Again we live in the time of Advent, during which we are in expectation of the birth of Christ. What does this mean to us? Are we remembering the birth of Jesus Christ who was born 2000 years ago, or are we expecting the birth of the Christ, the awakening of the Christ Consciousness in ourselves? Traditional Christians are totally committed to the first, and many people who left their church and turned to spirituality are convinced of the second. But do we really have to choose? [Read more…] about The Birth of the Christ
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Prophecy, what is it?
Prophecy is a subject that I have never written an article about yet, neither on this blog nor anywhere else. Nor have I thought about it much. At most I addressed it in a few lines in a comment, as a reaction on someone else’s views. It somehow did not speak to me but recently I read a comment on this blog that gave some information about a prophecy of Ezekiel which really gave me food for thought. It also made me realize that there are different kinds of prophecy and wonder what it is all about. Some of these I will address in this article but not all of them as that would go beyond the scope of this article. [Read more…] about Prophecy, what is it?
Another Look at Reincarnation Using Job 1:21
I have visited the topic of reincarnation on this blog a few times before. I thought it would be a good time to revisit the topic because it’s so important to realize it’s relevance if you truly wish to ever understand the bigger picture of most ancient scriptures, especially the Bible. Hopefully it will stimulate some good discussion in the comment section.
This post will be a little different. Instead of talking about all the scriptures that support reincarnation, we are going to focus on two from Job and Ecclesiastics. [Read more…] about Another Look at Reincarnation Using Job 1:21
Jesus Calms the Storm: The Inner Christ Arises
What is the esoteric meaning of Jesus calming the storm at sea with the disciples? The answer is a very positive message, but you’ll probably never hear it in mainstream Christian teachings. In a nutshell, it deals with what Paul calls, the “Christ in you, your hope of glory.” But what does this mean? We can come to understand what Paul means through the allegory of Jesus calming the storm. [Read more…] about Jesus Calms the Storm: The Inner Christ Arises
The Serpent and the Cherubim
In his articles Genesis Chapter 3: The Allegory of the Serpent Ego and Transforming the Serpent Ego Joshua writes again about the meaning of the serpent. He had already done so quite a few times before and also I myself addressed the subject more than once, both in articles and in comments. That shows how important this subject is. Putting all the presented interpretations together, they show the serpent as both negative and positive, [Read more…] about The Serpent and the Cherubim
Why the Miracle of Feeding the 5,000 with Five Loaves and Two Fish?
I attended a local church two Sunday’s ago at the invite of some neighbors. The people were very warm and friendly, and we even got a free t-shirt. The service was held in a movie theater and we were able to eat snacks and drink coffee during the sermon. As far as the atmosphere went, it was quite a different church experience. From what I hear, churches are changing like this all across the country. It’s becoming less formal and a lot more social.
The pastor’s sermon was upbeat and full of energy. He did a good job engaging the audience with personal stories that were both humorous and true to all of our everyday lives. That takes a little bit of wit and skill. Then he took those personal stories and tied them into the message about Jesus feeding the 5,000 in Matthew chapter 14. [Read more…] about Why the Miracle of Feeding the 5,000 with Five Loaves and Two Fish?
Transforming the Serpent Ego
In the last article, part one of this series, we discussed the opening of Genesis chapter 3. We set the stage for how the Bible explains man’s development on the physical plane. We must remember that it is not a literal account, but a spiritual one.
If you remember from the last post, eyes are a symbol for mental perception. When Eve ate the fruit and then gave it to Adam to eat, it is symbolic of the conscious being born and developed fully functioning on the physical plane. Adam and Eve’s eyes being opened mean that mental perception (consciousness) in man came into being. [Read more…] about Transforming the Serpent Ego
Genesis Chapter 3: The Allegory of the Serpent Ego
Did God, as an outside agent, create man? Or is there scriptural evidence suggesting that man is an integral part of who God is? In other words, are God and man somehow eternally linked? Are they ONE?
A recent discussion with a friend inspired this upcoming series. I am going to concentrate on Genesis chapter three to provide our answer. I will also use other Old and New Testament scriptures, but I believe Genesis chapter three will be one of the best places to start because the symbolism is obvious. Talking snakes, magical fruit, naked men and women who do not realize they are naked (until they eat the magical fruit!), physical paradise, and omnipotent beings walking through gardens are all contrary to our everyday realities. [Read more…] about Genesis Chapter 3: The Allegory of the Serpent Ego
RIP Sparks (Fran)
Today I wanted to honor someone who was a very special commenter / contributor to this blog who has recently passed away. She wasn’t active on SOS for the past year, but for two years before that she commented regularly and became a supporter to my efforts here in a way that few could understand unless you regularly read her comments and correspondences through e-mail. She went by the name Sparks, and she passed on the night of the 18th of April. [Read more…] about RIP Sparks (Fran)
Lazarus the beggar and the rich man: Understanding Soul Growth and Meaning of Hell
As promised, this post will unveil the esoteric meaning of the beggar Lazarus who died an ended up in Abraham’s bosom, while the rich man died and ended up in what appears to be a description of eternal torment, i.e., hell. Of course the Bible never describes a literal hell in the traditional Christian sense (see part one of this series for more information). The same holds true for the parable of Lazarus and the rich man. [Read more…] about Lazarus the beggar and the rich man: Understanding Soul Growth and Meaning of Hell
Hell: The Fallen Doctrine
We are all familiar with the concept of the Christian hell: A fiery place of eternal torment where the rich man begged for a drop of water to cool his tongue. Such imagery makes us think that hell is a terrible place. But does the Bible really teach that hell is place of everlasting punishment for those who have rejected God’s ways?
Even the question itself would be ridiculous if you read the Bible without contemporary Christian influence. [Read more…] about Hell: The Fallen Doctrine
Martha and Mary: A spiritual Lesson about Love and Duty
I remember the first time I read the brief allegory of Jesus in the house of Martha and Mary. I was a little confused. Why would Jesus indirectly rebuke Martha when she asked for help? As the story goes, Martha invites Jesus inside her home. During the course of the evening, Martha is running around trying to get prepared for the evening meal. She gets frustrated because Mary isn’t helping. Instead, Mary is sitting at the feet of Jesus and listening to his words. So Martha, at her wits end, runs to Jesus and complains.
Luke 10:40-42 states: [Read more…] about Martha and Mary: A spiritual Lesson about Love and Duty
The Bible Does Not Condemn Homosexuality: Romans 1:21-23 Proves It
I have had many requests for a post on the topic of homosexuality and the Bible. Most have been from people asking for an esoteric perspective. I got the impression that these requests were from straight persons trying to understand how this lifestyle fits in from a spiritual standpoint. Since I am a straight married man myself, I’ve never had a real interest to go into the subject. But I am finally giving in to a recent e-mail asking me to specifically address the topic. [Read more…] about The Bible Does Not Condemn Homosexuality: Romans 1:21-23 Proves It
Why God Allowed the Israelites to Gorge on Quail
Today’s post is dedicated to those who may be going through a trial. I am writing it because I myself am currently going through a trail that has taken quite an emotional toll. I know I will overcome it, especially when I put it into the perspective of why we are all here to experience life. Adversity is our friend when we allow it to be, for at some point it, when we yield, and only when we yield, it can reveal our spiritual nature. [Read more…] about Why God Allowed the Israelites to Gorge on Quail
The Great Controversy: Irenaeus and the Development of the Orthodox Church Part 6
This post will cover Irenaeus and Valentinus, and the seeds of Orthodoxy that were beginning to develop in the second century. If you have been keeping up with the first five parts of this series, then you already know that the earliest Christianity had very different beliefs than today’s Orthodoxy. The earliest Christians relied heavily on Jewish tradition. They followed a strict moral code, subjugating their lives to God through a consecrated lifestyle. They believed that the man Jesus completely fulfilled the Law of God and this earned him a great honor. To the earliest Christians, Jesus was savior because he showed mankind the way to the Kingdom of God through obedience and by the teaching of esoteric wisdom (the science of the soul). [Read more…] about The Great Controversy: Irenaeus and the Development of the Orthodox Church Part 6