The Ancient Prophets

In Western civilization, the most recognized prophets are descended from Abrahamic ancestry, and their histories are canonized within the Old Testament of the Christian Bible and the Jewish Tanakh. A couple of these ancient seers are also mentioned in the Islamic Qur'an. 

These ancient prophets were men who felt themselves to be personal representatives of the Creator and able to foretell messages in His name. The sequence of the renowned prophets began around the 8th century B.C. They were men of vastly religious experiences. Their concern with the social and ethical standings aided in the growth of the Judaic moral teachings... hence the Talmud.

After 800 B.C., the ancient prophets transcribed their messages in a written form to forever preserve the "Words of HaShem (God)" for future generations. In the Tanakh/Old Testament, there were sixteen prophets who left behind written documents for mankind to fathom out. The following is a list containing the Hebrew prophets of the B.C. era and a few of their prophecies:

The Major Prophets...

1) Isaiah - the most noted of the Hebrew prophets. His prophecies (c/740) threatened judgment upon the corrupt and debased Israelites from both kingdoms (Judah and Israel) and predicted the captivity of Babylon. Later, he foretold of the exiles and the coming of the Messiah. These predictions included a magnificent future for Israel. His prophecies were made  500 years before the birth of Jesus.

For further reading, please visit: The Prophet Isaiah

2) Jeremiah - prophesied during the dark history of the destruction of Jerusalem and Judah. Later, he foretold that Nebuchadnezzar would bring a time of despondency for 70 years upon Judah. This ancient seer wrote with authority of the certainty of the judgment of God upon a sinful people, as well as the greatness of His love.

For further reading, please visit: The Prophet Jeremiah

3) Ezekiel - started prophesying c/594 and continued his predictions for 22 years. His predictions are mostly in chronological order and contain three parts: 1} overthrowing the nation due to the disobedience to God; 2} surrounding nations being threatened with divine punishment and, 3} pertaining to the future deliverance of Israel and rebuilding their sacred temple.

For further reading, please visit: The Prophet Ezekiel

4) Daniel - interpreted the dreams of Nebuchadnezzar. His prophesies contained promises of an eternal kingdom and foretold the history of the Chaldeans, Medians, Persians and Macedonians. His insights described various occurrences and happenstances of an apocalyptic world in the distant future.

For further reading, please visit: The Prophet Daniel

The Minor Prophets...

5) Amos - during 785, he denounced the corruption and oppression of Judah, using pastoral life to impress upon purity and freedom in righteous living. His prophesies were mostly directed to the Northern Kingdom (Israel). Amos taught that the future greatness of Israel was not to be sought through power and wealth, but to be secured through justice and judgment.

For further reading, please visit: The Prophet Amos

6) Micah - between 759-698, his prophecies flourished. He predicted the restoration of the Theocracy, the promise of forgiveness and forecasted the destruction of Jerusalem. Like the prophet Isaiah, Micah preached against the sins of his time and the horrid oppression of the poor by the rich.


For further reading, please visit: The Prophet Micah

7) Hosea - his predictions soared c/750 and compared the relations of Israel to God with that of a wife to her husband and the defection of the Israelites with a wife's adultery. The message of the prophet held a warning and denunciated the people for their idolatry and sins.

For further reading, please visit: The Prophet Hosea

8) Joel - delivered ominous warnings about the time of Joash and, after the Exile, dwelt near Jerusalem. His insights were basically divided into two parts: 1} a great calamity caused by locusts; and, 2} God's answer to the people's prayers. Like the prophets before him, he also foretold the Jews would establish a great nation in Palestine in the latter times.

For further reading, please visit: The Prophet Joel

9) Habakkuk - prophesied in Judah during the reign of Jehoiakim. He was considered one of the most enigmatic of the Minor Prophets; not a lot of information exists about this ancient prophet.

Habakkuk was noted for his prophecies of God's retribution against them by the Chaldeans. The prophet also predicted the Chaldeans own downfall. He flourished with future insights between 630-590.


For further reading, please visit: The Prophet Habakkuk
   

10) Zephaniah - lived during the time of the prophet Jeremiah. His forewarnings consisted of a three part series between 630-624:

1} warnings against Judah and the Philistines; 2} the fall of Nineveh; and, 3} salvation and a blissful future for those purified in the fear of God.

For further reading, please visit: The Prophet Zephaniah

11) Obadiah - prophesied between 588-583. His predictions were directed against the Edomites (descendants of Esau) for helping to pillage Jerusalem with the heathen foe. As God's messenger, he predicted great doom for the Edomites and also enlightened of a time when the Jews would again rule over all the lands formerly under King David's control.

For further reading, please visit: The Prophet Obadiah 

12) Jonah - somewhat of a rebellious prophet, first ignored God's command to dutifully preach against the sins of the people of Nineveh. In failing to do so, God caused the ancient prophet to end up in the belly of a whale for three days. Jonah predicted certain territories would be recovered during the reign of Jeroboam (c/786-746). Jonah is revered as a prophet in the Islamic Qur'an.

For further reading, please visit: The Prophet Jonah

13) Nahum - his predictions were directed against the city of Nineveh. His prophecies were divided into two sections which predicted the sins of the nation and the destruction of Nineveh. Little is known about the prophet Nahum, but some scholars and theologians believe this ancient prophet lived between 700-600 B.C..


For further reading, please visit: The Prophet Nahum

14) Haggai - was noted for his exhortation to the Jews to rebuild their Temple.

His book was purported to exist c/520 and contained four prophecies, all of them dealing with rebuilding the Temple under the reign of Zerubbabel.




For futher reading, please visit: The Prophet Haggai

15) Zechariah - foretold the destruction of Phoenicia and Damascus and the Jews passing a test of courage and perseverance. He predicted the glory that shall come upon Jerusalem after rebuilding the Temple, as well as prophesying that all people will embrace the Jewish faith. Zechariah is revered as a prophet in the Islamic Qur'an.

For further reading, please visit: The Prophet Zechariah

16) Malachi - was the last of the Nevi'im/Old Testament prophets and dates back to 460-450. Not only did this ancient prophet see the Israelites returning to their old, wicked habits, but he vividly predicted a judgment to be delivered by a Messiah.

For further reading, please visit: The Prophet Malachi

These ancient prophets of yesteryear, some from the Kingdom of Judah and others from the Kingdom of Israel, guided the people, as well as took part in local politics and national literature. Most theologians agree the Hebrew prophets set a standard for the way mankind is to live a good and honest life, but also to prepare for a future of hardship and evil.

During the Babylonian Exile, the prophets created the focus around the forces of the day and kept the Jewish religion alive. The seers of antiquity never tired of emphasizing the external hope of the Jews for the coming of the Messianic era.

The Religion of Satanism

Satanic Cross

Satanism is invariably a new and modern religion, but the concept of Satanism has evolved over many centuries and dates back to the ancient religious custom of Setianism. This is associated with the Egyptian god, Set, who [some believe] is in connection with the biblical Satan. 

The word "satanism" commonly refers to the "worship of Satan or the powers of Evil", but the term can refer to a variable belief system, depending on the individual and the contents used. There are three (3) common branches co-occurrent with Satanism: LaVeyan Satanism, Theistic Satanism and Philosophical Satanism. 

Satanic Symbol

LaVeyan Satanism, considered the largest Satanist religious organization in the world, was organized and established by Anton Szandor LaVey in 1966 and considered the "first carnal religion in human history". The teachings of LaVey are based on individualism, self-indulgence, and the "eye for an eye" concept of morality. 

The religion does not literally worship Satan, but uses Satan as a symbol for people's inner desires and lusts. Rituals and magic are also used. LaVeyan Satanism firmly follows the belief that one's self is one's own "God". The Creator (nor any other gods) is not acknowledged in this movement. This branch of Satanism follows (4) major systems of belief: 

Nine (9) Satanic Statements - outlines what Satan represents in the Church
Nine (9) Satanic Sins - outlines transgressions, such a pride and self-deceit
Eleven (11) Satanic Rules of the Earth - outlines morals, standards, values
Pentagonal Revisionism - outlines a plan consisting of five major goals

Satanic Symbol

Theistic Satanism is a general term for the forms of Satanism which believe that Satan is an actual deity and/or a paramount force. They are not atheists and most believe in a cognizant universe.

Great emphasis is placed upon the serpent (snake) - believed to be one of the many incarnations of Lucifer - in the Book of Genesis (Old Testament). The basic teachings include being blessed with the "forbidden" fruit of knowledge, which brings about the birth of wisdom, and the actual sacred homage of Satan. Like LaVeyan Satanism, Theistic Satanism also includes a belief in magic, which is manipulated through certain rituals. Unlike LaVeyan Satanism, Theistic Satanism believes that Satan is a real being opposed to being a symbol of individualism. 

Some scholars and theologians believe the rise of Theistic Satanism came about during the time of the Early Modern European witch trials, as well as other noted witch-hunts, such as the Salem witch trials.

Satanic Symbol

Philosophical Satanism is a small religious group that is unrelated to any other faith or religious creed. They do not worship Satan as the Theistic Satanist does, but merely uses Satan as a concept to explain their purpose of opposing religion of any kind.

Most followers of this branch of Satanism are Atheist and Agnostic. Common morals are followed, like that of the LeVayan follower, and certain practices and rituals are instituted, such as: Astrology (for predicting the future); Alchemy (for finding cures for diseases); Astral Travel (out of body experience); and Spiritualism (pagan practice of talking with the dead). The core beliefs and philosophies of Philosophical Satanism parrallel those of the LaVeyan follower, yet it differs when it comes to individual ideologies, such as disagreeing with the nature of LaVey's epistemology of Satanism.

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A ritual performed inside
the Church of Satan

Satanism, while virtually a new form of a religious creed in our modern times, has many followers scattered throughout the entire world. In the 1970's, it was estimated that the Church of Satan (founded by Anton LaVey) had 10,000 to 20,000 members in the United States and has two types of members: Registered Members and Active Members. Registered Members are simply people who have been inducted as members of the Church. To be deemed an Active Member, a person has to be involved with the Church and local members. In 1987, the Church of Satan had an estimated 1,000,000 members in America.  

Googling Satan

With the increased awareness of Satanism on the internet today, the membership numbers of Satanists have most likely increased as well. The cyber revolution has also gained awareness of different beliefs among Satanists, leading to more diverse groups in general. But Satanism has always been a pluralistic and decentralised religion in our modern world. While the Church of Satan does not solicit membership, those who wish to join or affiliate with the Church can become a Registered Member for a one-time registration fee of $200 [US currency only]. As the Church of Satan does not release its membership totals, it is impossible to get complete and accurate data for this particular religious movement.

In a 2007 interview with High Priest Peter H. Gilmore (of the Church of Satan), the Wikinews journalist, David Shankbone, asked the following question:

David Shankbone:

"What is the membership numbers for the Church of Satan?"

                Peter H. Gilmore:

"We never give out numbers. The reason for that our founder came up with and I agree with him and keep to his policy: if people think there are too few of us, they tend to not want to take us seriously. If they think there are too many of us, they think we’re a threat. There was even a point back during the Satanic Panic in the late 1980’s and early 1990’s when there was governmental legislation proposed to ban Satanism because they thought there were all these metal heads out there sacrificing babies, doing drugs and making child pornography. Of course, now we know, it was mostly people who were borderline Christian evangelists pretending, but then accusing their own family members and getting them put in jail, or acting as therapists and most of those people have been sued and properly censured since then."

For more information on Satanism, please visit:

Luciferianism

What Is Theistic Satanism?

Religion Facts of Satanism
A Christian View of Demonic Worship

Battle of Armageddon - Part 2

In the blog article, "Battle of Armageddon- Part 1", we learned the basic concept of a Christian "End Times" scenario. Part 2 concludes this week with the conception of a Jewish and Islamic system of related doctrines and theories.

Battle of Armageddon - Part 2

Jewish and Islamic Concept

Jewish Concept:

Depiction of Armilus

In the teachings of Judaism, their arch enemy is known as Armilus, an Anti-Christlike figure that has many legends attributed to him. According to JewishEncyclopedia.com, he will be a prominent figure, such as a king, who will inflict major persecution upon both the Jews and Christians.

The Midrash describes him as a bald-headed monstrosity with one large and one small eye, deaf in the right ear and maimed in the right arm. Purported to be the son of Satan (according to the Midrash), Armilus will set himself up to be the messiah, even the Creator himself, and many Christians will believe him to be Jesus Christ. The Jews refer to the Christian's savior as the scion of Joseph. The Gospels of the New Testament will be accepted by Armilus and he will use it as his doctrine, bringing more Christians to his side during the "End of Days". However, this does not last and soon Armilus kills off the Christians, including the scion of Joseph, when the Jews refuse to worship him.

Depiction of Michael
blowing trumpet

When Satan's son is unable to convince the Jewish nation to follow him, he will rage war against them and send them fleeing into the desert. After 45 days in the desert, and the Jews unworthy of the messianic period die out, the angel Michael will appear and blow his trumpet which will signal the final battle is about to begin. The remnant of faithful Jews will witness the appearance of their long awaited Messiah, along with the Prophet Elijah, and march toward Jerusalem where the last war between good and evil will be fought and Armilus will be destroyed.

"And he shall make a firm covenant with many for one week; and for half of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the offering to cease; and upon the wing of detestable things shall be that which causeth appallment; and that until the extermination wholly determined be poured out upon that which causeth appallment." ~ Kethivum (Daniel) 9:27 

According to the Midrash, the Talmud and the Kabbalistic words of the Zohar, the Judaic messiah will arrive before the year 6000 [of the Hebrew calendar]. The Hebrew calendar of the Orthodox Jews dates back to the creation of mankind and the year 2014 correlates to the Jewish year 5774.

The Midrash states: "Six eons for going in and coming out, for war and peace. The seventh eon is entirely Shabbat (Sabbath) and rest for life everlasting."

The End of Days will herald in the great Messianic Era [a time of global peace and harmony] that the Jewish nation has waited for these many thousands of years. The idea of the Jewish messiah ushering in a time of global peace can be found in the scriptural passages of Nevi'im in the Tanakh under Yeshayahu (Isaiah) 2:4 and 11:6-9.

Islamic Concept:

Depiction of
al-Mahih ad-Dajjal

The Islamic religion also refers to an "Arch Enemy". According to the Hadith, he is known as al-Mahih ad-Dajjal, which is Arabic for "the false messiah".

This evil figure will appear in the world during the "Last Days" and pretend to be the Masih (Messiah). His entrance into our chaotic planet will happen before "yawn al-Qiyamah" (Judgment Day) and he is likened unto the Anti-Christ in Christian eschatology and Armilus in Jewish eschatology.

"And when the Word is fulfilled against them (the unjust), We shall produce from the earth a Beast to (Face) them: he will speak to them, for that mankind did not believe with assurance in our Signs." ~ Qur`an 27.82

Other scholars of Islamic eschatology believe the Dajjal (literally translated means Deceiver) is a metaphor for the United States of America. They believe Jesus was a prophet of Allah (God) and taught that Allah was the one true God. The scholars say those [Christians] who believe that Isha (Jesus) is part of a Holy Trinity is being deceived and therefore Christianity as a whole is an Anti-Christ in itself because it teaches the opposite of what Isha taught. And yet others believe the Christian Bible was corrupted by the ancient deceivers intent on supporting the dogma of the holy trinity.

Most Islamic theologians agree the Dajjal will produce an attack upon mankind and conquer the entire world by military force, as well as seducing others with material prosperity. Many will be rendered blind by his power, which will cause them [Christians and Jews] to be easily deceived by his unholy mission. Numerous followers of Allah will become profoundly misguided and conform to Dajjal's doctrine as well.

Depiction of the Madhi

The majority of the Islamic scholars and theologians agree that the Mahdi [the purest Muslim since the Prophet Muhammad] will appear and raise his own army, which will include Isha (Jesus).

The Mahdi, who will lead a "spiritual jihad" in converting the Western world to Islam, will eventually defeat the Dajjal and become ruler of planet Earth according to Islamic law. Those who are non-believers during this era of time will either convert to Islam or be killed. The Hadith says, "the sun will rise in the west", which roughly translated means Islam will spread throughout the Western [Christian] world.

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Some philosophers of religion believe power given to this dominant world leader, known by many names, will arise because the Abrahamic religions have become impatient during their long appointed vigil of preparing for the coming messiah (Judaism) or the long awaited return of the Mahdi (Islam) or the anticipated second coming of Jesus Christ (Christianity).

For further information about the "Battle of Armageddon", please visit:

Battle of Armageddon (Wikipedia)

Description of the Anti-Christ and Dajjal

Will Christians, Jews and Muslims fight together?

Battle of Armageddon - Part 1

The theory of the "Battle of Armageddon" is based on many books contained throughout the Old and New Testaments of the Christian Bible and in the Nevi'im and Kethuvim of the Tanakh.

(i.e: Psalms 2; Ezekiel 38-39; Daniel 9:27; Joel 2-3; Zephaniah 1-3; Zechariah 12-14; Malachi 4; Revelation 6, 11, 16, 19, 20). 

Purporting to be the ultimate fight between good and evil, the "Battle of Armageddon" is another mysterious prophecy forewarned long ago by the ancients.

During what the Christians refer to  as the "End Times", a seven year period known as "The Great Tribulation" will ensue and mankind will experience a most turbulent world, one like has never been seen before. The seven-year tribulation period will herald in the "fight of all fights". Neither man, woman, nor child will be safe during this era of corruption, murder and natural disasters.

According to some scholars, the Anti-Christ (an agent of Satan) will appear out of a global organization, such as the United Nations (UN) or European Union (EU). He will make a grand entrance into a very vulnerable world.

This person will have the ability to convince many people and nations 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 will Israel and the Middle East.

The Anti-Christ will rule for seven years. During the first half of the "Great Tribulation" (3.5 years) his world leadership will be embraced by many as that of a savior. Some theologians believe this agent of Satan will be instrumental in having the third Jewish Temple built. His reign on Earth will be viewed as that of an extraordinary and awesome leader. This is the first half of "The Great Tribulation".

The second 3.5 years will become a nightmare as Satan's agent takes complete control and makes the world his own. He will force followers, and those who were struck with awe by his wonderous person, to take a mark on their forehead or their hand which will unknowingly establish a commitment to Satan. Some religions refer to this as the "mark of the beast" (also referred to as the number 666). Any who deny or renounce him will be put to death.

Some scholars today believe a numerical mark is already being established through the products we buy (bar codes) and the credit cards we use (numerical sequences or lines). 

Other theologians believe the "mark of the beast" already occurred during the ancient era of John the Evangelist (also known as John of Patmos). These skeptics claim the "mark" referred to the Roman Emperor Nero, a tyrannical persecutor of Christians, whose Greek name (Neron Caesar) was the numerological equivalent of the beast's number (666).

As the Anti-Christ rules over the world, he will speak blasphemous words against the Creator and inflict intense persecution upon those who do not convert to his sacrilegious ways. 

In Revelation 7:9, it speaks of a "great multitude, which no man could number". 

Many members of the Christian faith believe that great multitude of people will become known as the "tribulation saints" or those who will be left behind after the Christian Evangelical belief in a "Rapture" and come to find faith in Jesus Christ during "The Great Tribulation". 

The state of the world union will continue for the next forty-two months as the Anti-Christ is unleashed on the unsuspecting planet. Then, according to Christian belief, at the end of "The Great Tribulation", the Creator will send His son, Jesus Christ, to confront the evilness and put an end to the interference of Satan. At least for one millennium.

According the the scriptures of the Christian Bible, [after 1,000 years] Satan will be released from the bottomless pit by the mercy of the Creator. A second chance for the Devil to redeem himself to his Creator is supposed to be bestowed upon the angel Lucifer (Satan). But that is another mystery that has yet to be defined.

"Then I saw an angel coming down from heaven, having the key to the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand. He laid hold of the dragon, that serpent of old, who is the Devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years; and he cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal on him, so that should deceive the nations no more till the thousand years were finished. But after these things he must be released for a little while." ~ Revelation 20:1-3

Ultimately, good wins over evil according to the beliefs of Christianity. But exactly when the "Battle of Armageddon" will occur or when it will even begin is anyone's guess. The Christian Bible states: 

"But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man." - Matthew 24:36-37

The "Battle of Armageddon" will conclude next week with Part 2 covering the Jewish and Islamic versions of an "end time battle".