God in the Old Testament and God in the New Testament - How do you see this paradox?

By Stephen T. McClard - Complete Article List

You may see God in the Old testament as an evil and vindictive God.  You may see God in the New Testament as Love and hope.  Either way, is there a way to unify the paradox?  How do we explain this in terms of our own experience in life and history?  All paradoxes can be resolved if we know the excluded middle.  Keep this in mind as you read.

In Galatians 3, the point of the law was revealed.

23 Before the coming of this faith, we were held in custody under the law, locked up until the faith that was to come would be revealed.  24 So the law was our guardian until Christ came that we might be justified by faith.  25 Now that this faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian. 

Guardian from what?  We are locked up?  Are we prisoners?  What is our crime?

Some people say the God of the Old Testament is Evil.  I have heard this on forums for years.  If you buy into the lie that the OT reflects an evil God, then this may be what you are thinking as you consider your own morality.  Consider another thought:

What does the law protect us from today?  Why is the constitution there in the first place?  The US constitution was originally written as our guardian against ourselves and the Roman Catholic Church.  Tyranny is the result of law that is out of context with truth.  In Europe, the truth was being abused by the Roman Catholic Church as a means of manipulating God's will for selfish ambition.  God's one law has always been based on doing good unto others.  The command in the OT was to love your neighbor as yourself.  This is the oldest law known to mankind, appearing in one from or another in every religion.  In the Garden, we were given one directive.  Do not take what is not yours.  The fruit was meant to be a gift.  Instead, we became thieves.  What happens to thieves?

As a result of our own disobedience from stealing the fruit of knowledge, we were regulated by the law of God as thieves.  What laws are necessary to regulate criminals?  What laws are necessary to regulate free people?  It all depends on our context to truth.  If we abide by law, the law protects us from those who do not follow common law.  If none of us abide by the law, then tyranny is necessary until we learn to be dignified by common law.  As our own nation descends into tyranny, it is a direct result of becoming thieves.  No amount of law can regulate morality if we promote objectivism (Seeking self above others).  Ayn Rand was wrong about objectivism (related article).  Altruism is the key to a thriving society.  As of this century, we have become a nation that steals the fruit of knowledge for selfish purposes fueled by greed.

What is the fruit of knowledge?  Until this day and age, we did not know.  The fruit of knowledge is technology.  We have this confirmed by knowing what element has the atomic structure of 6 protons, 6 electrons and 6 neutrons.

Revelation 13 

18 Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man (or of mankind); and his number is Six hundred threescore and six. 

The element in question is Carbon.  Carbon is the mark of mankind and it is the foundation of our technology.  In most cases our technology takes from nature.  In some cases, it gives by healing sickness or building efficient homes.  A debt of 15 trillion dollars reveals what our technology has taken from the American people by greed.  Remember, being out of context with God's law results in Tyranny and greed on a massive scale.  The OT law was our example of what we can expect if we live out of context with giving.  When we create cheap technology that gets thrown into the landfill after a month, we are suffering death by self-will.  The Bible has been clear on this for over 2000 years. 

Matthew 24:22

22 Unless those days had been cut short, no life would have been saved; but for the sake of the elect those days will be cut short.

If the Old Testament was the reflection of taking from others and suffering the hand of a guardian law, what is the New Testament?  Read the next verse from the set above in Galatians 3.

26 So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith, 27 for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. 29 If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise. 

Jesus preached faith and love as the path to salvation from the law of sin and death.  He said that we must forgive our debtors.  He said to turn the other cheek.  He said to bless those who curse and pray for those who persecute.  Why?  Because this is what we do to follow the law.  The law is love.  Love can only give.  To overcome the beast, we must overcome with love.  If we see a negative, we cannot overcome it with another negative.  Hate cannot dispel hate.  Only love dispels hate.  Positive is the only way to overcome negative.  Giving and forgiveness lead to healing.  Christ was our example of this type of grace (unmerited favor).  


In mathematics, only multiplication can take two negatives and make a positive.  Consider this example: 


In simple mathematics, if you owe three people $10, then you are negative $30 (3 X -10 = $-30).  If the lenders then say, "We forgive you for this debt because we love you," then you are free from that debt by another negative.  You have just had three subtractions of -10, making you three positives of $10 (-3 X -$10). Your debt is -30 + 30 = Zero.  Jesus died a horrible death to pay our debt, walking us back to a positive value.  Our negative sin was multiplied by Jesus death on the cross.  Two negatives make a positive in this case.  

The Mathematics of Forgiveness

As we live the next 7 years of Tyranny, realize that God told us what happens if we live by greed.  We face Tyranny and a trial (Baptism) by fire.  If we live by love, we need no law to govern us.  If we wait on the Lord, he will supply our needs.  All these things like technology will be added to us from the hand of God as a gift.  This was the way he meant it all along.  We are either thieves or we are creatures of love who receive reward from God.  By His example, we then give that reward to others.  It's our choice to pay if forward to others or steal it away for our own selfish ambitions.

Genesis 3

“We may eat fruit from the trees in the garden, 3 but God did say, ‘You must not eat fruit from the tree that is in the middle of the garden, and you must not touch it, or you will die.’”

Matthew 6:33 

But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 

How do we show this love?  How do we then overcome with this example of the suffering Messiah?  We only need to see the numbers to know.  Nitrogen is 7 electrons, 7 neutrons and 7 protons.  Oxygen is 8 electrons, 8 neutrons and 8 protons.  God's number of completion is 777 and is his name in Hebrew Gematria.  888 is Jesus name in Greek Gematria.  Nitrogen and Oxygen represent 99% of what we use to share a good word of hope and faith.  Love is the motivation.

What words make up 666 in English Gematria?

MARK OF BEAST = 666
THE DATA BEAST = 666

CAUSES MARK = 666

A SATANIC MARK = 666

SATAN'S SEAL = 666

A SATANIC PLAN = 666

FOREHEAD SIGN = 666

THE HAND OR HEAD = 666 (Rev 13:16: "... he causeth all ... to receive a mark in their RIGHT HAND, or in their FOREHEADS.")

ACCEPT HAND CHIP = 666

OR PLACE IN HEAD = 666

MANDATORY = 666

A SURE OMEN = 666

NO MORE CASH = 666

A NUMERIC CODE = 666

WORLD ID CARD = 666

WORLD BIO ID = 666

A MARK FOR MAN = 666

E-IDENTITY = 666

E-TRADE MARKS = 666

A ADSX BIO CHIP = 666 (Rev 13:16-17; ADSX was the old NASDAQ stock ticker symbol for Applied Digital Solutions.)

DIGA E-IMPLANT = 666 (DIGA is the new NASDAQ stock ticker symbol for Applied Digital Solutions.)

A BARCODE LABELING = 666
SMART IDOL = 666 (Rev 13:15)

A CYBER-HUMAN = 666

CREATED BY MAN = 666

COMPUTER = 666

PROGRAMER = 666

Source: LINK

How many more signs do you need?  What does God ask of us?  Believe.  That's it.  Seek his righteousness and all these things you desire are added back to you in context to truth.  Is it really that hard? 

Why are Science and Religion at Odds?

By Stephen T. McClard - Complete Article List

Symbols have a root, just like language.  One letter of Greek, such as phi, has meaning.  The meaning of phi is a ratio of 1:1.618.  If you know anything about this golden ratio, then you now have a perspective that follows the root to the next symbol.  The ratio of 1:1.618 explains how Creation produces variety in nature.  It also represents a fingerprint of sorts on Creation.  This is an easily drawn conclusion that is backed up by many of the verses in scripture.  See the video below.

Like language, two symbols unite to make more meaning.  In life, two people come together and defy reason.  With simple mathematics, two plus two makes four.  In a union of love, one plus one makes three.  When a man and a woman come together, the union creates a third.  Logic cannot always answer what the symbol suggests.  

Take the Hebrew language.  Three letters make a word.  If other letters are joined to the root, more words follow with more meaning.  Words are then joined in a chain to form more meaning on different levels.  If we negate the presence of the root, we see paradox in the outlying meaning from ignorance.  The connection from root to the end of the chain is made to resolve paradox when we look at any symbol.  Languages do the same.  The early Phoenician language is the root language for English.  

If you examine the pictographs of Phoenician, they represent the root.  As this proto-Canaanite language branches to other languages, unions take place and more meaning is revealed by the expansion of the various languages of the world.  Hebrew tells one side of the story from God's perspective and Greek tells the other side from Western abstract thinking.  Mathematics and science follow one language as the spiritual side follows the other.  Examine all other branches of language and they reveal other pieces of the overall puzzle.  When we finally arrive at English, the complete story can be seen from all sides.  To understand what is being said, we follow the languages back to the root.      

The paradox with the church and science is explained with linguistic and symbolic intelligence.  Each of them speak a different language, but they say the same thing.  On the side of science, language describes nature from a rational and logical mindset.  Compare science (concrete/rational) to a man in the relationship.  On the other side, religion (the woman) sees the world as emotion, truth and meaning in abstract.  At first, each refuses the other in the relationship.  Given time, the relationship blossoms.  

What happens when a man and a woman fall in love?  The two become one.  This union creates unity instead of multiplicity.  What happens in marriage?  The two have struggles and each brings balance to the other if there is love.  If there is no love, then the relationship eventually breaks the chain of understanding.

Ask the other side of the question:  Why does science hate the abstract implication of research and theory?  Because it suggests a Creator and reason cannot accept this.  Why does religion have trouble with science?  They don't.  They have a problem with the man in the relationship refusing to admit he is wrong.  Perspective is a two way street if truth is to be seen in proper context to itself.

Science continues to prove that matter does not create consciousness.  Consciousness creates matter.  The root of the problem is seen clearly at this point of contention.  

When a child is asked to choose between a dime and a nickle, they will choose the nickle if they are too young and immature.  They will choose the dime if they see the underlying value in the symbol.  Science refuses the possibility, despite the fact that all roads lead to the obvious conclusion that the woman is always right.  She sees with the heart of virtue.  The man sees with desire and pride.  A lasting relationship is based on love and not pride.  Why?  Pride blinds and can only serve the self in greed.  When we get to a place of unity, we will see that both perspectives are correct.  There is no paradox when both sides are seen by their value to the whole.

Peter – The Rock to be Rolled Away - World Leaders and their Destiny

By Stephen T. McClard - Complete Article List

A wicked and adulterous generation looks for a sign, but none will be given it except the sign of Jonah.  Matthew 16:4

Jesus was speaking to the Pharisees and Sadducees concerning their desire to see signs.  (Remember what I stated in my last article on being born again.  John the Baptist would ultimately refuse them baptism into new life.)  Although they suspected He was the Messiah, they wanted a sign.  Even though they had seen other miracles, they wanted a sign from the heavens.  Jesus told them that they would only get the sign of Jonah.  What was this sign?

"For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the whale, so will the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth".  Matthew 12.40

What did Jesus mean by this?  The answer to this comes from yet another symbol of future events.  Before I get to this thought, consider why they were asking for a sign and why Jesus stated his case with the connected symbol of Johan.  What happened in connection with this verse:

John 2:19 Jesus answered them, "Destroy this temple, and I will raise it again in three days."

Is there a connection to the sign of Jonah?  In connection with this verse, Jesus was asked to show a sign.  He was asked this time because of running the money changers out of the Temple.  The Pharisees and the Sadducees had turned the temple into a place of business and trade.  They asked Him:

"What sign have you to show us for doing this?"John 2.18

They were asking him for a sign to show his authority over the temple.  Jesus once again said that if they destroy the temple, he will raise it again.  What temple was he speaking of?  How long is three days?  There is a clue in this verse.

Matthew 14:58  "We heard him say, 'I will destroy this man-made temple and in three days will build another, not made by man.'"

I believe that “This Temple” is a reference to the purpose of the true temple and a reference to his own body.  Three days is a literal three days, but also a future three thousand years.  From Adam to Abraham we see two days, or two thousand years.  From Abraham to Jesus we see another 2000 years.  This makes four.  If you consider my previous article, you will see a reference to the six days of creation as 6000 years.  The Day of the Lord is the seventh day of rest, or the millennial reign of Christ.  You will find a further reference to this at the bottom of this article.  Before I show this to be the day of the Lord, let me mention Peter.  What needs to happen to reveal Christ?

We all know that the rock of the tomb was rolled away and Jesus was not found dead.  He had risen.  What took place in relation to this episode?

Matthew 27:62-64

Now the next day, that followed the day of the preparation, the chief priests and Pharisees came together unto Pilate, Saying, Sir, we remember that that deceiver said, while he was yet alive, After three days I will rise again.

Command therefore that the sepulchre be made sure until the third day, lest his disciples come by night, and steal him away, and say unto the people, He is risen from the dead: so the last error shall be worse than the first.

Why am I mentioning Peter in all of this?  Keep reading and it will all come together.  What did Jesus say to Peter?

Matthew 16  18 And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.  19 I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.”

Peter’s original name was Simon (Simeon) and was changed by Christ to Peter (Cephas and Kepha), meaning the “Rock.”  This indicates his new task for the future of mankind.  Peter would be destined to build the Church that would feed the sheep.  Shortly after the verses above, Peter tried to use the world’s wisdom to correct Jesus.  Jesus told him this:

 23 Jesus turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan!  You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns.”

We will also recall that Peter denied Christ three times.  You may already be connecting the dots.  Let me help you.  Answer this question:  What had to be rolled away to reveal the risen Christ?  The Rock.  What does the rock represent?  The Church.  What does it mean that the church will be rolled away in connection?  For what reason?  Salvation and our exodus from this world.

We find the answer in John 21.  Some of the disciples were fishing (symbol of winning souls) with Peter (Symbol of the Church).  They were having no luck (poor leadership perhaps).  Jesus told them to cast the net on the right side (correct side of faith) of the boat.  Again, we see a veiled symbol.  They were casting the net with the world’s wisdom and not faith.  By ‘right’ side, Christ was telling them to have faith in his command.  When they did, they hauled in a large catch.  They caught 153 fish.  Why is this number important?  Read the side note if you are interested.

Side Note:  WIKI
According to Pythagoras, 153 marks a mathematical ratio called "The Measure of the Fish."  In an article about 666, I stated that we can calculate a generation by taking the precession of the earth (26,000 years) and divide this by the degrees of a circle.  The answer comes out as 72.2222.  The age of Pisces is the age when mankind will change according to many traditions.  This is a time when the earth completes it's precession.  The ratio of the measure of the fish is 1:1.415, or the numerical value of the square root of 2.  This is defined as the symbol for the ideal value between unity and multiplicity (singularity).  The answer to this is returning to the Pyramids and Isaiah 19:19.  This is for another article concerning Enoch and Hermes.  Why did Moses and Joseph need to take a trip through Egypt?  The same reason we are in Egypt now.  Our exodus from this order of things must take place for our own education and ultimately, our salvation.  It's the difference between multiplicity and unity.  The fullness of the Gentiles now makes more sense.  More than anything, it represents our education in the wilderness.  153 also represents the 17th triangular number.  17 is the combination of Divine Graces.  7 gifts of the spirit and 10 commandments.  There are many related theories for this number.  Consult the WIKI above. 

Shortly before Jesus calls them to shore, this happens:

“It is the Lord!” As soon as Simon Peter heard him say, “It is the Lord,” he wrapped his outer garment around him (for he had taken it off) and jumped into the water.  

From my perspective, this is a veiled allusion to Peter hearing the call of Christ and jumping in the water ahead of the disciples to a new life.  If you have read my last article and the Water and the Spirit, you will realize what I am saying here.  Peter puts on an outer garment and enters the water of material reality. While the others are coming a different way, Peter arrives as a man on shore.  Read the linked article to see this clearly.  His ultimate duty will be to feed the sheep in the tribulation period on the Day of the Lord.  


What happened after they reached the shore with the fish?  When they reached shore, Jesus had a fire and some bread.  Peter and Jesus have this conversation.  

  15 When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter,“Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?”

   “Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.”
   Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.”

 16 Again Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”
   He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.”

   Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep.”

 17 The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”

Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” 

He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.”
Jesus said, “Feed my sheep.

18 Very truly I tell you, when you were younger you dressed yourself and went where you wanted; but when you are old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go.” 19 Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. Then he said to him, “Follow me!”

In the last 2000 years, has the church fed the lambs, taken care of sheep and fed the sheep?  For the Catholic church, the answer is no.  What will happen in the third thousand years and the day of the Lord?  When Peter (Church) was young, it dressed itself.  When it was older, it was served by others.  It made itself the prince instead of the servant.  The false church will now suffer the kind of death that they do not want to suffer to glorify God.  In the end, Peter returns to Christ.  The first shall be last and the last shall be first.  It's our decision by thought, word and deed.  We can follow in belief or lead in pride and disbelief.


What will the 112th Pope do with all the money they have horded?  Feed the sheep.  Remember that Peter repented.  Will Rome?  This remains to be seen.

112 Peter the Roman, who will nourish the sheep in many tribulations; when they are finished, the city of seven hills will be destroyed, and the dreadful judge will judge his people. The end. Possible Video of Pope 112

What does this mean today?  Didn't the church reform after coming out of Europe?  Take a look around you.  Is the church a business again?  Are the leaders being served or are they serving?  I would say it’s a mixed bag depending on your denomination.  I would also say that the church must serve its purpose by sending the congregation out to feed the lambs and take care of the sheep.  Are we doing this or are we serving ourselves?  Where and how is the money spent?

Ultimately, a person of faith must not only fellowship inside with believers, but also outside the tomb with the world.  The rock of the church must be rolled away to reveal our service to others.  On a grander scale, Christ will be the Corner Stone of the final state of our salvation.  The church will no longer have the same purpose after salvation is revealed.  

John 2:19 Jesus answered them, "Destroy this temple, and I will raise it again in three days."

Epistle of Barnabas 15:3

"Of the Sabbath He speaketh in the beginning of the creation; And God made the works of His hands in six days, and He ended on the seventh day, and rested on it, and He hallowed it.

Barnabas 15:4

Give heed, children, what this meaneth; He ended in six days. He meaneth this, that in six thousand years the Lord shall bring all things to an end; for the day with Him signifyeth a thousand years; and this He himself beareth me witness, saying; Behold, the day of the Lord shall be as a thousand years. Therefore, children, in six days, that is in six thousand years, everything shall come to an end."

-Adam to Abraham 2000 Years of Age 1 (FATHER)
-Abraham to Jesus 2000 Years of Age 2 (SON)
-Jesus to Today 2000 Years of Age 3 (HOLY SPIRIT)
-Day of Rest (Day of the Lord) 1000 years (SALVATION)

When the Rock is finally rolled away during our exodus from this Earth, what is left?  An empty tomb.  Who remains in the tomb and who finds the promised land?  Do you remember who was refused baptism by John the Baptist?  What happened to Pharaoh?  How long did the journey take with Moses?

Matthew 3

7 But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to where he was baptizing, he said to them: “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? 8 Produce fruit in keeping with repentance. 9 And do not think you can say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham. 10 The ax is already at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.

The writing is on the wall for those who worship at the altar of the material world.  We inherited a garden like a rain forest.  We will leave it a field of burning weeds.  Which side of truth are you on?  Seek God and love others.  Put yourself in Christ as your Lord and Savior and be transformed.  A new Heaven and a new Earth awaits.  Your own works will not save you.  Only Christ can overcome.  We are more than conquerors.  There is more than enough evidence to see the light if you bother looking.


Romans 8


³⁷ No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. ³⁸ For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, ³⁹ neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Water and Spirit – Symbolism in the Bible for Baptism and John the Baptist

By Stephen T. McClard - Complete Article List

There is one very important concept that I have learned during the course of my own Bible study:  All symbols and parables in the Bible will fall under many interrelated and interlocking perspectives.  To understand the symbolism, the mind must look beyond the one degree of separation and into the larger context of what is being said.  I have also come to realize that our personal theology tends to lock itself to one perspective in fixed pride.  Because of this, paradox is created instead of resolved.  I think this may be true for our current concept of rebirth and baptism.  See if you agree.

What I am going to express in this article is related to a mystery.  The truth of salvation and being born again will not be changed by what I say here.  A person must love God and love his fellow man to be saved through Christ.  We have an idea about this mystery, but may lack an overall perspective.  This will always be true until Christ comes and reveals all things.  Like all of the mysteries of God, mankind is destined to solve them one by one.  My aim in this article will attempt to find the target for the following question:  Do we transmigrate from life to life?  In other words, did Jesus mean what He said when he uttered these words:  “You must be born again.”  We already know about being born again into heaven.  What about a repeat on earth?  If true, this implies that some of the characters in the Bible were the same soul.

When we examine the idea of being born again, most Christians will admit two things:  1) We have been born into this life.  2) We will be born into a new life and live again with Christ.  Does the concept of rebirth end with our arrival into heaven or hell?  Is God a Just judge if we only live one life?  Is this what the Bible is actually telling us?  After a few years of struggling with this question, I think that I can say yes to this concept of multiple births.  Despite this heretical concept, I can also say that there is more that we are missing unless we treat this with humility.  Pride blinds, even for the Theologian in us.  If you are locked in your theology, then hit the back button now.  If you dare think outside the box of the church, continue on.  As this is a mystery, let me explain from the source of the text.  


In 1 Kings 17, Elijah is shown as a symbol for his purpose later in the Bible.  There is a story of the Widow at Zarephath who had an ill son that dies.  Elijah is pictured taking the son from his mother's bosom and carrying him up a set of stairs to his “chamber” and bed of rest.  Elijah then revives the son by asking the Lord to bring his soul back into his body.  After he revives the son, Elijah then takes him back down to his mother.  

Click here to listen to the entire chapter.  The related stories in the chapter are important to the overall story.  Before this scene, Elijah was reporting that there would be a drought in the land at his word.  From my perspective, this is important.  As you may come to realize, Elijah has power over the water.  Keep this in mind.  The water is a concept that relates to our life on earth.  When the water is shut off, life ends.  Again, symbols are on multiple levels related to the same context.  Make sure you listen to the entire chapter in the link above.  

Now read a passage from Luke 1 about John the Baptist.  Gabriel is speaking to John's father Zachariah. 

11 Then an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing at the right side of the altar of incense. 12 When Zechariah saw him, he was startled and was gripped with fear. 13 But the angel said to him: “Do not be afraid, Zechariah; your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to call him John. 14 He will be a joy and delight to you, and many will rejoice because of his birth, 15 for he will be great in the sight of the Lord. He is never to take wine or other fermented drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit even before he is born. 16 He will bring back many of the people of Israel to the Lord their God. 17 And he will go on before the Lord, in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the parents to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous—to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.” 

Keep in mind that the angel related John the Baptist to Elijah (Spirit and power of equates to consciousness and ability).  Now go to John 1 and read what John says about himself:

 21 They asked him, “Then who are you? Are you Elijah?”  He said, “I am not.”  “Are you the Prophet?”  He answered, “No.” 22 Finally they said, “Who are you? Give us an answer to take back to those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?”  23 John replied in the words of Isaiah the prophet, “I am the voice of one calling in the wilderness, ‘Make straight the way for the Lord.’”

What was he saying here?  If we turn to Isaiah 40, we read these words:

 3 A voice of one calling: “In the wilderness prepare the way for the LORD; make straight in the desert a highway for our God. 

Now read Malachi for a related text:

(Malachi 3:1; 4:5-6). 

‘Behold, I send My messenger and he shall prepare the way before Me.’…‘Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the great and terrible day of the Lord comes, and he will turn the hearts of the fathers to their children and the hearts of the children to their fathers; or else I will come and strike the land with a curse’

John said he was not Elijah.  What did Jesus say in Matthew 11 on the subject:

 “‘I will send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way before you.’   11 Truly I tell you, among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist; yet whoever is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. 12 From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven has been subjected to violence, and violent people have been raiding it. 13 For all the Prophets and the Law prophesied until John. 14 And if you are willing to accept it, he is the Elijah who was to come. 15 Whoever has ears, let them hear.

Do you have ears to hear this?  There are answers on many levels in the above passages.  In the earlier passage, there was an either or statement.  Either John is able to turn the hearts, or there would be a curse.  The curse is what took place.  Jesus cursed the fig tree for not bearing fruit.  2000 years later, will this be the case?  Jesus also confirmed that John was indeed Elijah in another body.  Of course, modern theology would argue with this last statement.  Again, it's a mystery.  Can a mystery be solved?

I am preparing the way for you to hear what scripture says next.  Please remember that this is a mystery God leaves us to solve.  I believe we have enough information to solve the mystery by consulting the overall context of what God is accomplishing through us.  Jesus made a statement in John 3 that is revealing on many levels.  This statement is the key to understanding what baptism is.  Jesus said this:  “You must be born again.”  From my perspective, the truth is plain.  He said this one sentence in a way that could not be argued.  It has no other option, but multiple levels of truth.

Remember, all symbols in the Bible have multiple perspectives in relation to context.  In the context of our religious ritual, baptism represents our immersion into the water of the river and our raising into a new life of service to God.  If we see the symbol for what it is, it represents our immersion into the water of material reality (river of life) and our raising to new life after death.  Baptism, from the Greek linguistic perspective, means a marking in blood.  Although this is a complicated perspective to cover, realize that there is more going on here than one locked perspective can hold.  The picture of the water is clearly represented in John 3 if you possess the keys to understanding the overall perspective.  The Blood covering is related to a deeper level of Christ's sacrifice and the altar of God in the temple.  For the purpose of this article, we will look at the significance of the water.  

In John 3, Jesus was telling  Nicodemus about being born again.  I will go verse by verse to allow you to see the entire picture as it unfolds. 

1 Now there was a Pharisee, a man named Nicodemus who was a member of the Jewish ruling council. 2 He came to Jesus at night and said, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the signs you are doing if God were not with him.” 3 Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again. 4 “How can someone be born when they are old?” Nicodemus asked. “Surely they cannot enter a second time into their mother’s womb to be born!”

Keep in mind that Jesus will now answer the question Nicodemus just asked.  How can someone be born when they are old?

5 Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit. 6 Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. 7 You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You must be born again.’ 8  The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going.  So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.”

What is the wind blowing and why this analogy?  Have we been here for 6000 years?  If you consider that the body is the temple of God, then carry this further.  The implements (tools) of the sacrifice we make are our hand, eyes, ears, feet and so on.  The temple vessel is our body.  We cleanse the temple with water.  We use the tools to do this.  We are under a veil so we don't see into the Holy of Holies or our past.  The veil keeps us from seeing by fact.  Instead, it must be faith while we are in the wilderness.  


This accomplishes two things:  1) It allows an answer to Bread of Shame.  2) It keeps us from being duplicitous.  Living by fact, not faith, would demand that we seek reward and not God alone.  Living by fact, instead of faith, would demand that we seek God to avoid judgment.  Again, this would lead to duplicity.  Good is its own reward.  We can only discover this by living completely free in faith by our own will.  We come to realize that God's will is superior when we experience utter failure from pride.  Works cannot save us.  Faith and trust in God is necessary from a platform of humility.  God's law must guide our thoughts, words and deeds to prosper.  (Related Article)

In the passage above, Jesus seems to answer the question with veiled truth.  A person is born into the water first.  This is our immersion (baptism) into the reality of the world.  Our body and the earth are both operated by water.  Apart from water, there is no life and the temple is not cleansed.  The Hebrew perspective sees blood as the water of life.  Many of the symbols we know from the Bible must be seen in light of Hebrew thought and linguistics. 

We also notice the revelation that we must be born of the spirit (Holy Consciousness).  This is the picture of the soul gaining union with God’s Holy Spirit when it is ready.  Love is the key to thinking with kindness.  How does this work?  How do other unions work in nature?  Remember, there are multiple perspectives at work.  Look at nature and see God's example to us.  

How does the earth gain life?  The sun and moon come together to produce all life on earth.  God gave this to us in love.  How do you gain union with a partner in this world to create new life?  You fall in love and a new life is created.  How is that new life created?  There is a union of sperm and egg.  Where is that new life born?  Into a womb.  The womb is also a veil from what comes next.  As we grow past the mother’s womb, is this the last union?  No.  The earth is our next womb.  We have the ability on earth to gain union with God’s Spirit in love.  When the two become one, a new life is born in the Spirit of Holiness.  If we bear fruit, the tree above drops seed on the new ground.  


The question is now obvious:  Are we born again into the water if we fail to gain union with spirit?  Does the wind blow us where it wants as it waits for us in love?  This is the mystery.  I think the Bible gives clues from John the Baptist and Jesus words.  Jesus said, “You must be born again.”  Is it an option?  Who controls the water?  Who controls the spirit?

Remember, Elijah controls the water.  In Matthew 3, John the Baptist refuses to baptize a group of people.  Who were they? 

Matthew 3

7 But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to where he was baptizing, he said to them: “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? 8 Produce fruit in keeping with repentance. 9 And do not think you can say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham. 10 The ax is already at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.

That’s right, the Pharisees and the Sadducees were refused baptism as the people were welcomed.  They were the rulers who were full of pride and deceit.  They were the “experts” in the law that were deceiving the people and keeping them from the truth.  Compare this to the Roman Catholic Church selling indulgences in the early days of the church.  Compare this to many religions of the day.  Compare this to many leaders of our day.  Compare this to the men of greed in our day.  Compare this to science says that we can save our planet, despite the fact that mankind is the enemy to nature.

If John controls the water, who controls the spirit?  Read the very next set of verses in Matthew 3:

11 “I baptize you with water for repentance. But after me comes one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. 12 His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor, gathering his wheat into the barn and burning up the chaff with unquenchable fire.”

Can we verify that being born again into the water is possible from other passages in the Bible?  Yes.  When Job’s children were killed by Satan, God once again met with Satan to discuss the matter.  In Job 2, Satan says this:

 3 Then the LORD said to Satan, “Have you considered my servant Job? There is no one on earth like him; he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil. And he still maintains his integrity, though you incited me against him to ruin him without any reason.”

“Skin for skin!” Satan replied. 

What does a snake do?  They shed a skin, but the snake is the same snake.  In other words, Job’s children would return to Job in other bodies.  They would be the same soul, but in a different person. 

You might be thinking of Hebrews 9:27 in your mind at this point.  This is the one verse that seems to deny transmigration.  I say look close.  Pay attention to the words.  Retain context from the rest of what's been seen.

27 Just as people are destined to die once, and after that to face judgment, 

This verse is often quoted to deny transmigration of the soul.  I will simply say this:  Have you read the very next verse?

28 so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him.

Ask these questions:  When does salvation come?  Who is waiting?  Where are they waiting?  Does a final judgment of mankind assume other judgments?  Is there a difference between the person wearing the body and the soul that inhabits the body?  Can a soul die?  What is the process in nature for all plant and animal life?  Don't answer these too quickly.  Job has more for us to learn.

I will not deny this next verse either, but show how it applies:

2 Corinthians 5

8 We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.

As I said, we are judged by God.  We also wait for our salvation.  We also know that the dead in Christ will rise again to new life and live on earth for 1000 years.  When do we become willing (Free will) to seek the spirit instead of the water?  

1 Thessalonians 4

16 For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first.

Rise where?  Doesn’t Christ come back a second time to bring salvation?  Do we live on the earth for 1000 more years?  What bodies do we inhabit in this last day of the Lord?  Remember, this is not the new heavens and the new earth yet.  The White Throne of Judgment has not judged the earth at this point.  This is the old heavens and earth.  Christ judges the nations first.  God comes back at the end and judges the fallen angels and the men who followed them.  Where do they wait?  Where does this first judgment of Christ happen?

As you consider this mystery with me, see the verses as they are.  Do we live again in the water?  How many times?  All we really know is this:  It’s a mystery.  As you consider this mystery further, read these verses from Job and ask the same questions.  This time, Job provides an answer.

Job 14

13 “If only you would hide me in the grave and conceal me till your anger has passed! If only you would set me a time and then remember me! 14 If someone dies, will they live again?  All the days of my hard service I will wait for my renewal to come. 15 You will call and I will answer you; you will long for the creature your hands have made. 16 Surely then you will count my steps but not keep track of my sin. 17 My offenses will be sealed up in a bag; you will cover over my sin.

For me, the book of Job offers me the answer to his question.  Yes, the Lord will call us to new life again. 

Job 19

23 “Oh, that my words were recorded, that they were written on a scroll, 24 that they were inscribed with an iron tool on lead, or engraved in rock forever!  25 I know that my redeemer lives, and that in the end he will stand on the earth.  26 And after my skin has been destroyed, yet in my flesh I will see God; 27 I myself will see him with my own eyes—I, and not another.  How my heart yearns within me!  28 “If you say, ‘How we will hound him, since the root of the trouble lies in him,’ 29 you should fear the sword yourselves; for wrath will bring punishment by the sword, and then you will know that there is judgment.”

What is he saying by, “yet in my flesh I will see God?”  Job will see Christ in the flesh.  He knows his redeemer lives.  Are those words familiar?  Why does he say that the root of the problem lies in him?  In 1 Corinthians 15, Jesus is referred to in relation to the first Adam and the last Adam.  What does this imply from your reasoning?  Jesus suffered for all of us to pay the debts of Adam's offense.  Like Job, value what he has done for us and consider it a mystery.  The mystery is neither stated nor denied.  It is veiled.  

The final verses, although there are more, come from the friend that counseled Job in truth.

Job 33

19 “Or someone may be chastened on a bed of pain with constant distress in their bones, 20 so that their body finds food repulsive    and their soul loathes the choicest meal. 21 Their flesh wastes away to nothing, and their bones, once hidden, now stick out. 22 They draw near to the pit (Death), and their life to the messengers of death. 23 Yet if there is an angel at their side, a messenger, one out of a thousand, sent to tell them how to be upright, 24 and he is gracious to that person and says to God, ‘Spare them from going down to the pit (hell);  I have found a ransom for them— 25 let their flesh be renewed like a child’s; let them be restored as in the days of their youth’— 26 then that person can pray to God and find favor with him, they will see God’s face and shout for joy; he will restore them to full well-being. 27 And they will go to others and say, ‘I have sinned, I have perverted what is right, but I did not get what I deserved. 28 God has delivered me from going down to the pit, and I shall live to enjoy the light of life.’ let them be restored as in the days of their youth’— 29 “God does all these things to a person— twice, even three times— 30 to turn them back from the pit, that the light of life may shine on them. 31 “Pay attention, Job, and listen to me; be silent, and I will speak. 32 If you have anything to say, answer me; speak up, for I want to vindicate you. 33 But if not, then listen to me; be silent, and I will teach you wisdom.”

Did you catch this?  Did the person above die, or were they merely sick?  Does this apply to a greater comparison of death to new life?  God allows this twice, even three times.  What does he allow?  “25 let their flesh be renewed like a child’s; let them be restored as in the days of their youth’.”  Again, God does not reveal the mystery, but keeps it veiled.  

I have hesitated to post this article many times.  As I learn more, I see that this conclusion is hard to deny.  After careful study, I am confident that being born again allows for us to see a Just God who is Long-suffering with us in this life.  One more question for you:  How many people are on earth as of 2012?  7 Billion--the number of completion.  What did Jesus say about that?

Revelation 1:7 Look, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, even those who pierced him; and all the peoples of the earth will mourn because of him. So shall it be! Amen.

How will those who pierced Him see Him coming in the clouds?  Which side of the mystery does this imply?

Philippians 2

9 Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

If Christ judges the nations, don’t they need to be on the earth to be judged?  The verses above acknowledge this.  What about Heaven?  The Bible is clear that ONLY Christ has risen to heaven with God.  He is there waiting until the enemies are made his footstool.  Hebrews 9:28, as you will recall, states that we (all of us) are waiting?  If not in heaven, where?  

Read John 14. 

1 “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. 2 My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. 4 You know the way to the place where I am going.”

The answer is to once again look at the 1000 year Day of the Lord.  The day of rest culminates the week.  Christ comes back here for us--all of us!  Are we raptured first?  Another article perhaps.  One last consideration: 

Epistle of Barnabas 

Barnabas 15:3 

Of the Sabbath He speaketh in the beginning of the creation; And God made the works of His hands in six days, and He ended on the seventh day, and rested on it, and He hallowed it. 

Barnabas 15:4

Give heed, children, what this meaneth; He ended in six days. He meaneth this, that in six thousand years the Lord shall bring all things to an end; for the day with Him signifyeth a thousand years; and this He himself beareth me witness, saying; Behold, the day of the Lord shall be as a thousand years. Therefore, children, in six days, that is in six thousand years, everything shall come to an end.

In 545 AD, Justinian declared it a heresy to believe in Transmigration.  This is after Origen, a Christian philosopher, states that it was what the Bible was saying to us.  Many people in the past have held this idea.  The Disciples inquired this very question.  The Hebrew tradition calls it Transmigration and Eastern religion calls it reincarnation.  Most religions hold it to be a fact.  From my perspective, Elijah has been preparing the way for almost 70 years since 1948.  Leave a comment and let me know how you see this mystery.  When Christ returns, we’ll compare notes and both know the answer.  For now, it's a matter of theological inquiry.  For me, 7 Billion people implies that Elijah turned the faucet back on as far as it would go.    

Romans 6

3 Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? 4 We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.

Don't forget to leave a comment below.

The Image of the Beast Revealed - 6 Electrons, 6 Protons, 6 Neutrons Speaks

What are the odds that a prisoner in a cave, 2000 years ago, knew the atomic structure of Carbon, Nitrogen and Oxygen?  Are the odds worth denying the truth?

By Stephen T. McClard - Complete Article List

If you have read my previous article on the mark of the beast, you will recall that the atomic number of Carbon is based on 6 protons, 6 neutrons and 6 electrons.  The significance of this reveals that carbon is the beast.  We are made from carbon, so carbon is the mark of mankind.  We also use carbon and fossil resources to design our world.  

My focus in this article will be to decipher the image of the beast as applied to buying and selling the products of this world.  As this concept may still be a mystery, please consider that what I am expounding here may not fully paint the entire picture of what the image of the Beast will ultimately involve.  Before I get to the main focus of this idea, let me share with you one critical perspective involving the concept of rightly divided truth.  If truth is not rightly divided, then we waste our time on this article.  To get this right, we need to stick to some basic rules. 

2 Timothy 2 ¹⁵Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

Paul was speaking here of the Seven Rules of Hillel.  Hillel would have been the Rabbi for Paul and Simeon during the time of Christ.  Hillel had seven rules for dividing truth from error.  These rules were derived for Hermes in Egypt.  Today we call these rules Hermeneutics.  Truth is Hermetically sealed and cannot be tampered with or spoiled. 

The rules I want to focus on here are numbers one and seven.  “The Kal vahomer rule says that what applies in a less important case will certainly apply in a more important case.”  In other words, if we can find an example from a lesser area of life, it will apply to a greater area of life if the context is the same.  Context is also necessary if we are to rightly divide truth.  Rule seven states that, “The total context, not just the isolated statement must be considered.”

Now that we understand these two rules, let’s see if we can apply them to the idea of the image of the beast mentioned in this verse of Revelation:

Revelation 13 ¹⁵ The second beast was given power to give breath to the image of the first beast, so that the image could speak and cause all who refused to worship the image to be killed.  ¹⁶ It also forced all people, great and small, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on their right hands or on their foreheads, ¹⁷ so that they could not buy or sell unless they had the mark, which is the name of the beast or the number of its name. 

 If we return to the idea that Carbon (6 Protons, 6 Electrons, 6 neutrons) is the mark of the Beast, then we need to check the areas where this mark shows itself.  The first place is man himself.  We are made of Carbon.  The main command in Revelation is to overcome the beast.  How do we overcome Carbon?  As we consider mankind, the beast can be seen as the animal within. 

At this point, you are probably already connecting context in your own mind.  You are taking this lesser case and expanding it out across the greater uses of Carbon.  This is a good exercise in rightly dividing truth.  As you read, you will likely see more than I have explained in this short article.  I will ask many questions as we progress to help you make these connections. 

Mankind

To conquer this Beast within ourselves, we must overcome our desire.  Satan is a representation of our desire.  Is Satan a real being?  (That’s a good question for another article.)  The main desire used to pull us away from God is greed.  Greed, as well as all other forms of sinful behavior, is caused by pride.  Pride is the elevation of self over others.  To overcome ourselves, we place God first in our lives, as Lord of our lives.  This faith then reveals love by works.  Love considers others first.  God is one of the others.  If we love God, we must love others as an expression of our faith in God.  Christ said to even love your enemies (LUKE 10). 

Fossil Fuel

Another beast that plagues our society is fossil fuel.  Fossil fuels are also made of carbon.  Despite the fact that alternatives exist to solve this problem, greed is the main stumbling block holding back our progress toward renewable energy.  The beast in this case is both man and the resources used. 

Technology

Consumer products such as water bottles, electronics, cars, tires and so on are all made from carbon in one form or another.  The beast in this case is waste and dangerous chemicals.  Our precious planet, the garden we were planted in, is being consumed.  What is consumed is not returned to nature in a helpful manner.  In this case, the beast is once again mankind and his use of the provisions of the earth. 

When considering the verse above, can we fit technology and fossil fuel into the image of mankind (The beast)?  Consider the altar you are using this moment to read this article.  Is a man speaking to you from the image?  Take a look at the cup of soda you purchased this week from the store.  Did the technology allow you to purchase this product?  Was the cup pressed into an image?  Was the logo of mankind placed on the image?  Did you throw that image into the trash so it moves on to the landfill?  Who’s image was on that cup?  What profit was that cup to humanity?  Who gained in greed?

The Beast of Corporate Consumerism

Mankind has moved consumer goods made from carbon into a global market.  Apart from the image of technology, we cannot buy or sell anything.  The mark is one of mankind’s making.  It is destroying the earth.  It serves us by dazzling our desires.  In turn, we serve this image in the form of corporate payments.  What brand of coffee do you like the best?  Who produced that coffee and who profits?  Where did the clothes on your back come from?  What sweatshop produced these for you?  Is truth being served or is the beast?

Worshiping the Image

Do we worship our idols in the arena of corporate advertising?  I guess this depends on how we define worship.  If we consider worship as adoration for something we perceive greater than ourselves, then we lower our own worth.  If we place the desire for the technology over our desire to benefit mankind, then we may be seeing a trend toward lowering the value of the bio-mechanical technology that God created for us to use in this Garden (The Body).  Is there a better technology than the one you are wearing in the form of a bio-mechanical body?  Is there a better technology than a flower; an orange; a tree?  Does the earth need the abiotic oil to sustain the living life above the soil?  Is it part of the process of sustaining the earth?  What harm are we doing by extracting it from the earth? 

A question arises in all of this:  What did God say about the garden of Eden and our place in it?  What did he tell us about spaceship earth?  He gave us one choice: Either we take the fruit of knowledge (technology) and die, or we allow Him to be our Lord and give us what we desire in the proper context of truth.  The fruit was meant to be a gift.  As a result of taking the fruit, we must die and face judgment for our works.  Nothing we can do will put Humpty Dumpty back together again (See this article).  All of the King’s tools and all of the King’s scientists will not be able to put Humpty Dumpty back in his place of glory again.  The choice to jump off the wall without God's help was made.  The egg is cracked when it should have been patient until hatching. 

What’s the answer?  For the Beast, the only answer is, “You must be born again.”  For mankind, we need to find union with God again in love.  If we do this, we place Him in His rightful spot of Lord of our World.  For Technology, the answer is the same.  It must be born again.  Not only do we need to give new birth to our old products by reforming them again, but we need to find alternatives to the resources we consume.  God’s designs are our examples.  What happens to all God’s technology in the garden?  Nature is the perfect technology.  There is ZERO waste.  Nature does no harm.  All of nature benefits the whole.  We already possessed the perfected technology.  The sad fact is, we still do possess the perfect technology as we see biology die before our very eyes.  

God has given us the blueprint in his Word.  We overcome by using the breath we were given to speak the truth.  Nitrogen has an atomic structure of 7 protons, 7 electrons and 7 neutrons.  This is also the number for God's completion in creation and forms the heptadic structure of the Bible.  Oxygen has an atomic structure of 8 protons, 8 electrons and 8 neutrons.  This is also the number for Jesus in Greek gematria.  These gasses comprise 99% of the breath we use to speak the Word of God.  The question is, which words do we value?  Who is our Lord?  Will we choose God or the beast? 

I say overcome and seek God first.  Can the context of our history with what a man said in a cave 2000 years ago be denied?  You decide.  I already have for myself.  I choose Christ as Lord and I seek the Kingdom of God instead of men.  Can I overcome by myself?  No.  Seek God first.  He has already overcome.  Place yourself in His care.

Matthew 6   

³³ But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

Help me overcome by sending this out in an email.  Spread God's Word.

Two Crossed Sticks Reveal Evidence for God - The Cross and the Tav

By Stephen T. McClard - Complete Article List

One of my favorite books to study is the Ancient Hebrew Lexicon by Jeff Binner.  My latest reading reveals a bit of a secret with two crossed sticks.  This is a fact that would go unnoticed apart form such an amazing resource.  The letter TAV is the 21st letter of the Hebrew Alphabet.  To reveal the meaning from the root language, the Lexicon uses the proto-Hebrew in the Phoenician language of Abraham.  To see clearly, we simply trace the meaning of the crossed sticks of TAV from the root meaning of the pictograph representing the letter.  

Early Hebrew was contained in an Agra Bio Linguistic language derived from created nature.  According to Hebrew tradition, nature was derived from the letters of the Hebrew language.  Each letter has meaning from unique pictographs.  Each of the ideograms then form root words.  The root words then branch like a tree by adding other letters.  Unlike hieroglyphs, Phoenician grows in relation to the seed (letter/root).  We can obviously see God's hand at work in this complex structure.

The pictograph for TAV is the image of two crossed sticks.  For a complete lesson in Agro Bio Linguistics, consult this LINK.  The meaning of the TAV is a mark, sign or signature.  Similarly, the name of the Lord in Hebrew is YHVH.  This is Yud, Hey, Vav, Hey.  Each of these contain meaning as well to form a larger meaning.  Yud is the hand.  Vav is the nail.  Hey means behold a great work.  In context, YHVH is read, "Behold the Hand, Behold the Nail."  A name is also a signature of a person's character in Hebrew.  To take the Lord's name in vain is to take on the name apart from the character to demonstrate the name.  Related Video

In Hebrew, the 22 letters are combined in pairs to form a union.  This can be compared to a seed gaining union with the soil or egg.  This progression (chain) then forms the branch of the tree from the root of three letters.  If we take the Tav at its first root, we get words that offer a clue to the symbolism of the cross.  As a similar example, consider how the world is created from Word by the addition of the lamed in this related article (Related Article).

There are three words formed in root form: Gift, Give and Hire

The message of Christ is simply seen when we connect the context of scripture to the meaning of the root words.  We are slaves to sin and death.  Christ came to redeem us by the Jubilee laws.  We can only be redeemed by a kinsman according to these laws.  Jesus had to come as a man to claim ownership from the master of sin and death.  This is given as a gift to mankind when faith is expressed from the life lived.  We are no longer slaves, but hired by Christ for good works as bond-servants.  He is giving this freely if we believe in God from faith by loving our neighbor--even enemies (Luke 10).  As a security for the promise, we are marked by the Holy Spirit with his signature (Ephesians 1:3).  The LORD (YHVH) of the Bible from Genesis 2 all the way to Revelation 22 is Jesus.

Before I go, consider this as you contemplate the hidden bits of the Hebrew language:  The 22 letters of Paul and others are the last 22 letter of the Bible.  Hebrew has 22 letters.  The Bible ends in 22 letters as a mark on the New Testament.  Evidence is in every place you consider.  God is AMAZING!