Righteous and Faithful Job

The examination of Job
by William Blake

JOB was a faithful servant of the God of Israel in the Hebrew Bible/Old Testament and considered a prophet in Islam. The three major religions considered him to be a wealthy man of his time who lived in the Land of Uz with his large family and extensive flocks. He was a righteous man in the eyes of the Creator and was always careful to avoid doing evil (Job 1:1). One day Satan appeared before the God of the universe and challenged him about Job's faithfulness, asking him to allow him to curse him and prove him wrong where Job was concerned. God allowed the challenge to test Job as long as he [Satan] did not "kill Job". Satan agreed. 
 

Depiction of Job and Jethro before Pharaoh

The Jewish View

(from Wikipedia.com)

 

Some Rabbinic scho-lars maintain that Job was in fact one of three advisers that Pharaoh consulted, prior to taking action against the increasingly mul-tiplying "Children of Israel" during the time of Moses' birth. The episode is mentioned in the Talmud (Tractate Sotah): Balaam gives evil advice urging Pharaoh to kill the Hebrew male new-born babies; Jethro opposes Pharaoh and tells him not to harm the Hebrews at all, and Job keeps silent and does not reveal his mind even though he was personally opposed to Pharaoh's destructive plans. It is for his silence that God subsequently punishes him with his bitter afflictions. However, the book of Job itself contains no indication of this, and to the prophet Ezekiel, Yahweh refers to Job as a righteous man of the same caliber as Noah and Daniel. There is a minority view among Rabbinical scholars, for instance that of Rabbi Simeon ben Laqish, that says Job never existed (Midrash Genesis Rabbah LXVII). In this view, Job was a literary creation by a prophet who used this form of writing to convey a divine message. On the other hand, the Talmud (in Tractate Baba Batra 15a–16b) goes to great lengths trying to ascertain when Job actually lived, citing many opinions and interpretations by the leading sages. Job is further mentioned in the Talmud as follows:

• Job's resignation to his fate (in Tractate Pesachim 2b).
• When Job was prosperous, anyone who associated with him even to buy from him or sell to him, was blessed (in Tractate Pesachim 112a).
• Job's reward for being generous (in Tractate Megillah 28a).
• King David, Job and Ezekiel described the Torah's length without putting a number to it (in Tractate Eruvin 21a).

The Christian View

(from Wikipedia.com)

Christianity accepts the Book of Job as canon in the Old Testament and thus contains the same information regarding Job as discussed above in the Hebrew Bible. In addition, Job is mentioned in the New Testament: the Epistle of James 5:11 cites Job as an example of perseverance in suffering. The New Testament also quotes and references the Book of Job throughout the scriptures.

Job's declaration "I know that my Redeemer lives" (Job 19:25) is considered by some Christians to be a proto-Christian statement of belief, and is the basis of several Christian hymns. He is commemorated as a patriarch by the Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod in their Calendar of Saints on May 9, and in the Calendar of Saints of the Armenian Apostolic Church on August 30.

Messianic anticipation in the Book of Job:



Depiction of Job and his friends

In Chapter nine, Job recognizes the chasm that exists between him and God: “For he is not a man, as I am, that I might answer him, that we should come to trial together.” Job’s regret is that he has no arbiter to act as a go-between; that Job cannot reconcile himself with God anticipates the need for the Messiah to become incarnate. In verse 33, Job wishes that there was an “umpire” to decide between him and God. This idea of a divine arbiter is returned to at Job 16:19. Job again expresses his desire for a witness, and then declares, “my eyes pour out tears to God, that he would maintain the right of a man with God”. Job addresses God, desiring that God will advocate on Job’s behalf with himself. Job knows that no man such as himself, conceived in sin, can appeal to God on his behalf; so God must do it himself. Job’s faith in this arbiter is again brought up in chapter 19. It is commonly accepted that the “Redeemer” of 19:25 is the same person as the witness of 16:19. This verse in particular is often seen as an anticipation of Christianity. The Christ, as both God and Man, is seen in Christian theology as fulfilling this role in the redemption of man and of the earth and in the final judgment against evil.

The Islamic View

(from Wikipedia.com)

Depiction of Job's suffering

In the Qur'an, Job's story in Islam is very similar to the Hebrew Bible story but, the emphasis is paid to Job remaining steadfast to God and there is no mention of lengthy discussions with friends. However, later Muslim literature states that Job had brothers, who argued with the man about the cause of his affliction. Some Muslim commentators also spoke of Job as being the ancestor of the Romans. Muslim literature also comments on Job's time and place of prophecy, saying that he came after Joseph in the prophetic series and that he preached to his own people rather than being sent to a specified community. Tradition further recounts that Job will be the leader of the group of "those who patiently endured" in Heaven.

Ayyub in the Qur'an: 

The Qur'an describes Ayyub [Job] as a righteous servant of Allah [God], who was afflicted by suffering for a lengthy period of time. However, the Qur'an clearly states that Job never lost faith in God and forever called to God in prayer, asking Him to remove his affliction:

"And Job, when he cried out to his Lord: "Great harm has afflicted me, and you are the Most Merciful of the merciful." So We answered him, lifted his suffering, and restored his family to him, and their like with them - a mercy from Us, and a reminder for the worshippers." - Qur'an, sura 21 (The Prophets)
The narrative goes on to state that after many years of suffering, God ordered Job to "Strike with thy foot!". At once, Job struck the ground with his foot and God caused a cool spring of water to gush forth from the Earth, from which Job could replenish himself. The Qur'an states that it was then that God removed his pain and suffering and He returned Job's family to him, blessed him with many generations of children and granted him great wealth. In addition to the brief descriptions of Job's narrative, the Qur'an further mentions Job twice in the lists of those whom God had given special guidance, wisdom and inspiration (IV:163) and as one of the men who received authority, the Book and the gift of prophethood (VI:84)

* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *

The final outcome of Job's ordeal resulted in him being rewarded [by God] for enduring the suffering and remaining faithful. His righteousness was recompensed. God blessed Job and made him wealthier than before and doubled his flocks. While his first wife demanded that Job curse the God of Abraham to alleviate his suffering, she and her ten children were killed due to consequences of her request. However, God provided for His faithful servant another family (which included ten more children) and blessed them too. Job lived for another one hundred and forty years after his encounter with Satan. (Job 42:16)

In addition to the Book of Job, the biblical character of Job appears in several books: 

• He is mentioned by the prophet Ezekiel. (Ezekiel 14:14, 20)
• He is briefly referenced in the Christian Epistle of James. (James 5:11)
• He is discussed as a prophet in the Qur'an. (Qur'an 21:83-84)
• He is also the protagonist of pseudepigraphal book called the Testament of Job.
• He is also mentioned in the Doctrine and Covenants, one of the four sacred texts of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church).

The Moral of the Story:

The story of Job illustrates the depth of despair and the depth of God's promises. Being obedient to God and trusting in Him produces prosperous results. We [mankind] are never tested beyond our ability. Sometimes having the best of everything becomes obsolete if you do not have the Faith to endure the hardships that Life sometimes presents to us. Stand strong in the face of Adversity and it will strengthen our experiences.

Depiction of Job and his second family

The Many Facets of the Anti-Christ

Who is the Anti-Christ?

Although the Holy Bible [of the Christians] does not specify the identity of the Anti-Christ or give a certain name, the holy book is packed full of hints and clues as to what he will be like. The term 'antichrist' appears only four times in the Bible: 1 John 2:18; 1 John 2:22; 1 John 4:3; 2 John 1:7. According to the theologians and scholars of religion, the Anti-Christ (an agent of Satan) will appear out of a global organization, such as the United Nations (UN) or the European Union (EU), and will make a grand entrance into a very vulnerable world. This evil agent will have the ability to convince many people to follow and worship him. The lies and deceit will be embraced as truth and salvation by many when the Anti-Christ, a suave character of charming persuasion, will be successful in uniting all countries through a long awaited peace treaty with Israel and the Middle East. In Judasim and Islam, there are mention of false prophets in their holy books, but not an Anti-Christ. The closest these religions come to an 'antichrist' figure is Armilus in Judaism and the Dajjal in Islam.
 

The Many Names of the Anti-Christ
 

Just as Jesus Christ is referred to by many names (ie: the Morning Star, Son of God, etc.) so too is the Anti-Christ appointed different names. In most instances, names are employed to define character, whereas titles are used to signify relationships. There are some theologians that will argue the point and claim this is not the case; some believe Satan and the Devil are two separate entities, while others agree in unison they are one in the same. Regardless of their debate, the following is a partial list [from the New King James Version Bible] of names attributed to the Anti-Christ: 

Bloodthirsty and Deceitful Man: "You shall destroy those who speak falsehood; the LORD abhors the bloodthirsty and deceitful man." (Psalms 5:6)

Wicked One: "The wicked (one) in his pride persecutes the poor; Let them be caught in the plots which they have devised." (Psalms 10:2) "The wicked (one) in his proud countenance does not seek God; God is in none of his thoughts." (Psalms 10:4)

 

King of Assyria: "Therefore it shall come to pass, when the Lord has performed all His work on Mount Zion and on Jerusalem, that He will say, 'I will punish the fruit of the arrogant heart of the king of Assyria, and the glory of his haughty looks." (Isaiah 10:12)

 

Wicked Prince of Israel: "Now to you, O profane, wicked prince of Israel, whose day has come, whose iniquity shall end, thus says the Lord GOD: "Remove the turban, and take off the crown; Nothing shall remain the same. Exalt the humble, and humble the exalted. Overthrown, overthrown, I will make it overthrown! It shall be no longer, Until He comes whose right it is, And I will give it to Him." (Ezekiel 21:25-27)

 

The Little Horn: "I was considering the horns, and there was another horn, a little one, coming up among them, before whom three of the first horns were plucked out by the roots. And there, in the this (little) horn, were eyes like the eyes of a man, and a mouth speaking pompous words." (Daniel 7:8)

 

Man of Sin; Son of Perdition: "Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition," (2 Thessalonians 2:3) 

The Lawless One: "And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord will consume with the breath of His mouth and destroy with the brightness of His coming." (2 Thessalonians 2:8) 

 

The Beast: "When they finish their testimony, the beast that ascends out of the bottomless pit will make war against them, overcome them, and kill them." (Revelation 11:7)

 

For more information, please visit: Names and Titles of the Anti-Christ
 

Characteristics of the Anti-Christ:

There are as many as fifty (50) characteristics of the Anti-Christ found throughout the Holy Bible; the Word of God relates various symbols that define certain desires and plans of the Anti-Christ. The Creator intended for mankind to recognize these attributes of the Anti-Christ, and through His prophets and apostles (such as Daniel,  Paul and John of Patmos) the evil adversary's characteristics where highlighted for mankind to not only unravel, but to understand and adhere to. The following are a few characteristics of the Anti-Christ: 

• He will come from among ten kingdoms in the restored Roman Empire and will have authority similar to the ancient Babylonians. (Daniel 7:7, 24; Revelation 13:2) 
• He will be different from other kings - past or present. (Daniel 7:24)
• He will speak arrogantly and boastfully. (Daniel 7:8; Revelation 13:5)
• He will blaspheme God and slander his name (Daniel 7:25; 11:36; Revelation 13:5-6)
• He will try to change the calendar, as well as the laws, to define a new era. (Daniel 7:25)
• He will not be succeeded by another earthly ruler. (Daniel 7:26-27)
• He will confirm a covenant with "many" (Daniel 9:27) and this covenant will most likely involve the establishment of the Third Jewish Temple in Jerusalem (Matthew 24:15)
• He will show no regard for the religion of his ancestors and he will not believe in any god except for himself. (Daniel 11:37)
• He will focus his attention on the military; conquer lands and distribute them. (Dan. 11:39-44)
• He will, in fact, claim to be God. (2 Thessalonians 2:4)
• His arrival in the world will accompanied by miracles, signs and wonders. (2 Thess. 2:9)
• He will deny that Jesus is the Messiah. ( 1 John 2:22)
• He will be empowered by Satan (Revelation 13:2)
• He will be worshipped by many people. (Revelation 13:8)
• He will appear to survive a fatal injury (Revelation 13:3; 17:8)

For more information, please visit: Characteristics of the Anti-Christ





St. Valentine's Day

Valentine's Day is observed on February 14 and celebrated in many countries around the world. This day began as a liturgical celebration of one or more early Christian saints named Valentinus.  Although the history of Valentine's Day is somewhat sketchy, it has been celebrated as a "day of love" or a "day for lovers" for many centuries. In ancient Rome, February was the official beginning of spring and was considered a time for purification. Valentine symbols used today include: heart-shaped outlines, doves, chocolate candy, roses and figures of the winged Cupid. Since the 19th century, handwritten valentines have given way to mass-produced greeting cards.

History of the Various St. Valentines'
(from Wikipedia.com)

The most popular martyrology associated with Saint Valentine was Valentinus who was imprisoned for performing weddings for soldiers who were forbidden to marry and for ministering to Christians, who were persecuted under the Roman Empire; during his imprisonment, he is said to have healed the daughter of his jailer, Asterius. Legend states that before his execution he wrote her a letter "from your Valentine" as a farewell. 

 

Another legend states that the day was first associated with romantic love in the circle of Geoffrey Chaucer in the High Middle Ages, when the tradition of courtly love flourished. By the 15th century, it had evolved into an occasion in which lovers expressed their love for each other by presenting flowers, offering confectionery, and sending greeting cards (known as "valentines").

 

Numerous early Christian martyrs were named Valentine. The Valentines honored on February 14 are Valentine of Rome and Valentine of Terni. Valentine of Rome was a priest who was martyred about AD 269 and buried on the Via Flaminia. The flower-crowned skull of St. Valentine is exhibited in the Basilica of Santa Maria in Cosmedin, Rome; other relics are found in the Basilica of Santa Prassede, also in Rome, as well as at Whitefriar Street Carmelite Church in Dublin, Ireland.

 

Valentine of Terni became bishop of Interamna about AD 197 and is said to have been martyred during the persecution under Emperor Aurelian. he is also buried on the Via Flaminia, but in a different location than Valentine of Rome. His relics are at the Basilica of Saint Valentine in Terni.



The Catholic Encyclopedia also speaks of yet another saint named Valentine who was mentioned in early martyrologies under the date of February 14. He was martyred in Africa with a number of companions, but nothing more is known about him. This Saint Valentine's head was preserved in the abbey of New Minster, Winchester, and very much venerated.

Valentine's Traditions and Legends

 

Parlement of Foules by Geoffrey Chaucer

The first recorded association of Valentine's Day with romantic love is in Parlement of Foules (1382) by Geoffrey Chaucer. The poet wrote "For this was on seynt Volantynys day. Whan euery bryd comyth there to chese his make." Translated: "For this was on Saint Valentine's Day, when every bird cometh there to choose his mate." This poem was written to honor the first anniversary of the engagement of King Richard II of England to Anne of Bohemia.  A treaty providing for a marriage was signed on May 2, 1381. (When they were married eight months later, they were each only 15 years old). However, there were three other authors who made poems about birds mating on Saint Valentine's Day around the same years: Otton de Grandson from Savoy, John Gower from England, and a knight called Pardo from Valencia. Chaucer most probably predated all of them, but, due to the difficulty of dating medieval works, we can't know for sure who of the four had the idea first and influenced the others.

 

The earliest surviving valentine is a 15th century rondeau written by Charles, Duke of Orléans to his wife, which commences - "Je suis desja d'amour tanné. Ma tres doulce Valentinée..." Translated: "I love desja tanned. My very doulce Valentine". At the time, the duke was being held prisoner in the Tower of London following his capture at the Battle of Agincourt in 1415.

 

The earliest surviving valentine in English appear to be those in the Paston Letters, written in 1477 by Margery Brewes to her future husband, John Paston "My right well-beloved Valentine".

 

Valentine's Day is also ruefully mentioned by Ophelia in Hamlet (1600-1601):

To-morrow is Saint Valentine's day,
All in the morning betime,
And I a maid at your window,
To be your Valentine.
Then up he rose, and donn'd his clothes,
And dupp'd the chamber-door;
Let in the maid, that out a maid
Never departed more.

—William Shakespeare, Hamlet, Act IV, Scene 5

 

The verse "Roses are red" echoes conventions traceable as far back as Edmund Spenser's epic The Faerie Queene (1590): She bath'd with roses red, and violets blew, And all the sweetest flowres, that in the forrest grew.      

The modern cliché Valentine's Day poem can be found in the collection of English nursery rhymes Gammer Gurton's Garland (1784):     

The rose is red, the violet's blue,
The honey's sweet, and so are you.
Thou art my love and I am thine;
I drew thee to my Valentine:
The lot was cast and then I drew,
And Fortune said it shou'd be you    

In 1797, a British publisher issued The Young Man's Valentine Writer, which contained scores of suggested sentimental verses for the young lover unable to compose his own. Printers had already begun producing a limited number of cards with verses and sketches, called "mechanical valentines," and a reduction in postal rates in the next century ushered in the less personal but easier practice of mailing Valentines. That, in turn, made it possible for the first time to exchange cards anonymously, which is taken as the reason for the sudden appearance of racy verse in an era otherwise prudishly Victorian.

Paper Valentines became so popular in England in the early 19th century that they were assembled in factories. Fancy Valentines were made with real lace and ribbons, with paper lace introduced in the mid-19th century. The reinvention of Saint Valentine's Day in the 1840s has been traced by Leigh Eric Schmidt. As a writer in Graham's American Monthly observed in 1849, "Saint Valentine's Day... is becoming, nay it has become, a national holyday." In the United States, the first mass-produced valentines of embossed paper lace were produced and sold shortly after 1847 by Esther Howland (1828–1904) of Worcester, Massachusetts. Ms. Howland was known as the Mother of the Valentine.

 

In the second half of the 20th century, the practice of exchanging cards was extended to all manner of gifts. Such gifts typically include roses and chocolates packed in a red satin, heart-shaped box. In the 1980s, the diamond industry began to promote Valentine's Day as an occasion for giving jewelry.

 

A pop-up Valentine, c1920.

The U.S. Greeting Card Association estimates that approximately 190 million valentines are sent each year in the USA. When you include the valentine-exchange cards made in school activities the figure goes up to 1 billion, and teachers become the people receiving the most valentines.

 

The rise of Internet popularity at the turn of the millennium is creating new traditions. Millions of people use, every year, digital means of creating and sending Valentine's Day greeting messages such as e-cards, love coupons or printable greeting cards. An estimated 15 million e-valentines were sent in 2010. Valentine's Day is considered by some to be a Hallmark holiday due to its commercialization.

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The history of Valentine's Day — and its patron saints — are definitely shrouded in mystery. But we do know that February has long been a month of romance. In addition to the United States, Valentine's Day is celebrated in the United Kingdom, France, Australia, Canada and Mexico. Some East and Southeast Asian countries also celebrate a type of Valentine's Day known as the Qixi Festival and in Latin America the day of love is referred to as Día del Amor y la Amistad. Most all Islamic countries do not celebrate any type of Valentine's Day as they associate it with a Christian holiday and is harsly criticized by Islamic Teachers who see the celebrations as opposed to Islamic culture.   St. Valentine's Day, as we know it today, contains vestiges of both Christian and ancient Roman tradition.

 

 

Holy Books of the World

When referring to religion it can be defined very broadly. Thus, the religious books in the world can also be similarly circumscribed. There are many Holy Books today that contain specific systems of beliefs, codes of ethics and philosophies of life. In almost every religion around the world, the congregation depends on a Holy Book. 

Many times these Holy Books are attributed to the Creator or various gods and some believe divine inspiration was involved. The skeptics, however, contend that all books were written by human beings and being inspired of a holy book is likened unto being inspired by such literary artists as William Shakespeare. Once again mankind finds itself at an impasse concerning the Holy Books that are circulating around the planet, especially when the majority of the world deems the divine books to be sacred. The following is a partial list of the Holy Books in circulation today:

The Apocrypha… the 14 sacred books of the Septuagint (Greek translation of the Hebrew Scriptures) that was rejected in Protestantism and Judaism; 11 books are accepted in the Roman Catholic biblical canon.

Bhagavad Gita… a Sanskrit poem, written between 200 B.C. and 200 A.D., that is part of the Indian epic known as the Mahabharata. It describes the Hindu path to spiritual wisdom and the unity with God that can be achieved through karma (action), bhakti (devotion) and jnana (knowledge).

Dead Sea Scrolls… a compilation of eschalogical writings of the Essenes (an ancient Jewish race) which were written and protected over a 200 year span from c/132 B.C. to c/68 A.D. The Essenes were wiped out in a great war with the Romans in 68 A.D. and the scrolls were hidden in a multiple cave system near Qumran prior to their extinction. The Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered by a humble shepherd in 1947 A.D. and considered the greatest ancient discovery of the 20th century.

  

Hadith… is mainly a collection of Mohammed’s sayings (not considered revelations from Allah) and stories about the Islamic messiah’s life. This holy text was compiled in 9th century (A. D.). While several authors are credited with compiling the Hadith, al-Bukhari collected the most authoritative sayings of Mohammed.

New Testament… is the second portion of the Christian Bible, which forms the basis of Christian belief. The book contains the teachings of Jesus, the writings of the apostles, instruction for converting nonbelievers and performing baptisms, blessings and other rituals. It is believed the New Testament was written around 100 A.D.



Old Testament… is the Christian name for the Jewish (Hebrew) Bible; contains the sacred scriptures of Judaism and is the first portion of the Christian Bible. The Old Testament describes the origins of the world, the history of the Israelites, the various concepts governing social and religious behavior and many stories of heroes, kings and wars. Scholars generally agree that the Old Testament was compiled sometime between 1000 B.C. to 100 B. C.

Qur'an… also referred to as Koran, is the primary book of Islam which contains impassioned appeals for belief in Allah (God), encouragement to lead a moral life, portrayals of damnation and beatitude, stories of Islamic prophets, and rules governing the social and religious life of Muslims. The authoritative text of Islam was produced around 650 A.D.

Tanakh… is the basic text of the Jewish (Hebrew) Bible, which contains the Torah (the law), Nevtim (the prophets) and Kethuvim (the writings). According to the Talmud, much of the contents of the Tanakh were compiled by the “Men of Great Assembly” by 450 B. C., although modern scholars believe the finalization of the canon occurred between 200 B.C. and 200 A.D.

Tao-te-ching… is the basic text of the Chinese philosophy and religion known as Taoism. It is a compilation of 81 short chapters and depicts a way of life marked by quiet effortlessness and freedom from desire. This book is attributed to Lao-tse, although it has not been positively proven. Some claim it was compiled by many writers over a long period of time.

Veda… is the sacred scriptures of Hinduism. It is a publication of prayers and hymns that are considered to be revelations of eternal youth written by seer-poets and inspired by the gods. The writings uphold that Brahman (Absolute Self) underlies all reality and can be known by invoking gods through the use of hymns. The Hindu texts were recorded between 1000 and 500 B. C.

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 In all religions, Holy Books are considered sacred and their texts are the central importance to their religious tradition. Many religions, as well as spiritual movements, believe that their consecrated writings are divinely or supernaturally inspired. Scholars agree that attitudes toward sacred texts differ.

Some religions make their texts available to anyone; while others hold that their hallowed texts must remain hidden from all but the loyal and just. Many religions view their sacred writings as the “Word of God” and not open to alteration. While the Holy Books of the world are intended to give mankind guidance and instruction, the ancient writings can produce many interpretations.

There are many people of faith who believe in an all powerful Omnipresence. And, most are convinced the holy texts of the world are not only the Creator’s instruction manual, but a road map leading to future events.

For more information, please visit - Who's ? Right: Mankind, Religions & The End Times

Ancient Timeline of Mankind

The history of mankind began with the creation of Adam and Eve according to the "creation theory". In conjunction with the "evolution theory", mankind was residing on Earth as far back as 500,000 BC. It is interesting to debate on the original origins of mankind and it is one of the most common mysteries yet to be deciphered, but the Editor foresees this enigma will remain an obscure subject.

The following excerpt was taken from Who's ? Right: Mankind, Religions & The End Times:

While there is 6,000 years of human continuum (according to the majority of scholars and theologians of antediluvian history), the scientific community claims prehistoric man came long before Adam. Today, speculation continues concerning such a theoretical summation.

Regardless of one’s beliefs, the theory of prehistoric man may never be reconciled. In this respect, mankind will incorporate their freewill and continue to believe what one wishes to believe. The following timeline is based on B.C. (Before Christ) and A.D. (Anno Domini…Latin for ‘In the Year of the Lord’).

Prehistoric:

c/500,000 to c/100,000 B.C.

 Homo Erectus (Java Man): first to make and control fire; traveled over land bridges from Africa and populated the world.

 c/100,000 B.C.

 Heidelberg Man: succeeded Java Man about the 3rd Glacial Age.

 c/50,000 B.C.

 Neanderthal Man: first to sew clothes from the animal skins; buried their dead with ceremony.

 c/25,000 to c/10,000 B.C.

 Cro-Magnon Man: constructed huts with a central hearth for fires; made necklaces and little statues of ivory, antler and bone.

Historic:

4000-3500 B.C.

   Adam and Eve created from the dust of the earth; Satan entered the world; Adam and Eve’s sons were born (Cain and Abel); first murder committed (Cain killed Abel); Cain (whose birthright was to carry an ungodly lineage) was banished to the land of Nod.

   Seth (whose birthright was to carry a godly lineage) was born to Adam and Eve; Cain’s firstborn, Enoch, was born.

 Seth’s firstborn, Enosh, was born (according to Arabian tradition, Enosh prohibited intermarriages with the Cainites, which were the descendants of Cain).

 Seth’s first grandchild, Cainan, was born (this Arabian tradition, in respect to Cainan, said that he held an universal empire, and was notable for his wisdom and miraculous powers).

 Lamech, son of Methusael (from the lineage of Cain), was born; Lamech was the first polygamist on record, having married two wives.

 Jared, son of Mahalaleel (from the lineage of Seth), was born (according to Arabian tradition, Jared was the first who broke through the command of Enosh, which prohibited intermarriages with the Cainites, and married into the tribe of Cain).

 Intermarriages of the descendants of Seth and the descendants of Cain began. (Genesis 6:1-2 [KJV]) Immortality, violence and godlessness increased.

 3500-3000 B.C.

 Enoch, son of Jared (from the lineage of Seth), was born (this Arabian tradition claims Enoch was an eminent astronomer, mathematician and prophet of God; he ‘walked with God’ and was taken to heaven at the age of 365 years).

 Methuselah, son of Enoch (from the lineage of Seth), was born; he was the oldest man on record, living 969 years.

 The lineage of Seth was inventors of a peculiar wisdom dealing with the heavenly bodies and their order. Seth was purported to have had great prosperity for seven generations.

 Intermarriages between the Cainites and Sethites continue and become more pervasive as the violence and revelry increases. The marriage of brother and sister was common practice.

 Lamech, son of Methusaleh (from the lineage of Seth), was born; he was the first man on record to die a natural death before his father.

 Adam, the first historical man, died at the age of 930 years (3070).

 3000-2500 B.C.

 Seth, son of Adam and Eve, died at the age of 912 years (2958).

 Noah, son of Lamech (from the lineage of Seth), was born 2944.

 With intermarriages now common, the Cainites held much influence over the Sethites. Ethical and religious principles were fast becoming extinct. Violence, hostility and debauchery described the ancient society of mankind as it became increasingly corrupt.

2500-2000 B.C.

 Noah’s sons are born: Shem, the eldest, fathered five sons (and carried on the godly birthright). Japheth, the middle, fathered seven sons and Ham, the youngest, fathered four sons.

 Noah was called by God to start building an ark and to warn of a horrid and impending flood (c/2460). Noah’s prophesying lasted 120 years.

 The great flood deluged the earth. (c/2300) There are different dates assigned to the flood of Noah… Septuagint (3246); Josephus, (3146); Samaritan Pent, (2998); Clinton Bible, (2482); Playfair Bible, (2352); Usher English Bible, (2348); Hebrew Bible, (2288).

 The “rainbow covenant”, promising to never again flood the earth, was established between mankind and God. The sons of Noah began to repopulate the world.