Alienbrews Faith to Love to Joyful Reign

Want to know why faith matters?

Because life and death aren’t fair.

Is it really that bold of a statement? No. We as a species have tried many caste systems under many different names to hide this fact. The cultural norms of us and them, or this and that or whataboutism, what is all comes down to though is not willing to accept that life is life, death is death, and there is no reason or logic behind.

What matters is what we do with the time we have. We can either be jerks or saints. That is focus on accumulating the meaningless, or living into the meaningful (Hebrews 11:1-4).

By faith Enoch was taken from this life, so that he did not experience death: “He could not be found, because God had taken him away.”^[a] For before he was taken, he was commended as one who pleased God. ⁶ And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.

-Epistle of Hebrews 11:5-6 (New International Version)

Enoch’s deutero-canonical-apocryphal texts have created a basis for belief in Ancient Alien Theology. The concept of his ascension into the space ship to the Elohim. Enoch was a Jesus like figure who presided over 300 years of peace (Haze, 2018, p.143). Think of that? 300 years of peace in the history of humanity? How is that even possible? The writer of Hebrews points to faith, and that is understandable, for in faith you may not worry about retribution, but simply justice. You may look to only right and wrong, and be open to guidance from sources that are looking out for the best of us. Faith, also leads one as a ruler to understand that you cannot worry about fairness in life, or death, what matters is what you do with it.

The rest of the faithful written of in Hebrews 11:7-40 is a journey through the patriarchs and matriarchs of the old Covenant. The agreement of blessing, protection and growth and survival that brought the people into Egypt, then out of Egypt to the Promised Land that saw even more alien technology used to bring walls down, to protect the household of Rahab who hid the spies. It is an ancient style of writing seen in the Torah and other points of the Hebrew Bible to commemorate a new beginning whether it was in the Wilderness, The Promised Land, return from Exile in Babylon or Assyria (Ezra-Nehemiah, Deuteronomy) the story and covenant are retold to remind the people of the Elohim with them.

This is the practice the writer is reminding those in Jerusalem of. The new Covenant is a new beginning, it replaces the old. Let us honour the old, acknowledge what has been, what has been good, what has been hard, what will be lost.

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, ² fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. ³ Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

-Epistle of Hebrews 12:1-3 (New International Version)

The new Covenant is scary. It changes everything. It shatters the earthly patriarchal order and rebuilds it on the Covenant of Love. It is a scary time, but do not lose faith in the journey. Remember Jesus who went for broke, and risked it all as he believed in the new Covenant. Will you do the same?

Are you willing to be like Enoch and reign in peace (Hebrews 12:4-17)?  Faith is like Enoch, who accepted guidance, discipleship and discipline from the Elohim . What happened? Flourishment of peace. Reflect on that, what needs to be stripped from your life in positive or negative ways so that you can rest in contented peace? Do not be like Esau, who was the first born and was to be the path through which the kingdom was built. He surrendered to bitterness, materialism, and short term gratification:

¹⁶ See that no one is sexually immoral, or is godless like Esau, who for a single meal sold his inheritance rights as the oldest son. 

-Epistle of Hebrews 12:16 (New International Version)

Warning against succumbing to the old ways or for those in recovery, turning back to the addiction that is the symptom that masked the cause of the illness. Esau blamed his hunger on surrendering his birth right, but really what was at play was the thought of only the now. The moment of gratification, of pain to end and not to think longer term from that split second. For it comes down to deciding to embrace fear or joy?

You have not come to a mountain that can be touched and that is burning with fire; to darkness, gloom and storm; ¹⁹ to a trumpet blast or to such a voice speaking words that those who heard it begged that no further word be spoken to them, ²⁰ because they could not bear what was commanded: “If even an animal touches the mountain, it must be stoned to death.”^[c] 21 The sight was so terrifying that Moses said, “I am trembling with fear.”^[d]

²² But you have come to Mount Zion, to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem. You have come to thousands upon thousands of angels in joyful assembly, ²³ to the church of the firstborn, whose names are written in heaven. You have come to God, the Judge of all, to the spirits of the righteous made perfect, ²⁴ to Jesus the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel.

²⁵ See to it that you do not refuse him who speaks. If they did not escape when they refused him who warned them on earth, how much less will we, if we turn away from him who warns us from heaven? ²⁶ At that time his voice shook the earth, but now he has promised, “Once more I will shake not only the earth but also the heavens.”^[e] 27 The words “once more” indicate the removing of what can be shaken—that is, created things—so that what cannot be shaken may remain.

²⁸ Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, ²⁹ for our “God is a consuming fire.”

-Epistle of Hebrews 12:18-28 (New International Version)

Change is scary. One can succumb to the fear of the unknown. The writer knew this, and was pointing out that even Moses was lost with fear in the presence of the Elohim. Yet, the Elohim, with the life of Jesus have shown that fear is a barrier we create for ourselves. We let fear lead us into destruction as we succumb to interior gremlins-saboteurs and demons. Unable to silence them then fear wins.

Joy can become the intoxicant of life, realizing that if the change is good, like the new Covenant laid out, it takes us out of the comfortable but into a new blessing.

Joy abounds when rooted in…

Love

(Hebrews 13)

Live Love in 2019

And

Joy will reign.

 

 

 

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Alienbrews 4

New covenants making the old obsolete. In a way one can say it is like starting a new job, you leave one set of rules and emerge into another one. Or when a government changes, yet both fall a bit flat. For you see each has a tie to the old. In Canada, there is a Just Society clause of social aid we expect that no ideology can supplant, in the workplace there is standards, laws and rules that apply to each. In some ways it is a situation as the writer brings us to here:

Then indeed, even the first covenant had ordinances of divine service and the earthly sanctuary. ² For a tabernacle was prepared: the first part, in which was the lampstand, the table, and the showbread, which is called the ^[a]sanctuary; ³ and behind the second veil, the part of the tabernacle which is called the Holiest of All, ⁴ which had the golden censer and the ark of the covenant overlaid on all sides with gold, in which were the golden pot that had the manna, Aaron’s rod that budded, and the tablets of the covenant; ⁵ and above it were the cherubim of glory overshadowing the mercy seat. Of these things we cannot now speak in detail.

Limitations of the Earthly Service

⁶ Now when these things had been thus prepared, the priests always went into the first part of the tabernacle, performing the services. ⁷ But into the second part the high priest went alone once a year, not without blood, which he offered for himself and for the people’s sins committedin ignorance; ⁸ the Holy Spirit indicating this, that the way into the Holiest of All was not yet made manifest while the first tabernacle was still standing. ⁹ It was symbolic for the present time in which both gifts and sacrifices are offered which cannot make him who performed the service perfect in regard to the conscience— ¹⁰ concerned only with foods and drinks, various ^[b]washings, and fleshly ordinances imposed until the time of reformation

-Epistle of Hebrews 9:1-10 (New King James Version)

Rote rules, that even as roles, or titles changed there was still an expectation. In the Empire there was shifts of rulers due to civil war, but still an undercurrent of expectation. No, what was being crafted by the Elohim through the lived life and death of Jesus of Nazareth was something completely new. A baby with the bathwater scenario of change, for it was not symbolism but like with like. The creator and the created had become one (Hebrews 9:11-28). The walking through of the sacrifice of Jesus being shown to be the living embodiment of the symbolism of an entire system and that now, it was not symbolic caste separation, but true equity in communion with the Elohim (Hebrews 10:1-25).

Believing you are worthy. It takes a step of faith:

For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, ²⁷ but a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and fiery indignation which will devour the adversaries. ²⁸ Anyone who has rejected Moses’ law dies without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. ²⁹ Of how much worse punishment, do you suppose, will he be thought worthy who has trampled the Son of God underfoot, counted the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified a common thing, and insulted the Spirit of grace? ³⁰ For we know Him who said, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,”^[g]says the Lord. And again, “The Lord will judge His people.” ³¹ It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

³² But recall the former days in which, after you were ^[h]illuminated, you endured a great struggle with sufferings: ³³ partly while you were made a spectacle both by reproaches and tribulations, and partly while you became companions of those who were so treated; ³⁴ for you had compassion on ^[i]me in my chains, and joyfully accepted the plundering of your ^[j]goods, knowing that you have a better and an enduring possession for yourselves ^[k]in heaven. ³⁵ Therefore do not cast away your confidence, which has great reward. ³⁶ For you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise:

³⁷ “For yet a little while,
And He^[l] who is coming will come and will not ^[m]tarry.
³⁸ Now the^[n] just shall live by faith;
But if anyone draws back,
My soul has no pleasure in him.”

³⁹ But we are not of those who draw back to ^[o]perdition, but of those who believe to the saving of the soul.

-Epistle of Hebrews 10:26-39 (New King James Version)

Misery loves company. It is an old adage in life recovery. The concept being that the social connections you had in the darkness will pull you back when you enter into the light. The writer is reminding the gathering that ease appears by turning back (much like those in the Wilderness, wanted to return to Egypt). The easy choice though may stop the pain short term, but increases it long term for those that say you are your friends that want to drag you back are not.

It is a hard act of faith to not fall back into the trap. It is also a hard act of faith to release a survivor or dodge a bullet guilt. At different moments in my own journey I have been slammed with this. It is hard to process, from a young man in high school realizing a dating partner was actually a recruiter for sex trafficking and realizing that I had dodged it through a confidence not rooted in popularity. To addictions that claimed other friends, or succumbing to family pressures of perfection in academics-career, defining self by only one thing and when that are gone feeling the life slip away. Friends that were sucked into the drug trade or sex trade and couldn’t get out, to those that did. Family and friends that passed from illnesses that I easily could have contracted but didn’t. Bullets that literally missed, or threats to life I escaped. Watching time ravage others through their choices to dull pain.

Sitting, watching as the journey of ministry or helping destroyed the soul of others. Wonder as I sit now with my health if I had not escaped the same. Others surviving or succumbing to domestic violence. Victims of murder. Succeeding in suicides. Abused sexually as children.  Bitterness being the outcome for some, as short sojourns in fields they were not meant to be. Succumbing or chasing what “society deemed usual” in contexts, not being fully me, but watching as others crashed and burned as well.

I sit an type. Keeper of the stories. Holder of the pain. Releasing it once more. 613 can be too few or too many, but the journey of grief never changes. It is a path of faith in understanding that there is a light on the other side. A new chapter to start. Some days you stall.

Other days you can turn the page.

Chapter Next…

a step of faith…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Alienbrews 3

It is interesting to take a different perspective to ancient stories and writings. Those who have read my fiction now I have dabbled in the concepts of Ancient Alien Theology and the idea of alien possession or hiding in human form. It is a concept that is not foreign to many religions and spiritualities. That is the concept of ghosts, demons and other supernatural beings, I myself have been involved in a few clearings of places and at least four remembered exorcisms. It is intriguing to reflect upon this, and wonder what if… what if these forces were not extra-natural, but extra-terrestrial?

It is what happens as we move into the fifth discourse of Hebrews in the superiority of Jesus of Nazareth. The writer challenges the notion that the High Priest of the temple systems is the most powerful, and most holy (Hebrews 5:1-4) as appointed by others. A line of succession if the Torah is to be followed through the line of Aaron or the Tribes of Levites, and to be in the presence of the Elohim, there is ritual of protections taken. Just take a read through the texts around priestly attire and you have to wonder what these ancient materials were designed to protect against, the metals used, perhaps it was not a Glory of God, but a protection from cosmic radiation? The idea of tying a rope to pull a protected body out if they dropped dead as a means to protect the others from what killed.

So also Christ did not exalt himself to be made a high priest, but was appointed by him who said to him,

“You are my Son,
today I have begotten you”;

⁶ as he says also in another place,

“You are a priest forever,
after the order of Melchizedek.”

⁷ In the days of his flesh, Jesus^[a] offered up prayers and supplications, with loud cries and tears, to him who was able to save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverence. ⁸ Although he was a son, he learned obedience through what he suffered. ⁹ And being made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey him, ¹⁰ being designated by God a high priest after the order of Melchizedek.

-Epistle of Hebrews 5:5-10 (English Standard Version)

A super high priest selected by the Elohim, not bound by the customs of protection and rites of priestly duties. Is it because he was half-Elohim? That is a half-breed, half human/half-alien (a Mr. Spock of the ancient world?). Drawing close to show this, the writer brings us back to the blessing of Abram by the Highest earthly priest, Melchizedek, who was the King of Salem (Hebrews 7), and how did he bless? Wine and bread. Sound familiar? The blessing for Abram to come into full relationship with the Elohim was through wine and bread, the full new community of equality being brought about on Earth, an attempt of transfiguration by the Elohim is through a Halfling that uses bread and wine to remember.

Remember what?

 About this we have much to say, and it is hard to explain, since you have become dull of hearing. ¹² For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the basic principles of the oracles of God. You need milk, not solid food, ¹³ for everyone who lives on milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, since he is a child.¹⁴ But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil.

-Epistle of Hebrews 5:11-14 (English Standard Version)

Remember that you have been on this journey awhile. It is not meant to continue at the level of pablum and breast milk like an unweaned babe, rather you are to move onto solid foods. Connect with the tough questions, the roots. Remember what the story is. Move forward in a way that challenges the norm, that shakes the foundations of oppression. Challenge what the usual is.

Be not ususal (Hebrews 6). Live the journey that is strange, can be hard, but in the end do what is right, just. Seek justice. Seek equity and equality. Love freely. Spread hope. Embrace joy. Know peace. Deep dive into faith.

Become one with the new high priest, of the new covenant. Know that you are loved, you are unique and you are special.

Now the point in what we are saying is this: we have such a high priest, one who is seated at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in heaven, ² a minister in the holy places, in the true tent^[a] that the Lord set up, not man. ³ For every high priest is appointed to offer gifts and sacrifices; thus it is necessary for this priest also to have something to offer. ⁴ Now if he were on earth, he would not be a priest at all, since there are priests who offer gifts according to the law. ⁵ They serve a copy and shadow of the heavenly things. For when Moses was about to erect the tent, he was instructed by God, saying, “See that you make everything according to the pattern that was shown you on the mountain.” ⁶ But as it is, Christ^[b] has obtained a ministry that is as much more excellent than the old as the covenant he mediates is better, since it is enacted on better promises. ⁷ For if that first covenant had been faultless, there would have been no occasion to look for a second.

⁸ For he finds fault with them when he says:^[c]

“Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord,
when I will establish a new covenant with the house of Israel
and with the house of Judah,
⁹ not like the covenant that I made with their fathers
on the day when I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt.
For they did not continue in my covenant,
and so I showed no concern for them, declares the Lord.
¹⁰ For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel
after those days, declares the Lord:
I will put my laws into their minds,
and write them on their hearts,
and I will be their God,
and they shall be my people.
¹¹ And they shall not teach, each one his neighbor
and each one his brother, saying, ‘Know the Lord,’
for they shall all know me,
from the least of them to the greatest.
¹² For I will be merciful toward their iniquities,
and I will remember their sins no more.”

-Epistle of Hebrews 8:1-12 (English Standard Version)

A Gospel is a political declaration; in the Commonwealth nation such as Canada think of it as a speech from the Throne that opens our Parliament or Legislature, laying out the course ahead for the nation. Jesus of Nazareth’s followers had a gospel that was completely contrary to the Roman Emperor’s, in fact it was an act of treason to share and speak it.

Now, the writer was pointing to the promise of a new Covenant of equality between Most High and the people. Covenant is a bond, promise, indenturing if you will between two parties. The Most High is pledging a new way in the life span development of the genetic experiment if you will. No longer an authoritarian parent was attempting to beat submission, or through parlour tricks winning approval. Rather, one of equity, justice and equality bonded in the transcendent love that Jesus of Nazareth’s birth, life, teachings, death, and return as a hologram guide (if we follow Ancient Alien Theology on this one- think the Doctor on Star Trek: Voyager).

No longer a parent-child relationship that exists into late adolescence, but a more maturing of lifespan development where the parent becomes mentor-friend to the adult child in a health loving family unit.

¹³ In speaking of a new covenant, he makes the first one obsolete. And what is becoming obsolete and growing old is ready to vanish away.

-Epistle of Hebrews 8:13 (English Standard Version)

What is the new Covenant you are hearing in your heart?

 

 

 

 

 

Alienbrews 2

“You want to know the problem with going somewhere no one’s ever been? It takes so damned long to get there.”

-Dayton Ward’s (2015) Star Trek: The Next Generation Armageddon’s Arrow p.29

The mysterious quill behind Hebrews continues drawing the hearers to their old stories. Having moved through angels and some patriarchs, they now touch upon Moses in the Jesus comparisons. How does this fit with the Ancient Alien Theology lens we are bringing to this? Surely there is nothing within the Moses story? Hmmm… Let’s think. Ancient pantheon of gods that were easily seen as aliens (just watch any Stargate show or movie), the concept of the Elohim being the alien race that had attached to the Hebrew people, the material creators of the human race (Haze, 2018, p. 98). An extra-terrestrial conflict brought to Earth, to save those who had been loyal to the Elohim, and now currently imprisoned by another alien species that used them as slave labour. Moses being in contact with the Elohim, the idea that being upon Mount Sinai and the crashing thunder and lights were a spaceship (Haze p.112-113). That it is this glory that was revealed to Moses illuminating (burning) his face, much akin to the transfiguration we see mirrored in the Canonical Gospels of Jesus in the Christian Testament.

Haze will go on to point out the communication devices that Moses used during the Exodus and how he always spoke separated from the people- perhaps a safety measure?

 Therefore, holy brothers and sisters, who share in the heavenly calling, fix your thoughts on Jesus, whom we acknowledge as our apostle and high priest. ² He was faithful to the one who appointed him, just as Moses was faithful in all God’s house. ³ Jesus has been found worthy of greater honor than Moses, just as the builder of a house has greater honor than the house itself. ⁴ For every house is built by someone, but God is the builder of everything. ⁵ “Moses was faithful as a servant in all God’s house,”^[a] bearing witness to what would be spoken by God in the future. ⁶ But Christ is faithful as the Son over God’s house. And we are his house, if indeed we hold firmly to our confidence and the hope in which we glory.

-Epistle of Hebrews 3:1-6 (New International Version)

Reminding the people that Moses had led them out of slavery in Egypt, but had faltered in faith and as such could not lead them into the Promised Land. Moses needed to take safety measures to interact with the Elohim that is a tent of communication, being in the crevice of rocks, not facing the Glory of God directly. While it has been reported, Jesus of Nazareth has been within the Glory unprotected, and speaks directly. Pointing out and lending credence that Jesus was both – wholly human-wholly Elohim (alien).

So, as the Holy Spirit says:

“Today, if you hear his voice,
⁸     do not harden your hearts
as you did in the rebellion,
during the time of testing in the wilderness,
⁹ where your ancestors tested and tried me,
though for forty years they saw what I did.
¹⁰ That is why I was angry with that generation;
I said, ‘Their hearts are always going astray,
and they have not known my ways.’
¹¹ So I declared on oath in my anger,
‘They shall never enter my rest.’ ”^[b]

¹² See to it, brothers and sisters, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God. ¹³ But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called “Today,” so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness. ¹⁴ We have come to share in Christ, if indeed we hold our original conviction firmly to the very end.¹⁵ As has just been said:

“Today, if you hear his voice,
do not harden your hearts
as you did in the rebellion.”^[c]

¹⁶ Who were they who heard and rebelled? Were they not all those Moses led out of Egypt? ¹⁷ And with whom was he angry for forty years? Was it not with those who sinned, whose bodies perished in the wilderness?¹⁸ And to whom did God swear that they would never enter his rest if not to those who disobeyed? ¹⁹ So we see that they were not able to enter, because of their unbelief.

-Epistle of Hebrews 3:12-19 (New International Version)

Jerusalem at this time, as noted in my posts Epistle of Strawolution; is a city in flux. For a time, Rome was held at bay as the Judaic rulers-religious had seized control. The time was coming for a fiery end of the rebellion, for no Empire could let the David beat Goliath. In the midst of this change, those that were not fully within the “orthodox” religion knew they would be the first of those used as cannon fodder. It is words of reminder for those thinking of surrendering their new path of metaphysical-transcendent love of God, Self, and Neighbour and turning back that the mystery writer is tapping in to.

Reminding them of the ancient stories, when the alien messengers-creators walked with them and still the people whined (rebelled is such a strong word for those that whined to go back to slavery). It was the shift of change, it would be a change for the good, but the grief was inconsolable as these refugees from the Egyptian dynasty wandered the wilderness for 40 years- a Hebrew Generation. Why so long? Like the old adage of Peace in the Middle East or Ireland, a generation raised away from the hatred, war and anger and able to return with a fresh start for a new country is what was being proposed in the journey of the Wilderness.

It left open that who entered the Promised Land would only know about the transition phase lived, they would only know the stories of bondage in Egypt. It was a step away from the conflict and the anger of the journey for a new beginning.

And what was entry into the Promised Land, but true Sabbath…

Therefore, while the promise of entering his rest still stands, let us fear lest any of you should seem to have failed to reach it. ² For good news came to us just as to them, but the message they heard did not benefit them, because they were not united by faith with those who listened.^[a] 3 For we who have believed enter that rest, as he has said,

“As I swore in my wrath,
‘They shall not enter my rest,’”

although his works were finished from the foundation of the world. ⁴ For he has somewhere spoken of the seventh day in this way: “And God rested on the seventh day from all his works.” ⁵ And again in this passage he said,

“They shall not enter my rest.”

⁶ Since therefore it remains for some to enter it, and those who formerly received the good news failed to enter because of disobedience, ⁷ again he appoints a certain day, “Today,” saying through David so long afterward, in the words already quoted,

“Today, if you hear his voice,
do not harden your hearts.”

⁸ For if Joshua had given them rest, God^[b] would not have spoken of another day later on. ⁹ So then, there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God, ¹⁰ for whoever has entered God’s rest has also rested from his works as God did from his.

¹¹ Let us therefore strive to enter that rest, so that no one may fall by the same sort of disobedience. ¹² For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. ¹³ And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account.

-Epistle of Hebrews 4:1-13 (English Standard Version)

Exposure. It is a scary concept. It is what happens when we rest. Our true selves begin to emerge, as we allow the sludge of life to slip away. Our dreams can bubble through the sub-conscious to the conscious. It is intriguing to view this concept of resting with the Creator through an Ancient Alien Theology for it shifts understanding. Yes it references to fighters- David and Joshua- both who likely used Alien technology to accomplish their feats, but speaks of a day of rest.

Is it the rest that happens with peace? Not just peace within ourselves, but as there is allusion to the life and teachings of Jesus as encouragement- peace between species and interplanetary?

What would galactic, local, and inner peace be to you?

What facets of self-need to become whole?

Alienbrews 1

The Epistle of Hebrews is a bit of a mystery. The author is unknown; it has flecks of Pauline influence, but is not of Paul. Many have thought it comes from the school of Pauline Christianity, perhaps Priscilla or Aquila, Or Barnabas or Timothy or Luke or someone else. The challenge being that there is rabbit trails that lead to one thought, then norms of writing that disqualify. It is someone who was born into and raised in Judaism, but knows the classic Greek rhetorical styles.  Neither the Roman Catholic Church or John Calvin or Martin Luther could confirm an authorship. It is this enigma that sits as the cover letter to the General Epistles. If the Pauline Epistles were filling the void of the Major Prophets in the Christian Testament, then the General Epistles would be akin to the Minor Prophets.

What can be agreed upon, as the term Hebrews is used, and that the language is very much rooted in Judaic practice that it is a letter to Jewish converts to the way. As its writing falls into the latter half of the 1^st Century it is possible it was written after the synagogue expulsion. Some suspect it was sent to Jerusalem, which puts it firmly in the teaching gatherings of James, younger brother of Jesus of Nazareth, and Bishop of Jerusalem.

Xaviant Haze (2018) in Ancient Aliens in the Bible uses the first chapter of Hebrews as a text to prove his theorem that Jesus was born of an alien-human mix. It comes out of the theory that angels in the Hebrew Bible, and Christian Testament, were ancient alien astronauts visiting our world:

After all, he was born king of the angels (Hebrews 1). An obvious link between Jesus and the Old Testament are the bright lights, metallic clouds, and fiery colours that raged in the skies on the day before he died. (p. 169).

As I have contemplated this journey through the Epistles of the Christian Testament it has been about my own thoughts and reflections, a bit of context, and pushing others to engage the texts in different ways. It is part of my recovery to give me something to care about, and to do. In my teaching I have always brought out different perspectives, how much different than to bring forth Hebrews through the lens of Ancient Alien Theology? I think it bears reflecting on, and thinking a bit outside the norm of events.

After putting forth that Jesus of Nazareth is the King of Angels in chapter 1, the writer continues into the concept of Salvation (2:1-11). The idea being that Jesus had to surrender his throne in the heavens, come down and live amongst humanity. Relying a bit on Ancient Alien theory as supposed by Haze (2018) it is about a humanity that was crafted through genetic experiments in the times of the Hebrew Bible. The Adams and Eves were genetic alterations to existing species on the planet, incurred gene splicing (almost like the augments in Star Trek, think Khan Noonien Singh). Then the women were so beautiful that many from the ships mated with them producing the Nephilim, which were giants, and a cover up was needed before the home planet discovered this awryness, hence the flood. The rainbow in the sky post flood was about salvation, the promise not to wreak havoc again of mass destruction on the world. As the hearers of the words of Hebrews would be reminded of their ancient stories as a source of encouragement:

¹² saying,

“I will tell of your name to my brothers;
    in the midst of the congregation I will sing your praise.”

¹³ And again,

“I will put my trust in him.”

And again,

“Behold, I and the children God has given me.”

¹⁴ Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, ¹⁵ and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery. ¹⁶ For surely it is not angels that he helps, but he helps the offspring of Abraham. ¹⁷ Therefore he had to be made like his brothers in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. ¹⁸ For because he himself has suffered when tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.

-Hebrews 2:12-18 (English Standard Version)

 

The angels (aliens) constantly came to aid the descendants of Abraham, through the matriarchal lines of Sarah and Hagar. Ensuring a journey, worship, survival, growth and discovery for their children. Many postulate the images of the Hebrew Bible ala Jacob’s ladder is describing entering and exiting a UFO. The destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah a use of a nuclear device upon the earth as the description is of the havoc wrecked by such a bomb going off, including Lot’s wife turning to salt, where an alternative translation of the word would be dissolving.  These are a few points; it comes from a place of ponderment on why angels would need to eat? Sleep? Essentially engage in human like activities. The theory growing that is because they are simply travellers from the stars that the ancients used language they could grasp to explain. It also explains a bit of the violence seen by Angels (the wall coming down in Joshua for one).

One has to wonder if the mystery that surrounds Hebrews authorship is due to it being of this kind of text. Yes it is written to a certain population, in time and space, but is it also written to preserve a separate understanding of events. A breadcrumb of a trail to a deeper creation mystery? Does it disqualify God as parent/creator if aliens were involved in the process? Could the concept of life long slavery from a devil be a different allegory of an ongoing cosmic-interstellar conflict? Or is it the allegory of the struggle for those that have used technologies and blessings for nefarious gain within Imperial culture?

The epistle (letter) of Hebrews is assumed to be to Jewish converts to the gatherings in Jerusalem under the guidance of Jesus’ brother James. It is a treatise, not a letter in the traditional sense that begins to outline how Jesus brings together many pieces of the Hebrew Bible story. Angels to Moses to Priestly castes to salvation to a deeper cosmology that I have decided to take a contrary non-orthodox exploration of. It is through the lens of Ancient Alien Theology that we will continue the journey over the remaining chapters, and engage a conversation to see what pops up.

As the question comes forward, have we just fallen silent to being able to connect with our alien brethren?

The Family

Hebrews 2

 

Warning against Neglect

 ¹ We must therefore pay even more attention to what we have heard, so that we will not drift away. ² For if the message spoken through angels was legally binding, ^{(A) [a]} and every transgression and disobedience received a just punishment, ^{(B) 3} how will we escape if we neglect such a great salvation? It was first spoken by the Lord and was confirmed to us by those who heard Him. ^{(C) 4} At the same time, God also testified by signs and wonders, various miracles, and distributions [of gifts] from the Holy Spirit according to His will. ^(D)

Jesus and Humanity

 ⁵ For He has not subjected to angels the world to come that we are talking about. ⁶ But one has somewhere testified:

    What is man, that You remember him,

    or the son of man, that You care for him?

    ⁷ You made him lower than the angels for a short time;

    You crowned him with glory and honor ^[b]

    ⁸ and subjected everything under his feet. ^(E)

    For in subjecting everything to him, He left nothing not subject to him. As it is, we do not yet see everything subjected to him. ^{(F) 9} But we do see Jesus— made lower than the angels for a short time so that by God’s grace He might taste death for everyone—crowned with glory and honor ^(G) because of the suffering of death. ^(H)

    ¹⁰ For it was fitting, in bringing many sons to glory, that He, for whom and through whom all things exist, should make the source ^[c] of their salvation perfect through sufferings. ^{(I) 11} For the One who sanctifies and those who are sanctified all have one Father. ^[d] That is why He is not ashamed to call them brothers, ^{(J) 12} saying:

    I will proclaim Your name to My brothers;

    I will sing hymns to You in the congregation. ^{(K) (L)}

    ¹³ Again, I will trust in Him. ^(M) And again, Here I am with the children God gave Me. ^{(N) (O)}

    ¹⁴ Now since the children have flesh and blood in common, He also shared in these, so that through His death He might destroy the one holding the power of death—that is, the Devil ^(P) — ¹⁵ and free those who were held in slavery all their lives by the fear of death. ^{(Q) 16} For it is clear that He does not reach out to help angels, but to help Abraham‘s offspring. ¹⁷ Therefore He had to be like His brothers in every way, so that He could become a merciful and faithful high priest in service ^[e] to God, to make propitiation ^[f] for the sins of the people. ^{(R) 18} For since He Himself was tested and has suffered, He is able to help those who are tested.

Footnotes:

1. Hebrews 2:2 Or valid, or reliable
2. Hebrews 2:7 Other mss add and set him over the works of your hands
3. Hebrews 2:10 Or pioneer, or leader
4. Hebrews 2:11 Or father, or origin, or all are of one
5. Hebrews 2:17 Lit things
6. Hebrews 2:17 The word propitiation has to do with the removal of divine wrath. Jesus’ death is the means that turns God’s wrath from the sinner; see [2 Co 5:21].

Cross references:

1. Hebrews 2:2 : Dt 33:2; Ac 7:53; Heb 1:1;
2. Hebrews 2:2 : Num 15:30; Heb 10:28;
3. Hebrews 2:3 : Lk 1:2; Heb 1:2; 10:29;
4. Hebrews 2:4 : Jn 4:48; Ac 2:22; 1Co 12:4; Eph 1:5;
5. Hebrews 2:8 : Ps 8:5-7;
6. Hebrews 2:8 : Jb 7:17; Ps 8:4-6; 1Co 15:25;
7. Hebrews 2:9 : Ac 2:33; 3:13;
8. Hebrews 2:9 : Jn 3:16; 2Co 5:15; Php 2:9;
9. Hebrews 2:10 : Lk 13:32; 24:26; Rm 11:36; Heb 7:28;
10. Hebrews 2:11 : Mt 28:10; Jn 20:17; Ac 17:28; Heb 10:10;
11. Hebrews 2:12 : Ps 22:22; Heb 12:23;
12. Hebrews 2:12 : Ps 22:22;
13. Hebrews 2:13 : Is 8:17; 12:2; 2 Sm 22:3;
14. Hebrews 2:13 : Ps 18:2; Is 8:17-18; 12:2; Jn 10:29;
15. Hebrews 2:13 : Is 8:18;
16. Hebrews 2:14 : Jn 1:14; 1Co 15:54-56; Col 2:15; 2Tm 1:10; 1Jn 3:8;
17. Hebrews 2:15 : Rm 8:15; 2Tm 1:7;
18. Hebrews 2:17 : Php 2:7; Heb 4:15; 5:1-2; 7:26-28;

 

 

The exploration of the Letter to the mysterious church of the Hebrews continues. Further reflections upon what it means to give 10% to God, an amazing thought strikes. Think of the location of our heart and soul, 10% of our physical essence, yet the idea being that these need to be fully given up to God and then that makes every act of life a Holy offering.  Whether it is time, talent or treasure, it is the centering on the Heart, the moving away from neglect.

 

How different would our churches be if we let the old structures blow away in the wind, and we moved to this teaching of offering being ourselves and what happens happens? No longer concerned with money, mortgages, utilities, etc…what if our focus was actually living out of the love of God?
This moves us into the above noted 2^nd chapter of Hebrews, keep in mind the idea that the existence of Christos within the Bible mirrors our own walk, God is with us at the moment of beginning (Christ within), then we fall lower than the angels because we choose not to acknowledge the Holy within, but then we are resurrected, reborn if you will when we acknowledge the Holy within transforming ourselves, and the next step is living out of that transformation into our community.

 

Why?

 

Simple, because the story here is neglecting of the story of Family, of Father and Son…the Son that has the Father’s inheritance, the Elder Son, of the family of humanity—hmmm wait a minute, we’re the family of humanity, so that makes Jesus our big brother…which means the stories of our life with God are not empty texts, but whether it’s the Bible or stories of life…these our the stories of family meant to inspire and guide, teach and grow…

 That as this chapter outlines, Jesus, like a good big brother, defeated the bully (The Devil) and we no longer have to worry about succumbing to that nature unless we make a free choice to do so…The big brother has gone before and led the path for us, and allows us to share in the inheritance of the original blessing, being called beloved, very good, and given all of creation to live into out of God’s love.

So thank you Brother, Jesus…

 

 

Beast of Burden

It was interesting to day at work, we held a bible study or as I prefer Faith Exploration, that centered around the letter to the Hebrews in the Christian Testament. Why is this interesting?

Simple, Hebrews is the Enigma letter in the Bible. All we know for sure in authorship is that it is not Paul, but it could be Luke, Apollos, Timothy, Barnabas or Priscilla, or some other unnamed writer. It may be the product of 1, 2 or 3rd Century CE Christianity. As for the community itself, it could be a generic term, it could be dispora Jewish converts, Romans or whatever, and as for their location ditto.

The purpose though could never be clearer or more relevant for the church of today. For you see, it was written to a community that was weary, tired, fed up if you will with religiousity and “Christendom“. Essentially church was burning out the membership over the ability to keep “church” going and not living out the simple Love of God, self and Neighbour that Christ guides us to.

Why had it become a burden? Simple, burdens are created by over legislating, legalism, and attempting to place the Holy Mystery within a box and the writer or preacher of this letter if you prefer decides to remind the community what it actually means to be a follower of the Living Christ. This isn’t about living in slavery, it is about freedom. Remember that the law on the page is not the law of love we are called to live. That the Word, is not the words on the page, but the life of Christ-Jesus of Nazareth that guides us to the Christ within, acknowledgement of the eminent Holy aspect of our character.

This was illustrated in the first chapter by the reflections on the fact that God created the angels not to subdue us, but to aid us, as such we are higher than the angels. That God called Christ (as with us) Son/Daughter…and as such we inherit the kingdom. This is not an inheritance that comes with death, but a successor being put in place and being guided by the former holder of the reign. This is the promise of Christ, if we release ourselves from the self-imposed burdens of what “we believe Church to be” and live out what we are called to be…then there is true freedom, transformational love that releases the indivdiual and communal soul to create the new world.

Read for yourself Hebrews 1 (Holman Christian Standard Bible):

Hebrews 1

The Nature of the Son

 ¹ Long ago God spoke ^(A) to the fathers by the prophets ^(B) at different times and in different ways. ^{(C) 2} In these last days, ^(D) He has spoken to us by [His] Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things and through whom He made the universe. ^{(E) [a] 3} He is the radiance ^[b] of His glory, the exact expression ^[c] of His nature, and He sustains all things by His powerful word. After making purification for sins, ^[d] He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high. ^{(F) [e] 4} So He became higher in rank than the angels, just as the name He inherited is superior to theirs. ^(G)

The Son Superior to Angels

 ⁵ For to which of the angels did He ever say, You are My Son; today I have become Your Father, ^{[f] (H)} or again, I will be His Father, and He will be My Son ? ^{(I) (J) 6} When He again brings His firstborn into the world, ^{(K) [g]} He says, And all God’s angels must worship Him. ^{(L) (M) 7}And about the angels He says:

    He makes His angels winds, ^[h]

    and His servants ^[i] a fiery flame; ^{(N) (O)}

    ⁸but about the Son:

    Your throne, O God, is forever and ever,

    and the scepter of Your kingdom is a scepter of justice. ^(P)

    ⁹You have loved righteousness and hated lawlessness;

    this is why God, Your God, has anointed You,

    rather than Your companions, ^{[j] (Q)} with the oil of joy. ^(R)

    ¹⁰And:

    In the beginning, Lord, You established the earth,

    and the heavens are the works of Your hands; ^(S)

    ¹¹they will perish, but You remain.

    They will all wear out like clothing; ^(T)

    ¹² You will roll them up like a cloak, ^[k]

    and they will be changed like a robe.

    But You are the same,

    and Your years will never end. ^{(U) (V)}

    ¹³Now to which of the angels has He ever said:

    Sit at My right hand

    until I make Your enemies Your footstool ? ^{(W) [l] (X)}

    ¹⁴ Are they not all ministering spirits sent out to serve those who are going to inherit salvation? ^(Y)

Footnotes:

1. Hebrews 1:2 Lit ages
2. Hebrews 1:3 Or reflection
3. Hebrews 1:3 Or representation, or copy, or reproduction
4. Hebrews 1:3 Other mss read for our sins by Himself
5. Hebrews 1:3 Or He sat down on high at the right hand of the Majesty
6. Hebrews 1:5 Or have begotten You
7. Hebrews 1:6 Or And again, when He brings His firstborn into the world
8. Hebrews 1:7 Or spirits
9. Hebrews 1:7 Or ministers
10. Hebrews 1:9 Or associates
11. Hebrews 1:12 Other mss omit like a cloak
12. Hebrews 1:13 Or enemies a footstool for Your feet

Cross references:

1. Hebrews 1:1 : Jn 9:29; Heb 2:2-3;
2. Hebrews 1:1 : Ac 2:30; 3:21;
3. Hebrews 1:1 : Num 12:6; 8; Jl 2:28;
4. Hebrews 1:2 : 2Pt 3:3; Jude 18;
5. Hebrews 1:2 : Ps 2:8; Jn 1:3;
6. Hebrews 1:3 : Mk 16:19; Col 1:17;
7. Hebrews 1:4 : Eph 1:21; Php 2:9;
8. Hebrews 1:5 : Ps 2:7;
9. Hebrews 1:5 : 2Sm 7:14; Ps 2:7; Ac 13:33;
10. Hebrews 1:5 : 2 Sm 7:14; 1 Ch 17:13;
11. Hebrews 1:6 : Rm 8:29; Heb 10:5;
12. Hebrews 1:6 : Dt 32:43; Ps 97:7;
13. Hebrews 1:6 : Dt 32:43; Ps 97:7;
14. Hebrews 1:7 : Ps 104:4;
15. Hebrews 1:7 : Ps 104:4;
16. Hebrews 1:8 : Ps 45:6-7;
17. Hebrews 1:9 : Ps 45:6-7;
18. Hebrews 1:9 : Is 61:1;, 3; Php 2:9;
19. Hebrews 1:10 : Ps 102:25;
20. Hebrews 1:11 : Is 34:4;
21. Hebrews 1:12 : Ps 102:26-27; Heb 13:8;
22. Hebrews 1:12 : Ps 102:25-27;
23. Hebrews 1:13 : Jos 10:24; Ps 110:1; Heb 10:13;
24. Hebrews 1:13 : Ps 110:1;
25. Hebrews 1:14 : Ps 103:20; Mt 18:10; Heb 5:9;