The Sons of God and The Daughters of Men

November 13, 2023

In the sixth chapter of the book of Genesis do we read about the sons of God marrying the daughters of men, and how giants were birthed as a result of these mixed martial unions (Genesis 6:1-4). Now because the Bible says that the males who married the daughters of men were the sons of God, this has led many to conclude that these particular men weren’t human men at all, but were in fact fallen angels. However, scripture informs us that angels are not made of flesh, but instead God has made His angels spirits (Hebrews 1:7). If fallen angels did indeed have sexual intercourse with human women then these evil spirits would have needed physical bodies in order to do so, primarily male bodies at that. But if God clothed fallen angels with the flesh of men, then would that also mean that God clothed other angels with the flesh of women? But if God only imparted male bodies for the fallen angels to incarnate into, then they would of had no other choice but to lust after human women because there were no female angels for them to marry. However, in the Holy Gospel do we see Christ clearly explaining how angels don’t marry. For concerning the physical properties of the humans who will be redeemed in the world to come, Christ said of them that, “…in the resurrection they neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but are as the angels of God in heaven” (Matthew 22:30). Now since Jesus said that angels don’t marry then how could the sons of God mentioned in Genesis 6, who are recorded as getting married, truly be fallen angels and not human men? Let us continue to breakdown this Biblical controversy and hopefully the mystery will be unveiled.

Now if the sons of God in Genesis 6 were really fallen angels with male genitalia, then why did they go through the process and procedure of a formal wedding ceremony, when these lawless demon men could have just raped the human women without any need for a lawful marriage service? Additionally, if fallen angels took on flesh at one point in time then they would have needed God to give them bodies. But what would be God’s reason for giving rebellious spirits a body of flesh, especially since there are no Biblical verses which supports the belief that God created female angels for the male angels to marry? But as we have already discovered angels don’t marry, so this provides an even stronger argument to refute the theory which teaches that angels once slept with human women. Plus, since God created the angels as spirits then there must be a fixed amount of these immaterial beings who have existed from the beginning of creation. This means that God doesn’t continue to create angels, so there is no need for angels (fallen or beneficent) to procreate in order for more angels to be birthed. For angels did not come into this world through physical procreation, but by the divine power and the creative will of God.

Additionally, in this fallen world in which we live in, it is understood that all flesh whether it be human, animal, fish, or fowl, all of us who live will eventually die. However, if the fallen angels were granted fleshly bodies beginning from the time before the Flood, then does this mean that these fleshly angels died physically at some point in time, or have they been alive for millennia? Now scripture informs us that the wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23). It is also written that the sting of death is sin (1 Corinthians 15:56). So if the angels who sinned put on human flesh, then wouldn’t their physical bodies have eventually grown old and died one day, just as the bodies of humans and all other fleshly beings are subject to decay and death? Also, if the fallen angels did indeed die physically, then will they also be brought out of their tombs at the Resurrection of the Dead, along with every human being who has ever lived? This cannot be the case, for in the New Testament it is written that God has reserved everlasting chains and darkness towards the angels who fell from grace (Jude 1:6). We also know from the very words of Christ Himself, that hell has been prepared for the devil and his angels (Matthew 25:41). So it is evident that there is no resurrection for the fallen angels because they are spirits who have no fleshly body. But as we shall see, the fallen angels can enter living fleshly bodies in the supernatural occurrence known as demonic possession.

Now in the 5th chapter of the Gospel according to St. Mark, do we read how Christ encountered a man possessed with an unclean spirit. Jesus goes on to have a short dialog with the devil living inside the man, where the demon reveals that his name is, “Legion: for we are many” (Mark 5:9). Since the unclean spirit here calls himself “Legion” this has led many scholars to suppose that there were many demons in possession of the man and not just one. In fact during the time of Christ, when Judea was occupied by the Roman Empire, a legion was referred to as a military rank nominally composed of 6,000 soldiers. So if the demons living inside the man were called Legion, then this poor soul may have been possessed by 6,000 evil spirits! This demonstrates how more than one fallen angel can live inside a fleshly body, whereas the theory of the fallen angels of Genesis 6 seems to express that only one evil spirit can be in possession of one fleshly body. Now during this dialog between Christ and the demons, these unclean spirits beg the Lord not to send them out of the country, but into a great herd of swine that were feeding nearby. Jesus gave them permission, “…and the unclean spirits went out, and entered into the swine: and the herd ran violently down a steep place into the sea, (they were about two thousand;) and were choked in the sea (Mark 5:13). Now according to the Law of Moses pigs are unclean animals and were forbidden to be eaten of by the children of Israel. The Bible also describes the “Legion” in Mark 5 as an unclean spirit. So the fact that an unclean spirit desired to possess the flesh of an unclean animal, keenly demonstrates the carnal depravity of the fallen angels. It also shows that the fallen angels are powerless to procreate and in turn roam the air in the search for a house of flesh to enter (Matthew 12:43-45).

Concerning the unclean spirits, there is a theory which teaches that the unclean spirits are not fallen angels at all, but are rather the souls of the giants who were begotten from the fallen angels. This theory goes on to state that when the giants were destroyed by the waters of the Flood, their spirits lived on within this earthly realm and became what we know as demons. Thus making the firm distinction that fallen angels are not synonymous with unclean spirits. However, as we have already pointed out angels (whether good or bad) are by nature spiritual entities and cannot procreate. Yet some schools of thought are very adamant in their stance that fallen angels did in indeed sleep with human women, even when scripture is provided which debunks their theory. On the other hand, they also use scripture to support their claims. For example, to back up the doctrine of the sons of God in Genesis 6 as being angels, a quote from the 38th chapter of Job is referenced which reads that at the beginning of creation “all the sons of God shouted for joy” (Job 38:7). Though it is true that angels have been referred to in the Bible as the sons of God, this distinction can also be associated with men who obey God’s will. For as the Gospel of John reveals, “…as many as received Him [Jesus], to them gave He power to become the sons of God…” (John 1:12). Also in Genesis chapter 4 the men stemming from the righteous lineage of Seth are recorded as calling upon the name of the LORD (Genesis 4:26). So here we see that both angels and men who serve the Lord faithfully are considered sons of God, but not those who disobey the Lord such as the fallen angels who, by their wickedness, have relinquished their designation as servants and sons of God.

When it comes to the days after the Flood, do we see giants popping up again. For even Genesis 6 says that there were giants after the Flood. Some people will use this verse to support their theory that angels have the power to fall from grace and acquire a human male body. But if we examine the results of unlawful sexual activity among human men and human women, can we better discern where the giants truly came from. For according to the teachings of the Orthodox Church, when Noah and his family were on the Ark all the couples were forbidden to engage in marital relations. However, Ham broke this law and in turn fathered Canaan while aboard the Ark. It is interesting to note that after the Flood we see Noah cursing Canaan, the son of Ham, for Noah cursed Canaan after his father Ham uncovered Noah’s nakedness. Later we see that one of Ham’s descendants fathered Nimrod, who the Septuagint calls a giant. Further on in the Biblical narrative do we see that when the children of Israel went to inherit the promised land called Canaan (the same name as the Canaan whom Noah cursed), the people living there were a race of giants (Numbers 13:32-33). Since the descendants of Seth intermarried with the daughters of Cain a mutation occurred, and since Ham broke a law of chastity a curse was produced. So the practice of elicit and unlawful human sexual activity, is the only plausible conclusion to come to as to how the giants (the mighty men of renown) were birthed.

 

References:

Brenton. The Septuagint with Apocrypha: Greek and English. (London: Samuel Bagster & Sons, Ltd., 1851).

Brown, R.K. The Book of Enoch. (Nashville, Tennessee: James C. Winston Publishing Company, Inc., 1997).

Rose, Fr. Seraphim. Genesis, Creation, and Early Man. (Platina, CA: St. Herman of Alska Brotherhood, 2011).

Zondervan. The Holy Bible, King James Version. (Grand Rapids, Michigan: Zondervan, 2009).

Jannes & Jambres: The Egyptian Magicians

October 16, 2023

When the LORD God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob appeared unto the prophet Moses from the midst of the burning bush, the LORD instructed Moses to go down into Egypt and speak unto Pharaoh king of Egypt commanding him to free the Hebrew slaves from their bondage in Egypt (Exodus 3). However, Pharaoh’s heart was hardened and he would not hearken unto the word of the LORD, and in turn he would not release the children of Israel from their servitude. But ultimately, due to Pharaoh’s pride and his unwillingness to obey the Lord’s commandments, the one true God of Israel would sorely punish the land of Egypt with all kinds of divers plagues, numbering ten in all. Yet even though Moses performed miracles by the power of the almighty God, the magicians in Pharaoh’s court were also able to perform similar signs through their own sorceries. But as we shall see the Egyptian magicians, even with all their enchantments, would prove powerless when positioned against the omnipotence of the God of the Hebrews. So, in the end it is forever evident that good does indeed always triumph over evil, and that darkness is continuously and will perpetually be extinguished by light. The attempt of this presentation will strive to compare and contrast the black magic of the Egyptian magicians, with the awesome holiness of God and the virtue of His righteous servants the prophets.

As previously mentioned, the Egyptian magicians were empowered by the dark arts enabling them to conjure up enough witchcraft to mimic some of the miracles which came forth from God through Moses. For example, when standing before Pharaoh Moses cast down his rod and it became a serpent, then the Egyptian magicians threw down their rods and they also became serpents. However, the serpent staff of Moses swallowed up the serpent staffs of the Egyptians, revealing the supremacy of Yahweh over the forces of darkness (Exodus 7:10-12). Also, when Moses turned the waters of the river Nile into blood, the Egyptian magicians managed to turn water into blood as well. Likewise, when Moses brought forth the plague of frogs, the Egyptian magicians possessed the means to do the same. But when Moses brought forth the plague of lice, the Egyptian magicians were powerless to duplicate this wonder. And they came to Pharaoh explaining to him how they could not perform this miracle. For after failing to match what Moses brought forth, the Egyptian magicians were forced to confess that this sign was the finger of God (Exodus 8:18-19).

Now the term “finger of God,” that the Egyptian magicians used to describe the supernatural power of the Lord God of Israel, which they themselves were unable to harness, is found in only two other places in all of the Old Testament and in just one verse within the New Testament. For example, when God gave Moses the ten commandments upon Mount Sinai it is recorded that the two tables of stone, upon which displayed the ten commandments, were written with the finger of God (Exodus 31:18 & Deuteronomy 9:10). And in the New Testament Gospel according to St. Luke, do we read how Christ Himself uttered the term “finger of God” when disputing with the Pharisees over His divine authority to cast out devils (Luke 11:14-20). What is interesting to note here, is that even though the Egyptian magicians were pagan idol worshipers they still possessed enough honesty and integrity to acknowledge the supremacy of God. Whereas the Pharisees, who claimed to be children of God, were in fact hard hearted just like prideful Pharaoh. The hypocrisy of the Jews in this account should stand out as a warning to all Christians not to fall into the trap of vain glory, and must also remind believers to approach the Lord with a humble heart in order to give God the glory and not resist the Holy Spirit by turning away from Jesus with a hardened heart.

Now when it comes to the Egyptian magicians who stood against Moses, nowhere in the Old Testament are they identified by name. However, in the New Testament their names are indeed revealed. For in 2 Timothy 3:8, St. Paul records the names of two of the Egyptian magicians who withstood Moses as Jannes and Jambres. In addition to this New Testament identifier, an extra-Biblical source also provides the name of at least one of the Egyptian magicians who stood against Moses. And this ancient document is known as the Damascus Document. The Damascus Document is an ancient Hebrew text that is part of the Cairo Geniza, and which was also discovered among the various manuscripts which make up the vast library of the Dead Sea Scrolls. In this account the two Egyptian magicians are referred to as Yohanah and his brother, for only one of them is identified by name. The fact that St. Paul knew their names as Jannes and Jambres may be due to the Apostle’s education at the feet of a leading authority in the Sanhedrin named Gamaliel who was a Pharisee and a doctor of the law (Acts 22:3). The Greek name for the Egyptian magician Jannes is evidently a derivative of the Hebrew name Yohanah which is also referred to as, Yohannes. Though the name of the other brother is not provided in the Damascus Document, his name was later referred to as Jambres based on the Hebrew root mrh, meaning: “to agitate or rebel.”

In conclusion, from what has been presented in the book of Exodus it is clearly revealed that there are indeed dark forces in this world which wrestle against mankind. However, the devils can only influence us if we let our guard down. Through spiritual carelessness a person can become influenced by demonic powers, but most of all people usually become demon possessed through the practice of the dark arts of Satanism and black magic. For many people who are involved in witchcraft are not only able to cast spells upon others, but the voodoo practitioners themselves usually fall victim to the very spirits they conjure and in the end find themselves in the very bondage they directed towards their enemies. For while a warlock may think to himself that he is very powerful, and may even pride himself as a controller of spirits, yet unbeknownst to him the devils are in control of his very soul and are laughing and making fun of him the whole time. On the other hand, Jesus Christ now possesses all power and authority in heaven and upon earth (Matthew 28:18). And when it comes to the works of the devil versus the power of God, it is written, “That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth” (Philippians 2:10). So, when placed against the almighty power of God the might of Satan is proven powerless before the LORD, with the forces of darkness eternally out-shined by Christ, Who is the light.

 

References:

Schiffman, L.H. & VanderKam, J.C. Encyclopedia of the Dead Sea Scrolls. (New York, NY: Oxford University Press, 2000).

Zondervan. The Holy Bible, King James Version. (Grand Rapids, Michigan: Zondervan, 2009).

Jesus Christ & Jacob’s Ladder

September 25, 2023

When opening our Bibles to the beginning of the twenty-eighth chapter of the book of Genesis, do we read that after the Hebrew patriarch Isaac blessed his son Jacob, who’s name would later be changed to Israel and who would ultimately become the father of the twelve tribes of Israel, did Isaac charge Jacob not to take a wife from among the daughters of Canaan. Instead Isaac instructed Jacob to arise and go to Padanaram, to the house of Bethuel the grandfather of Jacob on his mother’s side, and to take a wife for himself from among the daughters of Laban, Jacob’s uncle; his mother’s brother. Jacob obeyed his father and his mother, and then went out on his journey unto Padanaram. The Bible goes on to say that, “…Jacob went out from Beersheba, and went toward Haran. And he lighted upon a certain place, and tarried there all night, because the sun was set; and he took of the stones of that place, and put them for his pillows, and lay down in that place to sleep. And he dreamed, and behold a ladder set up on the earth, and the top of it reached to heaven: and behold the angels of God ascending and descending on it” (Genesis 28:10-12). Now even though this angelic vision is written in the Old Testament, the imagery of angels ascending and descending is expressed once more in the holy scriptures, but this time in the New Testament. For when speaking to His disciple Nathanael, Christ declared, “…Verily, verily, I say unto you, Hereafter ye shall see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of man” (John 1:51). Now from what the Bible teaches us Christ is the mediator between God and man, bridging heaven with earth. Continuing on this trail of thought it would also appear that the person of Jesus Christ is indeed the physical manifestation of the vision known as Jacob’s Ladder, and quite possibly even its prophetic fulfillment.

When comparing Jacob’s vision of the ladder which stretched from the earth up to heaven, with Christ who came down from heaven to earth, a most beautiful typology of the Old and New Testaments is revealed. For when Jacob awoke out of his sleep, he said, “Surely the LORD is in this place…and he was afraid, and said, How dreadful is this place! this is none other but the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven” (Genesis 28:16-17). From these verses it can be strongly argued that this terrestrial dwelling place or house of God on earth, known as Bethel, would serve as the foreshadowing of the coming of Christ, Who would dwell among men upon our own physical plane near the same geographical region where Jacob first had his vision several centuries earlier. For as it is written concerning the incarnation of Christ, “…the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us” (John 1:14). Going further, some translations of the Bible state that the Word of God tabernacled among us, which is a direct reference to the tabernacle that once housed the ark of the covenant, upon which rested the earthly presence of the God of heaven. For the flesh which Christ took from His most pure and holy mother, would serve as an earthly tabernacle that contained within it the very essence of the Lord God of heaven and earth. So it was that the incarnation of the Son and Word of God was a divine descent from heaven above unto the earth below.

Returning to Jacob’s dream of the ladder which stretched from the earth up to heaven, we see how Jacob was not solely impressed with the vision that he saw, but also with the place wherein he dreamt it. For the Bible says that after we awoke from his sleep, “Jacob rose up early in the morning, and took the stone that he had put for his pillows, and set it up for a pillar, and poured oil upon the top of it. And he called the name of that place Bethel” (Genesis 28:18-19). Now the Hebrew name “Bethel” means the “House of God” for even Jacob himself stated as such, and even went on to say that it was the very gate of heaven. Now Jacob had his divine dream in the territory of Palestine, the location known today as the Holy Land, and it was also in this same piece of real-estate that Jesus Christ preached His message of repentance and proclaimed the good news of God’s free gift of everlasting life. For as Christ bowed the heavens by His descent and became man, making His earthly dwelling place in the land of Judah, was Jacob’s vision revisited and ultimately fulfilled. For throughout Christ’s ministry, He only traveled within the territories of Galilee and Judah. For as Jesus said, “I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel” (Matthew 15:24). For it was the plan of the Messiah to get His own house in order first before He sent out His disciples into all the earth to preach the Gospel. For in the era of the New Testament Jacob’s Ladder would be replaced with the fisherman’s net, drawing many men from all nations into the House of God.

When touching upon the imagery of angels ascending and descending upon the Son of man, uttered by Christ Himself, it would seem that the powers of heaven accompanied Jesus while He tarried here on the earth. Evidence of an angelic presence surrounding Christ is found within the Gospels. For after Jesus was tempted by the devil, the Bible says that, “…angels came and ministered unto him” (Matthew 4:11). So from this verse it is evident that Christ was indeed surrounded by the heavenly hosts all the while He walked the earth, making this aspect of Christ’s terrestrial presence another archetype of Jacob’s Ladder. Additionally, Christ was not simply ministered to by angels, but had the power to command the angelic ranks to defend Him and fight against His enemies at will. An example of this is found when the Savior was betrayed by Judas. For when Jesus was being arrested, Peter started to fight them off, but Christ admonished him by saying how if He so desired He could pray to the Father and be given more than twelve legions of angels to come and fight against His enemies (Matthew 26:53). So from these passages taken from the New Testament the magnitude of Jacob’s Old Testament vision is made even more profound. For Christ not only bridges the gap between heaven and earth, but also brings with Him the presence of the holy angels. Just as an Orthodox Christian is sealed with the gift of the Holy Spirit at baptism, the newly illumined is also assigned a guardian angel who invisibly watches over and protects the Christian throughout their entire life.

From what has been outlined thus far in this presentation concerning the symbology of Jacob’s Ladder with the incarnation of Jesus Christ, it is clear that our Creator has always desired to be in communion with mankind. This relationship between God and man also seems to be involved with angels who carry messages from God to man and back to God again. For the word angel derives from the Greek angelos, a translation of a Hebrew word meaning “messenger.” So from this understanding we see the important role angels play in God’s plan for the salvation of mankind, and how heaven and earth communicate with one another. It is the power of prayer which keeps this relationship alive. For by communing with Christ, man experiences the grace of God and ultimately achieves the salvation of his soul. Christ came down to lift us up. The Orthodox Church even teaches that God became a man, so that man could become a god. Going further, the monastics of the church, who have taken up the angelic habit will one day replace the seat that Lucifer lost when he fell from grace. Thus many men and women in the age to come will be included within the ranks of the heavenly hosts, and may even experience the holiness of angelic purity beginning in this life. So as believers who are seriously seeking our salvation may we all cling to Christ as we zealously attempt to climb the ladder of divine ascent.

 

References:

Holy Apostles Convent. The Orthodox New Testament. (Buena Vista, CO: Holy Apostles Convent, 2008).

Zondervan. The Holy Bible, King James Version. (Grand Rapids, Michigan: Zondervan, 2009).

The Seven Spirits of God

September 11, 2023

The Orthodox Christian understanding of God is confessed as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit: the Trinity one in essence and undivided. One God, yet three distinct persons, co-equal and co-eternal. Evidence of this mystery is first found in the beginning of the Bible. For in the opening verses of the book of Genesis it reads that, “…God said, let US make man in OUR image…” (Genesis 1:26). So, here we see that ever since the beginning of time the person-hood of God is revealed as having a plural identity, and not just as a singular reference point. The mystery of the Trinity was further revealed in the person of Jesus Christ, who is the incarnate Son and Word of God. For as it is written, “And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth (John 1:14). Later on in the New Testament the properties of God are even further revealed. For in the book of Revelation (the final book of the Bible) are we introduced to the seven Spirits of God which are before His throne (Revelation 1:4). The attempt of this work will be to reveal the mystery of the seven Spirits of God as taken directly from both the Old and New Testaments of the Holy Bible. So now, let us open the scriptures and may the mystery of the seven Spirits be revealed.

As previously touched upon, the seven Spirits of God stand before the throne of God as described in the book of Revelation. However, even though the seven Spirits of God are not mentioned in any other book of the New Testament, they are found in at least one book of the Old Testament, where they are even individually described and identified. Speaking on the future Messiah, the prophet Isaiah foretells that, “the spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD” (Isaiah 11:2). This Old Testament revelation concerning the seven Spirits of God expresses how the Old and New Testaments complement one another and also showcases their continuity. For what is prophesied in the Old Testament is fulfilled in the New Testament. Themes common to the Old also find their way into the teachings of the New. So, it can be understood that the Bible is one book broken into two distinct parts, while at the same time remaining inseparable from each other.

The seven Spirits of God may also be compared with the seven capital virtues, which stand in direct opposition to the seven deadly sins. These seven virtues are categorized as chastity, temperance, charity, diligence, patience, kindness, and humility. While inversely speaking, the seven deadly sins (contrary to the seven capital virtues) are listed as lust, gluttony, greed, sloth, wrath, envy, and pride. So the seven fold nature of virtue and vice is quite interesting when compared with the seven fold nature of the Spirits of God. Going further in St. Paul’s letter to the Romans 12:6-8, do we come across the seven graces or “charisma” which also reflects the character of the seven Spirits of God. These seven graces are as follows: 1. insight (prophecy); 2. helpfulness (service or ministry); 3. instruction (teaching); 4. encouragement; 5. generosity (giving); 6. guidance (leadership); and 7. compassion. This list of the seven spiritual graces in Romans is indeed a striking parallel when compared to the seven Spirits of God as identified in Isaiah 11:2. Yet again, another link in the chain uniting both the Old and New Testaments together as one.

Returning to the book of Revelation, are we faced with a most mysterious vision relating to the seven Spirits of God. For drawing close to the presence of the Almighty, into His very throne room it is written that, “…in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth” (Revelation 5:6). So from this verse it is evident that the seven Spirits of God are not static in nature, but are engaged in perpetual motion. This conclusion is supported by what Christ Himself utters in Revelation 2:23 where the Lord declares, “I am he which searcheth the reins and hearts: and I will give unto every one of you according to your works.” Again this verse of the New Testament is paralleled with a portion of the Old Testament, where the Lord speaking through Jeremiah says, “I the LORD search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings (Jeremiah 17:10). So from these passages do we come to the understanding that the seven Spirits of God see everything which transpires upon the earth, and that they are sent into all of creation, just as Christ Himself searches the inner most intentions of man’s free will while also providing rewards to a life lived well. For as the eyes of the seven Spirits are continuously upon us, no one can hide from God.

In addition to the seven Spirits of God recorded in Revelation, are we also faced with seven churches of which the Lord has a certain message for each, and signifies it by his angel unto his servant John. John also sees a vision of seven golden candlesticks along with the risen Christ walking in the midst. John describes his vision of Christ as, “…one like unto the Son of man, clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the paps with a golden girdle. His head and his hairs were white like wool, as white as snow; and his eyes were as a flame of fire; And his feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace; and his voice as the sound of many waters. And he had in his right hand seven stars: and out of his mouth went a sharp two-edged sword: and his countenance was as the sun shineth in his strength” (Revelation 1:13-16). Christ goes on to reveal unto John the mysteries of the seven stars and the seven golden candlesticks, by informing him that the seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and that the seven candlesticks are the seven churches (Revelation 1:20). This recurrence of the number seven in Revelation and elsewhere in the Bible, must mean that seven is a special number. For the number seven is held by scholars to be symbolic of “fullness” or “completion” or as a number representing perfection.

In conclusion, from studying both the Old and New Testaments we can easily discern that God is a perfect God, and a complete and whole Being: The Almighty. God is filled with wisdom and strength and is the source of all life within His creation. Nothing escapes the eyes of the Lord and in addition to being omnipotent, God is also omnipresent. Though man is created in the image of God, man can do nothing without the spirit of God fueling man’s accomplishments. For it is the spirit which gives life, while the flesh alone can do nothing in and of itself. Since God is holy, then there can be no unrighteousness in Him. However, through Adam and Eve’s disobedience in Eden their one poor decision plunged the world into sin and death, something completely foreign to the very nature of God. So if we human beings are to acquire the gift of the Holy Spirit, then we must serve the Lord by repenting of our sins and by following God’s commandments. For God is like a benevolent supervisor managing His business by sending forth His servants to take care of certain responsibilities. And like a good employer, the kind hearted Lord grants abundant rewards unto His employees for all of their labors. So the choice is ours if we want to inherit life or death. For as it is written in Galatians 6:8, “…he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.”

The Vow of the Nazarite and Jesus the Nazarene

August 28, 2023

The vow of the Nazarite is an ancient Israelite religious practice which orders that all those taking the vow must let the locks of their hair grow, to abstain from wine and all produce taken from the grape vine, and to keep oneself from touching a dead body which would make the Nazarite ritually unclean and thus in turn bringing the days of his or her consecration to an end (Numbers 6). For the purpose of the Nazarite vow was to separate the devotee from the rest of the people by taking a strict oath, promising to totally dedicate oneself to the Lord God for a certain amount of time. Afterwards when the time of their separation was complete the Nazarite would be brought unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation and offer one he lamb of the first year without blemish for a burnt offering, and one ewe lamb of the first year without blemish for a sin offering, and one ram without blemish for peace offerings. The Nazarite would also shave the head of his separation at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, and take the hair of the head of his separation, and put it in the fire which is under the sacrifice of the peace offerings. The vow of the Nazarite could be taken by both men and women and, if so desired, one could totally dedicate themselves to the Lord by choosing to remain a Nazarite for their entire life.

Now the term “Nazarite” can be broken down from the root word in Hebrew “naziyr” or “nazar” which has the meanings of “to separate”, “to consecrate” or “to set apart.” This word “nazar” would most appropriately describe the Nazarite as someone who was separated from the rest of society as they were set apart or made holy unto the Lord. To further expand on this austere rule of spiritual dedication, the Holy Bible provides a couple examples of prominent people in sacred history who were known Nazarites. In the Old Testament, scripture records two specific persons who were Nazarites: namely Samson and the prophet Samuel. In the New Testament, it is apparent that John the Baptist (the forerunner of Christ) also followed the path of the Nazarite. Not only are these three men all linked to one another by being Nazarites, but they were also life-long Nazarites who were all born from previously barren wombs. For instance, in the 13th chapter of the book of Judges, an angel appears to the barren wife of a man from the family of the Danites telling her that she will indeed conceive and bear a son, and that he will be a Nazarite unto God from the womb: and that he would deliver Israel out of the hands of the Philistines. The Bible goes on to say how this previously barren woman gave birth to a son, and called his name Samson: and the child grew, and the LORD blessed him. Interestingly, in Judges 16:13 it is written that Samson had seven woven locks upon his head, which has led many Rastafarians to conclude that not only was Samson a Nazarite, but that he also sported dreadlocks.

Now concerning the prophet Samuel his mother Hannah was also barren, yet she made a vow unto the Lord saying, O LORD of hosts, if thou wilt indeed look on the affliction of thine handmaid, and remember me, and not forget thine handmaid, but wilt give unto thine handmaid a man child, then I will give him unto the LORD all the days of his life, and there shall no razor come upon his head. Wherefore it came to pass, when the time was come about after Hannah had conceived, that she bare a son, and called his name Samuel, saying, Because I have asked him of the LORD. (1 Samuel 1). In the New Testament we see a similar occurrence with Elizabeth, the mother of John the Baptist. For not only was St. Elizabeth barren, but she was also well advanced in years far past the age of fertility. Similar to the story of Samson an angel reveals to Elizabeth’s husband Zacharias that his wife will bear a son, and that his name shall be called John. The angel Gabriel goes on to inform Zacharias that his son shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink; and he shall be filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother’s womb. So from what we find written in both the Old and New Testaments of the Holy Bible, it is clearly revealed that to be a Nazarite truly meant to be set apart as holy: someone special.

Additionally, although scripture does not come right out and say it, the prophet Elijah may also have been a Nazarite. For in 2 Kings 1:8 Elijah is described as being a hairy man, and girt with a girdle of leather about his loins, very similar to the way the Nazarite John the Baptist was dressed (Matthew 3:4). Even Christ Himself compared John the Baptist with Elijah, a similitude which may support the theory of Elijah being a Nazarite. Also, no where in the Old Testament is it recorded that Elijah drank wine, but in 1 Kings 19:6 it states that Elijah drank water. Another parallel between Elijah and John the Baptist is that neither of them was married. Going further, again Christ compared the preaching of John with that of Elijah, something which has led many to suggest that John the Baptist was the reincarnation of prophet Elijah. However, at the Transfiguration of Christ the Gospels tell us that Moses and Elijah appeared, not Moses and John the Baptist. For prior to the Transfiguration, John had been beheaded. So if John the Baptist was the reincarnation of Elijah then Elijah should have appeared on mount Tabor decapitated. Either that or there would have been the two incarnations of Elijah and John who showed up along with Moses. This analysis reveals that the belief in reincarnation is indeed bogus and against the teachings of God, the prophets, and the Church.

When it comes to our sweetest Lord Jesus Christ, the Gospel describes the incarnate Word as a Nazarene and not a Nazarite. Though these words sound similar, there is indeed a difference between the two. For example, Jesus hailed from the city of Nazareth which by default made Him a Nazarene, someone originating from Nazareth. For in the Gospel of St. Matthew 2:23, it reads that Jesus, “…came and dwelt in a city called Nazareth: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophets, He shall be called a Nazarene.” This fulfillment of the prophets can be traced back to at least two different places in the Old Testament where the Hebrew root word of Nazarene can be found. For in the book of the prophet Isaiah 11:1 a Messianic prophecy reads, “And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots.” The word “Branch” in this passage of Isaiah points to the coming of the Messiah, and translated from the original Hebrew means “Netser.” Also, in the book of the prophet Daniel the same word for branch (netser) is also used in a prophetic utterance concerning the Messiah (Daniel 11:7). So the fact that the root word “netser” for the term Nazarene is found in two different prophetic books gives reliability to the Gospel of St. Matthew, since it is written that Jesus being called a Nazarene was spoken of by the prophets plural, and not singularly.

Due to the similarities between the terms Nazarite and Nazarene, this likeness has led many to conclude that Jesus was a Nazarite. Additionally, since ancient Christian icons depict Christ as having long hair, this has also provided the “evidence” to support the belief that Jesus Christ was indeed a Nazarite. However, we know from the Gospels that Jesus drank wine, something forbidden for Nazarites. So, this one fact eliminates the speculation which suggests that Jesus Christ was a Nazarite. But even though Christ was not a Nazarite, it is widely accepted that the Lord had long hair. Yet this would seem to contradict what St. Paul says in 1 Corinthians 11:14, where it is written that if a man have long hair, it is a shame unto him. But as faithful Christians know, the Lord cannot be wrong. So, if Christ was not a Nazarite but had long hair, then there must be a reason why the Lord decided not to cut His hair. The fact that the Nazarites grew their hair long in order to reflect an external sign of their inner sanctity, may be why the Lord chose not to cut His hair. Remember to be a Nazarite was to fully dedicate oneself to God, just as Jesus the Son of God is completely dedicated to God the Father. So, even though Christ drank wine, yet at the same time had long hair, this apparent breaking of the Nazarite vow may be overlooked by the total dedication and perfect obedience which Jesus Christ demonstrated towards God.

 

References:

Strong, J. The New Strong’s Expanded Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible. (Nashville, Tennessee: Thomas Nelson, Inc., 2010).

Zondervan. The Holy Bible, King James Version. (Grand Rapids, Michigan: Zondervan, 2009).