tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-773002969872380888.post2708687824598008239..comments2008-03-11T07:23:48.116-07:00Holynoreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-773002969872380888.post-20665261617690758862008-03-06T05:01:00.000-08:002008-03-06T05:01:00.000-08:00This actually makes a lot of sense . . . so why the antichrist google? Just curious. Thanks for sharing. I'd like to get the book, but I'm not sure if I'd like to read it ;)Jungle Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10238933269924331841noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-773002969872380888.post-40689781734169395922008-02-27T16:05:00.000-08:002008-02-27T16:05:00.000-08:00In the New Testament, Jesus spoke in many parables and metaphors, with hidden truths in them.<BR/><BR/>Oh and I believe Jesus HAS returned. And recently too. The REAL One. The One BEFORE any church ever existed. The One who's spirit and love is manifest in every one of us.<BR/><BR/>Interestingly, your title regarding the "Third Degree" is quite proper and fitting as regards Jesus. In the Master Mason (Third) degree of Freemasonry, the mythology of the Master Builder, Hiram Abiff, tells a tell of how he is a accosted by three ruffians (craftsman of King Solomon's temple seeking the secrets of a Master Mason), are also said to represent Ignorance, Superstition, and Fear. He is killed by the last and buried. In the ceremony, the representative candidate is RAISED, signifying a spiritual and personal death and rebirth, thus triumphing by staying true to his word and honour, and being THE example and story extending beyond the grave.<BR/><BR/>Sound familiar? Well it is. In around 1725-1730 when the third degree of Freemasonry was added to the existing two degrees, it has been claimed that the authors of such ritual were neoplatonists with hermetic and kabbalistic views. These views held the belief that anyone had the ability to achieve a spiritual connection with the Divine who exists in all things and created all things. <BR/><BR/>Using Jesus a la "The Greatest Story Ever Told" as a metaphor in this ceremony would have been certain blasphemy.<BR/><BR/>So how do you still portray it?<BR/><BR/>Hiram Abiff as mentioned above (not Hiram King of Tyre) was chosen as the main character of this powerful story as he is briefly mentioned in the Old Testament (Kings).<BR/><BR/>The difference in this third degree not making it religious here is that salvation after your real death is not rewarded or mentioned, but that in order to truly change yourself for the better throughout your life, you need to kill the old self that was causing you problems by connecting to the true goodness, the true Divine within. "The Kingdom of God is within you!"<BR/><BR/>Hmmm. Who said that?<BR/><BR/>If you know and believe it, then yes, most certainly, Jesus has returned!<BR/><BR/>Amen.hatrockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06774576102839414470noreply@blogger.com