Biblical angels: nature, purposes, and scriptural evidence

Angels of the Lord Chapter 3: Angels
Angels have been used by God to accomplish his purposes and to assist his people throughout history both recorded and unrecorded history. Angels are mentioned 273 times in the scripture and in 33 of the 66 books of the Bible. (Fruchtenbaum, nd) Angels are mentioned in the Gospels and for instance in the book of Matthew 16:27 where it states as follows:
"For the Son of Man shall come in the glory of his Father with His angels, and then he shall reward each one according to his works."

The Book of Acts in chapter 7: 52-53 states as follows:
"Which of the prophets did your fathers not persecute? And they killed those who foretold the coming of the Just One, of whom you have now been the betrayers and murderers; who received the Law through the disposition of angels, and did not keep it."

In the book of Revelation 5:11 it is stated:
"And I looked, and I heard the voice of many angels around the throne, and the living creatures and the elders. And the number of them was myriads and myriads, and thousands of thousands."

It is taken for granted in the Bible that angels do indeed exist for angels guarded the tomb of Christ and it was an angel who pronounced to Mary that she would become pregnant and give birth to the Christ. In fact, angels are those who are present on earth to accomplish the goals and objectives of God and angels are sent for reestablishing balance, equity, and justice in the world. In the book of Revelation, it is revealed that Michael is the angel who stands up for the world's peoples and tells how in the last days that enough will be enough and angel will put down his foot symbolic of his having had enough of the mistreatment of the children of God.

Angels assist humankind in various ways and this is evident in the research conducted for this particular work in writing. Angels are not illusions and they are not those who have deceased and neither are they babies who have wings but instead angels are beings created by God in the beginning even before he created the earth and before the physical creations of God.

Angels are in possession of intellect which is evidence in 1 Peter 1:12 which informs the reader that "the angels desire to look into" salvation and ponder upon salvation all of which requires that the angels possess intellect. In addition, angels are emotional creatures and this is evidenced in Job 38:7, which informs the reader that at the time of creation "the morning stars sang together and all the sons of God shouted for joy."

Angels have their own will and this is evidenced in the book of Jude 1:6 which informs the reader of how the angels have "deserted their dwelling place". Angels too are spirits but they are presented in the Scriptures as having bodies although these bodies are not of flesh and bones but are spiritual bodies.
Angels are always referred to as being masculine in gender and when appearing in human form are stated to appear as young men. (Manzon, 2007)
There are three ranks, classes, or orders of angels: angels; seraphim; cherubim.

Characteristics of Angels Angels are those who appear as young men while the seraphim and cherubim do have human features they also have appearances that resemble regal animals. Angels do not have wings and the seraphim have three pairs of wings while the cherubim have only one pair of wings.

Angels Possess Immortality/Spirit without Sin Angelic spirits possess `immortality' granted to them by God. Jesus stated in Luke 20:36 of the angels as follows:
"Nor can they die any more, for they are equal to the angels..."
In 2 Chronicles 32:21 is it stated that a single angel alone destroyed the Assyrian army and specifically stated is:
"And Jehovah sent an angel to cut off all the mighty men of power, and the leaders and commanders in the camp of the king of Assyria."
Angels are holy or without sin and this is evidence in the book of Luke 9:26 in which stated by Jesus is as follows:
Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for those who shall be heirs of salvation?" Roles of Angels The roles of the Cherubim and the Seraphim angels is to worship God while the lower rank of Angels, led by Michael, are guardians over believers. It is stated in the book of Psalm 91:11012:11 "For He shall give his angels charge over you, to keep you in all your ways. 12. They shall bear you up in their hands, lest you dash your foot against a stone."

Guardian Angels Many wonder if angels still guard today's believers and this question is answered by reading Hebrews 1:14 which states "They are all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for those who shall be heirs of salvation." Since this verse was penned during the present time or the `Church Age' it can be understood that Angels do indeed continue to minister on the behalf of today's believers.

Archangels/Guardian Angels Michael is a name derived from Hebrew and means "Who is like God?" or "Gift from God". (Baby Hold, 2011) In the Bible, St. Michael was the conqueror of Satan and patron saint of soldiers. (Baby Hold, 2011) The Archangel Michael was the highest and greatest of all the Archangels in Christian lore and it is Michael who defeats Satan in the last days and throws Satan into the fiery pit. Michael is also the angel of the last judgment the angel who weighs souls. Michael is often depicted as wearing a white robe, often with armor, and with one set of peacock-feathered wings and a flaming sword. (Baby Hold, 2011, paraphrased)
Michael is often depicted holding his sword with a demon, dragon, or serpent, all representative of Satan, under his foot. Michael is also believed by many to be Metatron, the highest angel of all angels. Metatron was Enoch when incarnating on earth and upon ascension into heaven was made an angel by God. Metatron is stated in the Talmud and Targum to be the link that exists between the divine and human beings. Metatron is described as having "36 pairs of wings and innumerable eyes." (Otherkin.net, nd) Other archangels include those of: Gabriel - the governor or Eden and ruler of the Cherubim. Sits on the left hand side of God. Has 140 pairs of wings. This angel appeared to Daniel to tell of the coming Messiah and to appear to Mary half a millennium later to tell her of her approaching virgin birth. Raphael - name means healer/doctor often associated with the image of the serpent. Has six wings like a seraph. Sariel - name means God's command. This angel is responsible for angels who transgress the Laws and their fate. Uriel - name means fire of God - Seraphim and Cherubim and angel of repentance. Raguel - name means friend of God and watches over the good behavior of angels. Remiel - name means mercy of God and Lord of Souls awaiting resurrection. Leads the souls to judgment. (Otherkin.net, nd) Avatars are stated to be such that are believed to "function as mediators between God and mankind, much like beliefs concerning angels." Avatars, just as angels are messengers who bring message to humankind from God. Holy men of the past as well as from the present are many times considered to be avatars sent to give divine wisdom and to further unity and peace.

Metatron is the highest celestial being next to God according to all accounts of this angel. Alexander states the "Powerful angel of the Lord in the Old Testament (who is sometimes hard to distinguish from God himself) may be the prototype of 3 Enoch's Metatron." (cited in: Dakenbring, nd) In the Dead Sea scroll (11Qmelch) the personage known as Melchizedek `appears as being exalted over all the angels' and it is stated that he will preside over a heavenly assize and exact punishment, with the help of the other angels." (Dakenbring, nd)

3 Enoch states that Metatron can be compared with "the stated pre-existence of the Christ, the Nazarene - Jesus, the `Son of God'." (Dakenbring, nd) Metatron is also stated to be another name for `Angel of the Lord' which is the same angel that appears to Moses and stated "categorically, I Am Who I Am'. (Dakenbring, nd)

The work of Orlov (1998) entitled "Titles of Enoch-Metatron in 2 Enoch" states that the greatest part of 2 Enoch's narrative is dedicated to Enoch's ascent into the celestial realm and to his heavenly metamorphosis near the Throne of Glory. In these lengthy and elaborated descriptions of Enoch's transformation into a celestial being, on a level with the archangels, one may find the origin of another image of Enoch which was developed later in Merkabah mysticism, that is, the image of the angel Metatron, The Price of Presence."

Orlov writes that the Merkabah tradition emphasizes the role of Metatron as the `Knower of Secrets" and as well he is held to be as well the "Revealer of Secrets" or the one responsible for transmitting the highest secrets to those under him and to mankind. Enoch/Metatron is according to the theological material in 2 Enoch transmitted the secrets of the Written Torah and the Oral Tradition. (Orlov, 1998, paraphrased) Chapter 4: How Faith Is Manifest in Today's Popular Works Today's popular movies, books, magazines and games often contain meaning and symbolism in them. For example, the popular Matrix series of moves centered on a character named Neo when rearranged spells one. In this move Neo learned that he was in the matrix, the source, just as the source (God) is the basis of our lives today. Another great example is Afatar: the Last Airbender, which is a cartoon series that follows a character that controls the elements, just as the Archangel Michael has the ability to do. In a church setting, we call the source God. In science fiction, it is called the source. This source pushes everything. God is pure energy. There is a cause and effect, and this story is told in countless works. The world is aware of the constant push and pull between good and evil and the ongoing battle between the two contrasting forces in the world and the lives of individuals. Throughout the vast array of literature and movies is the running theme of light and darkness. One example is that of the movies series Star Wars in which the dark side is represented by Darth Vader and the light is represented by Hans and his friends who battle against the dark forces to save their planet.

The work of Ostwalt (2000) entitled "Armageddon at the Millennial Dawn" published in the Journal of Religion and Film Volume 4, Number 1, April 2000 states that there has been a growing interest in the last days scenarios and this includes films such as Independence Day, Contact, Deep Impact and Armageddon. As well the movie the Matrix is stated to have, just as the others, drawn upon the imagery and symbolism, which is a "rich tradition" in culture. The `Matrix' is stated to draw from "contemporary science fiction" and "apocalyptic texts" alike. It is reported that the secular version of the apocalypse is such that "...removes the divine element from the apocalyptic drama yet not religious symbolism, imagery, or language. In light of religion's trivialization of apocalyptic thought, popular cultural forms have become significant, if not more effective, purveyors of our culture's eschatological consciousness and thus of a basic religious category." (Ostwalt, 2000) Neo in the `Matrix' is representative of the Messiah and in fact "one of the strongest messiah figures in contemporary apocalyptic movies because of the religious imagery associated with his status. Religious language and devotion predominates in Morpheus' selection of Neo as "the One." (Ostwalt, 2000)
And Neo's initiation to messianic ways becomes highly ritualized. Neo's training involves martial arts expertise and mind control bringing an eastern religious element into the picture as well. So Keanu Reeves becomes one in a line of macho messiahs (eg. Bruce Willis and Kevin Costner) who use muscle and force to save humanity, but unlike other messiahs, this one must use mind control as well. And his literal "waking up" out of his catatonic state makes Neo as much a bodhisattva as a western-style messiah. " (Ostwalt, 2000) Chapter 5: Early Angels and Prophets Angels are recorded throughout the different cultural histories and according to scholars the earliest representations of angels in religion date back to the city of Ur located in the Euphrates Valley c. 4000-2500 b.c.e. It is reported that a "stele, which is a stone slab showed a winged figure descended from one of the seven heavens to pour the water of life from an overflowing jar into the cup held by the king." (Paolino, nd)

Paolino states that it is shown in Mesopotamian records that there were "giant winged creatures, part human, part animal, known as griffins". (nd) Egypt history includes Nepthys, the goddess Isis' twin sister who is depicted "enfolding the dead in her beautiful wings." (Paolino, nd) The image of Nepthys is reported to be carved in the inner right hand door of Shrine II in the bomb of Tutankhamen (c. fourteenth century b.c.e.) Archaeological evidence indicates that angels were acknowledged long before the appearance of Christianity. Angels even predate early Judaism appearing in Asia Minor and Greece and Italy. God has been sending his angels to earth since before the time of Christ and this is evidenced not only throughout the world's cultural history but also in the Old Testament of the Bible when angels were sent to speak to Abraham and Moses and were used by God for many kinds of Jobs. Twenty characteristics of angels can be identified in the scripture and these are stated as follows:
* Angels are intelligent and wise. (2 Samuel 14:20; 19:27; Matthew 24:35)
* Angels are patient. (Numbers 11:22-35)
* They are meek. (2 Peter 2:11)
* They can be joyful. (Luke 15:1-10)
* Angels are modest. (1 Corinthians 11:10)
* They are holy. (Mark 8:38)
* They are glorious. (Luke 9:26)
* Angels are immortal. (Luke 20:36)
* They are mighty and powerful. (2 Thessalonians 1:7-10, Revelation 18:1)
* Angels are obedient. (Psalm 103:20; Matthew 6:10)
* Angels have wills. (Isaiah 14:12-14)
* Angels can be referred to as male (Judges 13:6; Daniel 10:5-21) and in one case female (Zechariah 5:5-9).
* They have spirit bodies with limbs, eyes, voice, etc (Hebrews 13:2; Judges 13:6; Revelation 15:1-6)
* Angels don't seem to need rest. (Revelation 4:8)
* Angels can eat food. (Genesis 18:8; 19:3; Psalm 78:25)
* They can be visible or invisible to us. (Numbers 22:35; John 20:12; Hebrews 13:2)
* Angels can operate in our physical realm. (Genesis 18:1-19, 24; 2 Kings 9:35)
* They can travel at incomprehensible speed. (Revelation 8:13, 9:1)
* Angels can ascend and descend between heaven and earth. (Genesis 28:12; John 1:51)
* Angels can speak languages. (1 Corinthians 13:1)
(Source: Lund, 2011)

Angels additionally appear in the Book of Ezekiel and specifically angels known as Ophanim or the "Wheels within a wheel" related in Ezekiel



















Chapter 6: Holy Places, Objects, and Symbols
Throughout the history of humankind, God has used holy places, objects, and symbols to spread His message of renewal or birth and of the trinity. Symbolism can be found in landscape or the use of sacred space and the use of natural landscape to display and actualize spirituality. Symbolism is also seen in temples, shrines, and burial grounds.

Physical elements of religion carries powerful symbolism and this includes the construction of temples, shrines, mosques, churches, synagogues, as well as manifestation of theology in buildings of all types displaying religion. Symbolism is rich in all cultures throughout the world and in all religions as well. The work of Fitzgerald (2002) states that medieval architecture is replete with symbolism that serves to remind humankind of God and his principles. In fact, everything in medieval architecture reflected the hierarchical order of the society on which it was constructed" with its detail and the "complex relationships connecting lines, arches, vaults and buttresses..." and all of this is reported to have "analogized the multifaceted interdependency of secular, ecclesiastical and familial authority - bellatores, oratores and laboratores (those who fight, those who pray and those who work). It was a hierarchical society where, each part in its turn, followed God's plan in creation." (Fitzgerald, 2002)

Medieval buildings were made of rock which demonstrated strength against the weather and the wearing away of the rock against the centuries. Reflected in these buildings is the "timelessness and unchangeableness of the Catholic Faith, which inspired those edifices in the countries that made up Christendom." (Fitzgerald, 2002)
The buildings great height in addition to the "astonishing polychromic display of light coming from the stained glass windows, give one the impression that, although his feet are on earth, he could ascend to heaven by praying silently there or assisting at the beautiful ceremonies of the Church." (Fitzgerald, 2002) Fitzgerald additionally reports that plans for the medieval churches were many times in the shape of a cross "a homage to our Lord's death. Beneath the intersection of the two naves of the cross, the main altar was placed to renew the Sacrifice of Calvary." (2002) The focus of the medieval cathedral was the "altar of Sacrifice...embellished in ever possible way with elements appropriate to the presence of our Lord." (Fitzgerald, 2002) The tabernacle interiors were plated with gold "the most precious metal we have in this world." (Fitzgerald, 2002)

As well, the chalice, ciborium, monstrance, and paten were generally made of gold and the altar cloths of purest linen. The steps that led to the altar were constructed from marble and the "altar was always elevated." (Fitzgerald, 2002) O'Reilly (2002) writes that everything in the world is a symbol. The sun, the stars, the seasons, the day and night, all speak to us in a solemn language." O'Reilly states that even in winter, when the days are shorter and the darkness appears to be winning over the light man "considers the long centuries of twilight that preceded the coming of Jesus Christ, understanding that in the divine drama both light and darkness have their place." (2002)

Medieval man is reported to have named those weeks of December `Advent' or `Adventus' when the liturgical ceremonies express the long waiting of the ancient world for the coming of the Savior. It was at the winter solstice, at the time when light begins to reappear and the days to lengthen that the Son of Man was born." (O'Reilly, 2002) In fact, according to O'Reilly, the year in its entirety is the image of man's life on earth and Spring, symbolic of baptism, is a time when new life is given to the earth renewing the soul of man. Summer "with its burning heat and resplendent light are the reminders of the light of another world and the ardent love of God and the eternal life." (O'Reilly, 2002)

Autumn or the Fall of the year is the season that is representative of harvest both on earth and in heaven and the symbolic of the last judgment when man reaps that which he has sown. God has instilled into every earthly time and process reminders of him and his plan for humankind. Even the snowflakes are a reminder from God and as noted by Wilson Bentley (1865-1931) from Jericho, Vermont, who was quite taken by the snowflake, and who photographed more than 5,000 snowflakes, there is quite simply no two snowflakes that are alike.

Fitzgerald (2002) states: "When one remembers that God, Who is the author of all creation, has filled our world with His beautiful secrets, then everything becomes an exciting quest." The Holy Land is also replete with symbolism that reminds the individual of God as well as archaeological finds that continually emit proof that the words contained in the Holy Bible are not merely stories but are tales of truth about God's interaction with humankind.

Numerology Contains Hints Left by God for Mankind
Numerology is another way that God interacts with humankind and specifically in the scriptures. Numerology is feared by many due to the negative and evil uses of this source of Knowledge however, numerology is not only used by the dark side but within the sacred numbers, and geometry is a wealth of knowledge and wisdom about the very nature and character of the Kingdom of God.

The number `3'
For example, the number three is a highly spiritually significant number and is representative of the trinity of God, or the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. The family is another representation of the trinity in the husband, the wife, and the child.

The number `12'
The number 12 is the symbol of organized religion for the Hebrew including twelve tribes of Israel, twelve apostles, twelve gates to the Holy City in the Book of Revelation and was a number "reduplicated to 144,000 when the writer of Revelation pictured the security of a perfect number sealed form the wrath of God to be visited upon the world." (The Upward Way, 2010)

The number `7'
The number seven is considered a perfect number and when divided in half equals 3 (1/2) which has come to express "the incomplete" because the perfect 7 becomes the imperfect and represents "restless longing not yet fulfilled, aspirations unrealized." (The Upward Way, 2010)

The number `6'
The number six is representative of the sinister or evil to the Jewish people as the number six falls short of the perfect number seven. Six represents defeat and as well, the number 13 is a sinister number to the Jewish people.

Angel of the Lord
Part II: The Mysteries of Our Faith

Chapter 7: Why Do We Have to Suffer?
One wonders why it is that human beings must suffer and endure such as toil and sweat to prosper. Even more so one wonders why it is that the innocent, such as children must suffer and it is difficult to grasp that this suffering is not only part of the evolutionary and growth process of humankind. The Book of Job in the Old Testament of the Holy Bible relates the suffering of God's servant Job. Job was 100% committed to God and the laws that God set out for daily living. Seeing this Satan had a conversation with God and informed God that if Job, with his barns full of his harvest, his nice home, his loving wife and children, were to suffer terribly that he would deny God and refuse to continue to obey God. However, Job when afflicted with terrible boils upon his skin, refused to curse God and even when he lost his home, his family, his wife and his way of life still refused to curse God. In this story, God restores all to Job for his faithfulness.

Therefore, we can understand that while Job was a good man that the testing of his faith caused him to grow in terms of his spiritual being. Through pain, discomfort or hardship man experiences growth and gains in knowledge and wisdom. The work of Matt Slick asks the question of why there is evil and suffering in the world. Slick states that many wonder why, since God is all-powerful and a loving God why He permits the world to experience evil and suffering.
The fact is simply that Adam, who was given dominion over the earth by God, upon rebelling against God "set in motion an entire series of events and changed the very nature of man and creation" in that both of these were impacted by sin in the following ways:
* Creation was no longer a paradise and man had to fight against thorns (Genesis 3:17-18; Romans 8:22)
* People became sinful (Romans 5:12; Ephesians 2:3)
* Men became haters of God (Roman 3:19)

Suffering can therefore be understood as the result of sin and sin as the rebellion of mankind "against God and His created order" according to Slick (2010 ) who states that God has not abandoned us but instead has "continued to enter this world, pointing us to Himself, to truth, to morality, purity and love. He used the evil of the world (liars, perjurers, the envious, etc.), to bring His Son to the cross so that we might have the opportunity to obtain eternal life. In this, God has not stepped away from fallen creation, but has stepped into it by becoming Jesus. God works within the fallen world to effect change and He uses fallen people to accomplish His will. In this, He is proving His sovereignty over evil, suffering, and rebellious people, proving that sin and evil are utterly futile, and that He is worthy of honor and glory." (Slick, 2010) Another reason is stated by Slick to be possibly that God "...is letting evil occur...so that on the day of judgment, the condemned will have no right to say that their sentence is unjust." (Slick, 2010)


Slick goes on to put it as follows in the attempt to assist the reader better understand this concept:
"He (God) used the evil of the world (liars, perjurers, the envious, etc.), to bring His Son to the cross so that we might have the opportunity to obtain eternal life. In this, God has not stepped away from fallen creation, but has stepped into it by becoming Jesus. God works within the fallen world to effect change and He uses fallen people to accomplish His will. In this, He is proving His sovereignty over evil, suffering, and rebellious people, proving that sin and evil are utterly futile, and that He is worthy of honor and glory." (Slick, 2010)

Perhaps the concept was expressed best in the example of Christ in the story relating how Jesus saw a group of men preparing to stone a woman in the meeting place and perhaps at the gates of the city where the men with authority in the community met each day to discuss, plan and inquire about the business and spiritual world that existed beyond their own homes. The woman in this story has been caught in the act of adultery punishable by stoning death at this time in history and in this location. As Jesus witnesses the unfolding of this event the Bible relates that he is compelled to step into this scene but he did not shout but instead he simply stooped down and wrote something in the sand and when each man holding the stones to hurl at the woman to her death occurred dropped their stones one by one into the sand and walked silently away. What the Bible relates that Jesus wrote in the sand was simply this `Let he who is without sin be he that cast the first stone.' (NEED CITATION FROM SCRIPTURE)
Suffering exists for many various individual-specific reasons as it is one of the critical and vital methods utilized by God in His prescribed and created order to teach mankind the lessons that he must necessarily learn to achieve the future of existing in the presence of God in a positive environment void of negativity and hate. It is a purging through lessons which mirror the technique used by Jesus in teaching his Apostles and the crowds and specifically as he employed the use of `Parables' which taught simple lessons that veiled eternal and deeper truths about spiritual matters of great worth. God draws mankind, through these lessons, to his side to learn and growth and ultimately better oneself as expansion and evolution of mankind's' progression toward God unfolds.














Angel of Lord
Chapter 8: The First Missionary
The first of all missionaries was Paul the apostle and whom was originally named `Saul' and known as Saul of Tarsus. Saul's first encounter with God took place as he was traveling along the route to Damascus. Saul was an employee of Casear and was tasked with overseeing of stoning of those who followed the teachings of Christ. However, Saul was transformed and took the name Paul after he was blinded in the presence of Christ on his Damascus route and spoke to him saying "Saul, Saul, why persecutes thou me?" (Acts 9) Saul answered as he trembled and said "Who art thou, Lord?" The voice that answered him said "I am Jesus, whom thou persecutes." (Acts 9) From that moment on Saul was transformed and took the name Paul and according to the Bible "straightway he preached Christ in the synagogues, that he is the son of God."(Acts 9) Paul was born in Tarsus on the Mediterranean Sea in the present day country of Turkey to parents who were prominent Jews and whom raised Paul in the strict faith of the Pharisees. Paul is believed to have never seen Jesus in the flesh but following his transformation became one of the greatest of all missionaries having taken three missionary journeys. Paul's method was never changing as he would begin by speaking in the synagogues and when his teachings were refused by the Jews he would withdraw from the synagogue and organize a church of Gentile Christians. Upon his return to prison Paul was seized and thrown into a prison cell. Following two years in prison, Paul claimed his rights as a Roman citizen and sent an appeal to the king, Herod Agrippa II. Paul was then sent to Rome and was held two more years in prison. The last days of Paul's' life are obscure but it is believed that the emperor Nero had Paul beheaded sometimes between the years of 62 and 69 A.D. Paul's Epistles in the New Testament are letters that serve to instruct and encourage the modern day church and to inform the reader about his work for Christ. The writings of Paul are such that supplemented and complemented the teachings of Moses and the prophets and were an amplification of the application of the Law rather than undermining the law. Paul's epistles are specifically for those "who understand the need to build upon all of the scriptures which have come before, all of which emphasize the need for the Commandments to be kept. People who do not understand this fact are NOT ready for the solid food God provides through the writings of Paul. They will spiritually choke to death if they have not proven the need to keep the Law. Spiritually, they are not any more equipped to understand Paul's teachings than a baby is prepared to bite into a big steak. Before eating the meat in Paul's writings, the milk of the Word must have already been digested. Paul now builds on everything that has been laid down to this point. He builds on top of the foundation. He does not dig a basement under the foundation or weaken it in any way. He does not build next to or under the foundation, he builds upon everything that has come before. He tells us in I Corinthians 3:11 that there is no other foundation that we can build on except that which has already been laid. That foundation is Christ. Christ is the Word of God. The Word of God begins with the Law, moves to the Prophets, then proceeds to the Writings. Paul was not trying to build on another foundation. He was building on what was already there." (Smith, nd) It is also necessary to keep in mind the persecution that Paul experienced from the Jews due to their belief and teachings that when one was born a descendent of Abraham that keeping the Law was what saved them. "No Gentile could ever receive salvation without becoming a proselyte of the Jews. Paul was teaching that neither physical descent nor keeping the Law could ever earn salvation. He taught the only way to attain salvation was by looking to, and relying on, the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. Paul NEVER said keeping the Ten Commandments was unnecessary." (Smith, nd)

Chapter 9: The Resurrection



Chapter 10: Recurring Themes in Our History
The hymns of the Rig Veda relates that human beings are dependent on the gods and their destiny "is eternal life in a celestial world. Yama, the god of death is sovereign over the souls of the dead and is at the same time the one who receives the offerings of the family for the benefit of the departed." (Valea, nd) Yama "casts the wicked into an eternal dark prison from which they can never escape." (Rig Veda 7,104,3; 17 cited in Valea, )

The Upanishads hold a belief that the self "is one with Brahman, but illusion prevents humans from grasping it. The liberation of atman from the chain of reincarnation can be attained only during a human existence, so we are in a privileged stage of spiritual evolution." (Valea, nd) Atman's liberation from samsara is called moksha and represents its return to Brahman. This kind of liberation is actually an impersonal fusion of atman with Brahman, resembling the fusion of a drop of rain with the ocean, thus becoming one with it." (Valea, nd)