Translated Vladimír Gunda

October 2009

Part Four - GOD

 

Introduction

Nothing has enticed man's spirit to create so many different myths and fantastic notions like God. The reason is the grandeur of what people understood as his creation. At the time when these notions developed, people knew about God and the nature of his creation only very little.

Note : It should be noted that the general concept of God which present-day Christians profess is based on the Early Christian notions of the 4^th -5^th century, when the battle for religious beliefs took place. So, these notions reflect the level of understanding the world at that time.

 

Communication

God has been giving more and more information about Himself, if possible, proportionally to man's knowledge of laws governing the world that He created. The ability of man to understand information communicated depended on this knowledge. Moreover, God needed to have authority over humans, so God preferentially gave them information about His qualities that arouses his authority over men.

The manner in which people address God gives evidence about the fact that men like to keep deep-rooted habits. We call Him the Mighty (the original meaning of the word God), and not Just, Wise or Loving, his other.

It was the Power which God revealed to man as his first quality and which men were most interested in. It was then the only quality, which could reliably ensure Him authority in the eyes of man [1] . The Power was the first, easily understandable, quality necessary to start the training of man.

So, every being that showed power beyond the understanding of man was automatically called 'god' by people.

Because God respects [2] both human culture and the mentality of individuals on principle (it is a part of the rights which He gave to people), so He also respects their manifestations. Beings from the first, second and third heavens (see below) are called God and they also introduce themselves as God (in Hebrew Elohim) or Yahweh God or Jehovah God - pronunciation of the Hebrew tetragram (transcript of the name God) is questionable.

 

As we have been accustomed to Him

As regards God, it is not only our inclination not to change our habits, i.e. our inclination to conservatism. Man started to impart its notions of God to sacred things, mostly with exaggerated and useless zeal - such is the human religiosity (a form of worship).

Efforts to change something in this area have always been deemed as sacrilege. This attitude lasted for centuries; it deeply etched itself into the consciousness of generations of Christians, and thus became a part of the Christian tradition.

In most churches today, the notion of a single (even incomprehensible Trinity) God, standing outside our physical world and not subject to laws (God's transcendence) is rooted; the notion of God surrounded by angels of similar -let us say- not physical substance. It is God unconditionally omnipotent, absolutely superordinated ruler, omniscient, performing incomprehensible miracles beyond the known laws of nature.

This God has been living in the heavens from time immemorial, for ever in perfect conformity with angels who surround Him, who constantly have praise Him and serve Him because He himself created them, the universe and ultimately, man. It is a world free of all problems, filled with endless bliss.

"The authors" of traditional notions were definitely full of praise for God. But, do you not consider such a description as a myth? Does the Bible teach us something like this? It happens only in fairy tales that a powerful magician waves a magic wand, pronounces a magic formula, and things begin to happen. Such a wizard is indifferent to the laws of physics - he transforms people and objects as he likes.

Is it this way of thinking not partially similar to the notions of Christians? Millions of people believed for centuries and still believe in something like this - they believe that God can do it, and in reality He has been doing only this! He is almighty after all, is he not? Why should He exert himself and waste His time with complex physical and chemical processes or complicated technology [3] ?

 

Could it be different?

"And God(s) went on to say: Let us make man in our image, according to our likeness ..." (Ge 1:26 NWT) [4]

"And Jehovah God(s) went on to say: Here the man has become like one of us ..." (Ge 3:22 NWT) [5]

The fact that God (later Yahweh or Jehovah God) in the scriptures surprisingly is addressed in the plural, dealt a blow to these notions. It is particularly evident when studying the opening books of the Bible (see Ge 11:6, 7). Although He later introduced Himself as the only God, everything indicates that it is a fellowship of beings. But how did He introduce Himself?

" Hear, O Israel : Jehovah our God [elohím] is one Jehovah . and thou shalt love Jehovah thy God ..." (De 6:4 ASV)

The word elohim in Hebrew literally stands for 'gods'. This expression is used to designate both the so-called false gods (translated correctly in the Bible) and the so-called true God (loose translation in the Bible). The reason for this designation is very prosaic - the plural is used in the Bible because the God, who presented Himself to the Israelis as Yahweh (or Jehovah, if you want), is in fact the Deity.

Note : The argument that Pluralis maiestaticus can hardly stand up - the character of God is definitely correct and we would attribute Him human qualities if we state that He needs to express His greatness in this way. Plural is a product of our modern history, vanity of human rulers. (Ps 62:10) Moreover, the word order is reversed, so in our case it would have to read - "We God" and not "I Gods". The fact that as regards the Hebrew God He is in reality the Deity are also proved by biblical dictionaries, albeit without this courageous explanation. [A. Novotný (Czech) etc.]

 

You do not believe?

The incorrect notion of God's identity was created by man himself, gradually - because of not studying the Scriptures [6] . Jehovah made the declaration at the beginning of appointing Israel to be His people. At that time He needed to stress the fact that with regard to the disunity in the 1^st heaven, the remaining part of gods (who pursued the original concept of creation [7] ) had united thoroughly, in order to face the serious danger which had arisen. Yahweh (Jehovah) simultaneously warned his people against the influence of other gods - anarchists " but ye shall break down their altars, and dash in pieces their pillars, and ye shall cut down their Asherim ." - ASV [ But ye shall destroy their altars, break their images, and cut down their groves - KJV+ ] (Ex 34:13; 1 Ki 10:20)

Note : The fact that He is the only one, God has expressed far more important information (especially for us today), that there is one system of truth. To be more precise, the fact that this team (JHVH Deity) holds one system of truth and believes exclusively in the existence of one such a system. But the experience of humankind in the area of behaviour (generally in the social area) questions this system.

The procedure and message of these angels (JHVH) were from the very beginning so unified that people often did not realize that they were in contact with a great many beings. Without searching for their identity, they called each of them by the name Yahweh (Jehovah).

The behaviour of man towards God was in the beginning (from traditional understanding) somewhat confusing - they called the same being once as Yahweh (Jehovah) and immediately afterwards Jehovah's (Yahweh's) angel. (Ge 16:9-13; Jg 6:11-15) When Abraham was visited by three angels, the name Yahweh (Jehovah) circulated strangely. By the name Yahweh (Jehovah) was called all three angels , and then Abraham addressed the angel, whom he considered to be their commander, by this name. Lot equally addressed the remaining two angels , who came to Sodom in the evening. (Ge 18:1-19:18) It is obvious that people at that time called every being who convinced them that he came with the authority of Jehovah's power by the name Yahweh (Jehovah). Jg 13:6, 21-23)

Note : In Chapter 13 of the book of Judges it is even evident that in determining the identity of the respective man, the name the people addressed him by intensified according to his manifestations of power: first 'a man of God' (prophet) - then 'the angel of Jehovah' - finally 'Jehovah' himself accepted the act of worship! The concrete appearance of Jehovah (the angel of Jehovah) was apparently not defined. Identification was spontaneous and random.

When people meet such a powerful being, they are sometimes paralyzed by fear of death. From the Bible really follows, according to passages written later, that people are really threatened with death, but in contact with completely different kind of beings - again called God or Yahweh (Jehovah). (Ge 32:29, 30; Jg 13:22; Ex 33:20) So there are too many Gods or Yahwehs (Jehovahs) at one time.

The same situation occurred beneath the Sinai Mountain . Yahweh (Jehovah) descended to the mountain all in all three times [8] , without ascending it. To an attentive reader does not escape the fact that in each of these three cases, there is another (higher by one level) being. Security measures also intensified. (Ex 19:3, 10-13; Ex 34:3-5)

Let's be realistic - our created world is so extremely complex that not only its creation, but also its management and supervision requires a large number of professions, specializations and teamwork! Did not God create us - according to His image?

 

Three levels of heaven

From the Bible follows that three groups of alien beings, called by humans as follows, were responsible for the creation and functioning of our world:

Angels (Ge 32:1 [2])

Cherubs (1 Sa 4:4; Ge 3:24)

Seraphs (Isa 6:2)

According to words of the Apostle Paul we know about the existence of three levels of heaven:

" I know a man in Christ, fourteen years ago (...), such a one caught up even to the third heaven .. ." (2 Co 12:2)

"... or in him (Christ) were all things created, in the heavens and upon the earth, ..., whether thrones (first heaven) or dominions (second heaven ) or principalities (first heaven) or powers (kings on Earth); all things have been created through him, and unto him ..." ( Col 1:16)

Since the number of types of beings with the number of heavens is in agreement, it can be deducted that each type of being inhabits his level of heaven - his own world. On the basis of how they express themselves they can be grouped according to their intelligence, power, and thus possibly by age as well.

 

Ad 1 ANGELS

They are probably the youngest beings, who stand closest to us human beings , they even resemble us physically (Ge 3:8 - note that this God is strolling in the garden). They are indiscernible from people. (Ge 19:1-11) They can interbreed with humans (Ge 6:4) and they take in our food. (Ge 18:8) During the six days of creation, these angels were directly involved in the creation of our world (Job. 38:7; see former habits in the opening constructions - Ezr 3:10-11) and by using natural laws [9] - probably by genetic manipulation - they created man. (Ge 2:7) Beings of this sphere are divided into two groups . (Da 10:13, 21) We call this level the first heaven.

 

Ad 2 CHERUBS

As regards creation here on earth they are consultants or guarantors and they bear responsibility for the successful course of creation and for the development of man. (Eze 28:14; Job 38:7; Isa 14:12] Luciferus - "Torchbearer" - Latin name for Venus as the morning star - the symbol of cherubs. (Re 22:16)

Physiologically they are very different from us. Their bodies apparently issue light in our conditions. According to the descriptions of eye witnesses, their faces shines like the sun, their feet are like hot metal; their hair is like snow, etc.

Man is paralyzed when he comes into contact with them - certainly mentally, but perhaps even physically (see Ge 15:12-17; Dan 10:7-9; Re 1:17 - Abraham, Daniel and John perceive them in a sort of paralysis reminding one of sleep). We call this level the second heaven.

 

Ad 3 SERAPHS

From a physiological point of view, seraphs are totally different from people. They radiate probably significant, unknown energy, because physical contact with them is life- threatening to humans. (Ex 33:20-23; 1 Ki 19:13 - Moses and Elijah were hidden in a cave for security reasons). For these reasons, man is not allowed to look at them. ("to see His face")

Moses saw a Seraph only through a kind of protective shield, from behind. Moses´ skin, after contact with Him, radiated rays. Elijah hides his face. In Isa 6:2, the seraphs hide themselves in the vision - thus they demonstrate that it is dangerous for man to be in their proximity or to look at them. This level is called third heaven. Ancient people were informed about the fact that meeting these beings was dangerous, and therefore they were frightened, whatever god they met - " We shall surely die, because we have seen God ." (in this case an angel from the first heaven- Jg 13:22; Ge 32:30 etc.)

 

S.G. SUPREME GOD

The Creator of all life (all creation) in our universe is the Supreme God - in Hebrew "elejlon". The designation "Supreme" is in the Bible sometimes completely alone (so not the Supreme God - elejlon, but simply the Highest - ejlon), of which some theologians already have concluded that it is a separate deity (Encyclopaedia of the Bible).

The Bible says almost nothing about His nature (at least according to the current state of knowledge). (Ge 14:20; Dt 32:8; Eph 4:6) We know, however, four of His basic qualities, which are common to all other levels, and are the current objective of the education of man: power, justice, wisdom and love. Unlike all the other above mentioned beings, the Supreme God was really never seen by any man. (Joh 1:18)

Note: To ask questions regarding the origin and more tangible form of the highest levels of heaven is for us irrelevant. We have not the slightest idea about the nature of the environment which existed before the creation of our universe. We know virtually nothing about the conditions and (physical?) laws, which ruled.

 

Briefly speaking

Under the term God, a complicated structure of powerful beings appears in the Bible.

The biblical monotheism [10] consists in that true Gods act on the basis of free will under a single program in every and each of their activities (according to true knowledge), as "one man", unlike the fragmented advancement of the so-called false gods, individualists (questioning that the system of knowledge - the truth - is one).

Only our grammar distinguishes these gods with large and small letters! The original text differentiates them only by names, qualities and verbal forms. In the original text we would read their description something like this - JHVH gods, true gods, false gods, gods of nations, gods of Israel , etc.

 

Yahweh (Jehovah) of hosts (armies)

At present it seems that this identification of God of the Bible could be the answer to the question what is grammatically the hard-to-understand and in the Bible highly frequented word "Yahweh (Jehovah) of hosts." The oddity of this term becomes apparent if we realize that Yahweh (Jehovah) is a name and if we substitute it, just for illustration, by any other name. If we try Francis, the grammatical form will be - "Francis of hosts". Therefore, the correct translation of this term might be: Jehovah-hosts, or Jehovah-gods-hosts, within the meaning Jehovah Gods are hosts.

 

Is it heresy?

Christians who were brought up in the traditional religious belief will probably be offended. Some may completely be discouraged of further study. If possible, we would like to reassure these Christians that conclusions in this section are in no case contrary to the spirit of Scripture, because we can not argue with the Apostle Paul in his statement:

,,... There is one body, and one Spirit (in this case the Highest) ... one God, and father of all, which is above all, and through all, and in you all ." [11] (Eph 4:4-6)

Traditional profession of faith is namely overlooking the fact that Scriptures authorize the use of the title 'God', and even 'true God' (who is the opposite of false god) and the 'Holy God' (the opposite of profane, unclean), to all beings fulfilling the stipulated requirements, and even to people:

" And Jehovah said unto Moses : ' See, I have made thee as God to Pharaoh; and Aaron thy brother shall be thy prophet .'" (Ex 7:1 (ASV); see Joh 10:34, 35)

In this situation Moses was certainly not a false God and Aaron was not a false prophet!

Note: The intermediate position is not described in the Bible. Each god (and spirit) is either true and holy or false and unclean. From the need of sanctification of the name of God (JHVH; Mt 6:9) it is clear that there is a dispute in heaven regarding which side is right. Each side considers the opposite side as unholy and false. "Black and white" differentiation was intentionally created because of man's imperfection.

Similarly, neither the term father (and Father also [12] ) is definite and does not have to belong to one person, but it is legal term logically expressing responsibility for a concrete creation or the result of an activity. (Joh 8:39-44) In the Bible such examples are numerous. The Christian tradition gave these attributes exclusively to the Supreme.

It is possible to conciliate with these facts that understandably might make Christians have serious spiritual dilemma or even outrage by adopting the fact that existing levels of heaven (seraphs, cherubs and angels) were assigned incomparably greater powers, functions and responsibilities, than has traditionally been accepted. After all, they are adult, free, moral and very intelligent beings - Gods (powerful) in the true sense of the word. This change is the difference between the specified [13] and traditional understanding of God's identity.

 

What to add

Although our Creator does not have miraculous abilities, as follows from the Scriptures, careful study reveals that this in no way detracts from the impressiveness of his acts and power. It is clear that our Heavenly Father and God (in particular First Heaven) also exists within the system of physical laws and is also subject to established laws, to which he must be subordinate if he does not want to behave irresponsibly. From biblical information we can trace his true, real power. By this He can become, for the thinking, rational man in the twentieth century, very close and very real.

At our level of scientific knowledge and technical advanced level we are able to understand His wisdom and power. We feel that it is indeed immense and it amazes even more than before, when people were not able to explain its source or principle even in the slightest.

The fact that God is in reality not almighty [14] should not offend Christians too much. Real omnipotence would make him partially responsible for all the horrors and evil, which humanity has experienced. And it would make Him even a universal culprit - He would bear the ultimate responsibility.

The idea of absolute omnipotence and omniscience [15] of God is one the most tragic notions of the Christian tradition.