#Testing spirits in 1 John 4:1

[mindfulldsliving]

Unpacking 2 Corinthians 11:14: Moroni vs. Deception

Moroni Appears to Joseph Smith in His Room (The Angel Moroni Appears to Joseph Smith), by Tom Lovell 2 Corinthians 11:14 and the Angel Moroni: Dispelling Myths About Satanic Deception Paul’s words in 2 Corinthians 11:14 caution us about Satan’s ability to disguise himself as an angel of light. This verse is often cited in criticism of Joseph Smith’s account of the Angel Moroni’s visitation,…

[mybeautifulchristianjourney]

Testing the Spirits

1 Beloved, do not believe every spirit [speaking through a self-proclaimed prophet]; instead test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets and teachers have gone out into the world. 2 By this you know and recognize the Spirit of God: every spirit that acknowledges and confesses [the fact] that Jesus Christ has [actually] come in the flesh [as a man] is from God [God is its source]; 3 and every spirit that does not confess Jesus [acknowledging that He has come in the flesh, but would deny any of the Son’s true nature] is not of God; this is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming, and is now already in the world. 4 Little children (believers, dear ones), you are of God and you belong to Him and have [already] overcome them [the agents of the antichrist]; because He who is in you is greater than he (Satan) who is in the world [of sinful mankind]. 5 They [who teach twisted doctrine] are of the world and belong to it; therefore they speak from the [viewpoint of the] world [with its immoral freedom and baseless theories—demanding compliance with their opinions and ridiculing the values of the upright], and the [gullible one of the] world listens closely and pays attention to them. 6 We [who teach God’s word] are from God [energized by the Holy Spirit], and whoever knows God [through personal experience] listens to us [and has a deeper understanding of Him]. Whoever is not of God does not listen to us. By this we know [without any doubt] the spirit of truth [motivated by God] and the spirit of error [motivated by Satan].

God Is Love

7 Beloved, let us [unselfishly] love and seek the best for one another, for love is from God; and everyone who loves [others] is born of God and knows God [through personal experience]. 8 The one who does not love has not become acquainted with God [does not and never did know Him], for God is love. [He is the originator of love, and it is an enduring attribute of His nature.] 9 By this the love of God was displayed in us, in that God has sent His [One and] only begotten Son [the One who is truly unique, the only One of His kind] into the world so that we might live through Him. 10 In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation [that is, the atoning sacrifice, and the satisfying offering] for our sins [fulfilling God’s requirement for justice against sin and placating His wrath]. 11 Beloved, if God so loved us [in this incredible way], we also ought to love one another. 12 No one has seen God at any time. But if we love one another [with unselfish concern], God abides in us, and His love [the love that is His essence abides in us and] is completed and perfected in us. 13 By this we know [with confident assurance] that we abide in Him and He in us, because He has given to us His [Holy] Spirit. 14 We [who were with Him in person] have seen and testify [as eye-witnesses] that the Father has sent the Son to be the Savior of the world.

15 Whoever confesses and acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God. 16 We have come to know [by personal observation and experience], and have believed [with deep, consistent faith] the love which God has for us. God is love, and the one who abides in love abides in God, and God abides continually in him. 17 In this [union and fellowship with Him], love is completed and perfected with us, so that we may have confidence in the day of judgment [with assurance and boldness to face Him]; because as He is, so are we in this world. 18 There is no fear in love [dread does not exist]. But perfect (complete, full-grown) love drives out fear, because fear involves [the expectation of divine] punishment, so the one who is afraid [of God’s judgment] is not perfected in love [has not grown into a sufficient understanding of God’s love]. 19 We love, because He first loved us. 20 If anyone says, “I love God,” and hates (works against) his [Christian] brother he is a liar; for the one who does not love his brother whom he has seen, cannot love God whom he has not seen. 21 And this commandment we have from Him, that the one who loves God should also [unselfishly] love his brother and seek the best for him. — 1 John 4 | Amplified Bible (AMP) The Amplified Bible Copyright © 2015 by The Lockman Foundation. All rights reserved. Cross References: Genesis 22:2; Leviticus 19:18; 1 Kings 13:18; Jeremiah 14:14; Matthew 5:43; Matthew 9:34; Matthew 10:15; Matthew 24:5; John 1:14; John 1:18; John 3:16; John 3:31; John 6:51; John 6:56; John 6:69; John 8:23; John 8:32; John 8:47; John 9:3; John 15:27; John 12:31; John 12:34; John 13:35; Romans 8:9; Romans 8:15; Romans 8:31; Romans 10:9; 1 Corinthians 8:3; 1 Corinthians 12:3; 2 Thessalonians 2:3; 1 Timothy 6:16; 1 Peter 1:8; 1 John 1:1-2; 1 John 2:3; 1 John 2:5; 1 John 2:7; 1 John 3:1; 1 John 3:10-11; 2 John 1:5

[oillampslit]

It doesn't matter if it sounds right.

Is it right?

Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.

1 John 4:1

[tom4jc]

1 John 4:1 Question The Spirits

Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false spirits have gone out into the world. 1 John 4:1 Voices are everywhere trying to tell people what is truth. Each voice claims to be an authority and knows what is best. People are very quick to believe anyone that claims to be an authority and follow that person. Very few take time to check…

[talonabraxas]

"I will be what I will to be." - Exodus 3:14

An Enochian Greater Ritual of the Heptagram

Here's a chance to engage in some cutting-edge magical research. Over the years my magical working group has done some work with John Dee and Edward Kelley's Enochian system. In one of those operations we received names in the Angelic language for the five classical planets that are not named in Dee and Kelley's Calls. The two that are named are the Sun (ROR) and the Moon (GRAA). I did the scrying for this session, and while I am not normally all that great a scryer this particular operation seemed to go smoothly. When I asked the spirit for the names of the planets I was immediately struck by the image that the first letter of each planet's name corresponded with the sound of the appropriate Hebrew letter according to the Golden Dawn arrangement. Prior to that, I had never noticed that ROR begins with the same sound as Resh, the Hebrew letter corresponding to the Sun, and that GRAA begins with the same sound as Gimel, the letter corresponding to the Moon.

Here are all seven classical planet names, including the five that we received.

1. Venus - DMUZ 2. Sun - ROR 3. Mars - PAROTH 4. Jupiter - KYLMA 5. Mercury - BANRO 6. Saturn - TUR 7. Moon - GRAA

Knowing these names makes it possible to construct a ritual akin to the Golden Dawn Greater Ritual of the Hexagram for the Enochian system. Rather than using the figure of the hexagram, the figure of the heptagram seems more appropriate to Enochian work given the significance of the number seven throughout the system. The seven Ensigns of Creation, one for each planet, are place on the Holy Table in the shape of a heptagram. For the purposes of this ritual, I have associated the seven planets with the points of the heptagram in the order of the seven Ensigns. This is the order in which the names appear on the list above, beginning with the top point of the heptagram and moving clockwise. As with the Golden Dawn Greater Ritual of the Hexagram, to invoke a planet you start at the appropriate point and trace clockwise, while to banish a planet you trace counter-clockwise instead.

Since this ritual follows the Golden Dawn structure, the last word that is required is some Angelic equivalent of ARARITA. This is a Notariquon or acronym for "One is his beginning; one is his individuality; his permutation is one” and in addition is a formula of seven letters, also alluding to the planets. As it turns out, the Calls contain a pretty good match: GE-IAD-I-L, meaning "Our Lord and Master is All One." Not only is the meaning very similar, it also consists of seven Angelic letters. I pronounce this phrase in the Calls as geh-ee-AHD EE LAH, though it could also be run together as geh-ee-ahd-EEL, which has four syllables like ARARITA. I plan on starting my testing of the ritual using the standard pronunciation, since in some ways five syllables is really more appropriate than four. As I see it, this ritual conjoins the planetary and elemental spheres, and five represents the pentagram, whereas four represents the cross of the elements and could be said to exclude Spirit.

For visualization of lineal figures, I use the Golden Dawn flashing color method. I visualize the lineal figure itself in the color associated with the planet and then visualize the figure in the center appearing in its compliment. This helps to make the visualization more intense and is also easy to practice - just build the figures you will be tracing out of construction paper or paint them onto a piece of paper in the proper colors and meditate on them. The contrast makes for a strong and lasting memory impression.

The proper colors depend on whether you are working along active or receptive lines. The Golden Dawn system actually has four color scales attributed to the four Qabalistic worlds, called the King, Queen, Prince, and Princess scales. The four worlds correspond to the four letters of YHVH and represnt the realms through which potentiality manifests as physical reality. For normal use, you should only need the King and Queen scales. The former is used when working active magick, whereas the latter is used when working receptive magick. In terms of the Tree of Life, paths correspond to the King scale whereas spheres correspond to the Queen scale. The paths represent magical powers of various sorts, whereas the spheres represent mystical realizations. You can consult column XLV: Magical Powers [Western Mysticism] of Liber 777 for a complete list.

The colors for the planets are as follows:

Venus - King scale emerald green, compliment scarlet. Queen scale green, compliment red. Sun - King scale orange, compliment blue. Queen scale yellow, compliment purple. Mars - King scale scarlet, compliment emerald green. Queen scale red, compliment green. Jupiter - King scale violet, compliment yellow. Queen scale blue, compliment orange. Mercury - King scale yellow, compliment purple. Queen scale orange, compliment blue. Saturn - King scale indigo, compliment pale yellow. Queen scale black, compliment white. Moon - King scale blue, compliment orange. Queen scale violet, compliment yellow.

So this gives the basic structure of the ritual. The heptagrams are traced to the four quarters just like Golden Dawn hexagrams - you start at the point with which you are working and trace clockwise to invoke and counter-clockwise to banish. You start in the east and trace the appropriate heptagram to each direction moving clockwise. The heptagram should be traced with a single point up, just like the Ensigns are arranged on the Holy Table. You vibrate GE-IAD-I-L when tracing the figure in the color of the planet and vibrate the planet name while tracing the astrological symbol of the planet in the center in the flashing color.

This ritual has not been tested yet, but my hypothesis is that it should make Enochian planetary workings more effective. This is because it uses the Angelic language and not the "intermediary" language of Hebrew. It is not that Hebrew works poorly with the Enochian system - actually in my experience it is the only language besides Angelic itself that works well and it is found in John Dee's diaries. Notably, Dee and Edward Kelly contacted the traditional four Archangels and addressed them by their Hebrew names. As with any magical working posted to this site, I invite you to try it out and post your results. This ritual should follow the Golden Dawn "Lesser" rituals of the Pentagram and Hexagram or their equivalent.

[dailyeffectiveprayer]

Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. - 1 John 4:1

[patren1]

Why Hentai and Ecchi Are Inappropriate Genres That Must Be Rejected (With Biblical Support)

Why Hentai and Ecchi Are Inappropriate Genres That Must Be Rejected (With Biblical Support)

In today’s media, we see an increasing presence of sexualized content, often disguised as entertainment. Among these are the genres of Hentai and Ecchi, which glorify lust, impurity, and sinful desires. As Christians, we must guard our hearts and minds against such influences and stand firm in God’s truth.

1. Sexual Immorality is a Sin

The Bible is clear that sexual immorality is against God's will. Hentai and Ecchi are built on themes of lust, immodesty, and perversion, all of which contradict God's commands for purity:

📖 1 Corinthians 6:18 – "Flee from sexual immorality. Every other sin a person commits is outside the body, but the sexually immoral person sins against his own body."

📖 Ephesians 5:3 – "But sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints."

These genres promote sexual sin, causing people to indulge in impurity instead of seeking righteousness.

2. Lust is a Corrupting Force

Hentai and Ecchi are designed to arouse lustful thoughts, which Jesus warns against:

📖 Matthew 5:28 – "But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart."

Indulging in such content pollutes the mind and heart, leading people away from holiness.

3. God Commands Us to Pursue Purity

As believers, we are called to live holy and pure lives, avoiding anything that leads us into sin:

📖 Philippians 4:8 – "Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things."

📖 2 Timothy 2:22 – "So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart."

Watching or supporting inappropriate content goes against the purity God desires for us.

4. Hentai and Ecchi Degrade Human Dignity

These genres objectify women and men, reducing them to mere objects of pleasure rather than respecting them as beings created in God's image:

📖 Genesis 1:27 – "So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them."

When we consume content that promotes lust, we fail to see others as valuable souls and instead view them through a sinful lens.

5. Christians Must Be Set Apart from Worldly Corruption

We are not meant to conform to the sinful standards of the world but to walk in righteousness:

📖 Romans 12:2 – "Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect."

📖 1 John 2:16 – "For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world."

Hentai and Ecchi corrupt the heart, desensitizing people to sin and leading them further from God.

Conclusion: Rejecting Sin and Choosing Holiness

Hentai and Ecchi are not harmless entertainment—they are forms of sexual immorality that pollute the mind and spirit. As followers of Christ, we must reject all forms of impurity and pursue holiness.

📖 Colossians 3:5 – "Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry."

📖 Joshua 24:15 – "But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord."

Let us discard these sinful influences and instead seek what is good, pure, and honoring to God. Amen.

[scribeforchrist-blog]

Key To Discernment 

MEMORY VERSE OF THE WEEK

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+ Psalm 16:1 Keep me safe, my God, for in you I take refuge.

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VERSE OF THE DAY 

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+ 2 Corinthians 11:13  These people are false apostles. They are deceitful workers who disguise themselves as apostles of Christ.

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SUBJECT: Key To Discernment 

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** SAY THIS BEFORE YOU READ; HERE’S SOME CHRISTIAN TRUTHS **

I AM USING DISCERNMENT 

I AM LISTENING TO THE HOLY SPIRIT 

I AM MATURE 

I AM STEADFAST 

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READ TIME: 7 Minutes & 54 Seconds

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THOUGHTS:

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  A false prophet or a false pastor will tell you anything that you want to hear, and a lot of times; they can deceive the babes or the elite; a lot of people wonder how people get deceived by a false prophet; it happens so easily because when a false person comes in they aren’t trying to attack a particular group they are trying to attack them all to get them to walk the way that they want them to, another thing they will do is always talk about money, they will lead people away by asking them for money and the next thing you know the whole church has given thousands and thousands of dollars to someone that say this is what God says to do. 

  We must be cautious of false teachers and leaders because we never know how they will deceive us. It's up to us to see what they are saying and be on guard. And how do we be on our guard? By reading the Bible and using the gift of discernment, which is given to us to discern when we are being used in the wrong way, to guard our lives against the attack of the evil one. 

 Verse 14-15: But I am not surprised! Even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light; therefore, it is no wonder that his servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. In the end, they will get the punishment their wicked deeds deserve.

If Satan disguised himself as an angel of light and brought down so many angels with him, why wouldn’t we think people would do the same? People are cunning and evil when they allow the enemy to use them. We must not think that people close to us won't be used; they will. We must not think that just because we are anointed, we cannot be fooled; we can if we aren’t guarded.

  Galatians 1:7 not that there is another one, but there are some who trouble you and want to distort the gospel of Christ.

  Not only will they steal from you, but they will convert the word of God to make it fit your lifestyle because the lord is  telling you what you are doing wrong in your life through his word, sometimes we don’t need a pastor or prophet to tell us we are wrong when we read the word we will see that the word will tell us we are wrong, 

    Many times, I can be reading the word of God, and when I read, I hear the Holy Spirit say this is for you, and it is something to correct me on if the word isn’t correcting you or you do not hear a correction in his word about your life go back and re-read. You'll see it. Another thing a false prophet does is make you feel that the wrong thing you're doing in your life is correct. Friends, I'm here to tell you it's not; the word isn’t going to allow you to live in sin and serve the lord, but a lot of us aren’t living the right way, and we are so ready for someone to tell us we are living in the right way.

  Falling into the hands of a false prophet will destroy your life if you are not careful; so many people are running to pastors and prophets for a word, and if you run to the wrong one, he will tell you something that isn’t right and if your discernment isn’t up to par you won’t know he’s fooling you. Discernment is something we all need to pray for every day because once we have discernment, the power of the Holy Spirit will guide us and show us, as long as we are obedient, by reading our Word and staying near Him . 

  1 John 4:1 Beloved, do not believe every spirit but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world

  The statement to test every spirit to see if it is from God is a vital reminder for all believers. It's easy to get caught up in the flashy words and promises of those who claim to speak on behalf of God. However, what truly matters is what God is revealing to us about the person. It's essential to look beyond the surface and determine if they are truly walking in alignment with God's will. It's disheartening to see so many false teachers and manipulators using money to deceive and gain attention. But we must remember that proper understanding and wisdom come from rightly dividing the word of God, not from material possessions. As believers, it is our responsibility to test every spirit and hold on to what is true and from God.

   Hebrews 5:14 But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil

 When we are constantly using the gift of discernment, we are on solid foods; a babe of Christ won’t use their discernment all the time, but a mature believer would ,because they know that when they lean in on the Holy Spirit, the Holy Spirit will show them what is happening that they can’t see we must be willing to have clean eyes and clean ears, a lot of us don’t see because we are watching everything and anything we can’t hear because we are listening to the worst of things when we are mature we know to keep our ears and eyes holy for use of the lord.

  ***Today we talked about false people; a lot of people aren’t listening to the Holy Spirit because they whether hear what the false teacher has to say; if they keep listening to the false teacher, they are sucked in by their words, and that’s what the enemy wants he wants us so distracted and blown away by what they are saying then we would start listening to them, we have to understand the more we entertain the false prophet, the more he has our attention. And the more he has our attention, the more he can pour into us. 

  James 1:5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him

  Whatever you're lacking right now, ask the lord to help give it to you, the lord wants us to have the gift of discernment, but a lot of us aren’t ready for that gift because we don’t know how to will it, we know how to say we have it, but we don’t know how to use it. When we come to the lord and ask for this gift, we must be ready to clean up our lifestyle how we handle things and do things because this gift requires us to walk in the presence of God so that we may hear and see what is happening around us, discernment is a very serious gift and a lot of people don’t have it because they don’t like to hear the Holy Spirit speak if you want this gift ask God to give it to you and he will listen to you. ©Seer~ Prophetess Lee

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PRAYER

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Heavenly Father, we come today asking you for the gift of discernment; we ask you to give this to us but show us how to use it and show us what we must clean up to carry it, lord whatever is in our life that’s not like you we ask you to remove it forgive us for ignoring you and anything else we might’ve done wrong in Jesus Name Amen 

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REFERENCES 

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+ John 7:24 Do not judge by appearances, but judge with right judgment.”

 

+ 1 Thessalonians 5:21 But test everything; hold fast what is good.

 

+ 1 Corinthians 14:33 For God is not a God of confusion but of peace. As in all the churches of the saints

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FURTHER READINGS 

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Proverbs 12 

1 Corinthians 12

Psalm 121

Deuteronomy 12

Judges 13

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[thalialunacy]

[for the @calaisreno MayProWriMo, which we're halfway through, whaaaat. take heed: I'm gonna call this one nc-17/nsfw/explicit; also smol cw for John being a middle-aged white dude who tries hard.]

(1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6) (7) (8) (9) (10) (11) (12) (13) (14) (15) 16: experiment (17) (18) (19) (20) (21) (22) (23) (24) (25) (26) (27) (28) (29) (30) (31)

'The true method of knowledge is experiment.' -- William Blake

John's birthday do turns into a Rosie-themed party, but he doesn't mind. He's chuffed, truth be told. And not at all biased.

Luckily, all the other adults present are also not at all biased, so she has a willing audience for her various toddler antics, and throws herself into them full-speed.

'Perfect,' John says aside to Sherlock as Rosie demonstrates to the twelfth guest how to use her new rocking horse. The thing is solid. 'She'll wear herself down and pass out as soon as I put her to bed.'

Sherlock glances down at him from where he'd been watching a folded-up Stamford give the toy horse a few rocks before listing to one side and plonking down onto the carpet dramatically. 'You have plans?' he deduces easily while Rosie's giggles spin through the air.

John clears his throat. 'Possibly.'

Sherlock's lips curve into a smile, even after he turns his focus back to the room. 'Indeed.'

---

'In the spirit of science, there really is no such thing as a 'failed experiment.' Any test that yields valid data is a valid test.' -- Adam Savage

In true contrarian form, Rosie fights the fight of the exhausted and over-stimulated when John tries to start her bedtime routine after finally shoving all the guests out the door. He gets more water on him than she does during her bath, she ends up with backwards jammies on because she absolutely refuses to wear them any other way, and she has declared her disgust with every single one of their normal bedtime stories before he can blink.

John loves her to the ends of the earth, but he's suddenly feeling some strong nostalgia for his bachelor days. Very strong. Very. Strong.

A few moments before his patience is truly drained to nil, there's a knock on the door and Sherlock sticks his head in. 'Rosamund?' he asks, walking over and meeting her gaze. 'What's all this?'

'Don't want bad story!' she exclaims with watery eyes, like the idea is tantamount to state-sanctioned torture.

Sherlock glances at John, who just shrugs wearily. 'There's no accounting for taste.'

Sherlock snorts. 'Alright, Watsons. Here's the plan. Watson the Elder will go have a bath and some tea, and Watson the Younger will listen attentively while I tell the most riveting story of all time.'

He tucks her blanket back around her and she settles a little at his touch. Then he starts in with That Voice, and she's no match. 'Long ago, there once was a woman named Marie. She was from a land far, far away called Poland.' John makes a noise, and Sherlock in turn makes a shooing motion at him.

Plodding his way down the stairs, John muses that all of Sherlock's Rosie stories have involved female protagonists, usually non-fictional. They're not a particularly outwardly 'woke' bunch, the residents of 221 Baker St, but John reckons it's the little things. Like raising a daughter with heroes like Marie Curie.

It's not something they've even discussed, as her caretakers, and affection for Sherlock hits John hard in the chest. He's the luckiest bastard in the world, he really is.

---

'Argument is conclusive, but it does not remove doubt, so that the mind may rest in the sure knowledge of the truth, unless it finds it by the method of experiment.' -- Roger Bacon

That appreciation is still lingering when John exits the loo in his bathrobe to find Sherlock sprawled on the kitchen table, which is a new one, reading a book that looks about as old as the earth itself.

'Feel better?' he says without lifting his eyes to John.

John nods, approaching him. 'You left out the part where Marie Curie died of radiation poisoning, yes?'

'Obviously,' Sherlock says, easing his legs over the edge of the table until he's sitting on it like a normal person, but still reading. 'That will keep until she's at least four.'

'Right. What's the book about?' John asks as he makes his way between Sherlock's knees.

Sherlock holds up a pointer finger. 'One moment.'

John shakes his head with a small smile, then without really considering it he rolls his palms up Sherlock's thighs. The detective is still wearing his party trousers, fine wool John really doesn't want to know the cost of, and it feels smooth and satisfying under his skin.

He leaves his hands at the top of Sherlock's thighs, pressing lightly into small spaces. Sherlock coughs. 'If you distract me, it'll take even longer.'

John raises his hands. 'Fine, fine. I'll just be in bed.' He lowers his voice a little. 'In your bed.'

Sherlock goes very still, eyes staying glued to the page. But his thighs tighten around John when he tries to back away.

John chuckles, and debates the merits of keeping his hands to himself. But before he's decided, he's interrupted.

'Done,' Sherlock announces loudly, slapping the book shut and putting it down on the table with only a modicum of care. He pulls John into him immediately, but his brow is a little furrowed. 'Do you mean it?'

'We've shared beds before,' John strings him along with.

Sherlock tuts. 'John Watson, don't be coy, it doesn't suit you.'

John sobers, and then nods. 'I want… ' He goes for the plain truth. The opposite of coy. 'I want to sleep in your bed, and I'd prefer it'd be after some orgasms.'

Sherlock makes a noise John's not sure how to interpret.

'If you want,' John adds lightly. 

Crystalline eyes search John's face. 'Aren't you tired?'

His smile blooms slowly. 'Yeah, I am. But not too tired for this.' He reaches up to cradle Sherlock's face in his hands, and kisses him, slow and steady, feeling the beat of his heart.

---

'If I experiment enough, I get a deeper understanding.' -- Terence Tao

The first word gets drawn on Sherlock's right hip.

John's left index finger traces eight letters while his right hand tucks into Sherlock's pants and draws them down and off, his mouth following then trailing along hot, hard skin. He knows Sherlock's watching, and likes the idea that he's being at least a little unpredictable.

He's not done this before, but he's done this before. His tongue, and palate, and salivary glands adjust without much fanfare.

The second word, also eight letters, is then stencilled into Sherlock's right thigh, where the hair is downy, and the tendon cords under John's hand.

'John--' Sherlock murmurs roughly. 'What--'

John, on a whim, tries a thing with his tongue, and Sherlock cuts off with a groan. Then John finds himself so involved he forgets to do the next word until Sherlock pulls him up into a tight embrace.

John lets him, because it leaves him in the perfect position to tongue the ten letters into Sherlock's long, exposed neck.

'John, really. Your penmanship is--' His breath catches as John uses a few teeth. '--terrible.'

John huffs a laugh, genuinely amused. 'Doctor, remember?'

'No excuse,' Sherlock says blithely, then starts pulling away.

John is unashamed to admit he tries to stop him, tries to keep him close. Sherlock's gaze softens, and he leans back in.

'Not going further than this bed,' he says against John's mouth. 'It's just that I have something I wish to do.' He smiles, slow and long, and says, 'You did just have a bath, did you not?'

John searches his face, feeling scorched down to his toes at the implied invitation. His thumb traces the fourth word, only four letters, into the thin skin of Sherlock's unbroken wrist, and Sherlock's eyes widen fractionally.

'Perfect,' Sherlock says, then captures his mouth in another kiss. 'Turn over.'

'Your fracture,' John protests. 'It isn't fully healed.'

Sherlock rolls his eyes, and John is reassured he's still the same as he ever was. 'Which is why you should turn over. I'm going to kneel at the foot of the bed. That alright with you, Doctor?'

 'Oh, hell. Yes.'

The fifth word-- Well, John is surprised it took this long for the tables to turn, really, but the fifth word gets bitten into the rounded flesh where John's upper thigh tucks into his arse, before he has a chance to rise up onto his hands and knees. All seven letters, nibbled precisely into sensitive skin while Sherlock's uninjured hand teases at the goal.

'Jesus God,' John mutters weakly. 'Sherlock--'

'Up,' Sherlock says with a tap. John levers himself into position with a grunt, and barely has time to steady himself before Sherlock licks into him.

'Fuck,' he hisses, almost surging forward but being caught round the hip by Sherlock's good hand, steadied.

And then absolutely taken apart.

'Sher--' he falters, ages and a moment later, panting and trying to hold onto his clanging heart. 'Please, come here, I want-- I want you to come with me-- Oh, fuck.''

Sherlock's groan reverberates into him, and John falls onto his forearms, arse held in the air purely by strength of will. He'll congratulate himself later.

When Sherlock pulls away and climbs back onto the bed, John is caught in a messy web of lust and turns over just enough to pull Sherlock down onto his side. 'Please,' he says roughly, reaching for Sherlock's prick. 'Can I--'

'Yes,' Sherlock hisses, seeking out reciprocation. 'Whatever you want.'

And they sync up without too much struggle, racing to bring the other pleasure, and John can't quite remain tethered when he feels Sherlock's tongue tracing the sixth word over his heart. 'Sherlock,' he whispers. He tenses, and it's over; he's awash with sensation and floating away.

---

Seven steps of the scientific method: 1) Question 2) Research 3) Hypothesis 4) Test 5) Analyse 6) Conclusions 7) Communicate.

'You know,' Sherlock says enough moments later that John can focus on him again. 'The seventh step is debatable.'

John smirks sleepily, reaching blindly for his pants to wipe the majority of the evidence off their skin. 'I'd say communication is the most important part, actually.'

Sherlock huffs; John feels it on his temple and decides he's not moving for a while. And it takes a while for Sherlock to say what John can tell is brewing in his mind, anyway. It's alright. He can wait.

'What was that about, truly?' Sherlock finally asks quietly.

'Well,' John says, thinking as he traces figures, meaningless figures this time, into Sherlock's arm. 'Sometimes experiments are about demonstrating a known fact that’s already proven. '

'And this one proved…?'

John's hand comes to a stop. 'Oh, come on, you know what.'

Silence stretches after that statement, and John finally raises his eyes to meet Sherlock's. A smile spreads across his face at what he sees there.

'Just that I love the hell out of you,' he says matter-of-factly.

Sherlock lets out a stream of breath he'd apparently been holding. 'A reasonable conclusion,' he mutters, bringing their mouths together.

John grins, knowing exactly what Sherlock is saying with those words, and lets him have it.

[❤️]

[whencyclopedia]

Ghosts in the Middle Ages

The medieval Church informed the people's religious imagination during the Middle Ages (c. 476-1500) and the world was therefore interpreted - even by heterodox Christians - through the Church's lens. Ghosts – referred to as revenants – were no exception in that the Church defined such apparitions as souls in purgatory requiring human intervention to find eternal peace.

In the Early Middle Ages (c. 476-1000), there was no consensus on the meaning of ghostly appearances since, following the biblical injunction to "test all spirits", it was usually thought that such an apparition was a demon. As the Church began to emphasize the reality of purgatory, however, the concept of the ghost-as-soul-in-purgatory gained more ground.

The souls most likely to return to haunt the living were those whose burial rituals were not performed correctly or who had unfinished business which required closure; suicides, women who died in childbirth, or people who died suddenly and tragically without time for confession and absolution. Another reason, often entwined with these, was the need of the living to properly say goodbye and let the deceased person go. Elaborate rituals developed to enable the living to cope with the loss of death, release their memories of the dead in order to lay a ghost to rest, and move on with life.

Ghosts in the Ancient World

In the Early Middle Ages, the Church distanced itself from the concept of ghosts as understood by pagan Rome – as the disembodied spirits of the dead – and interpreted them as demonic entities. The biblical epistle of I John 4:1-3 warns believers that not every spirit is "from God" and they should be carefully evaluated for demonic origin. If an apparition appeared in the form of one's departed loved one, it was most likely a demon assuming that shape in order to damn one by tempting them to question God's plan.

The Church taught that God was in ultimate control of every aspect of one's life and that, when one died, there was a place for every soul in the afterlife – in heaven, hell and, eventually, the in-between of purgatory – just as there had been in the social hierarchy of life. A ghost threatened that understanding because it was not only out of place but had returned to where it no longer belonged. If God actually was in control, how did a ghost slip its assigned place in the afterlife to return to the living? The answer, reflecting the I John 4 passage, was that the apparition was not a 'ghost' but a demon in disguise.

Prior to the rise of Christianity, ghosts were understood as a natural – albeit uncomfortable and unwanted – aspect of human existence. The pagan belief systems held to the same understanding of ghosts that the Church would eventually adopt – that spirits of the dead could return to ask help from the living in completing unfinished business, to punish the living for incomplete or inadequate funerary rites, or because some aspect of their death left them unsettled – but this concept was at first resisted by the medieval Church.

In ancient Egypt, people could write letters to the dead addressing problems ranging from why the writer was being haunted or experiencing misfortune to asking where some treasured artifact or document had been placed. In Greece, the continued existence of the dead depended on the memory of the living as expressed in monuments and rituals. The more vibrant the memory, the more vital the spirit in the afterlife. This same paradigm was understood and observed by the Romans who developed societies a citizen paid into which, upon one's death, ensured proper funerary rites and continued remembrance. An apparition, in all three of these belief systems, was a sign that the soul of the deceased was not at rest and some action was required on the part of the living.

The Church had to distance itself from this understanding in the same way it did with all other aspects of pagan thought in order to make its message completely new. Ghosts were demonized in the same way women, cats, attention to personal hygiene, and anything else valued by the pagans were.

Continue reading...

[hiswordsarekisses]

The following post is long but it is so good - too good not to share - and this passage of scripture popped in my head as I was reading the quote from the Dead Sea scrolls: “Then those who feared the Lord spoke to one another, And the Lord listened and heard them; So a book of remembrance was written before Him For those who fear the Lord And who meditate on His name. “They shall be Mine,” says the Lord of hosts, “On the day that I make them My jewels. And I will spare them As a man spares his own son who serves him.” Then you shall again discern Between the righteous and the wicked, Between one who serves God And one who does not serve Him.” Malachi‬ ‭3‬:‭16‬-‭18‬

“Salvation isn't a formula. It's not just a prayer. It's a covenant. It begins with mercy, but it ends in restoration, redemption, and rulership with Christ.

The Hebrew word yeshuah means deliverance, rescue, and victory. It always implies movement from bondage to freedom and from death to life. Salvation is not static. It transforms everything.

The Greek word soteria (ownpia) means not only being saved from destruction, but being brought into healing, preservation, and wholeness. This is not just an escape from sin, it's a complete renewal.

In the Septuagint, soteria is used in Exodus 14:13, “Stand still and see the salvation of the LORD," right before the Red Sea split and Pharaoh's army was swallowed.

Salvation begins with the blood of the Lamb, deliverance from slavery to sin (Exodus 12,John 1:29) But deliverance is only the beginning. God leads His people through the wilderness to refine, test, and prepare them for covenant inheritance

—Deuteronomy 8:2 - Freedom is given, but covenant formation is required.

Jesus is not just the Savior. His very name, Yeshua, is salvation. To call on Him is to call on rescue, justice, and the power of God to restore.

But salvation requires obedience. The early church understood that salvation was a path walked by faith. not a formula prayed once and forgotten.

Hebrews 5:9 says Jesus is “the source of eternal salvation to all who obey Him." Faith bears the fruit of allegiance. Faith isn't passive.

The Dead Sea Scrolls speak of a remnant people who "walk in the way of His heart," and await salvation with purity and truth (1QHa, Thanksgiving Hymns) They saw salvation as a process of preparation for glory.

The Wisdom of Solomon 5:15 says: “The righteous live forever, and their reward is with the Lord... because He tested them and found them worthy of Himself."

Salvation is covenantal. God doesn't just save us from something. He saves us for Himself.

The Exodus wasn't complete at the Red Sea. It wasn't finished at Mount Sinai. It was fulfilled when Israel entered the land. And so it is with us. Deliverance is only the beginning.

1 Peter 1:9 says we are "receiving the end of our faith, the salvation of our souls." There is an end goal to our salvation. And it's more than forgiveness. It's resurrection from this present age, from the corruption and mortality, and from the dominion of sin and death.

Romans 13:11 Says "Now our salvation is nearer than when we first believed." Why would salvation be near if we already "have" it Because salvation is both now and not yet.

The early church didn't preach "say the prayer and you're done." They preached: Repent. Be baptized. Be sanctified.

Endure. Walk in a way that is worthy of His name. Remain faithful. Overcome.

Salvation is not a one-time event. It's a transformed life, led by the Holy Spirit, shaped by truth, and purified over time. We should never forget that we are not saved because we are perfect. We are saved because we belong to the Perfect One. He seals us by His Spirit and continues the work until the day of redemption (Ephesians 4:30, Philippians 1:6)

Salvation doesn't demand perfection but it cannot remain fruitless.

Jesus said, "He who endures to the end shall be saved" —Matthew 24:13

Revelation 12:11 says they overcame by the blood of the Lamb, by the word of their testimony, and by not loving their lives even unto death. This is the salvation of the remnant!

Titus 2:11-14 says the grace of God teaches us to say no to ungodliness, so that we are “redeemed from lawlessness" and made "zealous for good works." There is always evidence of true salvation.

Salvation is a covenant journey. It begins with mercy, leads through sanctification, and ends in glory. Not all who begin it will finish, but those who endure

will reign with Christ in the end (2Timothy 2:12, Revelation 3:21) This is the inheritance of the redeemed!

Many have been taught that salvation is a one-time prayer. A decision made in a moment. But Scripture reveals something far deeper. The Word of God through the Law, the Prophets, the Gospels, the Apostles, and even the writings found in the Apocrypha and the Dead Sea Scrolls points to salvation as a journey, a covenant, and a transformation. The Hebrew and Greek meanings of salvation go beyond rescue. They speak of victory, wholeness, deliverance, and covenant loyalty.

Just as Israel's deliverance began at Passover but required endurance through the wilderness and obedience to enter the Promised Land, so our salvation begins at the cross, but is fulfilled when we walk in the Spirit, crucify the flesh, endure trials, and remain faithful until the return of Christ.

Salvation is not a passive identity it is an active allegiance. It is not earned, but it is proven. It is not just freedom from sin, but restoration into the image of God. This is the salvation that Scripture teaches! This is the salvation that overcomes the beast, the false prophet, and the deception of the last days. This is the salvation of the remnant. To walk the narrow road to the end.

Father,

I thank You for the gift of salvation, not just a moment, but a covenant that calls me into transformation, obedience, and glory.

Teach me to walk in the fear of the Lord, to endure through the wilderness, and to be refined for Your Kingdom. Let my life bear fruit worthy of the blood of the Lamb. Seal me by Your Spirit, sanctify me in truth, and strengthen me to overcome until the end. I long to see You face to face and reign with You in righteousness. Keep me faithful. Keep me burning. Keep me Yours. In the name of Yeshua, my Savior and my King. Amen.”

Posted on Instagram by Mama In Grace: @mamaingrace

[mybeautifulchristianjourney]

God is Love

1 Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets have gone out into the world. 2 By this ye know the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ hath come in the flesh, is from God: 3 And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh, is not from God. And this is that [spirit] of antichrist, of which ye have heard that it should come; and even now already it is in the world. 4 Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world. 5 They are of the world: therefore they speak from the world, and the world heareth them. 6 We are of God. He that knoweth God, heareth us; he that is not of God, heareth not us. By this we know the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error. 7 Beloved, let us love one another: for love is from God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. 8 He that loveth not, knoweth not God; for God is love. 9 In this was manifested the love of God towards us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him. 10 In this is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son [to be] the propitiation for our sins. 11 Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another. 12 No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us. 13 By this we know that we dwell in him, and he in us, because he hath given us of his Spirit. 14 And we have seen and do testify, that the Father sent the Son [to be] the Savior of the world. 15 Whoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God. 16 And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love: and he that dwelleth in love, dwelleth in God, and God in him. 17 In this is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world. 18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth, is not made perfect in love. 19 We love him, because he first loved us. 20 If a man sayeth, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar. For he that loveth not his brother, whom he hath seen, how can he love God, whom he hath not seen? 21 And this commandment have we from him, That he who loveth God, love his brother also. — 1 John 4 | Webster's Bible Translation (WBT) The Webster Bible is in the public domain. Cross References: Genesis 22:2; Leviticus 19:18; 1 Kings 13:18; Jeremiah 14:14; Matthew 5:43; Matthew 9:34; Matthew 10:15; Matthew 24:5; John 1:14; John 1:18; John 3:16; John 3:31; John 6:51; John 6:56; John 6:69; John 8:23; John 8:32; John 8:47; John 9:3; John 15:27; John 12:31; John 12:34; John 13:35; Romans 8:9; Romans 8:15; Romans 8:31; Romans 10:9; 1 Corinthians 8:3; 1 Corinthians 12:3; 2 Thessalonians 2:3; 1 Timothy 6:16; 1 Peter 1:8; 1 John 1:1-2; 1 John 2:3; 1 John 2:5; 1 John 2:7; 1 John 3:1; 1 John 3:10-11; 2 John 1:5

[lionofthegoldsun]

[Discerning False Prophets]

Dear friends, do not believe everyone who claims to speak by the Spirit. You must test them to see if the spirit they have comes from God. For there are many false prophets in the world.

1 John 4:1

.

.

There are numerous of false prophets out there that it’s not even funny. So many Christians are being deceived by them. Always TEST the spirit folks, and ALWAYS make sure what these people are saying line up with scripture. Be like the Bereans who searched the scriptures daily.

And ALWAYS read scripture in CONTEXT. These so-called “prophets” are always reading scripture WAY out of context as well as twisting it to suit their stupid prophecies.

Jesus warned, “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves” (Matthew 7:15). False prophets will say things that contradict the teachings of Jesus, the Law, the Scriptures, and other prophecies from the Holy Spirit recorded in the Bible. One of the most common false prophecies given by deceivers, especially amongst cult leaders, is they can predict the End of Days, even though the Bible says, “But concerning that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only” (Matthew 24:36).

So here’s a message for you false prophets:

“Not everyone who calls out to me, ‘Lord! Lord!’ will enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Only those who actually do the will of my Father in heaven will enter. On judgment day many will say to me, ‘Lord! Lord! We prophesied in your name and cast out demons in your name and performed many miracles in your name.’ But I will reply, ‘I never knew you. Get away from me, you who break God’s laws.’

-Matthew 7:21-23

[BONUS VERSE]

No prophecy ever originated from humans. Instead, it was given by the Holy Spirit as humans spoke under God's direction.

-2 Peter 1:21

[garden-of-thoughts-fruit-of-lips]

The witness is very true!

A Revelation from the Revealer of secrets

Repent the kingdom of the heavens have drawn near.

Prophecy = 42 months, 1,260 days, that is 3 in a half times

FYI, the probability of accurately predicting specific details about human behavior thousands of years into the future is incredibly low. Many statisticians and scholars agree that assigning an exact number is hard, but the probability could be something like 1 in billions or even more. Predicting the future involves countless variables and unknowns that are nearly impossible to foresee accurately over such a long period.

Why use the scriptures? Because they are God's Word, spoken through His prophets (Amos 3:7), who God is rewarding as stated in the scriptures (Revelation 11:18). Prophecies about the last days, inspired by God's Spirit (2 Peter 1:21), were written to the congregations.

Therefore may the ones who have an ear hear what the spirit says to the congregations (Revelation 2:7).

Therefore….

----------------‐‐--------------------------------------

Isaiah 2:22

For your own sakes, quit trusting in mere man, Who is only the breath in his nostrils. Why should he be taken into account?

Revelation 1:1

A revelation by Jesus Christ, which God gave him, to show his slaves the things that must shortly take place. And he sent his angel and presented it in signs through him to his slave John

Revelation 1:3

Happy is the one who reads aloud and those who hear the words of this prophecy and who observe the things written in it, for the appointed time is near.

Revelation 1:11

saying: “What you see, write in a scroll and send it to the seven congregations:…”

Deuteronomy 13: 1-4

In case a prophet or one who foretells by dreams arises in your midst and gives you a sign or a portent, and the sign or the portent about which he spoke to you comes true while he is saying, ‘Let us walk after other gods,’ gods that you have not known, ‘and let us serve them,’ you must not listen to the words of that prophet or that dreamer, for Jehovah your God is testing you to know whether you love Jehovah your God with all your heart and all your soul. After Jehovah your God you should walk, him you should fear, his commandments you should keep, to his voice you should listen; he is the one you should serve, and to him you should hold fast.

Daniel 8: 23-25

And in the final part of their kingdom, as the transgressors act to a completion, a fierce-looking king who understands ambiguous sayings will stand up. His power will become great, but not through his own power. He will bring ruin in an extraordinary way, and he will be successful and act effectively. He will bring mighty ones to ruin, also the people made up of the holy ones.  And by his cunning he will use deception to succeed; and in his heart he will exalt himself; and during a time of security he will bring many to ruin. He will even stand up against the Prince of princes, but he will be broken without human hand

Daniel 11:45

And he will plant his royal tents between the grand sea and the holy mountain of Decoration; and he will come all the way to his end, and there will be no helper for him.

Revelation 17:17

For God put it into their hearts to carry out his thought, yes, to carry out their one thought by giving their kingdom to the wild beast, until the words of God will have been accomplished

*********************************************

1 Peter 1:10

Concerning this salvation, the prophets who prophesied about the undeserved kindness meant for you made a diligent inquiry and a careful search.

Matthew 15: 10,11

With that he called the crowd near and said to them: “Listen and get the sense of it: It is not what enters into a man’s mouth that defiles him, but it is what comes out of his mouth that defiles him.”

Revelation 13:5-7

It was given a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies, and it was given authority to act for 42 months. And it opened its mouth in blasphemies against God to blaspheme his name and his dwelling place, even those residing in heaven. It was permitted to wage war with the holy ones and conquer them, and it was given authority over every tribe and people and tongue and nation.

The wild beast has opened its mouth and spoken. How do we know because God Word shines light on it.

James 1:19

Know this, my beloved brothers: Everyone must be quick to listen, slow to speak, slow to anger

*********************************************

2 Peter 1:21

For prophecy was at no time brought by man’s will, but men spoke from God as they were moved by holy spirit.

Isaiah 14: 13,14

You said in your heart, ‘I will ascend to the heavens. Above the stars of God I will lift up my throne, And I will sit down on the mountain of meeting, In the remotest parts of the north. I will go up above the tops of the clouds; I will make myself resemble the Most High.’

God said, "Let it be luminaries in the expanse of the heavens." These luminaries will serve as signs for days and years. (Genesis 1:14)

Biblically, they used a lunar calendar, which is based on the cycles of the moon. 🌙 According to the biblical calendar, a year consists of 360 days. 📅

Going off the lunar calendar, 1,260 days is equivalent to 42 months. That's exactly 3 in a half times

Why is this number of months/days important because this is how long the holy city is being trampled on underfoot, 42 months. (Revelation 11:2)

Which is also the same amount of months the wild beast opened his mouth and spoke for. (Revelation 13:5,6). Giving breath/life to the image (Revelation 13:15)

The moon is being mentioned as being beneath the feet of the woman in Rev 12:1.

Therefore, since the nations trampled the holycity underfoot for 42 months. (Revelation 11:2) This refers to the moon. Since the moon is beneath her feet. (Revelation 12:1)

Ironically, walking on the moon was a big milestone, and all the earth followed with admiration (Revelation 13:3). The moon is "underfoot."

Neil Armstrong, "That's one small step for a man, one giant leap for mankind."

When did this image of the moon start to speak?

Opening of the mouth = the launch of the Apollo 11 mission, which aimed to be the first humans on the moon.

Closing of the mouth = the last moon mission Apollo 17. It was the final mission of the Apollo program, and it marked the last time humans been to the moon to this day

July 16, 1969 December 19, 1972

Keep in mind the Lunar Calendar 📅 360 days a year.

A common year has 365 days. So, for most years, if your birthday was on a Friday, the following year, it will walk forward to be on a Saturday. Because of this walk back a day each year

1972 - 1969 = 3 years

December 19 walk back a day each yr = December 16

(Do not count the leap year 02/29/1972)

July 16, 1969 to December 16, 1972

If counted by the days = 1,260 days

If counted by the month = 42 months

If counted by the year = 3 in a half

Green dot = Apollo 11 (first humans on the moon)

Blue dot = Apollo 17 (last time humans been to the moon)

Red dot = leap year (do not count this day since it adds an extra day)

-----------------------------------

Revelation 12:1

...and the moon was beneath her feet...

* 1,260 days

Revelation 12:6

...prepared by God and where they would feed her for 1,260 days

Revelation 11: 3,4

I will cause my two witnesses to prophesy for 1,260 days dressed in sackcloth.” These are symbolized by the two olive trees and the two lampstands and are standing before the Lord of the earth

[marveldcnerdys]

The Flash: The Scarlet Speedster Who Defies Time

The Flash, one of DC Comics' most iconic superheroes, has captivated audiences for generations with his incredible speed, heroic heart, and timeless battles against evil. As a beacon of hope and justice, the Flash has evolved through multiple incarnations, each bringing a unique flair to the legacy of the fastest man alive.

The Origin of the Flash

The Flash first appeared in 'Flash Comics #1' in 1940, created by writer Gardner Fox and artist Harry Lampert. The original Flash, Jay Garrick, gained super speed after inhaling hard water vapors during a laboratory accident. Jay's streamlined helmet and Mercury-inspired design set the stage for the speedster legacy.

However, the most famous version of the Flash, Barry Allen, debuted in 'Showcase #4' in 1956. Barry, a forensic scientist, was struck by lightning in his lab, doused with chemicals, and transformed into the Flash. Barry's introduction marked the beginning of the Silver Age of Comics, revitalizing superhero storytelling.

The Speed Force: Source of Infinite Power

At the heart of the Flash's abilities lies the Speed Force, a mysterious extra-dimensional energy field. It grants speedsters their powers and allows them to achieve incredible feats, such as running faster than light, phasing through objects, and even time travel. The Speed Force connects all speedsters across time and space, making it a central element of Flash mythology.

Key Characters Who Have Worn the Mantle

Barry Allen: The most famous Flash, known for his scientific mind and heroic spirit. Barry's self-sacrifice in 'Crisis on Infinite Earths' remains a pivotal comic book moment.

Wally West: Barry's nephew and successor, Wally took on the mantle after Barry's apparent death. His tenure as the Flash expanded the character's powers and explored deeper emotional themes.

Jay Garrick: The original Flash and a founding member of the Justice Society of America (JSA).

Bart Allen: Also known as Impulse and Kid Flash, Bart is Barry's grandson from the future.

The Flash's Rogues Gallery

No hero is complete without their villains, and the Flash boasts one of the most colorful rogue galleries in comics:

Reverse-Flash (Eobard Thawne): The arch-nemesis of Barry Allen, a time-traveling villain obsessed with destroying Barry's life.

Captain Cold: Leonard Snart wields a cold gun and leads the Rogues, a team of Flash's enemies who value loyalty and honor among thieves.

Gorilla Grodd: A hyper-intelligent, telepathic gorilla from Gorilla City.

Mirror Master, Heat Wave, Weather Wizard: Each of these villains has unique elemental abilities, making them formidable foes.

Iconic Storylines and Events

Crisis on Infinite Earths: Barry sacrifices himself to save the multiverse, a defining moment in comic book history.

Flashpoint: Barry's decision to save his mother disrupts reality, creating a darker alternate timeline.

The Return of Barry Allen: A landmark story where Barry seemingly returns from the dead, testing Wally West's growth as a hero.

The Flash in Other Media

The Flash has enjoyed significant success beyond comics. The 1990s TV series starring John Wesley Shipp brought the character to live-action. More recently, Grant Gustin's portrayal in The Flash (CW series) has introduced a new generation to Barry Allen's heroism. Ezra Miller's cinematic Flash has also explored the multiverse concept in the DCEU films.

Why the Flash Endures

The Flash's legacy is rooted in more than just super speed. He represents hope, scientific curiosity, and the power of self-sacrifice. His stories explore themes of family, legacy, and the consequences of tampering with time.

From his vibrant costume to his heart-racing adventures, the Flash continues to inspire fans around the world. Whether through comics, television, or film, the Scarlet Speedster's journey is far from over, as he races into the future with unstoppable momentum.

[dailyeffectiveprayer]

Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. - 1 John 4:1