Broken Heart, wounded by the sin/s of mankind.
[6] Ark of the Covenant – Jesus was pierced in the Head, by the Crown of Thorns He wore.
Image Source:
http://www.lightministries.com/SDA/6a8b2bf0.jpg
Image Source:
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-y6wnmN6pkj.../Sanctuary.jpg
There is much, much more in this Pattern given of God, yes, even the whole plan of Salvation/Redemption, and for that, I will recommend presently for further study, Ivor Myers Blueprint, and more later if needed:
Jesus was raised in “
flesh and bones” [Luke 24:39 KJB], and forever, that is eternally, will carry those wounds with Him, evidence of the Love of God, of what He did, by becoming man, for us. In that day, when we are all with Him, there will be some who have yet never heard of His great sacrifice for them, and they will ask, and He will tell:
Zechariah 13:6 KJB - And one shall say unto him, What are these wounds in thine hands? Then he shall answer, Those with which I was wounded in the house of my friends.
Yet, there is so much more evidence to demonstrate that Jesus will ever carry those wounds. More may be shared at a latter period, if needful, but let us continue with the Cross, the very pattern given by God, throughout the Scriptures.
Here is a stand alone Prophecy:
Let us now turn quickly to Prophecy, and see the Pattern again:
Isaiah 28:16,17 KJB.
Isaiah 28:16 KJB - Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD, Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner [stone], a sure foundation: he that believeth shall not make haste.
Isaiah 28:17 KJB - Judgment also will I lay to the line, and righteousness to the plummet: and the hail shall sweep away the refuge of lies, and the waters shall overflow the hiding place.
Can any not see
Christ Jesus in
vs 16 [compare to Romans 9:33; 1 Corinthians 3:11; Ephesians 2:20; 1 Peter 2:8, etc KJB],
but what more in vs 17!
Judgment also will I lay to the line... What is a line?, it is a measuring tool upon the horizontal... as far as the east is from the west; eternal in either direction, relationship of man to man, straight
*******
and righteousness to the plummet... What is a plummet?, it is a measuring tool upon the vertical, binding Heaven and earth together [
Genesis 1:1, vav, aleph, tav]; from highest to lowest, relationship of man to God, straight
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
And both together...
*******
*******
*******
*******
*******
*******
*******
The Justice and Righteousness of God, the very Love of God, meet there, forever demonstrated before all the universe... the truest standard of measurement, the perfect 'meter' - God' love, God is love....
In fact, the Cross, is a Throne. Jesus is Crowned King of the Jews. He has them which are on his right and left. There is also a seat placed upon it also.
There is more, much more, let us look and see, even in the very lives of the Patriarchs themselves...
Moses and Joshua, Aaron and Hur; Exodus 17.
Exodus 17:9 KJB - And Moses said unto Joshua, Choose us out men, and go out, fight with Amalek: to morrow I will stand on the top of the hill with the rod of God in mine hand.
Exodus 17:10 KJB - So Joshua did as Moses had said to him, and fought with Amalek: and Moses, Aaron, and Hur went up to the top of the hill.
Exodus 17:11 KJB - And it came to pass, when Moses held up his hand, that Israel prevailed: and when he let down his hand, Amalek prevailed.
Exodus 17:12 KJB - But Moses' hands were heavy; and they took a stone, and put it under him, and he sat thereon; and Aaron and Hur stayed up his hands, the one on the one side, and the other on the other side; and his hands were steady until the going down of the sun.
Exodus 17:13 KJB - And Joshua discomfited Amalek and his people with the edge of the sword.
Moses, representing Jesus as deliverer, goes atop a hill, where all may see him
[Exodus 17:9 KJB].
Moses, representing Jesus as deliverer, has two persons beside him, one on the Right, the other on the Left
[Exodus 17:12 KJB].
Moses, representing Jesus as deliverer, was victorious for his people, so long as his hands remained outstretched and steady, until the going down of the sun
[Exodus 17:12 KJB].
Jesus, whose arms and hands were each outstretched, with a “
nail” [“as a nail in a sure place”; Isaiah 22:23,25 KJB] in each hand, thus plural
"nails", whose “
bones were out of joint”, even “
as far as the east is from the west”, that they could not move, were steady, yes even till the going down of the sun
[the “ninth hour”; approx 3 PM] on the preparation day, just before the 7th Day Sabbath of the Lord God and feast sabbath began together, his victory assured, memorialized forever. Just as Joshua was victorious, this Joshua was too, over the real enemies of God, delivering the people with “
mighty hand” and “
outstretched arm”.
Such a great sacrifice that God has made, for us, to deliver us from the power of sin, satan and self.
Samson; Judges 16. -
https://www.blueletterbible.org/Bibl...Jdg&c=16&t=KJB
Just as Samson, representing Jesus as deliverer, was born specially, by promise from God, to a woman which could not bare, and he was to be filled with the Holy Ghost, and to be dedicated to the Lord from birth to death, and to be deliverer of the people
[Judges 13 KJB].
Jesus, a holy child, was born of the virgin Mary, by Holy Ghost, to be dedicated to the Lord forever
[Luke 1:35; Acts 4:27,30 KJB], and to be the Saviour and deliverer of all people, who would accept the sacrifice
[Matthew 1:21; Acts 13:23; Romans 11:26, etc KJB].
Just as Samson, representing Jesus as deliverer, was attempted to be taken many times by his enemies, but could not be until betrayed by a woman [harlot] he loved, for silver
[Judges 16:5,18; KJB even as the type of Christ, Joseph was sold/betrayed by Juda for silver [Genesis 37:27,28 KJB]], into the hands of his enemies as a slave, even though he had “
shewed [her] all his heart” [Judges 16:18 KJB].
Jesus, also could not be taken, until his appropriate time
[Daniel 9:24-27 KJB, in the Year AD 31, in the First Month, Abib/Nisan, on the 14th Day of the Month, being the 6th Day of the week [aka Friday, preparation day], dying at the 9th hour [roughly 3 PM, the time of the evening Sacrifice], to enter into the 7th Day the Sabbath rest of Creation/Redemption] betrayed by a woman
[the harlot Church, physical Israel, even at the hands of Judas], for silver [
Zechariah 11:12,13; Matthew 26:15, 27:3 KJB], into the hands of the enemy, for the price of a slave
[Matthew 27:9 KJB], even though God had revealed all His heart in Christ Jesus to the world.
Just as Samson, representing Jesus as deliverer, carried “
the bar” of the “
gate” [the place of judgment], even the great weight, across his “
shoulders”, up to the top of a “
hill” [Judges 16:3 KJB].
Jesus, also carried the cross
[John 19:17 KJB], after a manner
[Simon of Cyrene, being an example for us, to take up that Cross and bear it for Jesus; Matthew 16:24; Mark 8:34; Luke 9:23 KJB], up to the hill of Golgotha
[Matthew 27:33; Mark 15:22; John 19:17 KJB], the place of the Skull
[the very place of the mind/heart of man; even Calvary; Luke 23:33 KJB], bearing the weight of the not merely the cross, but the sins of the whole world
[Isaiah 63:9 KJB], the government and judgment should be upon his shoulders
[Isaiah 9:6, 22:22 KJB].
Just as Samson, representing Jesus as deliverer, was blinded
[Judges 16:21 KJB], that he could not see, and was ill-treated and mocked of his enemies
[Judges 16:25 KJB], the LORD being departing from him
[Judges 16:20 KJB].
Just as Samson, representing Jesus as deliverer, then in the last moments of his life, was taken out, placed between two pillars
[Judges 16:25 KJB] and leaned upon them with his hands outstretched, to the right and to the left
[Judges 16:29 KJB], east and west, praying
[Judges 16:28 KJB], and dying with the enemies
[Judges 16:30 KJB], destroyed the Temple
[Judges 16:30 KJB], slaying his enemies more in his death, than in his life.
Jesus, also then was placed between two persons, one of the Right hand, the other on the left
[Matthew 27:38; Mark 15:27; Luke 23:33; John 19:18 KJB]. Jesus said that He would destroy the Temple
[John 2:19 KJB], by which he slays in/by his death the enmity between God and mankind
[Genesis 3:15; Ephesians 2;16, etc KJB], forever magnifying the Law of God, making it honourable
[Isaiah 42:21 KJB], demonstrating its eternality. His hands and arms outstretched, with a “
nail” [“as a nail in a sure place”; Isaiah 22:23,25 KJB; thus plural "nails"] in each hand, whose “
bones were out of joint”, even “
as far as the east is from the west” to save and deliver, even unto a gainsaying people.
There are many other examples, in type. I will recommend a book which covers a lot of them
[Shadows of Light; Seeing Jesus In All The Bible; by Pastor Doug Batchelor] -
Shadows of Light
There are many historical evidences which reveal that Jesus died not merely upon a 'stake', but truly a stake with a cross beam, for even the sources which the Watch Tower and Tract society uses, demonstrates this.
For example, the
Watch Tower and Tract Society,
cites Justus Lipsius' work “De Cruce Liber Primus” [
1] and cite* merely one small section of the work, pointing to a possible type of crucifixion that was historically known, this being the Crux Simplex, Page 19, seen here -
http://brooklyn.org.pl/00000003.gif or here -
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/47/Justus_Lipsius_Crux_Simplex_1629.jpg , which is also seen in a more modern rendition, in the WTS material “
What does the Bible really Teach?”, Page 52 [to which I had been given a copy of from a Jehovah's Witness, whom I knew briefly,and fully read], and also may be seen here -
http://download.jw.org/files/media_books/97/bh_E.pdf
Yet
Justus Lipsius work cites many types of crucifixions, that were historically known and used, not simply the one pointed out by the WTS, and
he also
does not point to the Crux Simplex as the one Jesus was crucified upon, but rather to another, being one with a cross beam, as may be seen here [Begin on Scanned Pages 1157-1234] -
Opera omnia, postremum ab ipso aucta et recensita, nunc primum ..., Volume 3
- Specifically see Pages:
Page 1174 -
Opera omnia, postremum ab ipso aucta et recensita, nunc primum ..., Volume 3
Page 1176 -
Opera omnia, postremum ab ipso aucta et recensita, nunc primum ..., Volume 3
Page 1177 -
Opera omnia, postremum ab ipso aucta et recensita, nunc primum ..., Volume 3
Page 1179 -
Opera omnia, postremum ab ipso aucta et recensita, nunc primum ..., Volume 3
Page 1182 -
Opera omnia, postremum ab ipso aucta et recensita, nunc primum ..., Volume 3
Page 1203 -
Opera omnia, postremum ab ipso aucta et recensita, nunc primum ..., Volume 3
Page 1216 -
Opera omnia, postremum ab ipso aucta et recensita, nunc primum ..., Volume 3
Page 1218 -
Opera omnia, postremum ab ipso aucta et recensita, nunc primum ..., Volume 3
Page 1220 -
Opera omnia, postremum ab ipso aucta et recensita, nunc primum ..., Volume 3
Page 1222 -
Opera omnia, postremum ab ipso aucta et recensita, nunc primum ..., Volume 3
Page 1223 -
Opera omnia, postremum ab ipso aucta et recensita, nunc primum ..., Volume 3
* “... the Watchtower's 1985 Kingdom Interlinear Translation, of which the above woodcut is shown as an illustration:
"`Cross'" is only a later meaning of crux. A single stake for impalement of a criminal was called in Latin crux simplex. One such instrument of torture is illustrated by Justus Lipsius (1547-1606) in his book De cruce libri tres, Antwerp, 1629, p. 19, which we here present. ... Crux simplex illustrated."” -
[1]
[and for more on that work, see here] -
Jesus is Jehovah!: Justus Lipsius' De Cruce Liber Tres
Looking at the Scriptural evidences again, we can see that the very word “
tree” in
Deuteronomy 21:22,23 KJB, as cited before, and requoted in the New Testament by
Luke, Paul [Acts 5:30, 10:39, 13:29; Galatians 3:13, etc KJB], and Peter
[1 Peter 2:24 KJB], does indeed refer to “
tree”, as we find the same word used in
Genesis 1:11 KJB.
This is the first time that this word is used, and the first use, in Scripture, generally defines the meaning. In the word secondary uses, it also can mean that “wood”, or “sticks”, etc which come from the “tree”, and we can know also, from the very fact that in the beginning, there was no items separate from trees like lumber, for there was no need, in the Garden of Eden.
Therefore, anything which came from the “tree” is simply derivative of it. The last use in the Scripture of the Greek equivalent, also refers to a literal “tree”, even the “tree of life”, again found in the Garden. This is one of the principles of Scripture. First and Last usages, even the Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and the Ending...
The “tree of life” in the Beginning, the “tree of life” in the ending, and the “tree” of “Life” in the center, the Cross of Jesus and Him Crucified, spreading its saving shadow and cover, from the heat and fiery fury of the wrath of God to come.
Even the Commandments of God dealing with the Vertical and Horizontal relationships, God to Man or Man to God, and the other Man to Man. In transgression of His Holy Law, mankind not only became separated from God, they also became disunified from one another.
Moses [an Hebrew [
Exodus 2:11 KJB], of the tribe of Levi, not Judah;
Exodus 2:1;
1 Chronicles 23:14 KJB] wrote
the very words of
Genesis 1:1-31, 2:1-4 [etc.], and more specificially that of
Genesis 1:1, and 2:4, yes/no?
Moses, inspired of God [
2 Peter 1:21 KJB], wrote the name of God, in
Genesis 2:4, as "
יהוה" [trans. lit. YHVH], and in
Genesis 1:1, the words used were "
אלהים את ...
ואת", yes/no?
Therefore, the question is concerned with the specific words, in either ancient Hebrew pictograph and/or modern Hebrew script. For instance, both the Mesha Stele [for the YHVH] -
link, and the Gezer Calendar [for some ancient script] -
link, and so, consider the ancient paleo Hebrew script here -
link
Thus, I am interested in the specific words themselves.
For instance, the name of God, given to Moses, "
יהוה" [trans. lit. YHVH], given some 6528 times in the OT, in paleo Hebrew is:
http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-s3F4A924J...As4/PFmArO3vXx0/s1600/YHWH_Picto-Hebrew_2.jpg
which can mean,
"Behold", "the hand", Behold", "the nail [print]", see
John 20:27 KJB:
It can also mean a covenant between two, by sacrifice/piercing.
Even more than this, the words in
Genesis 1:1, Hebrew - בראשׁית ברא
אלהים את השׁמים
ואת הארץ׃, reveal two untranslated words, the Aleph, Tau, and the Vau, Aleph, Tau, which is the nail piercing the sacrifice to the cross, in Paleo Hebrew, the very "sign" suspended between the words
"Heaven" and
"Earth":
See for yourself -
Alpha [sacrifice], Tau [Cross], Vau [pierced by the Nail] between Heaven and Earth
http://www.hebrew4christians.com/Grammar/Unit_One/Pictograms/pictograms.html
https://pastorarhonda.files.wordpress.com/2014/03/aleph-tav.png
Yeshua and the Hebrew Alphabet
It is WRIT LARGE for all the universe to see and understand, for those who love the Truth.
Jesus said, "Search
the scriptures; for
in them ye think ye have
eternal life: and
they are
they which testify about
me." [
John 5:39 KJB] [This statement by Jesus, is easily tested, and shown to be absolutely true, from beginning to end, my next questions will concern these things.]
Please let me know, thank you.
