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Good morning bus riders!
I missed most of you last Sunday. I’m glad to see you back. I hope everyone had a good Easter.
Today is the second Sunday of Easter. The Easter season has seven Sundays, counting Easter Sunday.
Raise your hand if you are familiar with the ‘Counting of the Omer.’
<Look for hands raised.>
The word “Pentecost” is Greek for “Fiftieth Day.” The counting of the first fruits – an omer’s worth from each farmer’s spring crops – are placed in the Temple on the first day of the Passover festival. That count is recognized daily by Jews, who say a prayer for each day, each evening. They do that for seven weeks, as commanded by Yahweh, through Moses.
The festival called Shavuot means the festival of “Weeks,” where after forty-nine days of counting, the next day is Shavuot … which the Greeks called “Pentecost.”
Of course the Church has messed everything up, because they begin a count on Easter Sunday, when in the story of Jesus that we read, Easter Sunday was the seventh day in the counting of the Omer.
Maybe that is because the Church doesn’t want to actually follow Mosaic Law … because that would be too Jewish …
AND … that would be why so few of you raised your hands, having been taught nothing about the Counting of the Omer.
Just to jump ahead in the lessons we have to present today, in John’s twentieth chapter you will notice how Thomas was not there when Jesus suddenly appeared in the closed room. After Thomas returned, the story seems like Jesus had some business to take care of, because after Tomas came back to the room and was told, “Hey! You missed it! Jesus was here!”
Thomas then said, “Unless I see for myself and touch the wounds, I will not believe.”
Then John is shown to say, “After eight days” or “A week later.”
That is pure ignorance of the Counting of the Omer; as that is what John was stating.
What John actually wrote (in Greek) says, “after days eight.” That is identified by a capitalized “Kai,” which means this is most important to grasp.
The word “days” means both the “days” that Jews are commanded to count for seven weeks, as well as being a statement that “after days” is the time when the evening of nights begins.
The Jewish clock says a twenty-four hour period is twelve hours of day, followed by twelve hours of night. An official “date” begins at six o’clock in the evening. In the evening is when the Jews say their daily prayer in the Counting of the Omer.
Sunday, the first day of the week, was the seventh day in that count, which would have been recognized in the evening hour, at the end of the Sabbath, when the 'date' switched to Sunday (the "night" part).
So, all John was saying was: Thomas had come back with dinner for the group [broiled fish being one staple]; and, all the Jews had gathered around the table to recite the prayer for the eighth day in the Counting of the Omer.
So, it was not a week later when Jesus came back and saw Thomas. It was after six o’clock P.M. (Jesus first appeared to the others was at the "evening of day," which is after 3:00 P.M., so, Thomas was gone between two and three hours.)
Can you see that?
<Look for nodding heads.>
Good!
Now, let me make sure everyone realizes what the Easter season is about. Most of you were not here last Sunday, when I said some most revealing things about the lessons of Easter Day.
I invite everyone to read the transcript of that homily on my website; but for now, it is important to see how reading a story about Jesus not being in his tomb, when Angels are hanging out there, asking women, “Why do you look for the living among the dead?” says the physical body of Jesus was forever gone. When "Angels" speak, they only speak to souls, about spiritual matters
The Easter season is not about Jesus being physically raised. It is about those who care for Jesus to be themselves Spiritually raised from the death that is a soul trapped within a mortal body of flesh.
The Easter season is about the soul of Jesus being resurrected within one’s own soul, transfiguring one of death into one of eternal life, as Jesus reborn.
In the Easter season it is mandatory that one lesson always come from the Book of Acts.
Last week we read about Peter going to tell Cornelius … a Roman centurion .. about Jesus. Today we read about Peter speaking for all the apostles, standing before the high priest Caiaphas, telling him about Jesus.
In both cases, Peter said, “They put him to death by hanging him on a tree” and “The God of our ancestors raised up Jesus, whom you had killed by hanging him on a tree.”
In the John reading today, where he wrote, “it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and the doors of the house where the disciples had met were locked for fear of the Jews,” that says Peter and the apostles were all curled up in fetal positions, afraid the Jews would send Roman soldiers to come arrest them and do to them the same as they had done to Jesus.
When we read in the Book of Acts, we find that those frightened ‘girlie mens’ were totally transformed. That says the soul of Jesus had been raised within their frightened souls, becoming the Lord over their bodies of flesh and speaking the truth of Jesus – multiplied by twelve (minimally).
Now, when Peter said twice that Jesus was “hung from a tree” … dead … the Greek word translated as “tree” is “xylon.” That word means “wood,” which comes from trees.
Here, it important to hear Jesus using that metaphor, both to the Romans, who used crucifixion as a form of torturous execution, and to the Jews, who were supposed to be upright judges of the first fruits of the land where they taught religion.
That says dead Jesus was the fruit of their labors. Rather than have large clusters of grapes hanging from vines, strung along strong upright stakes in a vineyard, they advertised, “Come to Judea where bodies of death hang as our preferred fruit."
Can you see that?
<Look for shocked faces.>
The lessons taught in the stories of The Acts of the Apostles says apostles are those souls who have married Yahweh in Spirit (a divine Baptism that cleanses one of all past sins); and, the result of that divine union is the soul of Jesus being resurrected in one’s soul, becoming the Lord over one’s flesh.
Jesus is reborn in new flesh, over and over again … in Saints!
Now, there are two Psalm options for today. I talk about all possibilities, because if it is an option, then it is worth reading and discussing. Last Sunday Psalm 118 was the mandatory song of praise; so, the same song is sung again today … with the addition of five verses that were not sung last Sunday.
Still sung today is the verse that sings, “The same stone which the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone.” Last Sunday I pointed out how the rejected “cornerstone” was rounded … like the stone that opens a tomb of death and lets the soul be freed to eternal life. A true cornerstone traps a soul on the earthly plane – reincarnation.
Today, the additional verses sing: “Blessed is he who comes in the name of Yahweh; we bless you from the house of Yahweh. el is Yahweh; he has shined upon us; form a procession with branches up to the horns of the altar.”
In that, I have adjusted the NRSV text to state the true name of “Yahweh.” In verse twenty-seven, the word “el” is used; and, an “el” is one whose soul has been resurrected with the soul of Jesus. When David wrote, “el Yahweh,” that is saying he was one of the “Yahweh elohim,” which means the creation of Adam on the seventh day. David said that soul had become one with his soul.
Can you see that?
<Look for stunned faces.>
What David sang about here says the roll-away stone had been built into his soul-body, so he was assured eternal life.
The use of “blessed” says David became a “Saint.”
He was “in the name of Yahweh,” which says David’s soul was “Israel” – a name that means “Who Retains el Yahweh.”
The “house of Yahweh” is the body of flesh that was David’s body, as that body became a temple.
The words that say, “form a procession with branches up to the horns of the altar,” says the “branches” are living members of a “tree” or the “wood” of a vine affixed to a sturdy, upright trellis. That vine leads to the “altar” of sacrifice, where one’s own soul submits to Yahweh.
Thus, David’s song of praise sings of his soul having a higher Lord within him, who guided his ACTIONS.
David knew it is impossible to pretend to be holy alone.
No soul is capable of standing up to evil, without having the soul created by Yahweh on the seventh day one with one’s own soul.
Salvation can only come from that divine possession, allowed by Yahweh. That means “Jesus” coming, with that name meaning “Yahweh Saves.” Yahweh thus created Adam to be the soul resurrected (in Mary's womb), to be named "Jesus" (says Gabriel).
Now, the other Psalm that can be sung today is Psalm 150. The message of that song of praise is simple. It repeats over and over: “Praise Yahweh.”
In verse one, we read “Hallelujah!” which is two words in Hebrew that say, “Praise YAH!”
David repeated “Praise YAH” twice in verse six. In between, everything was singing of the ways to give “praise.”
In verse one, after singing out, “Praise YAH!” David sang, “praise el in his sacredness.”
That is again singing of a "Yahweh elohim” having possession of David’s soul, which brought about the “sacredness” that was David’s body … his temple unto Yahweh.
That “el of sacredness” says Jesus (or Adam) had become the high priest of David’s temple. All “praise” is led by that inner soul.
That confirms David as one of the living “branches,” all of whom had been walked up to (a precession) the “horns of the altar,” each to become a sacrifice to Yahweh. That sacrifice was placed in the hands of His Son – the High Priest – Jesus.
Unless one’s soul has sacrificed to Yahweh, it is hard to stand up against a “higher authority,” like Caiaphas told the apostles he was. Such “higher authorities,” when one’s soul is a ‘swinging single,’ cowers in the corner of a room, with the doors locked. A soul alone is afraid of its own shadow.
There is no higher authority than Yahweh.
Peter and the other apostles were each divinely possessed by Jesus. Because of that divine possession, they ACTED as Jesus reborn … not as Peter and the others taking it upon themselves to grow a backbone.
Now, today we have a five-verse lesson from John’s Revelation.
This reading selection is one that falls into the category of “eschatology.”
Merriam-Webster defines that word as such:
“a belief concerning death, the end of the world, or the ultimate destiny of humankind –
specifically : any of various Christian doctrines concerning the Second Coming, the
resurrection of the dead, or the Last Judgment.”
Not too long ago, I heard a Baptist minister talking about the Rapture and the Second Coming. He referenced this reading from John in Revelation.
The “second coming of Jesus” took place in the locked room, when Jesus appeared to the disciples – (the John reading for today). When that second coming took place, the disciples were still unripe fruit, placed as omers in the temple, waiting for the high priest to deem them ‘fit to eat.’
The resurrected soul of Jesus within all of his first fruits was what deemed them ready to preach as Jesus reborn on Pentecost Sunday – the Fiftieth Day. In the locked room, thanks to John’s information, that fruit was only just beginning the eighth day of readiness.
The Easter season is all about the maturing process that prepares one for ministry, as Jesus reborn. Still, Jesus must be “raised from the dead,” to transfigure those souls who cower in fetal positions, behind locked doors, because they are afraid of the world.
This past week I was amazed at the new way I saw these five verses from Revelation.
To begin with, when we read, “John to the seven churches that are in Asia,” that is not actually what is written. That actually is divided into two parts, where the first part is a one-word statement that says, “John.”
Because that ‘name’ is capitalized, the divine elevation in meaning – as a one-word statement – is the meaning behind the name. That meaning becomes a statement that says, “Yah Is Gracious” or “Yah Has Been Gracious.” I had never looked at this verse in a way that singled out that name before; so, I had been blind to that before.
Then, I saw “seven” as an important number that symbolizes “rest” or “completion,” such that the “seventh day” has been made holy, with Creation finished. The goal of the Creation is to reach a state of "rest" and "completion." Our individual creations become a microcosm of that greater plan of Yahweh.
To see that meaning in a number, to attach that to the word stating “assemblies” or “congregations,” rather than “churches,” the number meaning “rest” and “completion” is then focused on those souls that gather as such. Those "assemblies" are those created by Yahweh, as those who have achieved the goal and can then rest as Holy.
What I had never seen before is the capitalized Greek word “Tais,” which divinely elevates “To these,” where the importance is placed on “These” who have “rest” and “assemble together,” because “Yahweh Has Been Gracious.”
Now, the capitalization of “Tais” is important to see in that way, because the same word is written after “assemblies,” but in the lower-case. Thus, the divinely elevated “These” are “assembled” to go “to these within this Asia.”
That becomes a statement that says, “Yahweh Has Been Gracious to Saints in many numbers” (enough to be gathered as "congregations"), who will then be sent into ministry. This is John confirming what Peter and the apostles had become and what they were doing once in that state of "completion."
What I had never done before is look at “Asia” as a capitalized word; so, I had never looked up the meaning for that ‘name.’ “Asia” means “Place Of Healing” or “Place Of Ascent.”
When that gets added to John saying, “Yahweh Is Gracious, To these completed in assemblies to sent to those within this Place Of Ascent,” that says Yahweh created Saints to make Saints of those who opened their souls to union with Yahweh's Spirit, so Jesus’ soul could resurrect within them … making "these" become able to "rest."
Can you see how this says there is nothing about “seven churches” – even if that it a metaphor of reality – because this is John being led by Jesus having resurrected in his soul, writing what everybody seeking Salvation must know?
<Look for nodding heads and surprised looks.>
Now, in the translation shown on the lectionary page, the text shows, “from the seven spirits who are before his throne, and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth.”
In that, the number “seven” is restated; and, here it should have the same meaning, as “rest” and “completion.”
The truth of that written is “Spirits” is a capitalized “Pneumatōn.” It is plural in number. That spelling is in the Genitive case; so, it really says, “of Spirits.” The result of having reached a “seven” state of being means one’s soul is now possessed, “of Spirits” … more than one.
This capitalization says one’s soul has been Baptized by the “Spirit” of Yahweh (one “Spirit”) and then been where the resurrection of the “Soul” of Jesus has come (a second “Spirit”).
That states divine possession is relative to being “before his throne; being of Jesus and of Christ [both in the Genitive case]; being filled with a personal experience that brings faith; being with Adam’s soul [the “firstborn”] raised in one’s dead body; so Jesus is the Lord of that mortal body.”
Can you see that truth standing out?
<Look for shocked faces.>
When I told you I heard a Baptist minister quoting from this reading, he put emphasis on the verse that the NRSV translates as saying, “Look! He is coming with the clouds; every eye will see him, even those who pierced him; and on his account all the tribes of the earth will wail.”
That preacher was so excited to read those words, he exclaimed, “I can’t wait till I am taken up in the Rapture, when all the sinners of this world will see Jesus coming and moan and groan."
It was the perfect, “I told you so” taunt that he gleefully projected himself as being able to do.
But, let me ask you here now …
Have you ever beheld a ghost or a soul?
Have you ever laid eyes on something physical sitting on a cloud? Have you ever been on an airplane that flies through a cloud, so you can see up close what the reality is to be entering into one?
<Look for questioning faces.>
When John wrote, “Behold!” that has to be understood as seeing with one’s soul, not with one’s physical eyes.
A cloud is metaphor for that which obscures and hides. It is the opposite of the clarity that comes from physical vision.
The Baptist minister explained that those who “pierced the side of Jesus on the cross … the cross he shed his blood on for our sins” were all who deny Jesus Christ.
I believe the one Roman soldier who actually pierced Jesus is long gone now. So too Pilate, who gave the order to make sure the corpse was that. Dead bodies feel no pains during an autopsy; so, piercing a corpse on a cross is no big deal.
What is actually written by John says, “kai [meaning this is important] those who themselves he pierced”.
When the importance of "kai" is seen and “themselves” is read as “their souls” [because a “self” is a “soul”], then “he pierced” (in the third-person) says the soul of Jesus “pierced” the souls” of “those who” will become reborn as Jesus.
Here, "piercing" is a good thing. It reflects Yahweh "penetrating" His wife after marriage; so, Jesus' soul can be planted into the womb that is a 'virgin soul.'
Those souls resurrecting Jesus will be who “Behold!” a Spiritual coming, so every mind’s eye knows the truth of divine presence, which changes simple beliefs into hard fast faith.
One last thing I saw while analyzing the Greek text of this reading from Revelation was where we read, “I am the Alpha and the Omega.”
There is no word “Omega” written. While “Alpha” is spelled out, the capitalized letter for omega is shown; and that is (transliterated) a circle – “O”.
The word “omega” literally means, “great O” [from “O mega”], as opposed to “omicron” [the Greek letter “O”], which means “little O” [“O mikron”].
When this symbol is seen, as opposed to the word that means “great O,” this relates back to the symbol of “rest” and “completion.”
At any point in a circle can be found the beginning and the end meeting.
When the capitalized “Egō” is then joined with the word “eimi,” that which appears to say, “I am” is actually saying “I” followed by “I am.” This becomes the name Yahweh gave to Moses, as “I AM.”
The following “I am” is then the Yahweh elohim that was created by Yahweh on the seventh day – the day of “rest” and “completion.”
Thus, the “Alpha” is the “firstborn” soul of all who will find Salvation, which is the only way to find “rest.” This means the circle symbol reflects the eternal reward of finding out that one can truthfully claim, “I am the First kai for eternity.”
Can you see that?
<Look for jaws agape.>
As for the Gospel selection from John, I saw much more than can be covered in the little time I have left, before the bus arrives. Please read what I posted on my website. I have written about his reading before; but each time I look at Scripture, new things come forth. There is much to learn from this reading.
Three things I want to point out now. The first is relative to the name “Thomas.” John writes that the name means “Twin.” That capitalized meaning needs to be seen as Thomas being a reflection of a “Duality.”
A “Duality” is reflected in the creation of life, where lifeless matter is infused with the breath of life. The name “Thomas” then is metaphor for the opposite position of two. On a human level, Thomas was the one disciple not hunkered down, shamefully afraid to go out into the world.
Some wonder if “Thomas” was actually a “twin” at birth, where he had an identical brother. In Matthew's list of the lead disciples of Jesus, Thomas is listed prior to "Matthew this publican." That could mean Thomas was the "Twin" of Matthew.
If so, Thomas would have been the second born, given that name after the firstborn had been delivered and was being celebrated. After the mother said, “That’s not all,” then Thomas would have been born.
Some think Thomas was called “Twin,” because he looked like Jesus.
Regardless of how he got the name, while all the other disciples hid in fear (including Matthew), Thomas went out into the world … most likely because it was “evening of day,” and he went to get food for everyone to eat.
Here, it is very important to realize it was not simply the disciples in that room. Each disciple brought with him his whole family, all of which were staying in Jerusalem for the Passover. All who were hidden in that room were followers of Jesus, which certainly included the women who remained at the cross until he was taken down.
Since Judas Iscariot had been one of the disciples, his death does not mean his family was banished from that room … if they were true followers of Jesus. The point I want to make is there were a lot of people packed into that room, including men, women and children.
Thomas would have then volunteered to leave that secured room and go find enough food to bring back and feed everyone dinner.
That says Thomas was like a “Twin” of Jesus, because he was not afraid to go out of that room and be seen.
The second thing I want to say deals with the three times Jesus said, “Peace be with you.”
He said that when he suddenly appeared in the locked room, amid a sea of people. He repeated that after he said three capitalized words: “Receive Spirit Holy.” Jesus then said this again when he again appeared, after Thomas had returned to the room.
In the past, I have jumped all over the Episcopal Church for turning these words spoken by Jesus into a catchphrase, like hippies from the sixties. Never had I seen the same words in the light that I saw them this past week.
It is trivial to have Jesus say "Peace be with you," because just like hearing those words today, it prompts one to ask, "What is "Peace"?"
The capitalized word “Eirēnē” (pronounced “e-rainy”) is viable when translated as “Peace.” It does have that meaning; but this past week I saw how HELPS Word-studies explains this word in this way:
“from eirō, [meaning] "to join, tie together into a whole," so it properly means: wholeness,
i.e. when all essential parts are joined together; peace (God's gift of wholeness).”
After having see the capitalized “O” or “Great O,” “Wholeness” becomes the truth of what Jesus said. The Greek literally translates to say, “Wholeness to yourselves” (from “Eirēnē hymin”); and, a “self” equals a “soul.”
The capitalized Greek letter Omega is not "Whole," as it is open at the bottom: "Ω" To realize the "Great O" means to find "Wholeness" and "complete" the circle. Jesus is that 'missing link.'
Jesus did not single Thomas out when he returned.
He said each of the three times, “Wholeness to your souls.” Each time, he said that to everyone there.” So, everyone was again included after Thomas returned.
The point of “Wholeness,” as a divinely elevated word of meaning, says the soul of Jesus had “pierced” the souls of those followers of Jesus, in the same way John wrote in Revelation “all minds’ eyes would Behold their souls being pierced by himself.”
This that Jesus said confirms that a physical body of Jesus did not walk through a wall or locked door and just stand in their midst. The soul of Jesus stood in their souls, lifting them up from their fear. The “Wholeness” of the “Alpha” that offered souls eternal life “had come within their souls.”
The symbol for omega – capitalized to a divine level of meaning – says the breath of life given at birth is incomplete. To become the "Great O" means to add the Spirit of Yahweh in marriage, so the circle becomes "complete" by the addition of Jesus' soul.
I want you to ponder that over the coming week. Easter is about the resurrection of Jesus within the souls of his followers!
The last thing I want to say, as I know the bus is heading this way, is this: Thomas was told by Jesus, “Do not doubt but believe.”
The word translated as “doubt” is “apistos.” Instead of “doubt,” it translates as “unbelieving” – the opposite of “belief” (“pistos”).
HELPS Word-studies writes this properly means, “not faithful because unpersuaded, i.e. not convinced.” This says "apistos" is a state of "belief," which is still "unpersuaded" or "convinced" to move beyond "belief" to true "faith."
Thomas had followed Jesus as a lead disciple. If he had gone to get food, when the rest were afraid, then he most likely demonstrated this same "opposite" character, as a "Twin" to what the disciples proved to be. Thomas then reflects those of a church who know Jesus was the Son of God, but are still waiting for that epiphany (that 'aha moment') that puts themselves over the edge – off the fence – into a Saintly state of faith.
Being told a story does not bring faith. One needs to be led to do the acts that bring faith into one's soul.
I want you to think about this deeply.
That Baptist minister I told you about, he read from Revelation, the same as is published on the lectionary website. He did not see the truth that I have explained. What he proposed to the people in his congregation said, “Believe me when I tell you, the Bible says there is going to be a Rapture and a Second Coming.”
When Thomas returned with the dinner for that evening, he was told, “You missed it! Jesus came.” That is like being told, “Thomas, you missed the second coming,” because the thirty-something years of Jesus’ physical life was the first coming.
Thomas saying, “Because you tell me something unbelievable as that, I will be unbelieving until I am personally put in touch with the risen Lord Jesus.”
Thomas had a good head on his shoulders. He knew a stretch of the imagination when he heard one told. He was like the people from Missouri, who refer to themselves as: “I’m from the ‘show me’ state. Don’t tell me. Show me!”
Because that Baptist minister is not as saved by Jesus as he thinks he is, he has never experienced Jesus appearing in his soul, making his own physical body appear like the body of Jesus that was taken down from the cross .. dead … blood spilled.
Jesus still is not the “Wholeness” pierced into his soul, telling him “Receive Spirit Holy.”
Finally, when Jesus told Thomas, “Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe,” that word “blessed” means those who have found “Yahweh Has Been Gracious,” as “To These is rest and completion.” They are the true meaning of a “church,” where everyone is a “Christ,” all in the “name of Jesus,” reborn within all the wife-souls of Yahweh.
Jesus said many Saints would come who would have never known the historical Jesus of Nazareth. They will have come to have true faith from his being proved to them in Scripture.
With that, here comes the bus. I will end here.
I want to remind you to think about these things said here today. You have to see the truth for yourselves. You have to take care of your own souls.
I wish you well this coming week. I look forward to seeing you again next Sunday.
Amen
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