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Question from a mostly-ignorant Baptist

Discussion in 'Baptist Theology & Bible Study' started by Don, Sep 2, 2007.

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  1. Don

    Don Well-Known Member
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    I heard this morning that long ago, the Aaronic priests would wrap scriptures around their forearms (hands), and/or keep scripture in a small box worn on the forehead.

    Where can I find more information on this practice? Is it true? (and there's a follow-up question based on the answer to that)
     
    #1 Don, Sep 2, 2007
  2. Aaron

    Aaron Member
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    They're called "phylacteries." Google that term or the singular "phylactery" for more info.
     
    #2 Aaron, Sep 2, 2007
  3. standingfirminChrist

    standingfirminChrist New Member

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    Don,

    It is true. Go to google and do a search for 'Orthodox Judaism' and you should find all the info you need.
     
    #3 standingfirminChrist, Sep 2, 2007
  4. 2 Timothy2:1-4

    2 Timothy2:1-4 New Member

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    #4 2 Timothy2:1-4, Sep 2, 2007
  5. Deacon

    Deacon Well-Known Member
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    The Shema [pronounced - "shem-a"]

    “Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one.
    You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.
    And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart.
    You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise.
    You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes.
    You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.
    Deuteronomy 6:4-9 ESV

    Rob
     
    #5 Deacon, Sep 2, 2007
  6. Don

    Don Well-Known Member
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    Thank you all.

    Follow-up question: Is there any relation between this practice and the reference in Revelation to the mark of the beast being on the right hand or forehead?
     
    #6 Don, Sep 2, 2007
  7. standingfirminChrist

    standingfirminChrist New Member

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    Don,

    I believe it shows the contrast in Masters.

    One has the seal of God. one the mark of the beast.

    One, the mind of Christ. the mind of the devil

    One, the work of Christ. the other, the work of the devil.
     
    #7 standingfirminChrist, Sep 2, 2007
  8. Jack Matthews

    Jack Matthews New Member

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    I would say the answer to your question is no. I don't see that there is a connection.
     
    #8 Jack Matthews, Sep 2, 2007
  9. Don

    Don Well-Known Member
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    Okay, I'm going to throw this out, because after doing some web research on the terms, and seeing StandingFirm's answer, I'm not the first one to wonder if there's a relationship.

    I'm posing this as a "what if," not something that was divinely given to me in a vision or prophecy from God. This was something that simply flashed through my mind when I heard this.

    So -- what if? Since I've been saved, the mark of the beast has always been explained to me as being related to finance, because the passage in Revelation talks about people not being able to buy or sell. But after I heard, and subsequently found validated, that the tefillin are worn on the forehead and weaker hand/arm, while the mark of the beast will be on the forehead and right hand; it has occurred to me: What if the mark is one of a religion?

    What if? The rapture occurs (I'm a pre-tribulationist; different discussion for a different thread); those left behind are going to be naturally scared, because this makes no sense to them. The rise of the anti-christ is a "stabilizing" force for a world suddenly in turmoil and scared.

    Note: What is the one thing that has been misused to control people throughout the ages? Religion.

    So what if the anti-christ uses religion to help people feel better about what has happened? He creates or uses an existing world religion that gives an answer about what happened (albeit a false answer, or even perhaps a true one but in a way leading people to a false path), and gives people hope (albeit, false hope). This eventually leads not to just a one-world religion, but a religious government that interacts closely with, or even takes over some (or all) other governments.

    Continuing this what if, a mark is conceived, that people are happy to take because it represents the new hope. I'm not talking the embedded RFID/GPS chip, or even a bar code; I'm talking about a religious symbol (I was amused to find that one site has equated the Catholic mark of Ash Wednesday with the mark of the beast). It isn't initially used as a means of commerce, but it doesn't take long before it starts being used as a means of refusing service to those who don't have one.

    Again, this is just what if, conjecture, speculative fiction. The main "hole" in this is my lack of religious study that could possibly provide scriptural support. As I said, after y'all provided some of the search terms, I was surprised to find that this has actually been given some prior thought by others with more theological study background than I have (search terms: tefillin, phylactery, mark of the beast).

    Please, by all means, feel free to tell me how whacked out I am, but don't forget to explain why.
     
    #9 Don, Sep 2, 2007
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 2, 2007
  10. tinytim

    tinytim <img src =/tim2.jpg>

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    I don't think you are whack at all..... you definately have an active imagination.
     
    #10 tinytim, Sep 2, 2007
  11. skypair

    skypair Active Member

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    PRECISELY what WILL happen, Don. In fact, he'll be head of that religion when the rapture takes place.

    I was reading Pink last night and do you believe that this religion has most of the "anti's" of Christ's true church? You mention just one that will "ease" the acceptance of the MotB -- the ashes on the forehead. But the Pope is Christ (vicariously, they say) -- the church has "apostles" in apostolic succession, angels in it's "saints," his "bride" is the "whore," his "truth" is the "lie," etc.

    We are only waiting for him, a Jew at birth, to step in among 10 "kings" and confirm the 7 years peace with Israel for then he will be revealed, the man of sin.

    skypair
     
    #11 skypair, Sep 3, 2007
  12. Grasshopper

    Grasshopper Active Member
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    There is a connection as both are symbolic. Revelation must be read against the backdrop of the Old Testament. The OT usages are symbolic of allegiance, loyalty and ownership.


    Exo 13:9 And it shall be a sign to you upon your hand, and for a memorial between your eyes, that Jehovah's Law may be in your mouth. For the Lord has brought you out of Egypt with a strong hand.

    Deu 6:8 And you shall bind them for a sign upon your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes.

    MacArthur comments in his Study Bible on Dt. 6:8:

    "The Israelite was to continually meditate and be directed by the commandments that God had given him".

    By the time of Christ, it was taken literally:

    Mat 23:5 But they do all their works in order to be seen of men. They make their phylacteries broad and enlarge the borders of their garments.


    John also uses this symbolism in Revelation:


    Rev 3:12 Him who overcomes I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God, and he will go out no more. And I will write upon him the name of My God, and the name of the city of My God, the New Jerusalem, which comes down out of Heaven from My God, and My new name.

    Rev 7:3 saying, Do not hurt the earth or the sea or the trees until we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads.

    Rev 14:1 And I looked, and lo, the Lamb stood on MountZion. And with Him were a hundred and forty-four thousands, having His Father's name written in their foreheads.
     
    #12 Grasshopper, Sep 3, 2007
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