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sooda

Veteran Member
Sumerians and Babylon Tree of Life
The oldest name of Babylon, Tin-tir-ki, meant ‘the place of the tree of life’. To the Babylonians, it was a tree with magical fruit, which could only be picked by the gods. The earlier Sumerian traditions played a major role in Babylonian culture. The early Sumerian art (around 2500 BC) depicts pictures of a pole or a tree called the ‘axis mundi’. Guarding this tree is a snake or a pair of intertwined snakes. Babylonians have the concept of the ‘navel of the world’, the place of the connection of different spheres. This vertical dimension, axis mundi, is the connection between three cosmic spheres: heaven, earth and underworld. The sacred mountain, the temple, the sacred city are all considered to be this Sacred Space, the axis mundi, the connection of the three cosmic dimensions.

Assyrians and Tree of Life
Assyrians substituted the tree for the caduceus with coiled snakes circling around the wood of the wand. Here we see a snake symbolising an underworld consciousness, passing through earth, climbing a stick, transcends to a winged reality, a heavenly creature. Wings on a wand became a symbol of transformation and transcendence.

Egyptian Tree of Life

continued

Tree of Life and its Meaning
 

IndigoChild5559

Loving God and my neighbor as myself.
I suppose that is a deduction by elimination. If man isn't created yet then who is left for God to speak to?
That has been the traditional interpretation by Jews and Catholics for thousands of years. Those who say it "proves trinitarianism" are John come lately's.
 

Muffled

Jesus in me
That has been the traditional interpretation by Jews and Catholics for thousands of years. Those who say it "proves trinitarianism" are John come lately's.

I am one who believe the Trinity does not come into being until the NT except in concept and prophecy.
 
So my question is: why does "God" refer to himself in plural? (Let us create...)

I did some research, and the Trinity isn't even mentioned in the Bible (at least not as "Trinity", there are hints of it). Why would a "God" that claims to be only God refer to what looks like others like him (as if he was one of many; "our likeness")?

*I'm an atheist (just in case)


“Let us make man in our image” (Genesis 1:26) is referring to God Almighty and Jesus.

God Almighty’s first creation was his “only-begotten Son” (John 3:16), “the beginning of the creation by God.” (Revelation 3:14) This one, “the firstborn of all creation,” was used by God in creating all other things, those in the heavens and those upon the earth, “the things visible and the things invisible.” (Colossians 1:15-17) John’s inspired testimony concerning this Son, the Word, is that “all things came into existence through him, and apart from him not even one thing came into existence,” and the apostle identifies the Word as Jesus Christ, who had become flesh. (John 1:3, 10, 14) As wisdom personified, this One is represented as saying, “God himself produced me as the beginning of his way,” and he tells of his association with God the Creator as His “master worker.” (Proverbs 8:22-31) In view of the close association of God and his only-begotten Son in creative activity and because that Son is “the image of the invisible God”-Colossians 1:15; 2 Corinthians 4:4.
 

lostwanderingsoul

Well-Known Member
“Let us make man in our image” (Genesis 1:26) is referring to God Almighty and Jesus.

God Almighty’s first creation was his “only-begotten Son” (John 3:16), “the beginning of the creation by God.” (Revelation 3:14) This one, “the firstborn of all creation,” was used by God in creating all other things, those in the heavens and those upon the earth, “the things visible and the things invisible.” (Colossians 1:15-17) John’s inspired testimony concerning this Son, the Word, is that “all things came into existence through him, and apart from him not even one thing came into existence,” and the apostle identifies the Word as Jesus Christ, who had become flesh. (John 1:3, 10, 14) As wisdom personified, this One is represented as saying, “God himself produced me as the beginning of his way,” and he tells of his association with God the Creator as His “master worker.” (Proverbs 8:22-31) In view of the close association of God and his only-begotten Son in creative activity and because that Son is “the image of the invisible God”-Colossians 1:15; 2 Corinthians 4:4.
I see nothing that says "God" created Jesus. The Word was with God and the Word was God "in the beginning" So both the Word and God have existed from the beginning. Jesus being God's only begotten son refers to the human Jesus not the Jesus who was the Word.
 

Faithofchristian

Well-Known Member
“Let us make man in our image” (Genesis 1:26) is referring to God Almighty and Jesus.

God Almighty’s first creation was his “only-begotten Son” (John 3:16), “the beginning of the creation by God.” (Revelation 3:14) This one, “the firstborn of all creation,” was used by God in creating all other things, those in the heavens and those upon the earth, “the things visible and the things invisible.” (Colossians 1:15-17) John’s inspired testimony concerning this Son, the Word, is that “all things came into existence through him, and apart from him not even one thing came into existence,” and the apostle identifies the Word as Jesus Christ, who had become flesh. (John 1:3, 10, 14) As wisdom personified, this One is represented as saying, “God himself produced me as the beginning of his way,” and he tells of his association with God the Creator as His “master worker.” (Proverbs 8:22-31) In view of the close association of God and his only-begotten Son in creative activity and because that Son is “the image of the invisible God”-Colossians 1:15; 2 Corinthians 4:4.

As to how did you get out of Genesis 1:26, As being Jesus??
In Genesis 1:26, God said let us.
So it must be God talking to himself.
Seeing Jesus is God..
So what are you trying to say ??
 

Faithofchristian

Well-Known Member
“Let us make man in our image” (Genesis 1:26) is referring to God Almighty and Jesus.

God Almighty’s first creation was his “only-begotten Son” (John 3:16), “the beginning of the creation by God.” (Revelation 3:14) This one, “the firstborn of all creation,” was used by God in creating all other things, those in the heavens and those upon the earth, “the things visible and the things invisible.” (Colossians 1:15-17) John’s inspired testimony concerning this Son, the Word, is that “all things came into existence through him, and apart from him not even one thing came into existence,” and the apostle identifies the Word as Jesus Christ, who had become flesh. (John 1:3, 10, 14) As wisdom personified, this One is represented as saying, “God himself produced me as the beginning of his way,” and he tells of his association with God the Creator as His “master worker.” (Proverbs 8:22-31) In view of the close association of God and his only-begotten Son in creative activity and because that Son is “the image of the invisible God”-Colossians 1:15; 2 Corinthians 4:4.
“Let us make man in our image” (Genesis 1:26) is referring to God Almighty and Jesus.

God Almighty’s first creation was his “only-begotten Son” (John 3:16), “the beginning of the creation by God.” (Revelation 3:14) This one, “the firstborn of all creation,” was used by God in creating all other things, those in the heavens and those upon the earth, “the things visible and the things invisible.” (Colossians 1:15-17) John’s inspired testimony concerning this Son, the Word, is that “all things came into existence through him, and apart from him not even one thing came into existence,” and the apostle identifies the Word as Jesus Christ, who had become flesh. (John 1:3, 10, 14) As wisdom personified, this One is represented as saying, “God himself produced me as the beginning of his way,” and he tells of his association with God the Creator as His “master worker.” (Proverbs 8:22-31) In view of the close association of God and his only-begotten Son in creative activity and because that Son is “the image of the invisible God”-Colossians 1:15; 2 Corinthians 4:4.

You got to be kidding..
Jesus Christ is not a created being..
It was Jesus Christ who created all thing in heaven and Earth.
So are you saying..Jesus created himself.
Seeing Jesus Christ is God.
So what are you trying to say??
 

lostwanderingsoul

Well-Known Member
You got to be kidding..
Jesus Christ is not a created being..
It was Jesus Christ who created all thing in heaven and Earth.
So are you saying..Jesus created himself.
Seeing Jesus Christ is God.
So what are you trying to say??
Jesus Christ is not the Father. He said the Father is greater than himself. So that is the two persons in "US". Jesus and the Father.
 

Faithofchristian

Well-Known Member
Jesus Christ is not the Father. He said the Father is greater than himself. So that is the two persons in "US". Jesus and the Father.

Wrong..Jesus Christ is the Almighty God the Father..
As for John 14:28, My Father is greater than I.
God the Father is greater than Jesus Christ being of flesh and blood...
For flesh and blood can not inherit the kingdom of God.
As written in
1 Corinthians 15:50--"Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, neither does corruption inherit incorruption"

Therefore God the Father is greater than Jesus Christ being of flesh and blood..
 

lostwanderingsoul

Well-Known Member
Wrong..Jesus Christ is the Almighty God the Father..
As for John 14:28, My Father is greater than I.
God the Father is greater than Jesus Christ being of flesh and blood...
For flesh and blood can not inherit the kingdom of God.
As written in
1 Corinthians 15:50--"Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, neither does corruption inherit incorruption"

Therefore God the Father is greater than Jesus Christ being of flesh and blood..
Something does not make sense. Jesus is the Father but the Father is greater than Jesus in the flesh. So the spirit Jesus is greater than the flesh Jesus? But they are really the same? Can you explain more?
 

Hockeycowboy

Witness for Jehovah
Premium Member
So my question is: why does "God" refer to himself in plural? (Let us create...)

I did some research, and the Trinity isn't even mentioned in the Bible (at least not as "Trinity", there are hints of it). Why would a "God" that claims to be only God refer to what looks like others like him (as if he was one of many; "our likeness")?

*I'm an atheist (just in case)
God was talking to someone. No doubt His “master worker” in Proverbs 8:22-30. That chapter in Proverbs describes “Wisdom”; applying 1 Corinthians 1:30, we are told it was Jesus.

You know, the angels (“sons of God”) were created before the Earth was created. (Job 38:7) And according to Colossians 1:15-16 & Revelation 3:14, Jesus was the first.

So obviously, He was addressing one of those sons of God, likely Jesus.
 

Faithofchristian

Well-Known Member
Something does not make sense. Jesus is the Father but the Father is greater than Jesus in the flesh. So the spirit Jesus is greater than the flesh Jesus? But they are really the same? Can you explain more?


What's so hard to understand..
God the Father is greater than Jesus Christ being of flesh and blood here on Earth
While Jesus Christ was here on Earth being of flesh and blood..
Then naturally God is greater than Jesus Christ being of flesh and blood here on Earth
 

lostwanderingsoul

Well-Known Member
What's so hard to understand..
God the Father is greater than Jesus Christ being of flesh and blood here on Earth
While Jesus Christ was here on Earth being of flesh and blood..
Then naturally God is greater than Jesus Christ being of flesh and blood here on Earth
You said Jesus Christ is the almighty God the Father. So it sounds like Jesus is greater than himself. And Jesus is his own father. So that is what does not seem to make sense. Since you seem to understand so well, maybe you could explain it one more time to someone who finds it harder to understand.
 
I see nothing that says "God" created Jesus. The Word was with God and the Word was God "in the beginning" So both the Word and God have existed from the beginning. Jesus being God's only begotten son refers to the human Jesus not the Jesus who was the Word.

Re-read Collossians 3:15 and Revelation 3:14.
 

Muffled

Jesus in me
That has been the traditional interpretation by Jews and Catholics for thousands of years. Those who say it "proves trinitarianism" are John come lately's.

I believe the Trinity has enough proof but some people want to find it in every verse sort of like the Puritans thinking the devil was at work in everyone.
 

Muffled

Jesus in me
“Let us make man in our image” (Genesis 1:26) is referring to God Almighty and Jesus.

God Almighty’s first creation was his “only-begotten Son” (John 3:16), “the beginning of the creation by God.” (Revelation 3:14) This one, “the firstborn of all creation,” was used by God in creating all other things, those in the heavens and those upon the earth, “the things visible and the things invisible.” (Colossians 1:15-17) John’s inspired testimony concerning this Son, the Word, is that “all things came into existence through him, and apart from him not even one thing came into existence,” and the apostle identifies the Word as Jesus Christ, who had become flesh. (John 1:3, 10, 14) As wisdom personified, this One is represented as saying, “God himself produced me as the beginning of his way,” and he tells of his association with God the Creator as His “master worker.” (Proverbs 8:22-31) In view of the close association of God and his only-begotten Son in creative activity and because that Son is “the image of the invisible God”-Colossians 1:15; 2 Corinthians 4:4.

I believe Jesus was not born yet when creation took place.
 

Muffled

Jesus in me
I see nothing that says "God" created Jesus. The Word was with God and the Word was God "in the beginning" So both the Word and God have existed from the beginning. Jesus being God's only begotten son refers to the human Jesus not the Jesus who was the Word.

I believe there is no Jesus who was the Word. There is the Word that becomes the Spirit of God in Jesus.
 
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