Holy Names of God

Most Holy Books share a common denominator when it comes to a Most High Supreme Being that rules over the entire planet (and the universe, for that matter), yet there are thousands of names ascribed to this Supreme Being. The names of  God (an English word used by multiple religions) are terms used to describe a form of addressing the Supreme Being in a worship service or prayer, which have become a part of both Eastern and Western spiritual practices. Many of these names enumerate various qualitites of the Supreme Being.

A diagram of the names of God in Athanasius Kircher's Oedipus Aegyptiacus (1652–54).

 



During the ancient era when God was making covenants with mankind, this Supreme Being revealed himself by name to leaders such as Noah, Abraham and Moses, yet each name was different (Elohim with Noah, El Shaddai with Abraham, Yahweh with Moses). In many cultures, the name Yahweh is also known simply as YHWH. Not long after revealing His name to Moses, He clearly became known as I AM.

 

"And Moses said unto God, Behold, when I come unto the children of Israel, and shall say unto them, The God of your fathers hath sent me unto you; and they shall say to me, 'What is his name?', what shall I say unto them? And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you. And God said moreover unto Moses, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, The LORD God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, hath sent me unto you: this is my name for ever, and this is my memorial unto all generations." - Exodus 3:13-15

 

In Scripture, a person's name identified them and stood for something specific. The same can be said of the Supreme Being. This is evident in the fact that God revealed His names to certain people instead of allowing the mere human to choose a name for Him. In doing so, this Supreme Being asserted His authority and power, as well.

 

There are a number of instances where no name is employed, but the term was used as a point of focus, such as:

 

1- Abraham called on the "name" of the Lord (Genesis 12:8)

2- The Lord proclaimed His own "name" before Moses (Exodus 33:19)

3- The "name" of God is called 'wonderful' (Judges 13:18)

4- How excellent is Your "name" in all the earth (Psalms 8:1)

 

According to the religion of Islam, the earliest mention of the name of God (Allah) can be found in the Qu'ran, Sura 2:

 

"When your Lord said to the angels: I am placing on the earth one that shall rule as My deputy, they replied: Will You put there one that will do evil and shed blood, when we have for so long sung Your praises and sanctified Your Name?" 

 

There are 99 Names of Allah by which the Muslims regard God and which are described in the Qu'ran and Sunnah, among other places. According to the hadith, this is a special group of names, but has no exact enumeration, which has caused some contention among the Islamic scholars. Abdullah ibn Mas'ud, a narrator of one of the hadiths, believe that some of the names of Allah have been hiddened from mankind and therefore there are more than 99 names.

 

The name Jehovah (commonly suggested as another spelling for Yahweh)  is also mentioned in the Holy Books:

 

"And God spake unto Moses, and said unto him, I am the Lord: And I appeared unto Abraham, unto Isaac, and unto Jacob, by the name of God Almighty, but by my name Jehovah was I not known to them." - Exodus 6:2-3

 

Other names associated with the Supreme Being is:

• El Elyon - "The Most High God" ... stresses God's strength, sovereignty and supremacy. (Genesis 14:19; Psalms 9:2; Daniel 7:18)
• El Olam - "The Everlasting God" ... emphasizes God's unchangeableness and His inexhaustibleness (Genesis 16:3)
• Adonai - "Master/Owner" ... stresses man's relationship to God as his master, authority and provider (Genesis 18:2; Exodus 21:1-6; Joshua 5:14; Samuel 1:15)
• Yahweh Jireh (Yireh) - “The Lord will provide.” ... stresses God’s provision for His people (Genesis 22:14)
• Yahweh Nissi - “The Lord is my Banner.” ... stresses that God is our rallying point and our means of victory; the one who fights for His people (Ex. 17:15)
• Yahweh Shalom - “The Lord is Peace.” ... points to the Lord as the means of our peace and rest (Judges 6:24)
• Yahweh Sabbaoth - “The Lord of Hosts.”... a military figure portraying the Lord as the commander of the armies of heaven (1 Samuel 1:3; 17:45)
• Yahweh Maccaddeshcem - “The Lord your Sanctifier.”... portrays the Lord as our means of sanctification or as the one who sets believers apart for His purposes (Exodus 31:13)
• Yahweh Ro’i - “The Lord my Shepherd.”... portrays the Lord as the Shepherd who cares for His people as a shepherd cares for the sheep of his pasture (Psalms. 23:1)
• Yahweh Tsidkenu - “The Lord our Righteousness.” ... portrays the Lord as the means of our righteousness (Jeremiah 23:6)
• Yahweh Shammah - “The Lord is there.”... portrays the Lord’s personal presence in the millennial kingdom (Ezekiel 48:35)
• Yahweh Elohim Israel - “The Lord, the God of Israel.” ... identifies Yahweh as the God of Israel in contrast to the false gods of the nations (Judges 5:3.; Isaiah. 17:6)

 



 



While these are just a few names associated with the Supreme Being, one can see as they read through the Scriptures of the Holy Books the importance assigned to each and every name. During biblical times a person's name was said to reveal their character. If this was the case, then the Supreme Being, who goes by many names, definitely has many characters which describes Him in many different ways. Therefore God's names not only revealed his endless attributes, but shares with mankind the eternal nature of who He really is.

Religion of the Hindu

Hinduism is basically an ancient religion known as “Brahmanism”. It is best defined as a complexity of all religious ideas of India. The original polytheistic religious philosophy of the Brahman was founded about 2500 B.C. and Hinduism surfaced in the latter portion of the B. C. era. 

The Brahman is considered to be the Supreme Being  that is the origin and support of the phenomenal solar system. He is also referred to as the Absolute or Godhead of everything in the entire Universe. The sages of the Upanishads teach that Brahman is the ultimate Creator that cannot be seen or heard, but whose nature can be known through the development of self-knowledge. The Brahman is an infinite being and is mankind's consciousness.

The Hindu believes in the transmigration of souls and their final union with the Absolute Spirit. It is believed that the Brahma (one of the Hindu gods) is the original existence of all individual souls. The Brahman can be divided into creating, preserving and destroying principles, as personified in the Hindu gods: Brahmā, Shiva and Vishu.

Brahmā is the god of Creation and one of the Trimūrti (Hindu Trinity). He is the father of Manu, and from Manu all human beings are descended. He is not to be confused with the Great Spirit known as Brahman, which is genderless.

Shiva is the Destroyer or Transformer of the Trimurti. He is a yogi that takes notice of everything that happens in the world and is the main aspect of life. In the Smarta tradition, he is regarded as one of the five primary forms of God.   

Vishnu is the Preserver of the Trimurti. He is also venerated as one of the five primary forms of God.  He is noted for being the master of [and beyond] the past, present and future. He also supports, sustains and governs the Universe and originates, as well as developes, all the elements within.

Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva

While Hinduism has no organized common creed, there are two sacred Hindu texts which are divided into two books known as Śruti ("revealed") and Smriti ("remembered"). These commentaries discuss theology, philosophy, mythology, rituals and temple building [among other topics]. Major scriptures include the Vedas, Upanishads, Purāṇas, Mahābhārata, Rāmāyaṇa, Bhagavad Gītā and Āgamas.   

In the 19th century A.D., Christianity began to affect Hinduism and many religious sects were founded which reflected this. The most well-known sect which emerged was the Rama-Krishna movement of the late 1800’s. Gadadhar Chattopadhyay was a mystic in the latter part of the 1800's who founded a religious school of thought which led to the formation of the Ramakrishna Mission.

Between the most primitive and the most advanced versions, Hinduism has survived for thousands of years and is still a stronghold of a religion. Hinduism has about one billion followers worldwide and is the third largest religion, after Christianity and Islam.  Today, the majority of Hindu adherents can be found in India, Nepal, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Sri Lanka and Pakistan.



The Prophet Joel

Joel was one of the minor prophets of ancient Israel and his story can be found in the Old Testament/Tanakh (in the Book of Joel) . While the dates of his lifetime are unknown, theologians speculate that he lived somewhere between the 9th and 5th centuries BC. However, the mention of Judah's suffering and the 'standing temple' [in the Holy Book] have led some scholars to believe he lived during the post-exilic period and after the completion of the Second Temple. Joel, the son of Pethuel, was originally from the southern kingdom of  Judah (also known as Judea) and quite possibly associated with the rituals of the Jerusalem temple (such as: offerings, holidays, reading of Psalms, etc.).



The Prophet Joel by Michelangelo (Sistine Chapel Ceiling, 1508-1512).



The Prophet Joel was considered to be one of earliest writing prophets of the Hebrew/Christian Bible and was a contemporary with the prophets Jeremiah, Ezekiel and Habakkuk. He was also quoted by Amos, Isaiah, Malachi, Micah, Nahum, Obadiah and Zephaniah [confirming his early prophethood] and the first prophet to mention the "Day of the Lord". (Joel 2:31)

The Day of the Lord:

Is a special term in the Bible used to refer to a period of time when God directly intervenes in human affairs---in judgment or in blessing. The phrase identifies events that will take place at the end of history (Isaiah 7:18-25) and often is associated with the term "that day". Some scholars believe that the "day of the Lord" will be longer than a single day and will be a period of time when God will cleanse heaven and earth in preparation for the eternal state of all mankind throughout the world. Other theologians believe this day will be an instantaneous event when some will be redeemed and others will be sentenced to eternal damnation.  

The table below represents some of the more explicit quotes and allusions between specific passages in Joel and passages from the Old and New Testaments:

________________________________________________________________

       

                   Joel                    Old Testament                New Testament     

                                 1:6/2:2-10                                                   Revelation 9:3, 7-9

                                 1:15                     Isaiah 13:6

                                                              Ezekiel 30:2-3

                                 2:1                       Zephaniah 1:14-16

                                 2:1-2                   Amos 5:18, 20

                                 2:11                     Malachi 3:2

                                                              Isaiah 45:5

                                 2:27                     Ezekiel 36:11

                                 2:28-32                                                       Acts 2:16-21

                                 2:31                     Malachi 4:5

                                 2:32                     Obadiah 17                    Romans 10:13

                                 3:10                     Isaiah 2:4

                                                              Micah 4:3

                                 3:16                     Amos 1:2

                                 3:17                     Obadiah 17

                                 3:18                     Amos 9:13

            ____________________________________________________________________

Joel's message to the Israelites was simple and precise... God's people will win; God's enemies will lose. His chief purpose was to call God's people to repentance and to show the great judgment that would come upon the nations who oppressed the people of God.  Consequently, the prophet explained that the natural disasters [swarm of locusts, a horrid drought and the great famine that followed] were divine judgments against the nation because of their wayward sins.  (Joel 1:1-2 & 27)  In addition to the call of repentance, Joel prophesied of two blessings that were to be fulfilled in the distant future [from the prophet's era of time]. (1) prophetic gifts to all God's people and the safety of His people in the face of apocalyptic cosmic disasters - a correlation made by the apostle Peter in Acts 2:16-21. (2) the coming judgment on God's enemies and the vindication of Israel.

While the Holy Book does not go into detail about Joel or his life, tradition states that he was from the city of Bethom and from the tribe of Reuben. It has also been suggested that the prophet was buried in Gush Halav. The prophecy of Joel is one which will extend from Joel's own lifetime to the time of Israel's restoration (which many scholars proclaim is our own modern time).

                                           

The Garden of Eden

What is the Garden of Eden?
  

The Garden of Eden was a biblical "garden of God" described in the Book of Genesis, and also mentioned in the biblical books of Ezekiel and Isaiah, and discussed indirectly in other sections of the Old Testament. The name "Eden" is in some dispute of its original origin. Some believe the word is derived from a Sumerian word meaning "plain", while others believe the word has Aramaic roots meaning "fruitful and well-watered". For many centuries the derivation of the name Eden has been surrounded by uncertainty.

Where was the Garden of Eden located? 
 

There have been various locations associated with the Garden of Eden, most notably at the headwaters of the Tigris and Euphrates in northern Iraq. Other scholars have laid claim that the biblical garden was located in Africa, while others say the heavenly land was in [what is now under] the Persian Gulf. According to some theologians, Eden in Ezekiel is unequivocally located in Lebanon. Another favorite locale for the garden is Turkey, because both the Tigris and the Euphrates rise in the mountains there, and because Mount Ararat, where Noah's Ark came to rest, is there.  For many centuries the location of Eden has been surrounded by uncertainty.

How does the Bible describe Eden's locale?

In Genesis 2, Moses described the site of the Garden of Eden with precise words, yet today its location still remains a mystery. The rivers  Pishon and Gihon no longer exist and only speculation of the experts gives mankind a theory as to its original locale.

"And the Lord God planted a garden eastward in Eden; and there he put the man whom he had formed" (Genesis 2:8). Then the majestic words become quite specific: "And a river went out of Eden to water the garden; and from thence it was parted, and became into four heads. The name of the first is Pishon: that is it which compasseth the whole land of Havilah, where there is gold; And the gold of that land is good: there is bdellium and the onyx stone. And the name of the second river is Gihon: the same is it that compasseth the whole land of Ethiopia. And the name of the third river is Hiddekel [Tigris]: that is it which goeth toward the east of Assyria. And the fourth river is Euphrates" (Genesis 2:10-14).

The area thought to be the Garden of Eden, which was flooded when Gulf waters arose, is shown in green.
Yellow areas of Bahrain and Arabian coast represent Dilmun, paradise land of Ubaidians and Sumerians

The ancient land of Mesopotamia has been identified as the original vicinity of Eden, but for many centuries the actual locale of Eden has been surrounded by uncertainty. 

What was the purpose of the Garden of Eden?

According to the Bible, the garden was created for Adam and Eve (the world's common ancestors) to live in and take care of. In Genesis 2, the creation narrative opens with God creating the first human and placing him in Eden. God instructs Adam to tend the garden, but forbids him to eat from the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil. Then God forms a woman (Eve) from Adam's rib. When the man and woman disobey the commandment of God and eats from the forbidden tree, the Creator evicted them from the Garden of Eden to prevent them from eating from a second sacred tree known as the Tree of Life. The expelling from the garden was permanent for these first humans. For many centuries the reason for their eviction from Eden has been surrounded by uncertainty. 

An artist's depiction of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden

What other uncertainties surround the Garden of Eden?

Besides the original derivation of the name 'Eden' and its actual location, other mysteries surround the Genesis garden story, such as (1) whether the garden was in the east of Eden, or if Eden itself was located in the East, or whether "east" is even the correct term. According to Hebrew, the word "east" is associated with the term "of old"; (2) whether the river mentioned in Genesis 2:10 [perhaps a fifth river] "flows from" or "rises in" Eden, and the relationship [if any] of the four rivers to each other; and, (3) whether the land of Cush, where one of the four rivers flows, means Ethiopia (in Africa) or Elam (east of Mesopotamia). For many centuries the mystery of the Garden of Eden has been surrounded by uncertainty.

Why are there so many theories surrounding the Garden of Eden?

As with any unsolved mystery many theories will surface in search of answers. Some are based on scientific deductions while other hypothesis are based on folklore and ancient summations. There have been a number of claims as to the actual geographic location of the Garden of Eden, though some of these have little or no connection to the text of Genesis. Most put God's garden somewhere in the Middle East, but this list shows a few more locations you might not have considered:

> Members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints believe the Garden of Eden to have been located in Jackson County Missouri. Founder of the Mormon church, Joseph Smith, discovered a stone slab that he claimed was an alter built by Adam after being expelled from the Garden. The garden itself was located 40 miles south, near present-day city, Independence. As for its location in the western hemisphere, some Latter-day Saints have presumed the continents were not yet separate before the Great Flood and that this approach would be consistent with the configuration of the super-continent Pangaea.

> In the nineteenth century, a theory was developed that a continent, Lumeria, occupied what is now the Indian Ocean The wide range of the animals inspired the name Lemuria, which was coined in 1864 by the zoologist Philip Sclater  in an article “The Mammals of Madagascar” in The Quarterly Journal of Science. Puzzled by the presence of fossil lemurs in both Madagascar and India, but not in Africa nor the Middle East, Sclater proposed that Madagascar and India had once been part of a larger continent. Other scientists have suggested Lumeria was the cradle of the human race and therefore must have been the site of the garden.

> General Charles Gordon supported the theory that Africa and India were part of the same continent. During an expedition he found the Praslin Island in the Seychelles group. He became convinced this was the location of the Garden of Eden, particularly the Valle de Mai. His reasoning was based on the coco-de-mer, a rare tree, which is only found on one other island of the Seychelles. Gordon concluded this was the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.

> Some people believe that Garden of Eden was somewhere in Northeast Africa. Evidence given in support of this includes the fact that the oldest human remains have been found in Africa, and that the Gihon is usually thought to be a name for the Nile.

> Many believe that the Garden must have been in the Holy Land and the original river that flowed into the garden before it split into four separate rivers must have been the Jordan. The Gihon would be the Nile and the Havilah would be the Arabian Peninsulas. Eden is also tied with Jerusalem by the prophet Ezekiel. In Ezekiel 28:13-14, he recorded, “You were in Eden, the garden of God;” … “You were on the holy mount of God.” In most Jewish and Christian traditions, “the holy mount of God” is Mt. Moriah, the Temple Mount in Jerusalem (see Isaiah 2:2-2:3, Psalm 48:1-2 e.g.).

> Another possibility was proposed by archaeologist David Rohl, based on archaeological evidence, putting the Garden of Eden in northern Iran. According to him, the garden was located in a vast plain referred to in ancient Sumerian texts as Edin east of the Sahand Mountain, near Tabriz. He cites several geological similarities with Biblical descriptions, and multiple linguistic parallels as evidence. The region today is bound by a large mountain range to the North, East and South, and marshlands to the west. The eastern mountain region has a pass leading in and out of the Edin region. This fits with the Biblical geography of Eden containing marshlands to the west, and the Land of Nod to the east, outside the Garden.

> Dr. Juris Zarins, of Southwest Missouri State University, believes that the Garden of Eden vanished long before Genesis was written by Moses and presently lies under the waters of the Persian Gulf. This theory is based on the Flandrian Transgression, also known as the last glacial period, which caused a sudden rise in sea level around 5000 BC.

> According to the website, Evidence for God, Rich Deem states, "Although it is possible that the garden of Eden was in Africa, it would have to be at the very boundary of potential locations. In addition, such a location would contradict the Genesis 2 narrative that says God planted the garden "toward the east" (presumably east of Israel). Ethiopia is to the southwest. Therefore, the Persian Gulf region matches the description of the biblical narrative the best." godandscience.org/out of africa

> In the rabbinic literatures of the Talmud and the Jewish Kabbalah, the scholars agree that there are two types of spiritual places called Garden in Eden. The first is rather terrestrial, of abundant fertility and luxuriant vegetation, known as the "lower Gan Eden". The second is envisioned as being celestial, the habitation of righteous, Jewish and non-Jewish, immortal souls, known as the "higher Gan Eden". The Rabbanim differentiate between Gan and Eden. Adam is said to have dwelt only in the Gan. Whereas Eden is said never to be witnessed by any mortal eye. However, these sources do not go into detail about the garden's location.

Conclusion of the Garden of Eden's location.

There are many stories, myths, epics and poems attributed to the Garden of Eden, but none have satisfied the curiosity of mankind as to its actual location. The quest for pinpointing the exact location of the  biblical Garden of Eden and the four rivers almost rivals the quest for the location of fabled Atlantis. And the theories that abound are almost as numerous as the interpretations of the seven days of Genesis. Most likely the ancient land of plenty will continue to remain a hidden mystery from the curious seekers determined to unlock its enigmatic location. 

For many centuries the mysterious Garden of Eden has been surrounded by uncertainty.

Jesus' Disciples - What Happened to Them?

The enigmatic disappearance of Jesus' Twelve (12) Disciples [from the New Testament] has been an ongoing mystery for many centuries and only a variety of ancient traditions is left for mankind to ponder upon. Little can be gleaned from the New Testament, but a few sources [such as Hippolytus and Eusebius of Rome] offer a peek into the fates of the 12 Apostles.

The New Testament only mentions the death of two disciples: Judas Iscariot (Matthew 27:1-5) and James [son of Zebedee] (Acts 12:1-2). The details of what happened to the other ten disciples are based upon the writings of the early Christian historians.

The Apostolic Lists of the Twelve Disciples:

Matthew 10:2-4

"Now the names of the twelve apostles are these; The first, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother; James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother; Philip, and Bartholomew; Thomas, and Matthew the publican; James the son of Alphaeus, and Lebbaeus, whose surname was Thaddaeus; Simon the Canaanite, and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed him." 

Mark 3:14-19

"And he ordained twelve, that they should be with him, and that he might send them forth to preach, And to have power to heal sicknesses, and to cast out devils: And Simon he surnamed Peter; And James the son of Zebedee, and John the brother of James; and he surnamed them Boanerges, which is, The sons of thunder: And Andrew, and Philip, and Bartholomew, and Matthew, and Thomas, and James the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus, and Simon the Canaanite, And Judas Iscariot, which also betrayed him: "

Luke 6:13-16

"And when it was day, he called unto him his disciples: and of them he chose twelve, whom also he named apostles; Simon, (whom he also named Peter,) and Andrew his brother, James and John, Philip and Bartholomew, Matthew and Thomas, James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon called Zelotes, And Judas [Thaddeaus] the brother of James, and Judas Iscariot, which also was the traitor."

Acts 1:12-13

"Then returned they unto Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is from Jerusalem a sabbath day's journey. And when they were come in, they went up into an upper room, where abode both Peter, and James, and John, and Andrew, Philip, and Thomas, Bartholomew, and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon Zelotes, and Judas [Thaddeaus] the brother of James." (Note: Judas Iscariot was dead and therefore not numbered among the Disciples in Luke's writing of the Acts.)

The Fates of the Disciples:

Andrew – Tradition teaches that Andrew was martyred in Greece. One account says he led the wife of a Roman governor to believe in Jesus. As a result, Andrew was killed. Some think he was crucified and continued to share the message of Jesus until the very end. For more information, visit Andrew and John, Disciples of John the Baptist

Bartholomew - also known as Nathanael, was flayed (skinned) alive and then beheaded according to the ancients. He spread the gospel of Jesus in India and Armenia (present day Armenia, eastern Turkey, northern Iraq, north western Iran). Some believe that present day Baku on the Caspian Sea may have been the location of his martyrdom. For more information, visit Bartholomew the Apostle

James, son of Alphaeus - also known as James the Lesser, was supposedly stoned to death and buried beside the temple in Jerusalem. Traditional legend claims that James was thrown down by the Pharisees, stoned and his brains dashed out with a fuller's club. For more information, visit James the Lesser

James, son of Zebedee - also known as James the Greater and the brother of John, was executed by Herod Agippa I shortly before the Passover around c/44 AD. (Acts 12:1-2) James' ministry was taught throughout Jerusalem and Judea. Some legends attribute his evangelistic endeavours led him to Spain, as well. For more information, visit James the Greater

John - was the brother of James and the son of Zebedee and one of the only disciples to experience a natural death around a conjectured date of c/100 AD. His teachings of Jesus took him throughout Jerusalem, Ephesus (present day Turkey) and most of Asia Minor. John was banished to the Isle of Patmos (a present day Greek island in the Aegean Sea) by either Emperor Nero [of Rome] or Domitian [of Patmos] and it was there that the Book of Revelation was revealed to him. For more information, visit John of Patmos

Judas Iscariot - According to Matthew 27:3-10 and Acts 1:18-19 [briefly described by Luke], Judas Iscariot killed himself not long after the betrayal of Jesus [to the Jewish authorities]. Some stories claim he hung himself and other tales state that he fell down a precipice in the valley of Hinnom, near Jerusalem and was dashed into pieces. The thirty pieces of silver (used in the betrayal) that was given to Judas was used to purchase a Potter's Field (burial ground) for foreigners and it was named the "Field of Blood" (even unto the present day). for more information, visit Judias Iscariot

Matthew - also known as Levi, preached the gospel in Judea and possibly Ethiopia and Persia. While not alot of information is available concerning Matthew, according to Eusebius he referenced Bishop Papias of Hierapolis (c/110 AD) as bearing witness to Matthew's authorship of his gospel. Hippolytus places his missionary work as being in Persia, Parthia and the general location of the Medes and was martyred at Parthia [near present day Tehran]. For more information, visit Matthew the Tax Collector

Philip - was instrumental in spreading the gospel of Jesus in Phrygia (located in present day Turkey). It is unclear how he actually died, but some sources say it was by stoning and others claim he was crucified [with his head down]. Either way his martyrdom took place at Heliopolis. For more information, visit Tomb of the Apostle Philip is found in Hierapolis.

Simon - who was later known as Peter, had a ministry that endured for over 30 years (according to tradition). Legend has it that he was martyred at Rome between 64-67 AD by crucifixion. All accounts of his death are agreed upon that Simon Peter [at his own request] was crucified with his head downward as he did not feel worthy to be put to death in the same manner as Jesus. Later traditions claim that St. Peter's in Rome was built over his grave. For more information, visit Simon Peter the Apostle

Simon the Zealot - also known as Simon the Canaanite, supposedly took his ministry north and preached in the British Isles (although this has not been proven). Not much is known about him other than he became the second Bishop of Jerusalem. Most believe that he was martyred too. For more information, visit Simon the Zealot

Thaddaeus - also known as Jude/Judas [who is also called Lebbaeus] preached to the people throughout Mesopotamia. Later he ministered in Assyria (present day eastern Iraq) and Persia (present day Iran) and his ministry joined forces with Simon the Zealot. It is believed that both disciples were killed at Berytus (present day Kara Kalisa in Iran) and buried there. For more information, visit Jude the Apostle

Thomas - Hippolytus records that Thomas [Didymus] was an active missionary and he met his fate in India by being speared to death. According to some, his gospel was spread throughout Parthia (present day Iraq and Iran) while other traditions link him with southern India as well. All traditions agree that he was killed by a lance or spear. For more information, visit The Doubting Thomas



Map - Traditional Locations Where the Disciples Preached and Died

Many readers of the New Testament find themselves wondering what happened to Jesus' Twelve Disciples, yet it remains a mystery unto this day. Speculation about the outcome and demise of these men may throw some light on the subject, but does not prove the ancient traditions of probability.

Such traditions also apply to the Apostle Paul [Saul of Taurus] who was converted to Christianity (after Jesus' resurrection) and preached the gospel [as far as Italy and Spain] for over 35 years during the time of Roman Emperor Nero and was said to have been beheaded in Rome and buried there. Matthias, who replaced Judas Iscariot, was later numbered along with the eleven remaining disciples. He was said to have preached in Jerusalem and was buried there. It is unknown how Matthias died.

Following the ascension of Jesus into heaven, His disciples went out and had tremendous impact on the world! They took the gospel of Jesus to far-off places and also left us the legacy of the New Testament. They used the training Jesus gave them to impact and encourage Christians in their faith. Yet, the question remains ... What really happened to them?   

Ramadan: Holiest of Islamic Months

Origin of Ramadan

Many believe the word Ramadan is derived from the Arabic word "ramad", which means scorching. During pre-Islamic times, Ramadan was observed in Arabia as a month when the various tribes observed a truce from any existing hostilities. However, it wasn't until after the prophethood of Muhammad that Ramadan became associated with religious monotheism and perhaps is a reference to the idea that fasting will "scorch" away human sins. Such a belief has been observed [and practiced] ever since. Ramadan, as the name of the month, is of Islamic origin. Prior to Islam and the exclusion of intercalary days from the Islamic calendar, the name of the month was Natiq, which fell during the warm season.   This pre-Islamic period became commonly referred to as the Period of Ignorance.

However, when the Creator fulfilled His Covenant with Abraham to make Prophets of his lineage by choosing Muhammad, -- who was of the lineage of Ishmael (brother of Isaac) -- the period of Arabia's ignorance of the monotheism of the Children of Israel came to an end. Futhermore, Allah (God) proclaimed to Muhammad that fasting for His Sake was not a new innovation in monotheism, but rather an obligation practiced by those truly devoted to The Oneness of God. One such example of those whom observed fasting before Islam were the Jews who had migrated to Medinah awaiting the foretold Unlettered Prophet. This may or may not be referring to the Jewish practice of fasting on Yom Kippur. It is possible that the obligation to fast during Ramadan comes from early injunction to fast on Ashura, the 10th day of the month of Muharram, which may have once been identical with the Jewish observance of the Day of Atonement. Whether or not fasting on that day was obligatory, today it's still not uncommon for Muslims to fast that day voluntarily.

In the Quran

2:185 - "Ramadan is the month in which the Quran was revealed. Guidance for humanity, and clear portents of guidance, and the Criterion. Whoever of you witnesses the month, shall fast it. But whoever is sick, or on a journey, then a number of other days. Allah desires ease for you, and does not desire hardship for you, that you may complete the number, and celebrate Allah for having guided you, so that you may be thankful."

Thus, via the Quran, Muslims are informed that Muhammad first received revelations in the lunar month of Ramadan. Therefore, the month of Ramadan is considered to be the most sacred month of the lunar Islamic calendar, the recording of which began with the Hijra.

Beginning of Ramadan

Hilāl (the crescent) is typically a day (or more) after the astronomical new moon. Since the new moon indicates the beginning of the new month, Muslims can safely estimate the beginning of Ramadan. However, to many Muslims, this is not in accordance with authenticated Hadiths stating that visual confirmation per region is recommended. The consistent variations of a day have existed since the time of Muhammad.

A crescent moon seen over palm trees at sunset marking the beginning of the Islamic month of Ramadan in Bahrain.

Fasting During Ramadan

Ramadan is a time of spiritual reflection and worship. Muslims are expected to put more effort into following the teachings of Islam and to avoid obscene and irreligious sights and sounds. Sexual intercourse among spouses is allowed after one has ended the daily fast. During fasting, intercourse is prohibited as well as eating and drinking, and resistance of all temptations is encouraged. Purity of both thoughts and actions is important. The act of fasting is said to redirect the heart away from worldly activities, its purpose being to cleanse the soul and free it from harmful impurities. Ramadan also teaches Muslims to practice self-discipline, self-control, sacrifice, and empathy for those who are less fortunate; thus encouraging actions of generosity and charity. While fasting is not considered compulsory in childhood, many children endeavour to complete as many fasts as possible as practice for later life. Fasting is not necessary for women going through menstrual bleeding. Also, those traveling are exempt, but must make up the days they miss. Each day before dawn, a pre-fast meal called Suhoor is eaten. This meal is mentioned by the Sunnah, a sacred Muslim text. The meal typically consists of breakfast fare such as eggs and salads; little or no salt is used in preparation to avoid thirst during the upcoming fast.

End of Ramadan

The Muslim holiday of Eid ul-Fitr ("festivity of breaking the fast") marks the end of Ramadan and the beginning of the next lunar month called Shawwal in Arabic. This first day of the following month is declared after another crescent new moon has been sighted or the completion of 30 days of fasting if no visual sighting is possible due to weather conditions. This first day of Shawwal is called Eid ul-Fitr. Eid Ul-Fitr may also be a reference towards the festive nature of having endured the month of fasting successfully and returning to the more natural disposition (fitra) of being able to eat, drink and resume intimacy with spouses during the day. For the manner in which the Eid is celebrated, see Eid ul-Fitr and Salat al Eid.

Ramadan in the Old City of Jerusalem

Ramadan, the ninth month of the lunar Islamic calendar,  lasts 29 or 30 days according to the visual sightings of the crescent moon according to numerous biographical accounts compiled in hadiths and basically is observed as one of the most holy of holidays in the Islamic religion.