Post by Sister Abigail (Admin) on Jul 16, 2014 23:35:36 GMT -5
The Many Names of Christ
37
PREFACE
Jesus speaks with Black Elk
"Black Elk Speaks", p. 188;
"Twelve men [apostles] were coming towards me,
and they said,
"Our Father, the two-legged chief, you shall see!"
Then they led me to the center of the circle
where once more I saw the holy tree all full of leaves and blossoming.
But that was not all I saw.
Against the tree
there was a man standing with arms held wide in front of him."…
[John 12:32, Jesus;
But I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to myself."]
"Black Elk Speaks", p. 188, cont.;
I looked hard at him,
and I could not tell what people he came from.
He was not a Wasichu [white person]
and he was not an Indian…
[He was darker-skinned than Caucasian and lighter-skinned than Native American,
i.e., Middle Eastern--Israelite]
He was a very fine-looking man.
While I was staring hard at him, his body began to change
and became very beautiful with all colors of light,
and around him there was light.
He spoke like singing:
"My life is such that all earthly beings and growing things belong to me.
Your father, the Great Spirit, has said this.
You too must say this."
1 Timothy 2:5-6, Paul;
5 For there is one God and one mediator between God and men,
the man Christ Jesus,
6 who gave himself as a ransom for all men
--the testimony given in its proper time."
John 14:6, Jesus;
6 …"I am the way and the truth and the life.
No one comes to the Father [Great Spirit] except through me." 38
The Many Names of Christ
The quotes from "Black Elk Speaks" on the previous page are from an account
of a mystical journey experienced by an Oglala Sioux prophet named Black Elk.
Black Elk was taken up to heaven by two "warriors" (angels). He was greeted
by twelve "grandfathers" (apostles) who took him to see the "two-legged chief"
described on the previous page and who is quoted in the passage below;
"Black Elk Speaks", p. 188, the "two-legged chief";
"My life is such that all earthly beings and growing things belong to me.
Your father, the Great Spirit, has said this. You too must say this."
From what's written above, the "two-legged chief" Black Elk saw must be
Jesus Christ because the "two-legged chief" said essentially the same thing
Paul said in…1 Timothy 2:5-6, Paul;
5 For there is one God and one mediator between God and men,
the man Christ Jesus,
6 who gave himself as a ransom for all men
--the testimony given in its proper time."
Before making a judgment about Black Elk's story, let's examine the effect
the experience had upon him. When Black Elk was a teen-ager he fought at the
Battle of Little Bighorn against the 7th Cavalry. He experienced seeing his tribe
hounded and slaughtered and their land stolen by people claiming to be Christians.
There was no reason for an old man who'd been through that to love anything
related to Christ. Despite this, after being taken to heaven to see this divine
being, Black Elk became a Christian, but never gave up his original Sioux religion.
Here's the explanation why: since Jesus Christ is the "two-legged chief" of
Black Elk's trip to heaven, he links Christianity and Native American religions.
Both religions come from the same divine source. Linking them together adds
a new perspective to the following New Testament passage…
Philippians 2:9-11, Paul;
9 Therefore God [the Father-Wakan Tanka-Great Spirit]
exalted him [Jesus] to the highest place
and gave him the name [Christ-Tunkashila*] that is above every name,
10 that at the name of Jesus [Christ-Tunkashila] every knee should bow,
in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ[-Tunkashila]
is [the samebeing,witha differentnamefor their] Lord [two-legged chief],
to the glory of God the Father [Great Spirit-WakanTanka]."
* "Tunkashila" is the Lakota name for Christ. (See "Fool's Crow: Wisdom and Power"
by Thomas E. Mails, pp. 33-34) 39
This being true adds new meaning to another thing Paul wrote…
Ephesians 2:14-17, 18, Paul;
14 For he [Jesus Christ-Tunkashila] himself is our peace,
who has made the two one and has destroyed the barrier, …"
15 …His purpose was to create in himself one new man out of the two,
thus making peace,
16 and in this one body [with multiple names] to reconcile both of them to God…
17 He came and preached peace to you who were far away
and peace to those who were near.
18 For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit."
This poses a dilemma. If the "two-legged chief" is Jesus Christ, a Christian
who calls Native American spirituality the work of the devil denies Jesus, even
as he claims to follow him. The converse is true for a follower of traditional
Native American religions who speaks against Jesus and the Bible. He speaks
against the Oglala Sioux prophet Black Elk and against the Wanikiye (Savior)
sent by Wakan Tanka (Great Spirit). People from one group would have to
think twice before condemning the other. People would respect each other more.
When that happens, an opportunity for the holy spirit to heal us presents itself.
If this principle is to have worldwide benefit, Jesus must be a central figure
in other religions, too. How does this revelation concerning Jesus' multiple
identities impact Islam? Here's the Muslim version of Christ's Second Coming…
Ibn-I-Majah Book of Fitan #4077 (p.385);
Abû Umãma Bahili said…
Allãh's Messenger (saw) said,
"Then Isã b. Maryam (Jesus Christ, son of Maryam), peace be upon him,
will be a just Judge and a just ruler of my umma [Muslim community]."
Jesus holds a starring role in Muslim prophecy, often overlooked by many
Muslims, who instead eagerly await their other anointed messiah, known as
the "Mahdi" or "Qa'im" or "divinely guided one". Jesus is given respect by most
Muslims in lip-service only, if at all. This is ironic for two reasons. First,
Jesus played a central, though hidden (until now) role in the birth of Islam.
He has another name, Gabriel, known to Muslims by the Arabic equivalent,
"Jibreel". Jibreel is the divine Messenger sent by Allãh who revealed the
Qur'an to Muhammad. As it is written…
Sura 2:97; Say:
Whoso is the enemy of Gabriel…shall have God as his enemy…"
For it is he [Gabriel]
who by God's leave hath caused the Koran to descend on thy heart,
the confirmation of previous revelations…" 40
Once it's proven Jesus Christ is the angel Gabriel, Muslims are posed with
the same dilemma as Christians and Native Americans. The error most Muslims
make of belittling Jesus' significance becomes apparent. In the past, Jesus as
Gabriel delivered the Qur'an to Muhammad. In prophecy, Jesus returns as Allãh's
chosen "just ruler" of the Muslim worldwide community (umma) who delegates
authority to the Mahdi. But is it possible according to God's word that Jesus Christ,
who is the "Son of God" (John 1:32-34), "Lord" (Acts 1:6, 1:21, Galatians 1:3) and
"God" (Isaiah 9:6), is an angel*? The answer to the question is: "Absolutely yes".
The word "angel" comes from the Greek "angelos", which means "messenger".
Here's "Webster's Seventh New Collegiate Dictionary"'s description of the word's
historical roots; "an·gel…fr. Gk angelos, lit., messenger". People have the idea that
angels must have wings, but that denies both the Bible and the Qur'an. Proof of
this can be found on pages 52-54 in a section titled, "Angels and Humans".
Here's one piece of scriptural evidence.
Hebrews 13:2;
Do not forget to entertain strangers,
for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it."
You can add wings or take them off, but an angel is a messenger, and can
come as a human. Gabriel's name testifies that. Gabriel's name means; from
"Webster's Seventh New Collegiate Dictionary"; " Ga•bri•el…[Heb] man of God ".
Gabriel is the highest divine messenger in Islam and Christianity. He gave
the Qur'an to Muhammad. For Christians, Gabriel is the angel who announced
to his soon-to-be mother, Mary, that he was coming into the world. Gabriel is
also the one who sounds his horn on the "Day of the Lord". Muslims may balk
at Gabriel being Jesus. Christians may balk at describing Jesus as an angel.
However, all his words and acts are consistent with the definition of an angel,
and Gabriel, in particular. By doing things this way, Jesus perfectly fulfills
Paul's words by offering himself as a bridge of peace between cultures;
Ephesians 2:14-16, 18, Paul;
14 For [Jesus Christ-Jibreel] himself is our peace,
who has made the two one and has destroyed the barrier,…"
15 …His purpose was to create in himself one new man out of the two,
thus making peace,
16 and in this one body [with multiple names] to reconcile both of them to God…
18 For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit."
* The idea of Jesus Christ being "Son of God", "Lord", or "God" appears to contradict
the Qur'an. In chapter 5, "Reconciling the Bible and Qur'an", you'll see how the
Way of Holiness bridges the gulf between Christianity and Islam and finds the
Qur'an and Bible in full agreement. 41
Jesus Christ as Messenger, i.e., Angel
John 1:1,14;
1 In the beginning was the Word [Christ-Gabriel],
and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
14 The Word became flesh [Jesus Christ] and made his dwelling among us."
Luke 4:43, Jesus;
"…I must preach the good news of the kingdom of God…,
because that is why I [Jesus Christ-Gabriel] was sent."
Jesus certainly qualifies as a Messenger Extraordinaire, just as Gabriel is the
highest of the angels. Daniel, chapters 8-12, Matthew 24 and Revelation 1 connect
both Jesus and Gabriel into one person. We begin with…
Daniel 8:15-16 (NIV);
15 While I, Daniel, was watching the vision…
there before me stood one who looked like a man.
16 And I heard a man's voice from the Ulai calling,
"Gabriel, tell this man the meaning of the vision."
The narrative of this vision ends, but later, in chapter 9, Daniel refers to the
"man" named "Gabriel" as the one speaking to Daniel in chapters 9-12.
Daniel 9:21 (NIV);
…while I was still in prayer, Gabriel, the man I had seen in the earlier vision…"
In Matthew 24:15, next, Jesus alerts us something hidden may be going on
by saying, "let the reader understand". There was no apparent reason to do so.
Everywhere else Jesus simply referred to the name of the prophet he cited,
if he mentioned the prophet at all. By uniquely pointing to Gabriel via Daniel,
Jesus indicated a mysterious significance about Gabriel and himself.
Matthew 24:15, Jesus;
"So when you see standing in the holy place `the abomination that causes desolation,'
spoken of through the prophet Daniel--let the reader understand--" ,
Six verses later, in Matthew 24:21, Jesus quoted Gabriel nearly word for
word in Daniel 12:1…, Gabriel;
"…There will be a time of distress
such as has not happened from the beginning of nations until then."
Matthew 24:21, Jesus;
For then there will be great distress,
unequaled from the beginning of the world until now
--and never to be equaled again."
Jesus added the words "never to be equaled again" to set the prophecy for now.
Any earlier distress has been equaled or surpassed by the distress of today. 42
In Daniel 11:2 (NIV), Gabriel says;
"Now then, I tell you the truth:…"
Daniel 11:2 is the only instance in the Old Testament in which anyone uses
the phrase, "I tell you the truth" However, Jesus uses that phrase repeatedly
in the Gospels (78 times). No one else in the Bible uses that specific phrase.
These are subtle, yet deliberate clues. Jesus alerts the reader by saying,
"let the reader understand". Physical descriptions of both Jesus and Gabriel,
next, are graphic evidence of Christ's multiple identities…
Revelation 1:10, 12-18;
10 On the Lord's Day I was in the Spirit,
and I heard behind me a loud voice like a [Gabriel's] trumpet,"
12 I turned around…And…saw… 13 …someone "like a son of man,"
dressed in a robe reaching down to his feet
and with a golden sash around his chest.
14 His head and hair were white like wool, as white as snow,
and his eyes were like blazing fire.
15 His feet were like bronze glowing in a furnace,
and his voice was like the sound of rushing waters.
16 …His face was like the sun shining in all its brilliance."…
Daniel 10:5-6;
5 I looked up and there before me was a man dressed in linen,
with a belt of the finest gold around his waist.
6 His body was like chrysolite, his face like lightning,
his eyes like flaming torches,
his arms and legs like the gleam of burnished bronze,
and his voice like the sound of a multitude."
Daniel 10:5-6 and Revelation 1:12-16 are the only places in the Bible
where similar physical descriptions of anyone, not just this person, are found.
Revelation 1 Daniel 10
13 "with a golden sash" 5 "a belt of the finest gold"
14 "eyes were like blazing fire" 6 "eyes like flaming torches"
15 "feet were like bronze glowing" 6 "legs like…gleam of burnished bronze"
16 "face…like…sun shining in all its brilliance" 6 "face like lightning[--bright, glowing]"
15 "voice…like…sound of rushing waters" 6 "voice like the sound of a multitude"
Why does the "sound of rushing waters" equal the "sound of a multitude"?
Revelation 14 and Ezekiel 1 give us the answer, next page… 43
Revelation 14:1-3;
1…there…was the Lamb…and with him 144,000…who had…foreheads [i.e.; people].
2…I heard a sound from heaven like the roar of rushing waters…
The sound I heard was like that of harpists playing their harps.
3 And they sang a new song before the throne…"
Ezekiel 1:24;
When the creatures moved, I heard the sound of their wings,
like the roar of rushing waters…like the tumult of an army."
God, the Author of the Bible, wants everyone to know Jesus Christ and
Gabriel and Jibreel are the same person. This is a test of faith and of whether
a person is willing to accept salvation for everyone and not just themselves.
Gabriel and the person speaking to John in Revelation 1:17 link Islam and
Christianity together through Jesus Christ, because the person speaking to
John is Jesus… Revelation 1:10-18, cont.;
17 When I saw him ,
I fell at his feet as though dead.
Then he placed his right hand on me and said:
"Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last. 18 I am the Living One;
I was dead [crucified], and behold I am alive [resurrected] for ever and ever!
And I hold the keys of death and Hades."
…the next passage identifies the "Living One" as the "Son of God", i.e., Jesus;
Revelation 2:18, Jesus;
"To the angel of the church in Thyatira write:
These are the words of the Son of God,
whose eyes are like blazing fire and whose feet are like burnished bronze."
Many Muslims wonder why Allãh is sending Jesus at the Last Hour (End of
the Age) instead of Muhammad, as the next prophecy implies;
Ibn-I-Majah Book of Fitan #4077 (p.385);
Abû Umãma Bahili said…Allãh's Messenger (saw) said,
"Then Isã b. Maryam (Jesus Christ, son of Maryam), peace be upon him,
will be a just Judge and a just ruler of my umma [Muslim community]."
The riddle is partly solved. If not the Prophet himself, having Jesus, the
Messenger, who delivered the Qur'an to Muhammad makes sense. This will turn
Islam upside down, just as the following prophecy of Imam Ali predicts.
As it is written… Nahjul Balagha, Sermon 102,
Imam Ali;
O’ people! a time will come to you when Islam would be capsized
as a pot is capsized with all its contents." 44
"The Signs Before The Day Of Judgement" p.12, citing Ibn-I-Majah, #3988,
"Abd Allah ibn Mas'ud said: "The Prophet said,
'Islam began as something strange,
and it will revert to being strange [corrected theology]
as it was in the beginning,
so good tidings for the strangers.'
Someone asked, 'Who are the strangers?'
He said, 'The ones who break away from their people (literally,'tribes')*
for the sake of Islam.' "
* The descriptive phrase, "(literally,'tribes')" was placed there by the translator.
That Allãh chose Jesus to lead the Muslim Umma ahead of Muhammad fulfills
the previous two prophecies perfectly. The next prophecy raises a very
interesting question… Sahih Muslim Ch. MCCVII #7015;
An-Nawwãs b. Sam'ãn reported
that Allãh's Messenger (may peace be upon him) made mention…
at this very time…Allãh would send Christ, son of Mary,
…[he] will descend in the eastern side of Damascus…
Then a people whom Allãh had protected would come to Jesus, son of Mary,
and he would wipe their faces3052…"
"
3052 Wipe the dust of journey or the traces of hardships suffered by them."
Why would Muslims be coming to Jesus? Why would Allãh send Muslims who
already have the Qur'an to Jesus Christ for salvation? Easy. Because Jesus
is Gabriel, and the test for Muslims is whether they'll overcome prejudice
and accept the Bible messiah as their messiah, too. This is powerful testimony
that Jesus' gospel must be heard by Muslims (and everyone else), as is this…
Sura 4:159;
There shall not be one of the people of the Book [which includes Muslims]
but shall believe in Him before his death,
and in the day of Resurrection, He will be a witness against them."
Initially, most Muslims will disagree with what's written here. Muslims are
generally taught to respect earlier revelations in lip-service only, then ignore
them as tainted and unreliable. This mis-teaching is addressed in chapter 4,
"Peace and Islam", pg. 75. It makes sense the Messenger through which
Allãh delivered the Qur'an to Muhammad is given authority to lead the whole
Muslim Community. That's why Sura 159 says what it does. It also indicates
the importance of Jesus' gospel as a key ingredient for a revival of Islam.
Because Christians deny Muhammad, they deny Jesus, who gave the Qur'an
to him. Muslims disregard Gabriel's (Jesus') gospel in the Bible. Meanwhile,
Jews deny both Jesus and Muhammad, denying their prophets, especially Elisha… 45
Ephesians 2:14-16, 18, Paul;
14 For [Jesus Christ-Jibreel-Elisha] himself is our peace,
who has made the two [three] one and has destroyed the barrier,…"
15 …His purpose was to create in himself one new man out of the two [three],
thus making peace,
16 and in this one body [with multiple names] to reconcile
both [all] of them to God…
18 For through him we both [all] have access to the Father by one Spirit."
In order to unite humanity through one man, God left a clearly recognizable
trail in the scriptures and prophecies of each people. Enough evidence is given
to support the principle that Jesus visited many peoples using different names,
but not so much as to undermine the test. God is testing our hearts through
this exercise. If we accept God's abundant evidence that Jesus has many names,
then we are at peace with mankind. If we reject God's testimony that brings
peace for others, we lose our own peace and salvation. What could more fair?
Elisha and Jesus and Gabriel
Jews haven't accepted Jesus yet, but they accept Elisha as a cherished prophet.
What we'll discover next is that "Elisha" is an earlier visitation to the Israelites
by Gabriel-Jesus Christ. His name provides the first clue of his hidden identity.
In "Nave's Topical Bible" we find "Elisha" defined as "(God [El] is [my] salvation)".
Literally, it means, "God is salvation". A fitting name for the Messiah. The next
clue comes in the form of an equation. An account in 2 Kings 2, verses 1-15, proves
Elisha had twice the spirit of Elijah. In Matthew 11:14, Jesus stated John the
Baptist "is the Elijah who was to come". Three verses earlier, in verse 11:11,
Jesus stated,
"Among those born of women
there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist…"
That includes Moses. So, Moses = Elijah = John the Baptist.
According to the account in 2 Kings, after Elijah was taken up in the whirlwind
Elisha received twice the "spirit" Elijah possessed. The only man who could have
twice the spirit of someone with spirit equal to the greatest of anyone "born of
women" was the spirit that dwelt in Jesus Christ, who was born of a virgin.
So, Jesus and Elisha are at least 2x › Moses or Elijah or John the Baptist.
Here's the account in 2 Kings…
46
Twice the Spirit of Elijah
2 Kings 2:1-15;
1 When the LORD was about to take Elijah up to heaven in a whirlwind,
Elijah and Elisha were on their way from Gilgal.
2 Elijah said to Elisha,
"Stay here; the LORD has sent me to Bethel."
But Elisha said,
"As surely as the LORD lives and as you live, I will not leave you."
So they went down to Bethel.
3 The company of the prophets at Bethel came out to Elisha and asked,
"Do you know that the LORD is going to take your master from you today?"
"Yes, I know," Elisha replied, "but do not speak of it."
4 Then Elijah said to him,
"Stay here, Elisha; the LORD has sent me to Jericho."
And he [Elisha] replied,
"As surely as the LORD lives and as you live, I will not leave you."
So they went to Jericho.
5 The company of the prophets at Jericho went up to Elisha and asked him,
"Do you know that the LORD is going to take your master from you today?"
"Yes, I know," he replied, "but do not speak of it."
6 Then Elijah said to him,
"Stay here; the LORD has sent me to the Jordan."
And he [Elisha] replied,
"As surely as the LORD lives and as you live, I will not leave you."
So the two of them walked on.
7 Fifty men of the company of the prophets went and stood at a distance,
facing the place where Elijah and Elisha had stopped at the Jordan.
8 Elijah took his cloak, rolled it up and struck the water with it.
The water divided to the right and to the left,
and the two of them crossed over on dry ground.
9 When they had crossed, Elijah said to Elisha,
"Tell me, what can I do for you before I am taken from you?"
"Let me inherit a double portion of your spirit," Elisha replied.
10 "You have asked a difficult thing,"
Elijah said,
"yet if you see me when I am taken from you, it will be yours
--otherwise not."
47
2 Kings 2:1-15;
11 As they were walking along and talking together,
suddenly a chariot of fire and horses of fire appeared
and separated the two of them, and Elijah went up to heaven in a whirlwind.
12 Elisha saw this and cried out,
"My father! My father! The chariots and horsemen of Israel!"
And Elisha saw him no more.
Then he took hold of his own clothes and tore them apart.
13 He picked up the cloak that had fallen from Elijah
and went back and stood on the bank of the Jordan.
14 Then he took the cloak that had fallen from him and struck the water with it.
"Where now is the LORD, the God of Elijah?" he asked.
When he struck the water, it divided to the right and to the left,
and he crossed over."
15 The company of the prophets from Jericho, who were watching, said,
"The spirit of Elijah is resting on Elisha."
And they went to meet him and bowed to the ground before him."
What's so extraordinary about a young man (Elisha) being able to keep up with an
old man (Elijah)? Besides, fifty prophets also matched Elijah's pace, accompanying
Elijah from a distance. Why was such power conferred upon Elisha for performing
such a minor feat? The answer; only Christ can see into the spirit world at will,
which is why he saw the "chariots and horsemen of Israel" and none of the other
prophets could. Jesus and Elisha both had the "chariots and horsemen of Israel"
at their disposal, which is the next clue…
Matthew 26:53-54, Jesus;
53 Do you think I cannot call on my Father,
and he will at once put at my disposal more than twelve legions of angels?
54 But how then would the Scriptures be fulfilled
that say it must happen in this way?"
2 Kings 6:15-17;
15 When the servant of the man of God [Elisha] got up
and went out early the next morning,
an army with horses and chariots had surrounded the city.
"Oh, my lord, what shall we do?" the servant asked.
16 "Don't be afraid," the prophet [Elisha] answered.
"Those who are with us are more than those who are with them."
17 And Elisha prayed,
"O LORD, open his eyes so he may see."
Then the LORD opened the servant's eyes, and he looked
and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha." 48
Elisha performed miracles parallel to those of Jesus. From feeding crowds
from impossibly small quantities of food (2 Kings 4:38-44 <-> Matthew 14:11-21),
to raising people from the dead (2 Kings 4:11-36 <-> John 11:1-43). Clue upon clue,
all with the intent to unite humanity through Christ. Jews may deny Christ as
"Jesus", but they accept him as "Elisha".
Next, we travel east from the Middle East to India, Hinduism, and Christ's
visitation there as "Brahma". Brahma and Hinduism's connection with God's other
Messages is discussed at length in chapter 6, "Created In God's Image". We'll
examine Brahma as Christ briefly here, establishing only a basic connection now.
Creator of the Universe
John 1:1-3; 1 In the beginning was the Word [Christ-Brahma],
and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
2 [Christ-Brahma] was with God in the beginning."
3 Through him all things ["the universe"] were made [created];
without him nothing was made that has been made."
Ramayana 1:3:34; "…the self-born creator, Brahma."
Ramayana Glossary; "Brahma: The first of all the gods and creator of the universe.
He was directly manifested from Vishnu and is thus sometimes called "the unborn."
Philippians 2:9-11, Paul;
9 Therefore God [the Father-Allãh-Yahweh-Krishna-Great Spirit]
exalted him [Jesus Christ] to the highest place
and gave him the name [Jesus Christ-Gabriel-Elisha-Brahma-Deganawidah]
that is above every name,
10 that at the [full, complete] name of Jesus every knee should bow,
in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
11 and every tongue confess
that Jesus Christ[-Prince of Peace-Peacemaker-Wanikiye]
is [the same being, but adifferent name,for their] Lord [two-legged chief],
to the glory of God the Father [Great Spirit]."
This concentration of spiritual leadership in one person will prove key in
bridging differences between cultures, and therefore, it's the way to Peace.
This was spelled out centuries ago by Paul in Ephesians 2:13-18, where he
stated people of all groups may come together through the common denominator
of Christ. People assumed Christ had just one short name, despite the fact
he's called "Immanuel", "Son of Man" and "Son of God", too. This was a self-
imposed limit people made, not the Bible. Next, we travel to the Americas… 49
The following quote comes from a prayer offered at the very first "keeping
of a soul", a sacred rite of the Sioux performed for the deceased…
"The Sacred Pipe", p. 12, Chief High Hollow Horn;
"May this help us to remember that all the fruits [including sacred sources]
of the wingeds, the two-leggeds [people], and the four-leggeds,
are really the gifts of Wakan Tanka [God].
They are all wakan [sacred] and should be treated as such."
We examined the connection between Christ and the "two-legged chief"
Black Elk was taken to see. Now, we'll travel to the eastern half of the North
American continent and several centuries before Black Elk was born. The next
identity of Christ we'll meet is the Peacemaker, Deganawidah. Deganawidah
was co-founder of the Longhouse, the Six Nations Confederacy of the Iroquois
in what’s today the Northeastern United States. Deganawidah's story is found
in the "White Roots of Peace", a book written by Paul Wallace and approved by
Chief Leon Shenandoah, then spiritual leader (Tadodaho) of the Six Nations.
Here is the account of Christ as Deganawidah;
p. 33; "Deganawidah is said to have been born at a Huron settlement…
Before his birth the name of the child was disclosed to his grandmother,
as was the way among the Iroquois, in a dream. A messenger from the
Great Spirit stood before the grandmother and said:
"It is the will of the Master of Life, the Holder of the Heavens,
that thy daughter, a virgin, shall bear a child.
He shall be called Deganawidah, the Master of Things,
for he brings with him the Good News of Peace and Power.
Care for him well, thou and thy daughter,
for he has a great office to perform in the world."
"What is the child's office to be?" asked the grandmother.
"His office is to bring peace and life to the people on earth,"
replied the messenger."
Sounds just like Gabriel speaking to his future mother, Mary;
Luke 1:26-35;
26 In the sixth month, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in
Galilee, 27 to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph,
a descendant of David. The virgin's name was Mary.
28 The angel went to her and said,
"Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you."
29 Mary was greatly troubled at his words
and wondered what kind of greeting this might be." 50
Luke 1:26-35, cont.;
30 But the angel said to her,
"Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God.
31 You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the
name Jesus. 32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High.
The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, 33 and he will reign
over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end."
34 "How will this be," Mary asked the angel, "since I am a virgin?"
35 The angel answered,
"The Holy Spirit will come upon you,
and the power of the Most High will overshadow you.
So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God."
Exactly the same. Creator uses patterns and synchronicities to communicate.
In the Bible, Jesus walks on water. In "White Roots of Peace", Deganawidah
navigated the waterways in a stone canoe…
p.34;
"When he [Deganawidah] had built his canoe and,
with the help of his mother and grandmother, had brought it to the water,
he bade them farewell…
"But the canoe is made of stone," said his grandmother. "It will not float."
"It will float," replied Deganawidah.
"This shall be a sign my words are true."
He entered the canoe, and it moved swiftly into the lake…p.38 "The hunters…said…
"He came from the west and he goes toward the sunrise.
His canoe is made of white stone and it moves swiftly."
Revelation 2:17;
"…To him who overcomes,
I will give some of the hidden manna [spiritual knowledge].
I will also give him a white stone with a new name written on it,
known only to him who receives it."
Revelation 2:17, paraphrased;
"…I will also give him a white stone [canoe]
with a new name [for Christ, Deganawidah] written on it,
known only to him who receives it."
And finally, in order to prove himself to the people, Deganawidah had to offer
himself as a sacrifice by climbing a tree, which was then pushed over a waterfall.
The test being, that if he survived the deadly falls, then he must be for real. 51
Similar to Christ being "hung on a tree" so he could come back to life to prove
himself. Deganawidah went under the water and was lost from sight, symbolically
dying, but was found alive and well the next day, sitting by the riverbank tending
a fire. I'm certain he was eating fish, just like in the old days in Galilee. These
parallels and other connections are ingenious means for Creator's word alone to
unite all peoples.
Ephesians 2:13-22 (NIV),
13 But now in Christ Jesus [Jibreel-Deganawidah-Brahma-Elisha]
you [Christians, Muslims, Native Americans, Hindus, and Jews]
who once were far away [in agreement on things spiritual]
have been brought near through the blood of Christ [Wanikiye-Peacemaker].
14 For he himself is our peace [Peacemaker-Prince of Peace],
who has made the two one and has destroyed the barrier,
the dividing wall of hostility,
15 by abolishing in his flesh [both person & gospel]
the law [of any individual group] with its commandments and regulations."
1 Timothy 2:5-6, Paul;
5 For there is one God and one mediator between God and men,
the man Christ Jesus, 6 who gave himself as a ransom for all men…"
"Black Elk Speaks", p. 188, the two-legged chief;
"My life is such that all earthly beings and growing things belong to me.
Your father, the Great Spirit, has said this.
You too must say this."
"White Roots of Peace", p. 33;
A messenger from the Great Spirit…said:
"It is the will of the Master of Life, the Holder of the Heavens,
He [Christ] shall be called Deganawidah, the Master of Things…"
John 14:6-7, Jesus;
6 …"I am the way and the truth and the life.
No one comes to the Father except through me.
7 If you really knew me [all my aspects],
you would know my Father [is truly Universal] as well."
John 14:2, Jesus;
In my Father's house are many rooms;
if it were not so, I would have told you."
52
Angels and Humans
Let’s examine scripture indicating human beings are divine creatures—angels.
While claiming mankind’s divinity may disturb some more traditionally-minded people,
in the end God’s word determines the outcome, not personal traditions.
Hebrews 13:2;
Do not forget to entertain strangers,
for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it."
THE TWO VISITORS WHO "TRANSFORMED" INTO ANGELS
Genesis 18-19 (18:1-2, 16-17, 20-22, 33 19:1,12);
1 The LORD appeared to Abraham near the great trees of Mamre…
2 Abraham looked up and saw three men standing nearby…
16 When the [3] men got up to leave, they looked down toward Sodom,
and Abraham walked along with them to see them on their way.
17 Then the LORD [1 of the men] said,
"Shall I hide from Abraham what I am about to do?
20 …"The outcry against Sodom and Gomorrah is so great
and their sin so grievous 21 that I will go…see if what they have done
is as bad as the outcry that has reached me…"
22 The [2] men turned away and went toward Sodom,
but Abraham remained standing before the LORD.
33 When the LORD had finished speaking with Abraham, he left,
and Abraham returned home."
Genesis 18 ends here. The next verse is Genesis 19:1, following…
Genesis 19:1-2, 12;
1 The two angels arrived at Sodom in the evening,
and Lot was sitting in the gateway of the city.
When he saw them, he got up to meet them
and bowed down with his face to the ground.
2 "My lords," he said, "please turn aside to your servant’s house…"
12 …Then the two men said to Lot,…"
Genesis 19:1, 12 (NIV); 1 The two angels…12 Then the two men said to Lot,…"
Genesis 19:1, 12 (KJV); 1 …two angels…12 And the men said unto Lot…"
Genesis 19:1, 12 (NAB); 1 The two angels…12 Then the angels said to Lot…"
Genesis 19:1, 12 (JSB); 1 The two angels…12 Then the men said to Lot…"
Genesis 19:1, 12 (NWT); 1…the two angels…12 Then the men said to Lot…"
In Genesis, it’s clear angels can be men. Now let’s travel back to a time
long before Adam and Eve, all the way back to Job 38:1-7, and the creation
of the world… 53
Job 38:1, 4-7 (NIV);
1"Then the LORD answered Job out of the storm."
4 "Where were you when I laid the earth’s foundation?
Tell me, if you understand.
5…6 On what were its footings set, or who laid its cornerstone—
7 while the morning stars sang together and all the angelsn
shouted for joy?"
The superscript
"n" appears after "angels" in verse 7 in my Bible. It refers to
a footnote at the bottom of the page which says, "
n
7 Hebrew sons of God ".
Job 38:7, (NIV) 7 " while the morning stars sang together
and all the angelsn
shouted for joy?”
Job 38:7, (KJV) 7 "When the morning stars sang together,
and all the sons of God shouted for joy?”
Job 38:7, (NAB) 7 "while the morning stars sang in chorus,
and all the sons of God shouted for joy?”
Job 38:7 (JSB) 7 "When the morning stars sang together
And all the divine beings shouted for joy?”
Job 38:7 (NWT) 7 "When the morning stars joyfully cried out together
And all the sons of God began shouting in applause?”
These "sons of God", "angels", or "divine beings" "shouted for joy" at the
world's creation. Now we see the connection. The spirit within us is an angel,
and is eternal.
Then we have this…1 Corinthians 6:3;
Do you not know that we will judge angels?"
How is it we would judge higher beings? Because the angels are us!
Here's what the Prophet had to say on the subject;
Sura 6:50, Muhammad;
...neither do I say to you, ‘Verily I am an angel:’
Only what is revealed to me do I follow."
The Prophet didn’t say he wasn’t an angel, only that he wouldn’t go beyond
what had been revealed to him up to that time. Sura 6:50 must reconcile with
the following passage…
Sura 6:9; And if We had appointed an angel,
We should certainly have appointed one in the form of a man,
and We should have clothed him before them in garments like their own." 54
And lastly, a special gift from the Mormon holy books…
Doctrine and Covenants 129:1-9;
1 There are two kinds of beings in heaven, namely:
Angels, who are resurrected personages,
having bodies of flesh and bones—
2 For instance, Jesus said :
Handle me and see, for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have.
3 Secondly: the spirits of just men made perfect,
they who are not resurrected, but inherit the same glory.
4 When a messenger comes saying he has a message from God,
offer him your hand and request him to shake hands with you.
5 If he be an angel he will do so, and you will feel his hand.
6 If he be the spirit of a just man made perfect he will come in his glory;
for that is the only way he can appear—
7 Ask him to shake hands with you,
but he will not move, because it is contrary
to the order of heaven for a just man to deceive;
but he will still deliver his message.
9 These are …keys
whereby you may know whether any administration is from God."
According to verses 1, 4, and 5, virtually all people are angels. Being an "angel"
is determined by our thoughts and actions. The other side of the coin is, that if
our thoughts and actions are negative, we’re what’s called a "demon". But as beings
living within God, made in God’s image, sharing Christ’s spirit, we all share a measure
of divinity.
55
37
PREFACE
Jesus speaks with Black Elk
"Black Elk Speaks", p. 188;
"Twelve men [apostles] were coming towards me,
and they said,
"Our Father, the two-legged chief, you shall see!"
Then they led me to the center of the circle
where once more I saw the holy tree all full of leaves and blossoming.
But that was not all I saw.
Against the tree
there was a man standing with arms held wide in front of him."…
[John 12:32, Jesus;
But I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to myself."]
"Black Elk Speaks", p. 188, cont.;
I looked hard at him,
and I could not tell what people he came from.
He was not a Wasichu [white person]
and he was not an Indian…
[He was darker-skinned than Caucasian and lighter-skinned than Native American,
i.e., Middle Eastern--Israelite]
He was a very fine-looking man.
While I was staring hard at him, his body began to change
and became very beautiful with all colors of light,
and around him there was light.
He spoke like singing:
"My life is such that all earthly beings and growing things belong to me.
Your father, the Great Spirit, has said this.
You too must say this."
1 Timothy 2:5-6, Paul;
5 For there is one God and one mediator between God and men,
the man Christ Jesus,
6 who gave himself as a ransom for all men
--the testimony given in its proper time."
John 14:6, Jesus;
6 …"I am the way and the truth and the life.
No one comes to the Father [Great Spirit] except through me." 38
The Many Names of Christ
The quotes from "Black Elk Speaks" on the previous page are from an account
of a mystical journey experienced by an Oglala Sioux prophet named Black Elk.
Black Elk was taken up to heaven by two "warriors" (angels). He was greeted
by twelve "grandfathers" (apostles) who took him to see the "two-legged chief"
described on the previous page and who is quoted in the passage below;
"Black Elk Speaks", p. 188, the "two-legged chief";
"My life is such that all earthly beings and growing things belong to me.
Your father, the Great Spirit, has said this. You too must say this."
From what's written above, the "two-legged chief" Black Elk saw must be
Jesus Christ because the "two-legged chief" said essentially the same thing
Paul said in…1 Timothy 2:5-6, Paul;
5 For there is one God and one mediator between God and men,
the man Christ Jesus,
6 who gave himself as a ransom for all men
--the testimony given in its proper time."
Before making a judgment about Black Elk's story, let's examine the effect
the experience had upon him. When Black Elk was a teen-ager he fought at the
Battle of Little Bighorn against the 7th Cavalry. He experienced seeing his tribe
hounded and slaughtered and their land stolen by people claiming to be Christians.
There was no reason for an old man who'd been through that to love anything
related to Christ. Despite this, after being taken to heaven to see this divine
being, Black Elk became a Christian, but never gave up his original Sioux religion.
Here's the explanation why: since Jesus Christ is the "two-legged chief" of
Black Elk's trip to heaven, he links Christianity and Native American religions.
Both religions come from the same divine source. Linking them together adds
a new perspective to the following New Testament passage…
Philippians 2:9-11, Paul;
9 Therefore God [the Father-Wakan Tanka-Great Spirit]
exalted him [Jesus] to the highest place
and gave him the name [Christ-Tunkashila*] that is above every name,
10 that at the name of Jesus [Christ-Tunkashila] every knee should bow,
in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ[-Tunkashila]
is [the samebeing,witha differentnamefor their] Lord [two-legged chief],
to the glory of God the Father [Great Spirit-WakanTanka]."
* "Tunkashila" is the Lakota name for Christ. (See "Fool's Crow: Wisdom and Power"
by Thomas E. Mails, pp. 33-34) 39
This being true adds new meaning to another thing Paul wrote…
Ephesians 2:14-17, 18, Paul;
14 For he [Jesus Christ-Tunkashila] himself is our peace,
who has made the two one and has destroyed the barrier, …"
15 …His purpose was to create in himself one new man out of the two,
thus making peace,
16 and in this one body [with multiple names] to reconcile both of them to God…
17 He came and preached peace to you who were far away
and peace to those who were near.
18 For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit."
This poses a dilemma. If the "two-legged chief" is Jesus Christ, a Christian
who calls Native American spirituality the work of the devil denies Jesus, even
as he claims to follow him. The converse is true for a follower of traditional
Native American religions who speaks against Jesus and the Bible. He speaks
against the Oglala Sioux prophet Black Elk and against the Wanikiye (Savior)
sent by Wakan Tanka (Great Spirit). People from one group would have to
think twice before condemning the other. People would respect each other more.
When that happens, an opportunity for the holy spirit to heal us presents itself.
If this principle is to have worldwide benefit, Jesus must be a central figure
in other religions, too. How does this revelation concerning Jesus' multiple
identities impact Islam? Here's the Muslim version of Christ's Second Coming…
Ibn-I-Majah Book of Fitan #4077 (p.385);
Abû Umãma Bahili said…
Allãh's Messenger (saw) said,
"Then Isã b. Maryam (Jesus Christ, son of Maryam), peace be upon him,
will be a just Judge and a just ruler of my umma [Muslim community]."
Jesus holds a starring role in Muslim prophecy, often overlooked by many
Muslims, who instead eagerly await their other anointed messiah, known as
the "Mahdi" or "Qa'im" or "divinely guided one". Jesus is given respect by most
Muslims in lip-service only, if at all. This is ironic for two reasons. First,
Jesus played a central, though hidden (until now) role in the birth of Islam.
He has another name, Gabriel, known to Muslims by the Arabic equivalent,
"Jibreel". Jibreel is the divine Messenger sent by Allãh who revealed the
Qur'an to Muhammad. As it is written…
Sura 2:97; Say:
Whoso is the enemy of Gabriel…shall have God as his enemy…"
For it is he [Gabriel]
who by God's leave hath caused the Koran to descend on thy heart,
the confirmation of previous revelations…" 40
Once it's proven Jesus Christ is the angel Gabriel, Muslims are posed with
the same dilemma as Christians and Native Americans. The error most Muslims
make of belittling Jesus' significance becomes apparent. In the past, Jesus as
Gabriel delivered the Qur'an to Muhammad. In prophecy, Jesus returns as Allãh's
chosen "just ruler" of the Muslim worldwide community (umma) who delegates
authority to the Mahdi. But is it possible according to God's word that Jesus Christ,
who is the "Son of God" (John 1:32-34), "Lord" (Acts 1:6, 1:21, Galatians 1:3) and
"God" (Isaiah 9:6), is an angel*? The answer to the question is: "Absolutely yes".
The word "angel" comes from the Greek "angelos", which means "messenger".
Here's "Webster's Seventh New Collegiate Dictionary"'s description of the word's
historical roots; "an·gel…fr. Gk angelos, lit., messenger". People have the idea that
angels must have wings, but that denies both the Bible and the Qur'an. Proof of
this can be found on pages 52-54 in a section titled, "Angels and Humans".
Here's one piece of scriptural evidence.
Hebrews 13:2;
Do not forget to entertain strangers,
for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it."
You can add wings or take them off, but an angel is a messenger, and can
come as a human. Gabriel's name testifies that. Gabriel's name means; from
"Webster's Seventh New Collegiate Dictionary"; " Ga•bri•el…[Heb] man of God ".
Gabriel is the highest divine messenger in Islam and Christianity. He gave
the Qur'an to Muhammad. For Christians, Gabriel is the angel who announced
to his soon-to-be mother, Mary, that he was coming into the world. Gabriel is
also the one who sounds his horn on the "Day of the Lord". Muslims may balk
at Gabriel being Jesus. Christians may balk at describing Jesus as an angel.
However, all his words and acts are consistent with the definition of an angel,
and Gabriel, in particular. By doing things this way, Jesus perfectly fulfills
Paul's words by offering himself as a bridge of peace between cultures;
Ephesians 2:14-16, 18, Paul;
14 For [Jesus Christ-Jibreel] himself is our peace,
who has made the two one and has destroyed the barrier,…"
15 …His purpose was to create in himself one new man out of the two,
thus making peace,
16 and in this one body [with multiple names] to reconcile both of them to God…
18 For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit."
* The idea of Jesus Christ being "Son of God", "Lord", or "God" appears to contradict
the Qur'an. In chapter 5, "Reconciling the Bible and Qur'an", you'll see how the
Way of Holiness bridges the gulf between Christianity and Islam and finds the
Qur'an and Bible in full agreement. 41
Jesus Christ as Messenger, i.e., Angel
John 1:1,14;
1 In the beginning was the Word [Christ-Gabriel],
and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
14 The Word became flesh [Jesus Christ] and made his dwelling among us."
Luke 4:43, Jesus;
"…I must preach the good news of the kingdom of God…,
because that is why I [Jesus Christ-Gabriel] was sent."
Jesus certainly qualifies as a Messenger Extraordinaire, just as Gabriel is the
highest of the angels. Daniel, chapters 8-12, Matthew 24 and Revelation 1 connect
both Jesus and Gabriel into one person. We begin with…
Daniel 8:15-16 (NIV);
15 While I, Daniel, was watching the vision…
there before me stood one who looked like a man.
16 And I heard a man's voice from the Ulai calling,
"Gabriel, tell this man the meaning of the vision."
The narrative of this vision ends, but later, in chapter 9, Daniel refers to the
"man" named "Gabriel" as the one speaking to Daniel in chapters 9-12.
Daniel 9:21 (NIV);
…while I was still in prayer, Gabriel, the man I had seen in the earlier vision…"
In Matthew 24:15, next, Jesus alerts us something hidden may be going on
by saying, "let the reader understand". There was no apparent reason to do so.
Everywhere else Jesus simply referred to the name of the prophet he cited,
if he mentioned the prophet at all. By uniquely pointing to Gabriel via Daniel,
Jesus indicated a mysterious significance about Gabriel and himself.
Matthew 24:15, Jesus;
"So when you see standing in the holy place `the abomination that causes desolation,'
spoken of through the prophet Daniel--let the reader understand--" ,
Six verses later, in Matthew 24:21, Jesus quoted Gabriel nearly word for
word in Daniel 12:1…, Gabriel;
"…There will be a time of distress
such as has not happened from the beginning of nations until then."
Matthew 24:21, Jesus;
For then there will be great distress,
unequaled from the beginning of the world until now
--and never to be equaled again."
Jesus added the words "never to be equaled again" to set the prophecy for now.
Any earlier distress has been equaled or surpassed by the distress of today. 42
In Daniel 11:2 (NIV), Gabriel says;
"Now then, I tell you the truth:…"
Daniel 11:2 is the only instance in the Old Testament in which anyone uses
the phrase, "I tell you the truth" However, Jesus uses that phrase repeatedly
in the Gospels (78 times). No one else in the Bible uses that specific phrase.
These are subtle, yet deliberate clues. Jesus alerts the reader by saying,
"let the reader understand". Physical descriptions of both Jesus and Gabriel,
next, are graphic evidence of Christ's multiple identities…
Revelation 1:10, 12-18;
10 On the Lord's Day I was in the Spirit,
and I heard behind me a loud voice like a [Gabriel's] trumpet,"
12 I turned around…And…saw… 13 …someone "like a son of man,"
dressed in a robe reaching down to his feet
and with a golden sash around his chest.
14 His head and hair were white like wool, as white as snow,
and his eyes were like blazing fire.
15 His feet were like bronze glowing in a furnace,
and his voice was like the sound of rushing waters.
16 …His face was like the sun shining in all its brilliance."…
Daniel 10:5-6;
5 I looked up and there before me was a man dressed in linen,
with a belt of the finest gold around his waist.
6 His body was like chrysolite, his face like lightning,
his eyes like flaming torches,
his arms and legs like the gleam of burnished bronze,
and his voice like the sound of a multitude."
Daniel 10:5-6 and Revelation 1:12-16 are the only places in the Bible
where similar physical descriptions of anyone, not just this person, are found.
Revelation 1 Daniel 10
13 "with a golden sash" 5 "a belt of the finest gold"
14 "eyes were like blazing fire" 6 "eyes like flaming torches"
15 "feet were like bronze glowing" 6 "legs like…gleam of burnished bronze"
16 "face…like…sun shining in all its brilliance" 6 "face like lightning[--bright, glowing]"
15 "voice…like…sound of rushing waters" 6 "voice like the sound of a multitude"
Why does the "sound of rushing waters" equal the "sound of a multitude"?
Revelation 14 and Ezekiel 1 give us the answer, next page… 43
Revelation 14:1-3;
1…there…was the Lamb…and with him 144,000…who had…foreheads [i.e.; people].
2…I heard a sound from heaven like the roar of rushing waters…
The sound I heard was like that of harpists playing their harps.
3 And they sang a new song before the throne…"
Ezekiel 1:24;
When the creatures moved, I heard the sound of their wings,
like the roar of rushing waters…like the tumult of an army."
God, the Author of the Bible, wants everyone to know Jesus Christ and
Gabriel and Jibreel are the same person. This is a test of faith and of whether
a person is willing to accept salvation for everyone and not just themselves.
Gabriel and the person speaking to John in Revelation 1:17 link Islam and
Christianity together through Jesus Christ, because the person speaking to
John is Jesus… Revelation 1:10-18, cont.;
17 When I saw him ,
I fell at his feet as though dead.
Then he placed his right hand on me and said:
"Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last. 18 I am the Living One;
I was dead [crucified], and behold I am alive [resurrected] for ever and ever!
And I hold the keys of death and Hades."
…the next passage identifies the "Living One" as the "Son of God", i.e., Jesus;
Revelation 2:18, Jesus;
"To the angel of the church in Thyatira write:
These are the words of the Son of God,
whose eyes are like blazing fire and whose feet are like burnished bronze."
Many Muslims wonder why Allãh is sending Jesus at the Last Hour (End of
the Age) instead of Muhammad, as the next prophecy implies;
Ibn-I-Majah Book of Fitan #4077 (p.385);
Abû Umãma Bahili said…Allãh's Messenger (saw) said,
"Then Isã b. Maryam (Jesus Christ, son of Maryam), peace be upon him,
will be a just Judge and a just ruler of my umma [Muslim community]."
The riddle is partly solved. If not the Prophet himself, having Jesus, the
Messenger, who delivered the Qur'an to Muhammad makes sense. This will turn
Islam upside down, just as the following prophecy of Imam Ali predicts.
As it is written… Nahjul Balagha, Sermon 102,
Imam Ali;
O’ people! a time will come to you when Islam would be capsized
as a pot is capsized with all its contents." 44
"The Signs Before The Day Of Judgement" p.12, citing Ibn-I-Majah, #3988,
"Abd Allah ibn Mas'ud said: "The Prophet said,
'Islam began as something strange,
and it will revert to being strange [corrected theology]
as it was in the beginning,
so good tidings for the strangers.'
Someone asked, 'Who are the strangers?'
He said, 'The ones who break away from their people (literally,'tribes')*
for the sake of Islam.' "
* The descriptive phrase, "(literally,'tribes')" was placed there by the translator.
That Allãh chose Jesus to lead the Muslim Umma ahead of Muhammad fulfills
the previous two prophecies perfectly. The next prophecy raises a very
interesting question… Sahih Muslim Ch. MCCVII #7015;
An-Nawwãs b. Sam'ãn reported
that Allãh's Messenger (may peace be upon him) made mention…
at this very time…Allãh would send Christ, son of Mary,
…[he] will descend in the eastern side of Damascus…
Then a people whom Allãh had protected would come to Jesus, son of Mary,
and he would wipe their faces3052…"
"
3052 Wipe the dust of journey or the traces of hardships suffered by them."
Why would Muslims be coming to Jesus? Why would Allãh send Muslims who
already have the Qur'an to Jesus Christ for salvation? Easy. Because Jesus
is Gabriel, and the test for Muslims is whether they'll overcome prejudice
and accept the Bible messiah as their messiah, too. This is powerful testimony
that Jesus' gospel must be heard by Muslims (and everyone else), as is this…
Sura 4:159;
There shall not be one of the people of the Book [which includes Muslims]
but shall believe in Him before his death,
and in the day of Resurrection, He will be a witness against them."
Initially, most Muslims will disagree with what's written here. Muslims are
generally taught to respect earlier revelations in lip-service only, then ignore
them as tainted and unreliable. This mis-teaching is addressed in chapter 4,
"Peace and Islam", pg. 75. It makes sense the Messenger through which
Allãh delivered the Qur'an to Muhammad is given authority to lead the whole
Muslim Community. That's why Sura 159 says what it does. It also indicates
the importance of Jesus' gospel as a key ingredient for a revival of Islam.
Because Christians deny Muhammad, they deny Jesus, who gave the Qur'an
to him. Muslims disregard Gabriel's (Jesus') gospel in the Bible. Meanwhile,
Jews deny both Jesus and Muhammad, denying their prophets, especially Elisha… 45
Ephesians 2:14-16, 18, Paul;
14 For [Jesus Christ-Jibreel-Elisha] himself is our peace,
who has made the two [three] one and has destroyed the barrier,…"
15 …His purpose was to create in himself one new man out of the two [three],
thus making peace,
16 and in this one body [with multiple names] to reconcile
both [all] of them to God…
18 For through him we both [all] have access to the Father by one Spirit."
In order to unite humanity through one man, God left a clearly recognizable
trail in the scriptures and prophecies of each people. Enough evidence is given
to support the principle that Jesus visited many peoples using different names,
but not so much as to undermine the test. God is testing our hearts through
this exercise. If we accept God's abundant evidence that Jesus has many names,
then we are at peace with mankind. If we reject God's testimony that brings
peace for others, we lose our own peace and salvation. What could more fair?
Elisha and Jesus and Gabriel
Jews haven't accepted Jesus yet, but they accept Elisha as a cherished prophet.
What we'll discover next is that "Elisha" is an earlier visitation to the Israelites
by Gabriel-Jesus Christ. His name provides the first clue of his hidden identity.
In "Nave's Topical Bible" we find "Elisha" defined as "(God [El] is [my] salvation)".
Literally, it means, "God is salvation". A fitting name for the Messiah. The next
clue comes in the form of an equation. An account in 2 Kings 2, verses 1-15, proves
Elisha had twice the spirit of Elijah. In Matthew 11:14, Jesus stated John the
Baptist "is the Elijah who was to come". Three verses earlier, in verse 11:11,
Jesus stated,
"Among those born of women
there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist…"
That includes Moses. So, Moses = Elijah = John the Baptist.
According to the account in 2 Kings, after Elijah was taken up in the whirlwind
Elisha received twice the "spirit" Elijah possessed. The only man who could have
twice the spirit of someone with spirit equal to the greatest of anyone "born of
women" was the spirit that dwelt in Jesus Christ, who was born of a virgin.
So, Jesus and Elisha are at least 2x › Moses or Elijah or John the Baptist.
Here's the account in 2 Kings…
46
Twice the Spirit of Elijah
2 Kings 2:1-15;
1 When the LORD was about to take Elijah up to heaven in a whirlwind,
Elijah and Elisha were on their way from Gilgal.
2 Elijah said to Elisha,
"Stay here; the LORD has sent me to Bethel."
But Elisha said,
"As surely as the LORD lives and as you live, I will not leave you."
So they went down to Bethel.
3 The company of the prophets at Bethel came out to Elisha and asked,
"Do you know that the LORD is going to take your master from you today?"
"Yes, I know," Elisha replied, "but do not speak of it."
4 Then Elijah said to him,
"Stay here, Elisha; the LORD has sent me to Jericho."
And he [Elisha] replied,
"As surely as the LORD lives and as you live, I will not leave you."
So they went to Jericho.
5 The company of the prophets at Jericho went up to Elisha and asked him,
"Do you know that the LORD is going to take your master from you today?"
"Yes, I know," he replied, "but do not speak of it."
6 Then Elijah said to him,
"Stay here; the LORD has sent me to the Jordan."
And he [Elisha] replied,
"As surely as the LORD lives and as you live, I will not leave you."
So the two of them walked on.
7 Fifty men of the company of the prophets went and stood at a distance,
facing the place where Elijah and Elisha had stopped at the Jordan.
8 Elijah took his cloak, rolled it up and struck the water with it.
The water divided to the right and to the left,
and the two of them crossed over on dry ground.
9 When they had crossed, Elijah said to Elisha,
"Tell me, what can I do for you before I am taken from you?"
"Let me inherit a double portion of your spirit," Elisha replied.
10 "You have asked a difficult thing,"
Elijah said,
"yet if you see me when I am taken from you, it will be yours
--otherwise not."
47
2 Kings 2:1-15;
11 As they were walking along and talking together,
suddenly a chariot of fire and horses of fire appeared
and separated the two of them, and Elijah went up to heaven in a whirlwind.
12 Elisha saw this and cried out,
"My father! My father! The chariots and horsemen of Israel!"
And Elisha saw him no more.
Then he took hold of his own clothes and tore them apart.
13 He picked up the cloak that had fallen from Elijah
and went back and stood on the bank of the Jordan.
14 Then he took the cloak that had fallen from him and struck the water with it.
"Where now is the LORD, the God of Elijah?" he asked.
When he struck the water, it divided to the right and to the left,
and he crossed over."
15 The company of the prophets from Jericho, who were watching, said,
"The spirit of Elijah is resting on Elisha."
And they went to meet him and bowed to the ground before him."
What's so extraordinary about a young man (Elisha) being able to keep up with an
old man (Elijah)? Besides, fifty prophets also matched Elijah's pace, accompanying
Elijah from a distance. Why was such power conferred upon Elisha for performing
such a minor feat? The answer; only Christ can see into the spirit world at will,
which is why he saw the "chariots and horsemen of Israel" and none of the other
prophets could. Jesus and Elisha both had the "chariots and horsemen of Israel"
at their disposal, which is the next clue…
Matthew 26:53-54, Jesus;
53 Do you think I cannot call on my Father,
and he will at once put at my disposal more than twelve legions of angels?
54 But how then would the Scriptures be fulfilled
that say it must happen in this way?"
2 Kings 6:15-17;
15 When the servant of the man of God [Elisha] got up
and went out early the next morning,
an army with horses and chariots had surrounded the city.
"Oh, my lord, what shall we do?" the servant asked.
16 "Don't be afraid," the prophet [Elisha] answered.
"Those who are with us are more than those who are with them."
17 And Elisha prayed,
"O LORD, open his eyes so he may see."
Then the LORD opened the servant's eyes, and he looked
and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha." 48
Elisha performed miracles parallel to those of Jesus. From feeding crowds
from impossibly small quantities of food (2 Kings 4:38-44 <-> Matthew 14:11-21),
to raising people from the dead (2 Kings 4:11-36 <-> John 11:1-43). Clue upon clue,
all with the intent to unite humanity through Christ. Jews may deny Christ as
"Jesus", but they accept him as "Elisha".
Next, we travel east from the Middle East to India, Hinduism, and Christ's
visitation there as "Brahma". Brahma and Hinduism's connection with God's other
Messages is discussed at length in chapter 6, "Created In God's Image". We'll
examine Brahma as Christ briefly here, establishing only a basic connection now.
Creator of the Universe
John 1:1-3; 1 In the beginning was the Word [Christ-Brahma],
and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
2 [Christ-Brahma] was with God in the beginning."
3 Through him all things ["the universe"] were made [created];
without him nothing was made that has been made."
Ramayana 1:3:34; "…the self-born creator, Brahma."
Ramayana Glossary; "Brahma: The first of all the gods and creator of the universe.
He was directly manifested from Vishnu and is thus sometimes called "the unborn."
Philippians 2:9-11, Paul;
9 Therefore God [the Father-Allãh-Yahweh-Krishna-Great Spirit]
exalted him [Jesus Christ] to the highest place
and gave him the name [Jesus Christ-Gabriel-Elisha-Brahma-Deganawidah]
that is above every name,
10 that at the [full, complete] name of Jesus every knee should bow,
in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
11 and every tongue confess
that Jesus Christ[-Prince of Peace-Peacemaker-Wanikiye]
is [the same being, but adifferent name,for their] Lord [two-legged chief],
to the glory of God the Father [Great Spirit]."
This concentration of spiritual leadership in one person will prove key in
bridging differences between cultures, and therefore, it's the way to Peace.
This was spelled out centuries ago by Paul in Ephesians 2:13-18, where he
stated people of all groups may come together through the common denominator
of Christ. People assumed Christ had just one short name, despite the fact
he's called "Immanuel", "Son of Man" and "Son of God", too. This was a self-
imposed limit people made, not the Bible. Next, we travel to the Americas… 49
The following quote comes from a prayer offered at the very first "keeping
of a soul", a sacred rite of the Sioux performed for the deceased…
"The Sacred Pipe", p. 12, Chief High Hollow Horn;
"May this help us to remember that all the fruits [including sacred sources]
of the wingeds, the two-leggeds [people], and the four-leggeds,
are really the gifts of Wakan Tanka [God].
They are all wakan [sacred] and should be treated as such."
We examined the connection between Christ and the "two-legged chief"
Black Elk was taken to see. Now, we'll travel to the eastern half of the North
American continent and several centuries before Black Elk was born. The next
identity of Christ we'll meet is the Peacemaker, Deganawidah. Deganawidah
was co-founder of the Longhouse, the Six Nations Confederacy of the Iroquois
in what’s today the Northeastern United States. Deganawidah's story is found
in the "White Roots of Peace", a book written by Paul Wallace and approved by
Chief Leon Shenandoah, then spiritual leader (Tadodaho) of the Six Nations.
Here is the account of Christ as Deganawidah;
p. 33; "Deganawidah is said to have been born at a Huron settlement…
Before his birth the name of the child was disclosed to his grandmother,
as was the way among the Iroquois, in a dream. A messenger from the
Great Spirit stood before the grandmother and said:
"It is the will of the Master of Life, the Holder of the Heavens,
that thy daughter, a virgin, shall bear a child.
He shall be called Deganawidah, the Master of Things,
for he brings with him the Good News of Peace and Power.
Care for him well, thou and thy daughter,
for he has a great office to perform in the world."
"What is the child's office to be?" asked the grandmother.
"His office is to bring peace and life to the people on earth,"
replied the messenger."
Sounds just like Gabriel speaking to his future mother, Mary;
Luke 1:26-35;
26 In the sixth month, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in
Galilee, 27 to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph,
a descendant of David. The virgin's name was Mary.
28 The angel went to her and said,
"Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you."
29 Mary was greatly troubled at his words
and wondered what kind of greeting this might be." 50
Luke 1:26-35, cont.;
30 But the angel said to her,
"Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God.
31 You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the
name Jesus. 32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High.
The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, 33 and he will reign
over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end."
34 "How will this be," Mary asked the angel, "since I am a virgin?"
35 The angel answered,
"The Holy Spirit will come upon you,
and the power of the Most High will overshadow you.
So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God."
Exactly the same. Creator uses patterns and synchronicities to communicate.
In the Bible, Jesus walks on water. In "White Roots of Peace", Deganawidah
navigated the waterways in a stone canoe…
p.34;
"When he [Deganawidah] had built his canoe and,
with the help of his mother and grandmother, had brought it to the water,
he bade them farewell…
"But the canoe is made of stone," said his grandmother. "It will not float."
"It will float," replied Deganawidah.
"This shall be a sign my words are true."
He entered the canoe, and it moved swiftly into the lake…p.38 "The hunters…said…
"He came from the west and he goes toward the sunrise.
His canoe is made of white stone and it moves swiftly."
Revelation 2:17;
"…To him who overcomes,
I will give some of the hidden manna [spiritual knowledge].
I will also give him a white stone with a new name written on it,
known only to him who receives it."
Revelation 2:17, paraphrased;
"…I will also give him a white stone [canoe]
with a new name [for Christ, Deganawidah] written on it,
known only to him who receives it."
And finally, in order to prove himself to the people, Deganawidah had to offer
himself as a sacrifice by climbing a tree, which was then pushed over a waterfall.
The test being, that if he survived the deadly falls, then he must be for real. 51
Similar to Christ being "hung on a tree" so he could come back to life to prove
himself. Deganawidah went under the water and was lost from sight, symbolically
dying, but was found alive and well the next day, sitting by the riverbank tending
a fire. I'm certain he was eating fish, just like in the old days in Galilee. These
parallels and other connections are ingenious means for Creator's word alone to
unite all peoples.
Ephesians 2:13-22 (NIV),
13 But now in Christ Jesus [Jibreel-Deganawidah-Brahma-Elisha]
you [Christians, Muslims, Native Americans, Hindus, and Jews]
who once were far away [in agreement on things spiritual]
have been brought near through the blood of Christ [Wanikiye-Peacemaker].
14 For he himself is our peace [Peacemaker-Prince of Peace],
who has made the two one and has destroyed the barrier,
the dividing wall of hostility,
15 by abolishing in his flesh [both person & gospel]
the law [of any individual group] with its commandments and regulations."
1 Timothy 2:5-6, Paul;
5 For there is one God and one mediator between God and men,
the man Christ Jesus, 6 who gave himself as a ransom for all men…"
"Black Elk Speaks", p. 188, the two-legged chief;
"My life is such that all earthly beings and growing things belong to me.
Your father, the Great Spirit, has said this.
You too must say this."
"White Roots of Peace", p. 33;
A messenger from the Great Spirit…said:
"It is the will of the Master of Life, the Holder of the Heavens,
He [Christ] shall be called Deganawidah, the Master of Things…"
John 14:6-7, Jesus;
6 …"I am the way and the truth and the life.
No one comes to the Father except through me.
7 If you really knew me [all my aspects],
you would know my Father [is truly Universal] as well."
John 14:2, Jesus;
In my Father's house are many rooms;
if it were not so, I would have told you."
52
Angels and Humans
Let’s examine scripture indicating human beings are divine creatures—angels.
While claiming mankind’s divinity may disturb some more traditionally-minded people,
in the end God’s word determines the outcome, not personal traditions.
Hebrews 13:2;
Do not forget to entertain strangers,
for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it."
THE TWO VISITORS WHO "TRANSFORMED" INTO ANGELS
Genesis 18-19 (18:1-2, 16-17, 20-22, 33 19:1,12);
1 The LORD appeared to Abraham near the great trees of Mamre…
2 Abraham looked up and saw three men standing nearby…
16 When the [3] men got up to leave, they looked down toward Sodom,
and Abraham walked along with them to see them on their way.
17 Then the LORD [1 of the men] said,
"Shall I hide from Abraham what I am about to do?
20 …"The outcry against Sodom and Gomorrah is so great
and their sin so grievous 21 that I will go…see if what they have done
is as bad as the outcry that has reached me…"
22 The [2] men turned away and went toward Sodom,
but Abraham remained standing before the LORD.
33 When the LORD had finished speaking with Abraham, he left,
and Abraham returned home."
Genesis 18 ends here. The next verse is Genesis 19:1, following…
Genesis 19:1-2, 12;
1 The two angels arrived at Sodom in the evening,
and Lot was sitting in the gateway of the city.
When he saw them, he got up to meet them
and bowed down with his face to the ground.
2 "My lords," he said, "please turn aside to your servant’s house…"
12 …Then the two men said to Lot,…"
Genesis 19:1, 12 (NIV); 1 The two angels…12 Then the two men said to Lot,…"
Genesis 19:1, 12 (KJV); 1 …two angels…12 And the men said unto Lot…"
Genesis 19:1, 12 (NAB); 1 The two angels…12 Then the angels said to Lot…"
Genesis 19:1, 12 (JSB); 1 The two angels…12 Then the men said to Lot…"
Genesis 19:1, 12 (NWT); 1…the two angels…12 Then the men said to Lot…"
In Genesis, it’s clear angels can be men. Now let’s travel back to a time
long before Adam and Eve, all the way back to Job 38:1-7, and the creation
of the world… 53
Job 38:1, 4-7 (NIV);
1"Then the LORD answered Job out of the storm."
4 "Where were you when I laid the earth’s foundation?
Tell me, if you understand.
5…6 On what were its footings set, or who laid its cornerstone—
7 while the morning stars sang together and all the angelsn
shouted for joy?"
The superscript
"n" appears after "angels" in verse 7 in my Bible. It refers to
a footnote at the bottom of the page which says, "
n
7 Hebrew sons of God ".
Job 38:7, (NIV) 7 " while the morning stars sang together
and all the angelsn
shouted for joy?”
Job 38:7, (KJV) 7 "When the morning stars sang together,
and all the sons of God shouted for joy?”
Job 38:7, (NAB) 7 "while the morning stars sang in chorus,
and all the sons of God shouted for joy?”
Job 38:7 (JSB) 7 "When the morning stars sang together
And all the divine beings shouted for joy?”
Job 38:7 (NWT) 7 "When the morning stars joyfully cried out together
And all the sons of God began shouting in applause?”
These "sons of God", "angels", or "divine beings" "shouted for joy" at the
world's creation. Now we see the connection. The spirit within us is an angel,
and is eternal.
Then we have this…1 Corinthians 6:3;
Do you not know that we will judge angels?"
How is it we would judge higher beings? Because the angels are us!
Here's what the Prophet had to say on the subject;
Sura 6:50, Muhammad;
...neither do I say to you, ‘Verily I am an angel:’
Only what is revealed to me do I follow."
The Prophet didn’t say he wasn’t an angel, only that he wouldn’t go beyond
what had been revealed to him up to that time. Sura 6:50 must reconcile with
the following passage…
Sura 6:9; And if We had appointed an angel,
We should certainly have appointed one in the form of a man,
and We should have clothed him before them in garments like their own." 54
And lastly, a special gift from the Mormon holy books…
Doctrine and Covenants 129:1-9;
1 There are two kinds of beings in heaven, namely:
Angels, who are resurrected personages,
having bodies of flesh and bones—
2 For instance, Jesus said :
Handle me and see, for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have.
3 Secondly: the spirits of just men made perfect,
they who are not resurrected, but inherit the same glory.
4 When a messenger comes saying he has a message from God,
offer him your hand and request him to shake hands with you.
5 If he be an angel he will do so, and you will feel his hand.
6 If he be the spirit of a just man made perfect he will come in his glory;
for that is the only way he can appear—
7 Ask him to shake hands with you,
but he will not move, because it is contrary
to the order of heaven for a just man to deceive;
but he will still deliver his message.
9 These are …keys
whereby you may know whether any administration is from God."
According to verses 1, 4, and 5, virtually all people are angels. Being an "angel"
is determined by our thoughts and actions. The other side of the coin is, that if
our thoughts and actions are negative, we’re what’s called a "demon". But as beings
living within God, made in God’s image, sharing Christ’s spirit, we all share a measure
of divinity.
55