Monthly Archives: May 2010

The Spirit World: Ch. 16 (The New Jerusalem)

New Jerusalem

(This is a continuation of The Spirit World book series. This post assumes the prerequisite reading of earlier posts in the series.)

For purposes of this work, the name of this abode will be rendered “New Jerusalem,” but it is stated in that exact phraseology only one time in scripture. There are, overall, three unique renderings of “Jerusalem” in a spiritual and metaphorical usage, as it refers to a spiritual abode. As has been noted, that abode will be demonstrated to be one and the same as Heaven proper. Continue Reading

Leave a reply

The Spirit World: Chapter Fifteen (Heaven)

Heaven

(This is a continuation of The Spirit World book series. This post assumes the prerequisite reading of earlier posts in the series.)

In Hebrew, the term translated “heaven” or “heavens” is shamayim, which is used about four hundred times in the Old Testament. “Heaven” is likewise translated into English from the Greek term ouranos and its derivatives in the New Testament. Ouranos and shamayim have three distinct meanings in scripture. In both Greek and Hebrew culture and language, heaven was distinguished contextually to refer to one of three places. Continue Reading

Leave a reply

The Spirit World: Ch. 14 (The Confinement of Jude 6)

The Confinement of Jude 6

(This is a continuation of The Spirit World book series. This post assumes the prerequisite reading of earlier posts in the series.)

No specific term is associated with this text other than a description: “kept in darkness, bound with everlasting chains for judgment on the great Day.” Once again, a singular reference is given concerning this spiritual realm. That text is found in the book of Jude. Continue Reading

Leave a reply

The Spirit World: Chapter Thirteen (Tartarus)

Tartarus

(This is a continuation of The Spirit World book series. This post assumes the prerequisite reading of earlier posts in the series.)

Tarturus is another Greek term found only in a singular text: 2 Peter 2:4. The term “Tartarus” finds its roots in Greek mythology, being the name of the lowest place of confinement in the Greek mythological underworld. Thus, Peter uses an established term in this singular biblical reference. Although the term is established outside of scripture, it’s cultural use may certainly offer keen insight into its biblical use. Continue Reading

Leave a reply

The Spirit World: Ch. 12 (The Great River Euphrates)

The Great River Euphrates

(This is a continuation of The Spirit World book series. This post assumes the prerequisite reading of earlier posts in the series.)

The Euphrates River is noted several times in scripture in its common usage. It normally refers to the literal Euphrates River, of course, which begins in Russia and flows through Syria and Iraq, emptying into the Persian Gulf. The Euphrates is first mentioned in the book of Genesis, being one of the four rivers which flow out of Eden. Continue Reading

Leave a reply