{"id":3779,"date":"2017-07-21T06:09:25","date_gmt":"2017-07-21T11:09:25","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/?page_id=3779"},"modified":"2025-08-18T07:12:59","modified_gmt":"2025-08-18T12:12:59","slug":"blood","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/blood","title":{"rendered":"Blood, Swords, Arrows, Rocks and Stones ***"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><strong>ARCHAIC TERMS WITH TIMELY SYMBOLISM<\/strong><br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/search\/?s=bibles&amp;q=+blood&amp;t=nas&amp;c=o\">Blood<\/a>, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/search\/?s=bibles&amp;q=sword*&amp;t=nas&amp;c=all\">swords<\/a>\u00a0, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/search\/?s=bibles&amp;q=arrow*&amp;t=nas&amp;c=all\">arrows<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/search\/?s=bibles&amp;q=stone*&amp;t=nas\">stones<\/a> are very common features of the Old Testament. Blood is far less common<a href=\"http:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/search\/?s=bibles&amp;q=+blood&amp;t=nas&amp;c=n\"> in the New Testament<\/a> and <a href=\"http:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/search\/?s=bibles&amp;q=sword*&amp;t=nas&amp;c=n&amp;p=2\">swords even less common<\/a>. Both words invite gory interpretations of ancient, pagan nations who showed no regard for human life as they either initiated war to expand their kingdoms, or built strongholds to defended their kingdoms from foreign invaders. It is a great mistake, however, to think of Biblical references to blood and swords with such literal, historical perspectives. Thinking this way makes it impossible to interpret scripture in a way that will <a href=\"http:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/2-timothy\/passage\/?q=2-timothy+3:14-17\">teach, reproof, correct and train us for righteousness.<\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 150px;\">STUDY TIP: See <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/religion-is-the-kingdom-of-false-prophets\/kings-queens-and-princes\">Kings, Queens and Princes<\/a>, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/nations\">Cities, Kingdoms and Nations,\u00a0<\/a><a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/religion\/religion-is-not-faith\/religion-is-a-stronghold-of-wrong-thinking\">Religion is a Stronghold of Wrong Thinking<\/a><a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/nations\">,<\/a> and <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/religion\/religion-is-the-enemy\/gods-at-war\">Gods at War<\/a> for understanding of the symbolic meaning of kingdoms at war with each other. Also see Model Warriors for understanding of Godly warfare.<\/p>\n<p><a id=\"sword\"><\/a>The symbolism of the sword is the easiest to comprehend as we see in the following scriptures:<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/ephesians\/6-17.html\">Ephesians 6:17:<\/a>\u00a0<span class=\"verse\"><span id=\"verse-17\">And take THE HELMET OF SALVATION, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.<\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 150px;\">COMMENTARY: The symbolism of swords is explained clearly as the word of God <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/passage\/?q=romans+10:8;+deuteronomy+30:14\">spoken through his spirit to the heart.<\/a> When we read about swords and the spirit in the Bible, therefore, we must always keep the following truths in mind:<\/p>\n<table style=\"border-collapse: collapse; width: 70.8802%; height: 68px;\" border=\"1\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"width: 10.8451%;\"><\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 89.1549%;\">\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/passage\/?q=isaiah+1:20;+isaiah+49:2;+revelation+1:16;+revelation+2:16;+revelation+19:15;+revelation+19:21\">Swords are words of the mouth.\u00a0<\/a><\/li>\n<li>The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/passage\/?q=proverbs+1:23;+john+6:63;+2-corinthians+3:1-3;+2-peter+1:20-21;+john+6:68;+2-samuel+23:2;+zechariah+4:6;+acts+4:31;+acts+28:25;+1-corinthians+12:8-13;+1-thessalonians+1:5-6;+nehemiah+9:20;+isaiah+59:21;+acts+1:16;+acts+4:24-25;+1-samuel+11:6;+isaiah+29:4;+zechariah+7:12;+john+3:34;+ezekiel+2:2;+joel+2:28;+hebrews+3:7;+revelation+1:10\">spirit of God is the word (i.e. voice) of God<\/a>.<\/li>\n<li>The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/passage\/?q=john+7:16;+john+12:49;+john+14:10;+john+14:26;+john+16:13;+1-john+2:27;+1-john+2:20;+1-corinthians+2:12;+psalm+143:10;+luke+12:11-12;+matthew+10:17-20;+mark+13:11;+1-thessalonians+2:13;+exodus+4:12\">spirit teaches New Covenant disciples what to say.<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 150px;\">When reading, we must always be alert to who is wielding the sword (i.e. who is speaking). Is it God and his agents (e.g. angels, warriors, Levites, prophets, etc.), or is it evil people (e.g. pagan nations, false prophets, etc.)? When God and his agents are speaking, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/passage\/?q=psalm+149:6;+hebrews+4:12;+revelation+1:16;+revelation+2:12\">God&#8217;s spoken word (i.e. tongue) is a two edged sword<\/a> that has the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/passage\/?q=proverbs+18:21;+proverbs+12:13;+proverbs+13:3;+matthew+12:37\">power to bring life or death.<\/a> When false prophets speak, their words only bring death in the imagery of <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/place-where-god-will-place-his-name\/4#evilimpureheart\">evil, impure hearts.<\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 150px;\">God not only speaks to his people directly, but he also speaks through <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/true-prophets\">True Prophets<\/a> (e.g. <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/angels\">angels<\/a>,\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/true-prophets\/messiah\">messiahs, warriors<\/a>) who always <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/passage\/?q=1-corinthians+2;+john+7:16;+john+12:49;+john+14:10;+john+14:24-31;+john+16:13;+1-corinthians+2:12-13;+psalm+143:10;+luke+12:11-12;+matthew+10:17-20;+mark+13:11;+1-thessalonians+2:13;+exodus+4:12;+deuteronomy+18:18;+john+5:19;+matthew+26:39;+john+5:30;+john+6:38;+john+6:68;+john+8:28;+acts+4:29\">speak for God.<\/a> Because Jesus was a true prophet, we see<a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/passage\/?q=revelation+1:1-16;+revelation+2:12-16;+revelation+19\"> imagery of him coming with a sword coming out of his mouth in Revelation. <\/a>This means that <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/passage\/?q=1-corinthians+2;+john+7:16;+john+12:49;+john+14:10;+john+14:24-31;+john+16:13;+1-corinthians+2:12-13;+psalm+143:10;+luke+12:11-12;+matthew+10:17-20;+mark+13:11;+1-thessalonians+2:13;+exodus+4:12;+deuteronomy+18:18;+john+5:19;+matthew+26:39;+john+5:30;+john+6:38;+john+6:68;+john+8:28;+acts+4:29\">he speaks the word of God. <\/a>It also means that followers of Jesus (i.e. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/passage\/?q=jeremiah+31:31-34;+jeremiah+32:40;+jeremiah+33:14;+ezekiel+37:26;+luke+22:20;+1-corinthians+11:25;+2-corinthians+3:1-6;+hebrews+8:8-12;+hebrews+10:16-17\">New Covenant disciples<\/a>) also speak the word of God.<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 150px;\">STUDY TIP: See\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/true-prophets\/messiah\">Messiahs,<\/a> and\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/true-prophets\" aria-haspopup=\"true\">True Prophets<\/a> for understanding of God&#8217;s purpose in sending his spirit to people. Also see\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/true-prophets\/model-warriors\">Model Warriors<\/a> for understanding of how spirit-filled people use their mouths (i.e. swords).<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/rsv\/revelation\/passage\/?q=revelation+2:12-16\"><span class=\"verse-number\">Revelation 2:12-16:\u00a0<\/span><\/a><span class=\"verse-12\"> &#8220;And to the angel of the church in Per&#8217;gamum write: &#8216;The words of him who has the sharp two-edged sword.<\/span><span class=\"verse-number\">13<\/span> <span class=\"verse-13\"> &#8220;&#8216;I know where you dwell, where Satan&#8217;s throne is; you hold fast my name and you did not deny my faith even in the days of An&#8217;tipas my witness, my faithful one, who was killed among you, where Satan dwells. <\/span><span class=\"verse-number\">14<\/span> <span class=\"verse-14\"> But I have a few things against you: you have some there who hold the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the sons of Israel, that they might eat food sacrificed to idols and practice immorality. <\/span><span class=\"verse-number\">15<\/span> <span class=\"verse-15\"> So you also have some who hold the teaching of the Nicola&#8217;itans. <\/span><span class=\"verse-number\">16<\/span> <span class=\"verse-16\"> Repent then. If not, I will come to you soon and war against them with the sword of my mouth.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 180px;\">COMMENTARY: The teaching of Balaam and the teaching of the <span class=\"verse-15\">Nicola&#8217;itans<\/span> is countered with the sword of Jesus&#8217; mouth. This confirms the symbolism of sword as God&#8217;s words.<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 180px;\">This prophetic scripture is a picture of untruthful words of <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/religion-is-the-kingdom-of-false-prophets\">false prophets<\/a> overcome by truthful words spoken by all true prophets of which Jesus is an example. It is not, however, prophetic for some unknown, future time. It applies to us in real-time. If it did not apply to us today, the scripture about <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/2-timothy\/passage\/?q=2-timothy+3:15-16\">all scripture being profitable for training in righteousness<\/a> would not apply to us today.<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 300px;\">STUDY TIP: See\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/time-hours-days-weeks-and-ages\">Time: Hours, Days, Weeks and Ages<\/a> for understanding of how God uses time in the Bible.<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 180px;\">Since <a href=\"http:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/passage\/?q=john+12:49;+john+14:10;+john+5:19;+matthew+26:39;+john+5:30;+john+6:38;+john+8:28\">Jesus speaks for God,<\/a> his words may be interpreted to be coming directly from God&#8217;s mouth. Thus the sword of God&#8217;s mouth spoken through Jesus, and other true prophets, wages war against the words of false prophets who are advancing their religious kingdoms. This picture must be expanded to include all New Covenant disciples who speak for God because they, like Jesus, are <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/true-prophets\/messiah\">anointed with God&#8217;s spirit <\/a>so that they can <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/teach\">teach<\/a> like Jesus taught. Thus it must be said that all New Covenant disciples speak with sharp, two-edged swords to wage war against religious leaders (e.g. satan, Balaam, Balaak, <span class=\"verse-15\">Nicola&#8217;itans).<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 180px;\">The stumbling block in verse 14 refers to <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/religion\/religion-is-sin\/religion-is-idolatry\/4\">high places<\/a> with altars that <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/passage\/?q=numbers+23;+numbers+24;+numbers+25:1-9\">Balaam taught Balaak to build and deploy to entice Israel to eat food sacrificed to idols.<\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 180px;\">The written law (i.e. literal words of the Bible) includes references to physical altars in religious structures (i.e. tabernacle, temple, tent).\u00a0Therefore, following the written law by building <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/tabernacles-temples-altars-high-places-and-pilgrimages\">altars and high places<\/a> (i.e. physical places for worship) is a stumbling block to faith which only allows for <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/john\/passage\/?q=john+4:23-24\">worship in spirit and truth<\/a> in the <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/place-where-god-will-place-his-name\/4\">heart<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 180px;\">See <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/gods-written-word-and-gods-spoken-voice\/the-law\/the-law-is-a-stumbling-block\">The Law is a Stumbling Block.<\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/rsv\/2-thessalonians\/2-8.html\">2 Thessalonians 2:8: <\/a><span class=\"verse\">And then the lawless one will be revealed, and the Lord Jesus will slay him with the breath of his mouth and destroy him by his appearing and his coming.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 180px;\">COMMENTARY: Again we see that <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/passage\/?q=proverbs+18:21;+proverbs+12:13;+proverbs+13:3;+matthew+12:37\">what comes out of the mouth (i.e. words) has the power of life and death<\/a>. First, Jesus&#8217; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/2-corinthians\/passage\/?q=2-corinthians+10:1-6\">words have spiritual power to demolish the strongholds of wrong thinking<\/a> of religious people who follow <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/gods-written-word-and-gods-spoken-voice\/the-law\/6#religiouslaws\">religious laws<\/a>\u00a0but are lawless with respect to God&#8217;s <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/gods-written-word-and-gods-spoken-voice\/the-law\/6#spirituallaws\">spiritual laws<\/a>. And then, after they have died to religion, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/passage\/?q=john+6:63;+john+6:68;+john+12:49;+john+5:24;+philippians+2:16;+1-john+1;+1-john+2:14;+revelation+12:11;+revelation+19:13\">Jesus&#8217; words have the spiritual power to bring new life<\/a> to people who have overcome religion. This process is also called being &#8220;<a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/gods-written-word-and-gods-spoken-voice\/the-law\/the-law-is-a-stumbling-block\/signs-wonders-and-miracles\/5\">born again<\/a>&#8220;.<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 180px;\">The lawless one is a collective term for religious leaders (e.g.\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/religion-is-the-kingdom-of-false-prophets\/serpent-devil-satan-adversary-demons-evil-spirits-and-anti-christs\">Serpent, Devil, Satan, Adversary, Demons, Evil Spirits and Anti-Christs)<\/a>. These are not unique physical or spiritual entities as religion teaches. They are, however, among the many terms God uses to identify religious leaders. With this understanding in mind, we should think in terms of &#8220;lawless ones&#8221; &#8212; not a\u00a0 singular, unique lawless one.<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 180px;\">This so-called &#8220;end times&#8221;\u00a0scripture does not anticipate a singular, unique event in time. Rather, it anticipates the <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/gods-written-word-and-gods-spoken-voice\/the-law\/the-law-is-a-stumbling-block\/signs-wonders-and-miracles\/4\">end of the time of being religious and the beginning of the time of being New Covenant disciples (i.e. born again).<\/a> Since Jesus is a symbolic reference to all New Covenant disciples, it can be said that the spoken words (i.e. breath of the mouth) of all New Covenant disciples slays religious leaders. This is possible because New Covenant disciples, like Jesus, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/place-where-god-will-place-his-name\/4\">speak with God&#8217;s authority<\/a>, and their words, like Jesus&#8217; words, have the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/luke\/9-1.html\">power and authority<\/a> to <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/sickeness-disease-blindness-and-deafness\">heal<\/a> people from the <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/religion\/religion-is-disease\">disease of religion<\/a> and raise them from <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/death-resurrection-life\">spiritual death<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><span class=\"verse\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/rsv\/revelation\/passage\/?q=revelation+1:12-16\">Revelation 1:12-16: <\/a><span class=\"verse-12\">Then I turned to see the voice that was speaking to me, and on turning I saw seven golden lampstands,<\/span><span class=\"verse-number\">13<\/span> <span class=\"verse-13\"> and in the midst of the lampstands one like a son of man, clothed with a long robe and with a golden girdle round his breast; <\/span><span class=\"verse-number\">14<\/span> <span class=\"verse-14\"> his head and his hair were white as white wool, white as snow; his eyes were like a flame of fire, <\/span><span class=\"verse-number\">15<\/span> <span class=\"verse-15\"> his feet were like burnished bronze, refined as in a furnace, and his voice was like the sound of many waters; <\/span><span class=\"verse-number\">16<\/span> <span class=\"verse-16\"> in his right hand he held seven stars, from his mouth issued a sharp <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/lexicons\/greek\/nas\/distomos.html\">two-edged sword<\/a>, and his face was like the sun shining in full strength. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 150px;\">COMMENTARY: Swords symbolize words from the mouth of God. A two-edged sword represents <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/passage\/?q=proverbs+18:20-21;+proverbs+12:13;+proverbs+13:3;+matthew+12:37\">words (i.e. tongues) that bring either death or life<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 150px;\">This contrasts with God&#8217;s enemies (i.e. False prophets) who only bring death through the swords of their mouths.<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 150px;\">The mouth of God, however, speaks both words of <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/death-resurrection-life\">death and life<\/a>. This is true when God speaks directly to people or through <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/true-prophets\">True Prophets<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 150px;\">See: <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/true-prophets\/jesus\/3\">Jesus Son of Man<\/a> for more understanding of the son of man.<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/revelation\/19-15.html\"> Revelation 19:15:<\/a> From His mouth comes a sharp sword, so that with it He may strike down the nations, and He will rule them with a rod of iron; and He treads the wine-press of the fierce wrath of God, the Almighty.<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 150px;\">COMMENTARY: The purpose of God&#8217;s word (i.e. sword) is to strike down. He gives his people the sword of his spirit so that they can destroy <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/nations\/4\">nations<\/a> (i.e. religion) and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/passage\/?q=deuteronomy+12;+deuteronomy+20;+numbers+21:1-3;+numbers+31:1-18;+numbers+32;+numbers+33:50-56;+deuteronomy+9;+joshua+7:1-15;+joshua+9;+joshua+11;+joshua+23;+judges+2:11-23;+1-samuel+15:10-26;+deuteronomy+7:1-6;+deuteronomy+31:1-8;+zechariah+12:9;+jeremiah+1:10;+jeremiah+51:15-23\">tear down high places<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 240px;\">STUDY TIP: See <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/tabernacles-temples-altars-high-places-and-pilgrimages\/6\">High Places.<\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 150px;\">God uses the truth of his spoken word to destroy religious <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/nations\/3\">kingdoms<\/a> that are his <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/religion\/religion-is-the-enemy\">enemies<\/a> because they have <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/religion\/religion-is-not-faith\/religion-is-deception\">deceived<\/a> and <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/religion\/religion-is-not-faith\/religion-is-injustice-and-slavery\">enslaved<\/a> his people so that they practice <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/religion\">religion. <\/a>He uses the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/john\/passage\/?q=john+8:31-32\">truth of his teaching<\/a> (i.e. words) to set his people free from listening to <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/religion-is-the-kingdom-of-false-prophets\">false prophets<\/a> who teach and promote religion. He want to set them free so that they can\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/rsv\/passage\/?q=exodus+15:22-26;+exodus+23:21;+exodus+19:5;+jeremiah+7:23-26;+jeremiah+11:1-4;+matthew+4:1-4;+deuteronomy+8:1-3;+job+22:21-23;+psalm+119:9-13;+psalm+138:4;+isaiah+28:23;+jeremiah+11:1-7;+jeremiah+22:21;+psalm+106:25;+nehemiah+9:29;+jeremiah+11:10;+jeremiah+13:11;+zechariah+7:11;+isaiah+46:12;+matthew+13:15\">listen to his\u00a0<\/a><a href=\"http:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/rsv\/passage\/?q=exodus+15:22-26;+exodus+23:21;+exodus+19:5;+jeremiah+7:23-26;+jeremiah+11:1-4;+matthew+4:1-4;+deuteronomy+8:1-3;+job+22:21-23;+psalm+119:9-13;+psalm+138:4;+isaiah+28:23;+jeremiah+11:1-7;+jeremiah+22:21;+psalm+106:25;+nehemiah+9:29;+jeremiah+11:10;+jeremiah+13:11;+zechariah+7:11;+isaiah+46:12;+matthew+13:15\">spoken voice.<\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 150px;\">The conflict which ensues is <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/religion\/religion-is-the-enemy\/gods-at-war\">God at war with other gods <\/a>who do not want to lose their <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/religion\/religion-is-not-faith\/pride\">status<\/a> and <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/religion\/religion-is-not-faith\/religion-is-commerce\">incomes<\/a>.\u00a0The\u00a0weapons of warfare for both God and <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/religion\/religion-is-the-enemy\">his enemies (i.e. religion)<\/a> are words. God&#8217;s words are spoken through <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/true-prophets\">true prophets<\/a> and his enemies speak through <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/religion-is-the-kingdom-of-false-prophets\">false prophets<\/a>.<\/p>\n<div style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/rsv\/matthew\/passage\/?q=matthew+10:34-36\">Matthew 10:34-36:<\/a> <span class=\"verse-34\">&#8220;Do not think that I have come to bring peace on earth; I have not come to bring peace, but a sword. <\/span><span class=\"verse-number\">35<\/span> <span class=\"verse-35\"> For I have come to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law; <\/span><span class=\"verse-number\">36<\/span> <span class=\"verse-36\"> and a man&#8217;s foes will be those of his own household. <\/span><\/div>\n<p class=\"red-letter no-red\" style=\"padding-left: 150px;\">COMMENTARY: Nowhere in scripture do we read that Jesus actually carried or used a sword. What Jesus is best known for, however, is <a href=\"http:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/passage\/?q=john+5:24;+john+8:31;+john+8:43;+john+8:51;+john+12:48;+john+14:23-24;+revelation+3:1-10\">words which he exhorts people to hear, believe and obey<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p class=\"red-letter no-red\" style=\"padding-left: 150px;\">When the Bible\u00a0says &#8220;believe in Jesus&#8221;, it means &#8220;believe Jesus&#8217; words&#8221; &#8212; not believe in Jesus the person. People who believe in Jesus as a flesh and blood person have <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/true-prophets\/jesus\/15\">stumbled over him<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 200px;\">STUDY TIP: See Belief, Trust and Faith for understanding of what it means to believe in Jesus.<\/p>\n<p class=\"red-letter no-red\" style=\"padding-left: 150px;\">Jesus was very aware that he was only a man. Even though God spoke through him, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/philippians\/passage\/?q=philippians+2:5-8\">Jesus had no aspiration to be like God. He was content being a bond-servant (i.e. spokesperson\/prophet) for God with no desire to be personally exalted<\/a>. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/passage\/?q=john+12:44-50;+john+14:28;+matthew+10:40;+john+5:24;+mark+9:37;+luke+9:48;+john+10:29\">Jesus always deferred to Father God and put God ahead\/above himself<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p class=\"red-letter no-red\" style=\"padding-left: 150px;\">We can conclude, therefore, that the sword that Jesus uses is <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/passage\/?q=1-corinthians+2;+john+7:16;+john+12:49;+john+14:10;+john+14:24-31;+john+16:13;+1-corinthians+2:12-13;+psalm+143:10;+luke+12:11-12;+matthew+10:17-20;+mark+13:11;+1-thessalonians+2:13;+exodus+4:12;+deuteronomy+18:18;+john+5:19;+matthew+26:39;+john+5:30;+john+6:38;+john+6:68;+john+8:28;+acts+4:29\">words inspired by the spirit of God who speaks through him<\/a>. This is true for Jesus and all <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/passage\/?q=john+7:16;+john+12:49;+john+14:10;+john+14:26;+john+16:13;+1-corinthians+2:12-13;+psalm+143:10;+luke+12:11-12;+matthew+10:17-20;+mark+13:11;+1-thessalonians+2:13;+exodus+4:12\">New Covenant disciples who speak for God<\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"red-letter no-red\" style=\"padding-left: 150px;\">The words that New Covenant disciples are words of truth.\u00a0 God&#8217;s words spoken through messiahs (i.e. New Covenant disciples) are swords that cut just as the truth cuts the heart when we hear it and are convicted by it. But they also brings new life to those who repent for practicing religion.<\/p>\n<p><!--nextpage--><\/p>\n<p><strong>BLOOD***<\/strong><br \/>\nSince we are always very conscious of blood in our natural lives, we default to thinking of blood in the Bible in the same natural terms. But, being quite sure that blood has some spiritual significance, religious people try to assign spiritual value to blood. Assigning spiritual value to natural blood, however, is not the same thing as understanding the symbolic meaning of blood.<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 120px;\">STUDY TIP: In order to understand the symbolic meaning of blood, it is first necessary to understand the significance of God&#8217;s spoken voice. See the <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/gods-written-word-and-gods-spoken-voice#definitionofsin\">definition of sin <\/a>and\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/gods-written-word-and-gods-spoken-voice\" aria-haspopup=\"true\">God\u2019s Written Word and God\u2019s Spoken Voice Part 1<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Before understanding the symbolic meaning of blood , it is first important to acknowledge the symbolism of blood in the context of swords, arrows and stones. In human warfare, the purpose of swords and arrows is to cut\/injure enemies so that they will lose blood and die. This principle also applies in spiritual warfare. God&#8217;s purpose in using spiritual swords, arrows and stones is to use his spoken word as a\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/passage\/?q=2-corinthians+10:3-6;+2-corinthians+6:1-11\">weapon of truth<\/a> that <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/religion\/religion-is-not-faith\/religion-is-a-stronghold-of-wrong-thinking\">demolishes religious strongholds of wrong thinking<\/a>. And the objective is to cure people from the <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/religion\/6#religionisacurse\">curse of religion<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 150px;\">STUDY TIP: See\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/death-resurrection-life\" aria-haspopup=\"true\">Death, Resurrection, New Life, Salvation, Heaven.<\/a><\/p>\n<p>To understand the symbolic meaning of blood, we begin with scriptures that tell us that <a href=\"http:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/passage\/?q=genesis+9:1-4;+leviticus+17:11-14;+deuteronomy+12:23;+john+6:53-54\">life is in the blood<\/a>. Because we know this to be true in the natural sense where excessive loss of blood results in loss of life, these scriptures tell us nothing that we do not already know in the natural sense. But when we consider that <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/2-timothy\/passage\/?q=2-timothy+3:16-17\">all scripture is able to train us in righteousness and lead us to salvation<\/a>, we are prompted to investigate what it is about blood that we do not know. And what we do not know is the symbolic meaning of blood.<\/p>\n<p><a id=\"cainabelblood\"><\/a>We find our first clue that blood has symbolic meaning in the story of Cain and Abel:<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/genesis\/passage\/?q=genesis+4:9-10\">Genesis 4:9-10:<\/a> Then the LORD said to Cain, &#8220;Where is Abel your brother?&#8221; And he said, &#8220;I do not know. Am I my brother&#8217;s keeper?&#8221; 10 He said, &#8220;What have you done? The <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/gods-written-word-and-gods-spoken-voice\/4#voice\">voice<\/a> of your brother&#8217;s blood is crying to Me from the ground.<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 150px;\">COMMENTARY: This story prompts us to ask how can blood have a voice? The answer is this: Blood symbolizes voice or speech. Thus we interpret that Abel&#8217;s experience of giving an acceptable offering and then dying at the hands of his brother is a parable that will train us in righteousness.<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 150px;\"><a id=\"healthyunhealthyblood\"><\/a>But, just like there are two kinds of food (i.e.\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/breadfood-and-wine#goodspiritualfood\">good spiritual food<\/a>\u00a0and<a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/breadfood-and-wine#evilsoulishfood\">\u00a0evil, soulish food<\/a>), there are two kinds of blood: Good, healthy blood and unhealthy, evil blood.<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 200px;\">GOOD, HEALTHY BLOOD: Good healthy blood is God&#8217;s spoken word spoken by God directly or through his anointed <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/true-prophets\">true prophets<\/a><a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/true-prophets\">,<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/passage\/?q=matthew+7:24-26;+john+14:10;+john+3:34;+john+5:19;+john+7:14-18;+john+14:24;+matthew+24:35;+mark+13:31;+luke+4:32-36;+luke+6:47;+luke+6:46-49;+luke+9:26;+luke+21:15;+john+4:41;+john+6:63;+john+6:68;+john+7:38-39;+john+12:47-50;+john+15:7;+john+17:8;+1-peter+4:11;+exodus+3;+exodus+4:1-12;+isaiah+59:21;+exodus+4:10-12;+matthew+10:19-20;+mark+13:11;+luke+12:11-12;+luke+21:14-15;+john+7:16;+john+12:49-50;+john+14:24-31;+john+16:13;+1-corinthians+2;+psalm+143:10;+matthew+10:17-20;+1-thessalonians+2:13;+exodus+4:12;+deuteronomy+18:18;+matthew+26:39;+john+5:30;+john+6:38;+john+8:28;+acts+4:29-31;+1-peter+4:10-11\">angels,\u00a0messiahs, high priests, witnesses and warriors<\/a>. Regular infusions of God&#8217;s spoken words are necessary for a healthy <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/death-resurrection-life\/2#spirituallife\">spiritual life<\/a>. It is the kind of blood found in clean, pure hearts.<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 200px;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/passage\/?q=exodus+24:8;+hebrews+9:19-24;+leviticus+8:13-16;+leviticus+8:30;+2-chronicles+29:20-24;+2-chronicles+30:13-17;+1-peter+1:1-2\">God&#8217;s word is symbolized as blood that is sprinkled on altars of sacrifice (i.e. hearts.) God&#8217;s word purges, consecrates, sanctifies and purifies people from sin.<\/a>\u00a0This blood represents <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/passage\/?q=john+17:17;+psalm+119:43;+psalm+119:160;+2-corinthians+6:6-7;+colossians+1:1-5;+2-timothy+2:15;+james+1:18;+jeremiah+23:28;+john+1:14\">God&#8217;s word (i.e. truth)<\/a> spoken (i.e sprinkled) by his agents (i.e. <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/true-prophets\">true prophets<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/passage\/?q=matthew+7:24-26;+john+14:10;+john+3:34;+john+5:19;+john+7:14-18;+john+14:24;+matthew+24:35;+mark+13:31;+luke+4:32-36;+luke+6:47;+luke+6:46-49;+luke+9:26;+luke+21:15;+john+4:41;+john+6:63;+john+6:68;+john+7:38-39;+john+12:47-50;+john+15:7;+john+17:8;+1-peter+4:11;+exodus+3;+exodus+4:1-12;+isaiah+59:21;+exodus+4:10-12;+matthew+10:19-20;+mark+13:11;+luke+12:11-12;+luke+21:14-15;+john+7:16;+john+12:49-50;+john+14:24-31;+john+16:13;+1-corinthians+2;+psalm+143:10;+matthew+10:17-20;+1-thessalonians+2:13;+exodus+4:12;+deuteronomy+18:18;+matthew+26:39;+john+5:30;+john+6:38;+john+8:28;+acts+4:29-31;+1-peter+4:10-11\">angels, messiahs, <\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/passage\/?q=matthew+7:24-26;+john+14:10;+john+3:34;+john+5:19;+john+7:14-18;+john+14:24;+matthew+24:35;+mark+13:31;+luke+4:32-36;+luke+6:47;+luke+6:46-49;+luke+9:26;+luke+21:15;+john+4:41;+john+6:63;+john+6:68;+john+7:38-39;+john+12:47-50;+john+15:7;+john+17:8;+1-peter+4:11;+exodus+3;+exodus+4:1-12;+isaiah+59:21;+exodus+4:10-12;+matthew+10:19-20;+mark+13:11;+luke+12:11-12;+luke+21:14-15;+john+7:16;+john+12:49-50;+john+14:24-31;+john+16:13;+1-corinthians+2;+psalm+143:10;+matthew+10:17-20;+1-thessalonians+2:13;+exodus+4:12;+deuteronomy+18:18;+matthew+26:39;+john+5:30;+john+6:38;+john+8:28;+acts+4:29-31;+1-peter+4:10-11\">high priests<\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/passage\/?q=matthew+7:24-26;+john+14:10;+john+3:34;+john+5:19;+john+7:14-18;+john+14:24;+matthew+24:35;+mark+13:31;+luke+4:32-36;+luke+6:47;+luke+6:46-49;+luke+9:26;+luke+21:15;+john+4:41;+john+6:63;+john+6:68;+john+7:38-39;+john+12:47-50;+john+15:7;+john+17:8;+1-peter+4:11;+exodus+3;+exodus+4:1-12;+isaiah+59:21;+exodus+4:10-12;+matthew+10:19-20;+mark+13:11;+luke+12:11-12;+luke+21:14-15;+john+7:16;+john+12:49-50;+john+14:24-31;+john+16:13;+1-corinthians+2;+psalm+143:10;+matthew+10:17-20;+1-thessalonians+2:13;+exodus+4:12;+deuteronomy+18:18;+matthew+26:39;+john+5:30;+john+6:38;+john+8:28;+acts+4:29-31;+1-peter+4:10-11\">, witnesses and warriors<\/a>).<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 200px;\">The spoken word of God (i.e. blood) has the power to overcome <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/religion\/religion-is-not-faith\/religion-is-a-stronghold-of-wrong-thinking\">strongholds of religious thinking<\/a>. It is <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/breadfood-and-wine#goodspiritualfood\">good, spiritual food<\/a> that gives spiritual life to those on whom it is sprinkled (i.e. they hear God&#8217;s spoken word). It is blood that <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/sickeness-disease-blindness-and-deafness\">heals the disease of religion<\/a>, and enables a healthy, rewarding <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/#rewards\">spiritual life.<\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 200px;\">UNHEALTHY, EVIL BLOOD: People who are <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/death-resurrection-life\/2#spiritualdeath\">spiritually dead<\/a> have unhealthy, evil blood flowing through their <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/place-where-god-will-place-his-name\/4#evilimpureheart\">evil, impure hearts<\/a>. Unhealthy, evil blood is symbolically infused into the hearts of religious people when they listen to religious leaders (i.e. <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/religion-is-the-kingdom-of-false-prophets\" data-slimstat=\"5\">False Prophets, <\/a><a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/egypt-and-babylon\/5#pharaohs\" data-slimstat=\"5\">pharaohs,<\/a><a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/religion-is-the-kingdom-of-false-prophets\/kings-queens-and-princes\" data-slimstat=\"5\"> Kings, Queens and Princes, <\/a><a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/religion-is-the-kingdom-of-false-prophets\/pharisees-and-scribes\" data-slimstat=\"5\">Pharisees and Scribes<\/a><a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/religion-is-the-kingdom-of-false-prophets\/serpent-devil-satan-adversary-demons-evil-spirits-and-anti-christs\" data-slimstat=\"5\">, Serpents, Devils, Satan, Adversaries, Demons, Evil Spirits, and\u00a0 Anti-Christs.) <\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 200px;\">Religious leaders infuse unhealthy blood into the hearts of religious people in words of <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/gods-written-word-and-gods-spoken-voice\/6\">human wisdom,<\/a> and <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/gods-written-word-and-gods-spoken-voice\/literal-or-symbolic-interpretation-part-1\/5\">human knowledge<\/a> wrapped in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/passage\/?q=jeremiah+5:31;+isaiah+30:9-12;+1-kings+22:8;+1-kings+22:13;+jeremiah+6:14;+jeremiah+23:17;+jeremiah+23:26;+ezekiel+13:6-7;+romans+16:18;+2-timothy+4:3-4\">smooth talk <\/a>and <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/circumcision\">religious rituals and tradition. <\/a>This blood causes spiritual sickness, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/gods-written-word-and-gods-spoken-voice\/the-law\/two-covenantspart1\/faith-grace-mercy-peace-love-heart-glory-blessing-spirit-and-truth\/oil-water-face-hands\/belief-and-trust\">spiritual disease<\/a>, and <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/death-resurrection-life\/2#spiritualdeath\">spiritual death<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 200px;\">Old Testament stories of Israel&#8217;s enemies shedding blood with their swords are symbolic representations of religious leaders using words to bring spiritual death to God&#8217;s people.<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 150px;\"><a id=\"warfarewordsswords\"><\/a>Biblical warfare, therefore, symbolically represents true prophets doing battle with false prophets with words (i.e. a <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/death-resurrection-life\/two-deaths\/2#warofwords\">war of words<\/a>.) Each side uses written and spoken words (e.g. symbolically represented as swords and arrows), to overcome their enemies and advance their <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/nations\">kingdoms<\/a>. False prophets <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/religion\/religion-is-not-faith\/religion-is-deception\">deceive through religion.<\/a>\u00a0God advances his kingdom with the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/ephesians\/6-17.html\">sword of the spirit which is the word of God<\/a> spoken through his messengers (e.g.\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/true-prophets\">true prophets<\/a>,<a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/angels\"> angels<\/a>,\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/true-prophets\/messiah\">messiahs<\/a>, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/true-prophets\/the-high-priest\">high priests<\/a>, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/true-prophets\/model-warriors\">warriors<\/a>). Religious leaders advance and protect their personal kingdoms with words that lead to spiritual death. And God uses his words to advance <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/nations\/kingdom-of-heaven\">his kingdom<\/a> with words that lead to <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/time-hours-days-weeks-and-ages\/eternity\">eternal life<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 150px;\">The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/passage\/?q=john+3:34;+jeremiah+26:1-5;+ezekiel+2:1-7;+2-chronicles+36:15;+acts+3:26;+revelation+1:1;+deuteronomy+18:18;+isaiah+51:15-16;+john+17:1-8;+isaiah+59:21;+deuteronomy+32:1;+job+22:22;+psalm+19:14;+proverbs+12:6;+jeremiah+1:9;+jeremiah+5:14;+hosea+6:5\">messiahs God sends<\/a> to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/passage\/?q=hebrews+1:1-2;+john+3:34;+jeremiah+26:1-5;+ezekiel+2:1-7;+ezekiel+3:4-11;+2-chronicles+36:15;+acts+3:26;+revelation+1:1;+deuteronomy+18:18;+isaiah+51:15-16;+john+17:1-8;+isaiah+59:21;+deuteronomy+32:1;+job+22:22;+psalm+19:14;+proverbs+12:6;+jeremiah+1:9;+jeremiah+5:14;+hosea+6:5;+daniel+9:9-11;+2-peter+1:19-21;+mark+13:27;+matthew+24:31;+revelation+22:6\">speak his words<\/a> are <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/passage\/?q=matthew+5:13-16;+john+3:19;+john+8:12;+john+12:46\">lights to the world of religious darkness<\/a>. The light they shed is the words of their mouths: <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/breadfood-and-wine#goodspiritualfood\">God&#8217;s word<\/a> (i.e. blood). Their <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/religion\/religion-is-the-enemy\">enemies are religious enemies of God<\/a>, who use their swords (i.e. mouths) to speak <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/breadfood-and-wine#evilsoulishfood\">evil which comes<\/a>\u00a0out of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/rsv\/passage\/?q=genesis+6:1-5;+genesis+8:21;+ezekiel+13:2;+ezekiel+13:17;+deuteronomy+29:18-19;+deuteronomy+31:21;+nehemiah+6:1-8;+proverbs+18:11;+psalm+36:1-4;+jeremiah+3:17;+jeremiah+7:24;+jeremiah+9:13-14;+jeremiah+11:1-8;+jeremiah+13:10;+jeremiah+14:14;+jeremiah+16:11-12;+jeremiah+18:12;+jeremiah+23:16-17;+luke+1:51;+acts+17:29\">imaginations of their hearts.<\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 150px;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/passage\/?q=matthew+7:24-26;+john+14:10;+john+3:34;+john+5:19;+john+14:24;+matthew+24:35;+mark+13:31;+luke+4:32-36;+luke+6:47;+luke+6:46-49;+luke+9:26;+luke+21:15;+john+4:41;+john+6:63;+john+6:68;+john+7:40;+john+12:47-50;+john+15:7;+john+17:8;+acts+7:38;+1-peter+4:11\">God&#8217;s messengers speak his words.<\/a> Those who <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/kjv\/passage\/?q=john+6:63;+john+6:68;+john+12:47-50\">hear these words\u00a0receive spiritual life<\/a>. Symbolically speaking, God&#8217;s spoken word (i.e. his blood) is sprinkled on them.\u00a0Conversely, God&#8217;s enemies speak evil words that result in spiritual death.<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 150px;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/passage\/?q=revelation+2:16;+isaiah+49:2;+revelation+1:16\">Mouths (i.e. swords) are used to shed blood<\/a>. In biblical stories of warfare, God&#8217;s words spoken through Israel result in <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/death-resurrection-life\/2\">death to religion that leads to life<\/a> in God. In scriptures about Jesus and all other prophets and apostles, they also use their mouths (i.e. swords) to shed blood. The blood these <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/true-prophets\">true prophets<\/a> shed is <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/gods-written-word-and-gods-spoken-voice\/the-law\/two-covenantspart1\/faith-grace-mercy-peace-love-heart-glory-blessing-spirit-and-truth\/oil-water-face-hands\">God&#8217;s spoken word<\/a> that leads to <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/time-hours-days-weeks-and-ages\/eternity\">eternal life<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 150px;\">Words spoken through<a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/religion-is-the-kingdom-of-false-prophets\"> false prophets<\/a> lead to <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/death-resurrection-life\/2#spiritualdeath\">spiritual death<\/a> for religious people who choose to\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/ezekiel\/passage\/?q=ezekiel+14:1-11\">not listen to God&#8217;s voice and instead choose to listen to false prophets.<\/a> It is all about who you listen to.<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 150px;\">Who to listen to is the life and death choice presented to Adam and Eve:<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 210px;\">Do you listen to <a href=\" http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/breadfood-and-wine\/3#treeoflife\">trees of life<\/a> (i.e. <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/true-prophets\">true prophets<\/a>,<a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/angels\"> angels<\/a>,\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/true-prophets\/messiah\">messiahs<\/a>, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/true-prophets\/the-high-priest\">high priests<\/a>, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/true-prophets\/model-warriors\">warriors<\/a>)<a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/true-prophets\">\u00a0<\/a>who speak for God?<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 210px;\">Or,<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 210px;\">Do you listen to <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/breadfood-and-wine\/3#treeofknowledgeofgoodandevil\">trees of knowledge of good and evil<\/a> (e.g. <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/religion-is-the-kingdom-of-false-prophets\">False Prophets<\/a>,\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/religion-is-the-kingdom-of-false-prophets\/judas\">Judas,<\/a><a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/religion-is-the-kingdom-of-false-prophets\/balaam\">\u00a0Balaam,<\/a><a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/religion-is-the-kingdom-of-false-prophets\/kings-queens-and-princes\"> Kings, Queens and Princes,\u00a0<\/a><a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/religion-is-the-kingdom-of-false-prophets\/pharisees-and-scribes\">Pharisees and Scribes<\/a><a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/religion-is-the-kingdom-of-false-prophets\/serpent-devil-satan-adversary-demons-evil-spirits-and-anti-christs\">, Serpent, Devil, Satan, Adversary, Demons, Evil Spirits, Anti-Christs,<\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/passage\/?q=zechariah+10:2;+zechariah+11:15;+jeremiah+10:21;+jeremiah+12:10;+jeremiah+13:17;+jeremiah+23:1-2;+ezekiel+13:3;+zechariah+11:17;+jeremiah+50:6;+ezekiel+34:1-5;+numbers+27:16-23;+john+10:8;+john+7;+john+10:26;+psalm+74:1;+2-chronicles+18:16;+matthew+9:36;+mark+6:34;+matthew+26:31;+mark+14:27\"> foolish, worthless, stupid shepherds<\/a>)?<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 150px;\">Abel was a <a href=\"http:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/passage\/?q=matthew+23:34-35;+luke+11:49-51;+hebrews+11:4\">righteous prophet (i.e. New Covenant disciple).<\/a> We know this because God accepted his sacrifice. Because he is\u00a0 true prophet,\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/passage\/?q=matthew+23:34-35;+luke+11:49-51;+hebrews+11:4\">his voice and faith speak to us<\/a> in these modern times even though the <a href=\"http:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/genesis\/passage\/?q=genesis+4:1-10\">Bible does not record him saying anything<\/a>. What we learn from Abel is that he offered to God a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/psalms\/51-17.html\">spiritual sacrifice of the heart<\/a> that was better than Cain&#8217;s sacrifice physical <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/psalms\/51-16.html\">sacrifice of the flesh<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 150px;\">The story in Genesis is not clear about the nature of the offerings of either Cain or Abel. They both seem to conform to the offerings made later in Leviticus, so it is difficult to discern from the Genesis story why <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/genesis\/passage\/?q=genesis+4:3-5\">God had a problem with Cain&#8217;s fleshly offering but accepted Abel&#8217;s spiritual offering<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 300px;\">STUDY TIP: See <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/sacrifices-tithes-and-offerings\">Sacrifices, Tithes and Offerings<\/a> for more about the kind of offerings that God accepts.<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 150px;\">We learn in <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/sacrifices-tithes-and-offerings\">Sacrifices, Tithes and Offerings<\/a> that God requires spiritual &#8212; not material &#8212; sacrifices and offerings. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/hebrews\/11-4.html\">Abel&#8217;s offering, therefore, was righteous<\/a> because it originated in Abel&#8217;s heart. Cain&#8217;s offering, on the other hand, was a material offering which could be observed with eyes and ears. Abel&#8217;s offering was a matter of <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/religion\/religion-is-not-faith\">faith, but Cain&#8217;s offering was religious. <\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 300px;\">STUDY TIP: See <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/place-where-god-will-place-his-name\/4\">THE HEART IS THE PLACE<\/a> for understanding of why God accepted Abel&#8217;s sacrifice.<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 150px;\">The relevance of this story to blood is difficult to grasp. It hinges on the symbolism of blood as words. Thus we read that &#8220;the <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/gods-written-word-and-gods-spoken-voice\/4#voice\">voice<\/a> of Abel&#8217;s blood cries out from the ground.&#8221; This means that, because Abel&#8217;s offering was a matter of faith, he is a type of New Covenant disciple who speaks to religious people of all generations. As such, he is a true prophet who speaks to us through his spiritual offering to God. From this we learn that the words and lives of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/passage\/?q=1-corinthians+2;+john+7:16;+john+12:49;+john+14:10;+john+14:24-31;+john+16:13;+1-corinthians+2:12-13;+psalm+143:10;+luke+12:11-12;+matthew+10:17-20;+mark+13:11;+1-thessalonians+2:13;+exodus+4:12;+deuteronomy+18:18;+john+5:19;+matthew+26:39;+john+5:30;+john+6:38;+john+6:68;+john+8:28;+acts+4:29\">New Covenant disciples speak God&#8217;s words to others.\u00a0<\/a> Their words and their lives show that the kind of offerings God wants and accepts are <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/place-where-god-will-place-his-name\/4\">spiritual offerings of the heart<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 150px;\">We conclude that Abel is a type of\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/true-prophets\/messiah\">messiah<\/a> (i.e. <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/true-prophets\">true prophet<\/a>) who lived in conflict with Cain who symbolizes all <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/genesis\/4-15.html\">people who are identified (i.e. marked) by their religion<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 240px;\">STUDY TIP: See <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/fakefaith\/2018\/02\/18\/making-a-name-for-yourself\/\">Making a Name for Yourself <\/a>for what it means to be marked by religion.<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 150px;\">Through his spiritual offering, Abel spoke the truth about religion to Cain. Cain, instead of listening to Able, killed him. Cain was his brother, but he was also his enemy just as religion is the enemy of God and all true prophets. Just as Jesus was murdered by his enemies (i.e. the religious people &#8212; Pharisees of his day), Abel was murdered by the religious people of his day (i.e. Cain).<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 210px;\">STUDY TIP: See\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/religion\/religion-is-the-enemy\/sibling-warfare\">Sibling Conflict<\/a> and\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/religion\/religion-is-the-enemy\" aria-haspopup=\"true\">Religion is the Enemy<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Later, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/passage\/?q=genesis+49:11;+exodus+4:9;+exodus+4:25-26;+exodus+7:7-23\">obscure references to blood<\/a> provide convincing evidence that blood has symbolic &#8212; not literal &#8212; value. And when we look at the many <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/passage\/?q=exodus+23:18;+exodus+24:6-8;+exodus+29:12-21;+exodus+30:10;+exodus+34:25;+leviticus+1:5;+leviticus+1:11;+leviticus+1:15;+leviticus+3;+leviticus+4;+leviticus+5:9;+leviticus+6:27-30;+leviticus+7;+leviticus+8;+leviticus+9:9-18;+leviticus+14\">scriptures involving blood in offerings<\/a>, and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/search\/?s=bibles&amp;q=blood&amp;t=nas\">hundreds of Old Testament scriptures about the use or misuse of blood, or exposure to blood<\/a>, and then more <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/search\/?s=bibles&amp;q=blood&amp;t=nas&amp;f=N\">scriptures about blood in the New Testament<\/a>, we must conclude that blood symbolizes something spiritual and is not meant to be taken literally.<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 150px;\">STUDY TIP: See\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/gods-written-word-and-gods-spoken-voice\" aria-haspopup=\"true\">God\u2019s Written Word and God\u2019s Spoken Voice Part 1,\u00a0<\/a><a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/gods-written-word-and-gods-spoken-voice\/literal-or-symbolic-interpretation-part-1\">Literal or Symbolic Interpretation Part 1,\u00a0<\/a><a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/gods-written-word-and-gods-spoken-voice\/literal-or-symbolic-interpretation-part-2\">Literal or Symbolic Interpretation Part 2, <\/a>and\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/gods-written-word-and-gods-spoken-voice\/literal-or-symbolic-interpretation-part-3\">Literal or Symbolic Interpretation Part 3 <\/a>for more about literal interpretation of the Bible.<\/p>\n<p>Coming to an understanding of the symbolic meaning of blood is not easy, but it is possible. Here are a few scriptures that are especially revealing:<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/leviticus\/17-11.html\">Leviticus 17:11\u00a0<\/a>&#8216;For\u00a0the\u00a0life\u00a0of the\u00a0flesh\u00a0is in the\u00a0blood, and I have\u00a0given\u00a0it to you on the\u00a0altar\u00a0to\u00a0make\u00a0atonement\u00a0for your\u00a0souls; for\u00a0it is the\u00a0blood\u00a0by reason of the\u00a0life\u00a0that\u00a0makes\u00a0atonement.&#8217;<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 150px;\">COMMENTARY: Here we see that life is in the blood and that blood makes atonement for sin. But how does blood atone for sin? We can find clues by looking at the natural body.<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 150px;\">When the natural body loses too much natural blood, there has been a violent offense against the body. The way to preserve life after blood is lost is to give a blood transfusion. This principle also applies with respect to the issue of sin.<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 270px;\">STUDY TIP: See the <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/gods-written-word-and-gods-spoken-voice#definitionofsin\">definition of sin<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 150px;\">Sin is a condition that leads to death. It is an offense against the spiritual body that leads to loss of spiritual life. The words of false prophets are an offense against our spiritual bodies. The blood that contains our spiritual life (i.e. God&#8217;s spoken word) bleeds from us when we eat the food of false prophets whose swords (i.e. words) kill us.<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 150px;\">Just a transfusions of natural blood restore us to natural life, transfusions of spiritual blood (i.e. God&#8217;s spoken word) restore us to spiritual life. God&#8217;s spoken word (symbolically called blood) is the transfusion that overcomes the deadly effects of sin (i.e. eating<a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/breadfood-and-wine#evilsoulishfood\"> evil, soulish food<\/a>). But this still does not tell us what spiritual blood is or how it atones for spiritual sin. The answer hinges on knowledge of the nature of sin:<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 210px;\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/gods-written-word-and-gods-spoken-voice\/#definitionofsin\">Sin is the term that God uses to describe man&#8217;s condition when man listens to the voices of false prophets instead of listening to God&#8217;s voice. <\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 150px;\">Just like famine in the natural body leads to death, famine from hearing God&#8217;s voice leads to spiritual death. This principle is based on the truth that man lives on\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/passage\/?q=deuteronomy+8:1-3;+deuteronomy+30:15-20;+psalm+119:160;+psalm+119:142;+john+6:63-68;+matthew+4:1-4;+luke+4:1-4;+john+5:24;+deuteronomy+32:45-47;+1-peter+1:22-25;+hebrews+4:12;+1-john+1:1-3;+john+1:1-4\">every word that proceeds from the mouth of God<\/a>. In other words, if we do not <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/passage\/?q=acts+4:31;+acts+13:52;+ephesians+5:18\">keep on being filled<\/a> with the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/passage\/?q=ephesians+6:17;+1-thessalonians+1:1-5;+hebrews+4:12;+zechariah+4:6;+1-corinthians+12:8\">word (i.e. spirit) of God<\/a>, we will die spiritually.<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 150px;\">Just as a natural body will eventually die if it only consumes food with no nutritional value, a spiritual body will die if it consumes only\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/breadfood-and-wine#evilsoulishfood\">evil, soulish food. <\/a>Similarly, just as a natural body that consumes healthy food will live, a spiritual body that consumes\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/breadfood-and-wine#goodspiritualfood\">good, spiritual food<\/a> will live.<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 150px;\">Religious people consume a steady diet of <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/breadfood-and-wine#evilsoulishfood\">evil, soulish food<\/a>. They symbolically eat this food when they listen to the words of false prophets. See these links for various Biblical characters that qualify as <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/religion-is-the-kingdom-of-false-prophets\" aria-haspopup=\"true\">False Prophets<\/a>:<\/p>\n<table style=\"border-collapse: collapse; width: 51.1881%; height: 33px;\" border=\"1\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"width: 8.43373%;\"><\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 91.5663%;\">\n<ul class=\"children\">\n<li class=\"page_item page-item-5571\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/religion-is-the-kingdom-of-false-prophets\/balaam\">Balaam<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"page_item page-item-3785\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/religion-is-the-kingdom-of-false-prophets\/judas\">Judas ***<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"page_item page-item-2247\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/religion-is-the-kingdom-of-false-prophets\/kings-queens-and-princes\">Kings, Queens and Princes<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"page_item page-item-4060\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/religion-is-the-kingdom-of-false-prophets\/pharisees-and-scribes\">Pharisees and Scribes <\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"page_item page-item-2880\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/religion-is-the-kingdom-of-false-prophets\/serpent-devil-satan-adversary-demons-evil-spirits-and-anti-christs\">Serpent, Devil, Satan, Adversary, Demons, Evil Spirits and Anti-Christs<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"page_item page-item-3542\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/religion-is-the-kingdom-of-false-prophets\/shepherds-sheep-priests\">Shepherds, Priests and Sheep<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 150px;\">Religious people <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/revelation\/3-1.html\">think that they are spiritually alive but they are really spiritually dead<\/a>. They eat this food because they do not know how to discern good from evil.<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 240px;\">STUDY TIP: See\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/breadfood-and-wine\/2\">DISCERNING BETWEEN CLEAN AND UNCLEAN, HOLY AND PROFANE, SOUL AND SPIRIT, and GOOD AND EVIL.<\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 150px;\">Because they continually <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/breadfood-and-wine\/3#treeofknowledgeofgoodandevil\">eat from trees of knowledge of good and evil,<\/a> they have <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/genesis\/passage\/?q=genesis+2:15-17\">died spiritually as God warned would happen<\/a>. The cure for this condition is to <a href=\" http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/breadfood-and-wine\/3#treeoflife\">eat from trees of life.<\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 150px;\">In other words, there is a cure for spiritual famine and death: Eat <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/breadfood-and-wine#goodspiritualfood\">good, spiritual food<\/a> from <a href=\" http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/breadfood-and-wine\/3#treeoflife\">trees of life. <\/a>In Bible language, this food is also known as blood.<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 150px;\">Returning to the topic of blood and atonement for sin, we must keep in mind that <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/gods-written-word-and-gods-spoken-voice\/#definitionofsin\">sin is the term that God uses to describe man&#8217;s condition when man listens to the voices of false prophets instead of listening to God&#8217;s voice.<\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 150px;\">We conclude, therefore, that God&#8217;s spoken word is the <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/breadfood-and-wine#goodspiritualfood\">good, spiritual food<\/a> that gives life to religious people who are spiritually dead. Or, to return to the medical analogy, God&#8217;s spoken word is the blood transfusion that restores dead, religious people to spiritual life. This is how (i.e. blood) <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/lexicons\/hebrew\/nas\/kaphar.html\">atones for (i.e. covers)<\/a> sin.<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 150px;\">Putting this as simply as possible we can say that God&#8217;s voice, when heard with the heart, turns people from <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/gods-written-word-and-gods-spoken-voice\/#definitionofsin\">sin (i.e. listening to false prophets)<\/a> to <a href=\"http:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/rsv\/passage\/?q=exodus+15:22-26;+exodus+23:20-25;+exodus+19:1-5;+jeremiah+7:23-26;+jeremiah+11:1-4;+matthew+4:1-4;+deuteronomy+8:1-3;+job+22:21-23;+psalm+119:9-13;+psalm+138:4;+isaiah+28:23;+jeremiah+11:1-7;+jeremiah+22:21;+psalm+106:25;+nehemiah+9:29;+jeremiah+11:10;+jeremiah+13:11;+zechariah+7:11;+isaiah+46:12;+matthew+13:15\">listening to his spoken voice. <\/a>When God&#8217;s spoken voice is heard, the words of false prophets no longer satisfy. In fact, after learning how to hear God&#8217;s spoken voice, the words of false prophets are <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/passage\/?q=exodus+15:22-26;+deuteronomy+32:32;+psalm+64:1-3;+proverbs+5:1-4;+isaiah+5:20\">bitter<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 150px;\">The Bible uses the terms &#8220;salvation&#8221; and &#8220;resurrection from the dead&#8221; to describe the process by which people are restored to spiritual life. These and other related issues are discussed in detail in\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/death-resurrection-life\" aria-haspopup=\"true\">Death, Resurrection, New Life, Salvation, Forgiveness, Heaven and Hell.<\/a><\/p>\n<p>We see the power of God&#8217;s spoken word most graphically in the example of Jesus whose blood (i.e. words) has the power to cause religious people to change their minds about religion. When this happens, it is a miracle in which an Old\/First Covenant religionist (i.e. son of man) is <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/passage\/?q=ezekiel+11:14-21;+jeremiah+24:7;+jeremiah+32:38-39;+ezekiel+18:31;+ezekiel+36:24-27;+psalm+51:10;+ezekiel+11:19;+john+3:3;+john+3:5;+2-corinthians+5:17\">born again<\/a> as a son of God.<\/p>\n<p>Jesus had this miraculous ability, of course, because he was<a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/true-prophets\/messiah\"> anointed by<\/a> God to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/passage\/?q=john+7:16;+john+12:49;+john+14:10;+john+14:26;+john+16:13;+1-john+2:27;+1-john+2:20;+1-corinthians+2:12;+psalm+143:10;+luke+12:11-12;+matthew+10:17-20;+mark+13:11;+1-thessalonians+2:13;+exodus+4:12\">speak on God&#8217;s behalf<\/a> to people who <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/gods-written-word-and-gods-spoken-voice\/#definitionofsin\">sin by listening to false prophets. <\/a>When people hear and understand Jesus&#8217; words with <a href=\"http:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/passage\/?q=deuteronomy+29:1-4;+ezekiel+12:1-3;+ezekiel+40:1-4;+mark+8:14-20;+luke+10:21-24;+romans+11:1-10;+isaiah+6:1-10;+isaiah+43:1-8;+jeremiah+5:20-21;+matthew+13:13-18;+mark+4:8-18;+luke+8:1-10;+john+9:39-41;+john+12:37-40;+acts+28:17-28\">spiritual eyes and ears<\/a>, they symbolically &#8220;drink Jesus&#8217; blood.<\/p>\n<p>When Jesus says &#8220;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/john\/passage\/?q=john+6:48-58\">whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life,<\/a>&#8221; he means &#8220;whoever consumes (i.e. eats\/drinks) the word of God spoken by me will have a new, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/death-resurrection-life\/2#spirituallife\">spiritual life<\/a> (i.e. will be born again by the spirit of God).<\/p>\n<p>Whoever eats God&#8217;s spoken words eats the <a href=\" http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/breadfood-and-wine\/3#treeoflife\">fruit of the Tree of Life. God is a tree of life.<\/a> Jesus, who speaks for God, therefore, is a tree of life. God&#8217;s words spoken through Jesus&#8217; mouth are <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/breadfood-and-wine#goodspiritualfood\">good, spiritual food.<\/a><\/p>\n<p>The same can be said for all <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/true-prophets\">True Prophets,\u00a0<\/a><a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/angels\">angels<\/a>,\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/true-prophets\/messiah\">messiahs, warriors<\/a> and <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/true-prophets\/the-high-priest\">high priests<\/a>. All of these characters symbolically represent New Covenant disciples whom God has <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/death-resurrection-life\">raised from death<\/a> (i.e. religion) and<a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/passage\/?q=jeremiah+29:18-19;+jeremiah+26:1-5;+ezekiel+2:1-7;+2-chronicles+36:15;+acts+3:26;+revelation+1:1;+deuteronomy+18:18;+isaiah+51:15-16;+john+17:1-8;+isaiah+59:21;+deuteronomy+32:1;+job+22:22;+psalm+19:14;+proverbs+12:6;+jeremiah+1:9;+jeremiah+5:14;+hosea+6:5\"> sent<\/a> into the <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/world\">world of religion<\/a> as messenger\/warriors to <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/forums\/topic\/freedom-from-the-sin-of-religion\">set others free<\/a> from <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/religion\/religion-is-not-faith\/religion-is-injustice-and-slavery\">slavery to religion<\/a>. They have the authority and power to function as messiahs because they have <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/passage\/?q=jeremiah+31:31-34;+hebrews+8:10-11\">God&#8217;s laws written on their hearts<\/a>. That means that <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/passage\/?q=1-corinthians+2;+john+7:16;+john+12:49;+john+14:10;+john+14:24-31;+john+16:13;+1-corinthians+2:12-13;+psalm+143:10;+luke+12:11-12;+matthew+10:17-20;+mark+13:11;+1-thessalonians+2:13;+exodus+4:12;+deuteronomy+18:18;+john+5:19;+matthew+26:39;+john+5:30;+john+6:38;+john+6:68;+john+8:28;+acts+4:29\">when they speak, God&#8217;s word is spoken through them<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>When they speak, the act of speaking God&#8217;s word is symbolically represented as &#8220;sprinkling blood.&#8221; This symbolism is introduced in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/search\/?s=bibles&amp;q=sprinkle+blood+altar&amp;t=nas\">scriptures that discuss sprinkling blood on the altar<\/a>. Understanding of these scriptures is not possible, however, without first understanding these two symbols:<\/p>\n<table style=\"border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;\" border=\"1\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"width: 5.02561%;\"><\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 5.33331%;\"><\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 89.641%;\">\n<ul>\n<li>Blood symbolizes God&#8217;s spoken word<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/tabernacles-temples-altars-high-places-and-pilgrimages\">Altar<\/a> symbolizes the <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/place-where-god-will-place-his-name\/4\">heart<\/a>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p>Blood, like all Biblical <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\">symbols,<\/a> is a\u00a0\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\">mystery<\/a>. Understanding comes, if it comes at all, only after combining and integrating several scriptures that are easier to understand. And it only comes to people who <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/gods-written-word-and-gods-spoken-voice\/how-to-hear-gods-spoken-voice\">hear God&#8217;s spoken voice<\/a>. The following scriptures, when interpreted correctly,\u00a0 contribute to the understanding of the power of blood (i.e. God&#8217;s spoken voice):<\/p>\n<table style=\"border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;\" border=\"1\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"width: 4.76923%;\"><\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 95.2308%;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/revelation\/passage\/?q=revelation+12:10-11\">Revelation 12:10-11 <\/a>Then\u00a0I\u00a0heard\u00a0a\u00a0loud\u00a0voice\u00a0in\u00a0heaven,\u00a0saying,\u00a0&#8220;Now\u00a0the salvation,\u00a0and the\u00a0power,\u00a0and the\u00a0kingdom\u00a0of our\u00a0God\u00a0and the authority\u00a0of his\u00a0Christ\u00a0have\u00a0come,\u00a0for the\u00a0accuser\u00a0of our brethren\u00a0has been\u00a0thrown\u00a0down, he who\u00a0accuses\u00a0them\u00a0before our\u00a0God\u00a0day\u00a0and\u00a0night.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;And they\u00a0overcame\u00a0him\u00a0because\u00a0of\u00a0the\u00a0blood\u00a0of the\u00a0Lamb and\u00a0because\u00a0of\u00a0the\u00a0word\u00a0of their\u00a0testimony, and they\u00a0did not love\u00a0their\u00a0life\u00a0even\u00a0when\u00a0faced with\u00a0death.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 90px;\">COMMENTARY: See <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/death-resurrection-life\/13\">this link for understanding of salvation.<\/a> See <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/prayer\/when-god-does-hear-prayer\/the-lords-prayer\">this link for understanding of the kingdom of God.<\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 90px;\">The accuser of the brethren is not a unique, singular person. This is talking about all accusers (i.e. all false prophets) who keep religious people in bondage by telling them that they are not religious enough; that they will go to hell if they do not do the right religious things; that they need to keep working for their salvation; that they need to give more money to the accuser&#8217;s religious organization. Basically, they use fear, intimidation and <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/religion\/religion-is-not-faith\/religion-is-deception\">deception<\/a> to keep religious people <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/religion\/religion-is-not-faith\/religion-is-injustice-and-slavery\">enslaved<\/a> to religion.<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 90px;\">The authority to which this refers is the authority of all <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/true-prophets\/messiah\">messiahs<\/a> &#8212; not a unique, singular messiah\/christ. All messiahs are true prophets who have been <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/passage\/?q=jeremiah+29:18-19;+jeremiah+26:1-5;+ezekiel+2:1-7;+2-chronicles+36:15;+acts+3:26;+revelation+1:1;+deuteronomy+18:18;+isaiah+51:15-16;+john+17:1-8;+isaiah+59:21;+deuteronomy+32:1;+job+22:22;+psalm+19:14;+proverbs+12:6;+jeremiah+1:9;+jeremiah+5:14;+hosea+6:5\">sent by God to speak God&#8217;s word to religious people.<\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 90px;\">What is overcome is the <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/world\">world of religion<\/a> which is under the control of <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/religion-is-the-kingdom-of-false-prophets\">false prophets <\/a>who\u00a0use their words to maintain control of their little <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/nations\/3\">kingdoms<\/a>. God overcomes these kingdoms with his own words which are symbolically called blood. The &#8220;words of their testimony&#8221; are <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/passage\/?q=1-corinthians+2;+john+7:16;+john+12:49;+john+14:10;+john+14:24-31;+john+16:13;+1-corinthians+2:12-13;+psalm+143:10;+luke+12:11-12;+matthew+10:17-20;+mark+13:11;+1-thessalonians+2:13;+exodus+4:12;+deuteronomy+18:18;+john+5:19;+matthew+26:39;+john+5:30;+john+6:38;+john+6:68;+john+8:28;+acts+4:29\">God&#8217;s words spoken through true prophets (i.e.<\/a><a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/angels\">angels<\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/passage\/?q=1-corinthians+2;+john+7:16;+john+12:49;+john+14:10;+john+14:24-31;+john+16:13;+1-corinthians+2:12-13;+psalm+143:10;+luke+12:11-12;+matthew+10:17-20;+mark+13:11;+1-thessalonians+2:13;+exodus+4:12;+deuteronomy+18:18;+john+5:19;+matthew+26:39;+john+5:30;+john+6:38;+john+6:68;+john+8:28;+acts+4:29\">,\u00a0<\/a><a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/true-prophets\/messiah\">messiahs<\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/passage\/?q=1-corinthians+2;+john+7:16;+john+12:49;+john+14:10;+john+14:24-31;+john+16:13;+1-corinthians+2:12-13;+psalm+143:10;+luke+12:11-12;+matthew+10:17-20;+mark+13:11;+1-thessalonians+2:13;+exodus+4:12;+deuteronomy+18:18;+john+5:19;+matthew+26:39;+john+5:30;+john+6:38;+john+6:68;+john+8:28;+acts+4:29\">, <\/a><a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/true-prophets\/the-high-priest\">high priests<\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/passage\/?q=1-corinthians+2;+john+7:16;+john+12:49;+john+14:10;+john+14:24-31;+john+16:13;+1-corinthians+2:12-13;+psalm+143:10;+luke+12:11-12;+matthew+10:17-20;+mark+13:11;+1-thessalonians+2:13;+exodus+4:12;+deuteronomy+18:18;+john+5:19;+matthew+26:39;+john+5:30;+john+6:38;+john+6:68;+john+8:28;+acts+4:29\">, <\/a><a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/true-prophets\/model-warriors\">warriors<\/a>). Thus, God overcomes the kingdoms of false prophets through true prophets who speak his words.<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 150px;\">STUDY TIP: See\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/prayer\/when-god-does-hear-prayer\/the-lords-prayer\">The Lord\u2019s Prayer <\/a>for more about God&#8217;s kingdom.<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/revelation\/passage\/?q=revelation+19:11-15\">Revelation 19:11-15\u00a0<\/a><span class=\"verse-11\">And I\u00a0saw\u00a0heaven\u00a0opened, and\u00a0behold, a\u00a0white\u00a0horse, and He who\u00a0sat\u00a0on it is\u00a0called\u00a0Faithful\u00a0and\u00a0True, and in righteousness\u00a0He\u00a0judges\u00a0and\u00a0wages\u00a0war.\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"verse-number\">12<\/span>\u00a0<span class=\"verse-12\">His\u00a0eyes\u00a0are aflame\u00a0of\u00a0fire, and on His\u00a0head\u00a0are\u00a0many\u00a0diadems; and He\u00a0has\u00a0a name\u00a0written\u00a0on him\u00a0which\u00a0no\u00a0one\u00a0knows\u00a0except\u00a0Himself.\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"verse-number\">13\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"verse-13\">He is\u00a0clothed\u00a0with a\u00a0robe\u00a0dipped\u00a0in\u00a0blood, and His\u00a0name\u00a0is called\u00a0The\u00a0Word\u00a0of\u00a0God.\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"verse-number\">14<\/span>\u00a0<span class=\"verse-14\">And the\u00a0armies\u00a0which are in heaven,\u00a0clothed\u00a0in\u00a0fine\u00a0linen,\u00a0white\u00a0and\u00a0clean, were\u00a0following Him on\u00a0white\u00a0horses.\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"verse-number\">15<\/span>\u00a0<span class=\"verse-15\">From His\u00a0mouth\u00a0comes\u00a0a\u00a0sharp sword,\u00a0so\u00a0that\u00a0with it He may\u00a0strike\u00a0down\u00a0the\u00a0nations, and He will\u00a0rule\u00a0them with a\u00a0rod\u00a0of\u00a0iron; and\u00a0He\u00a0treads\u00a0the\u00a0winepress lighty.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 120px;\">COMMENTARY: See\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/nations\/kingdom-of-heaven\">Kingdom of Heaven.<\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 120px;\">This is a vision of all <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/true-prophets\/messiah\">messiahs<\/a> who are anointed to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/passage\/?q=1-corinthians+2;+john+7:16;+john+12:49;+john+14:10;+john+14:24-31;+john+16:13;+1-corinthians+2:12-13;+psalm+143:10;+luke+12:11-12;+matthew+10:17-20;+mark+13:11;+1-thessalonians+2:13;+exodus+4:12;+deuteronomy+18:18;+john+5:19;+matthew+26:39;+john+5:30;+john+6:38;+john+6:68;+john+8:28;+acts+4:29\">speak for God.<\/a> They come as <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/true-prophets\/model-warriors\">warriors<\/a> to overcome God&#8217;s <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/religion\/religion-is-the-enemy\">enemies<\/a>. Their weapons are God&#8217;s words which are sharp swords. The <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/nations\/4\">nations<\/a> that they strike down are religious kingdoms controlled by false prophets.<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 120px;\">See\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/gods-written-word-and-gods-spoken-voice\/the-law\/third-commandment\">Third Commandment <\/a>for understanding of the name. Only people who are born again and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/passage\/?q=1-kings+8:37-39;+2-chronicles+6:28-30;+2-chronicles+32:31;+psalm+26:2;+jeremiah+17:10;+jeremiah+20:12;+psalm+7:9;+psalm+11:5;+psalm+17:3;+psalm+139:23;+jeremiah+11:20\">God know whose hearts<\/a> reflect God&#8217;s character.<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 120px;\">The name of the warrior on the horse is &#8220;word of God&#8221;. Thus the way a warrior (i.e. <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/true-prophets\/11\">true prophet<\/a>)<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 120px;\">The robe is the spirit which is God&#8217;s spoken word.<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 120px;\">The armies in <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/nations\/kingdom-of-heaven\">heaven<\/a> are <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/true-prophets\/model-warriors\">warriors<\/a> who are engaged in spiritual warfare with <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/religion\/religion-is-the-enemy\">God&#8217;s enemies.<\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 120px;\">Warriors in God&#8217;s army speak with <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/blood\">swords that shed blood (i.e. God&#8217;s spoken word).<\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/numbers\/passage\/?q=numbers+19:1-4\">Numbers 19:1-4\u00a0<\/a><span class=\"verse-1\">The LORD said to Moses and Aaron:\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"verse-number\">2<\/span>\u00a0<span class=\"verse-2\">\u201cThis is a requirement of the law that the LORD has commanded: Tell the Israelites to bring you a red heifer without defect or blemish and that has never been under a yoke.\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"verse-number\">3<\/span>\u00a0<span class=\"verse-3\">Give it to Eleazar the priest; it is to be taken outside the camp and slaughtered in his presence.\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"verse-number\">4<\/span>\u00a0<span class=\"verse-4\">Then Eleazar the priest is to take some of its blood on his finger and sprinkle it seven times toward the front of the tent of meeting.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 120px;\">COMMENTARY: <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/true-prophets\/the-high-priest\">High priest<\/a> sprinkles blood (i.e. God&#8217;s spoken word) that <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/sickeness-disease-blindness-and-deafness\">heals and restores the spiritual body.<\/a> The <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/place-where-god-will-place-his-name\/4\">tent of meeting is the heart<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/matthew\/passage\/?q=matthew+26:26-28\">Matthew 26:26-28\u00a0<\/a>While they were\u00a0eating,\u00a0Jesus\u00a0took\u00a0some\u00a0bread, and\u00a0after a\u00a0blessing, He\u00a0broke\u00a0it and\u00a0gave\u00a0it to the\u00a0disciples, and\u00a0said,<span class=\"red-letter no-red\">&#8220;Take,\u00a0eat;\u00a0this\u00a0is My\u00a0body.&#8221;<\/span>\u00a0<span class=\"verse-number\">27<\/span>\u00a0<span class=\"verse-27\">And when He had\u00a0taken\u00a0a\u00a0cup and\u00a0given\u00a0thanks, He\u00a0gave\u00a0it to them,\u00a0saying,\u00a0<span class=\"red-letter no-red\">&#8220;Drink\u00a0from it,\u00a0all\u00a0of you;<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"verse-number\">28<\/span>\u00a0<span class=\"verse-28\"><span class=\"red-letter no-red\">for\u00a0this\u00a0is My\u00a0blood\u00a0of the\u00a0covenant, which is\u00a0poured\u00a0out for\u00a0many\u00a0for\u00a0forgiveness\u00a0of\u00a0sins.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 120px;\">COMMENTARY:\u00a0As a <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/true-prophets\/messiah\">messiah,<\/a> Jesus has been <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/passage\/?q=genesis+45:1-7;+2-chronicles+36:15;+acts+3:26;+revelation+1:1;+deuteronomy+18:18;+isaiah+51:15-16;+john+17:1-8;+isaiah+59:21;+deuteronomy+32:1;+job+22:22;+psalm+19:14;+proverbs+12:6;+jeremiah+1:9;+jeremiah+5:14;+hosea+6:5\">sent by God as a prophet<\/a> who speaks for God.\u00a0He has gathered his disciples together to serve them\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/breadfood-and-wine#goodspiritualfood\">good, spiritual food<\/a> (i.e. God&#8217;s voice).This <a href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/search?q=vignette+definition&amp;oq=vignette&amp;aqs=chrome.1.69i57j0l5.5782j0j7&amp;sourceid=chrome&amp;ie=UTF-8\">vignette<\/a> is a parable of a messiah teaching New Covenant disciples <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/gods-written-word-and-gods-spoken-voice\/how-to-hear-gods-spoken-voice\">how to hear God&#8217;s voice<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 120px;\">In this story, Jesus is a\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/true-prophets\/the-high-priest\">high priest<\/a> who sprinkles God&#8217;s blood (i.e. his word) on people who have spiritual\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/passage\/?q=deuteronomy+29:1-4;+ezekiel+12:1-3;+ezekiel+40:1-4;+mark+8:14-20;+luke+10:21-24;+romans+11:1-10;+isaiah+6:1-10;+isaiah+43:1-8;+jeremiah+5:20-21;+matthew+13:13-18;+mark+4:8-18;+luke+8:1-10;+john+9:39-41;+john+12:37-40;+acts+28:17-28\">ears to hear<\/a> God&#8217;s voice. Sprinkling is symbolized as serving God&#8217;s voice in the form of <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/breadfood-and-wine\">bread and wine<\/a>. Jesus symbolically calls God&#8217;s voice his body and his blood. When he says &#8220;take and eat&#8221; and &#8220;drink&#8221;, he is effectively encouraging his disciples to listen to God&#8217;s voice.<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 120px;\">The statement &#8220;this is the blood of the covenant&#8221; symbolically refers to God <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/passage\/?q=jeremiah+31:31-34;+jeremiah+32:40;+jeremiah+33:14;+ezekiel+37:26;+luke+22:20;+1-corinthians+11:25;+2-corinthians+3:1-6;+hebrews+8:8-12;+hebrews+10:16-17\">writing his laws on the hearts of New Covenant<\/a> disciples. It is God&#8217;s spirit (i.e. his voice) that does the writing. So it is God&#8217;s spirit that sprinkles God&#8217;s word on the ears of people who have spiritual\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/passage\/?q=deuteronomy+29:1-4;+ezekiel+12:1-3;+ezekiel+40:1-4;+mark+8:14-20;+luke+10:21-24;+romans+11:1-10;+isaiah+6:1-10;+isaiah+43:1-8;+jeremiah+5:20-21;+matthew+13:13-18;+mark+4:8-18;+luke+8:1-10;+john+9:39-41;+john+12:37-40;+acts+28:17-28\">ears to hear it.<\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 120px;\">The blood of the <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/gods-written-word-and-gods-spoken-voice\/the-law\/two-covenantspart1\/2#newcovenant\">new covenant<\/a>\u00a0 is God&#8217;s voice spoken through true \u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/true-prophets\">true prophets<\/a>,<a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/angels\"> angels<\/a>,\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/true-prophets\/messiah\">messiahs<\/a>, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/true-prophets\/the-high-priest\">high priests<\/a>, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/true-prophets\/model-warriors\">warriors<\/a>. The blood of the covenant is not natural blood or wine as taught by Christians.<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 120px;\">Jesus symbolically poured out his blood when took on the responsibilities of a messiah. He poured out his blood (i.e. his teaching) whenever he <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/passage\/?q=1-corinthians+2;+john+7:16;+john+12:49;+john+14:10;+john+14:24-31;+john+16:13;+1-corinthians+2:12-13;+psalm+143:10;+luke+12:11-12;+matthew+10:17-20;+mark+13:11;+1-thessalonians+2:13;+exodus+4:12;+deuteronomy+18:18;+john+5:19;+matthew+26:39;+john+5:30;+john+6:38;+john+6:68;+john+8:28;+acts+4:29\">spoke for God<\/a>. He spoke God&#8217;s word because he knew that people who would believe his words would have <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/death-resurrection-life\/13\">salvation and be forgiven<\/a> for practicing the <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/religion\/religion-is-sin\">sin of religion. <\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 120px;\">When messiahs (e.g.\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/true-prophets\">true prophets<\/a>,<a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/angels\"> angels<\/a>,\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/true-prophets\/the-high-priest\">high priests<\/a>, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/true-prophets\/model-warriors\">warriors<\/a>) speak, God&#8217;s words (i.e. his <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/gods-written-word-and-gods-spoken-voice\/the-law\/6#spirituallaws\">spiritual laws<\/a>) are written on the hearts of people who have <a href=\"http:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/passage\/?q=deuteronomy+29:1-4;+ezekiel+12:1-3;+ezekiel+40:1-4;+mark+8:14-20;+luke+10:21-24;+romans+11:1-10;+isaiah+6:1-10;+isaiah+43:1-8;+jeremiah+5:20-21;+matthew+13:13-18;+mark+4:8-18;+luke+8:1-10;+john+9:39-41;+john+12:37-40;+acts+28:17-28\">spiritual eyes to see and ears to hear.<\/a> People who are spiritually<a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/sickeness-disease-blindness-and-deafness\/3\"> blind<\/a> and <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/sickeness-disease-blindness-and-deafness\/4\">deaf<\/a>, do not understand, or appreciate what messiahs have to say. In fact, their attitude about messiahs is that they threaten their religion. That is why messiahs are <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/passage\/?q=luke+6:22;+isaiah+53:3;+psalm+22:6;+isaiah+49:7;+luke+18:31-33;+john+9:22;+john+16:2\">rejected and despised.<\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/romans\/5-9.html\"><span style=\"font-size: 20px;\">Romans 5:9<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-size: 20px;\">\u00a0<\/span><span style=\"font-size: 20px;\">Much more then, having\u00a0now\u00a0been\u00a0justified\u00a0by His\u00a0blood, we shall be\u00a0saved\u00a0from the\u00a0wrath\u00a0of God\u00a0through\u00a0Him.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 120px;\">COMMENTARY: The need for justification exists because of <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/gods-written-word-and-gods-spoken-voice\/#definitionofsin\">sin (i.e. failure to listen to God&#8217;s spoken voice).<\/a> Justification for sinners who do not listen to God&#8217;s voice, is accomplished when they do choose to listen to his voice. God&#8217;s voice (i.e. blood), therefore, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/religion\/religion-is-not-faith\/religion-is-injustice-and-slavery\">justifies (i.e. places them in a right relationship with God)<\/a> when people listen to it.<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 180px;\">STUDY TIP: See\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/religion\/religion-is-not-faith\/religion-is-injustice-and-slavery\/3\">RIGHTEOUSNESS AND JUSTICE.<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/colossians\/1-20.html\"><span style=\"font-size: 20px;\">Colossians 1:20<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 120px;\">COMMENTARY:<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/romans\/passage\/?q=romans+3:24-25\">Romans 3:24-25\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 120px;\">COMMENTARY:<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/hebrews\/9-22.html\">Hebrews 9:22<\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 120px;\">COMMENTARY:<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 120px;\">All mediators (i.e. messiahs, true prophets, high priests, warriors) shed blood when they speak for God.<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 120px;\">Unless mediators shed blood (i.e. speak for God), religious people will not hear God&#8217;s voice at all because they otherwise listen only to false prophets.<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 120px;\">If religious people do not listen to God&#8217;s voice spoken through prophets, they have no incentive or motivation to stop listening to false prophets.<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 120px;\">If religious people do not listen to God&#8217;s voice, they will not be forgiven for the sin of listening to false prophets.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/ephesians\/1-7.html\">Ephesians 1:7<\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 120px;\">COMMENTARY:<\/p>\n<p><a class=\"vl-anchor\" href=\"https:\/\/ebible.com\/query?utf=8%E2%9C%93&amp;query=Heb%209%3A12-15&amp;translation=ESV\" data-passage=\"Heb912-15\">Hebrews 9:12-15<\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 120px;\">COMMENTARY:<\/p>\n<p><a class=\"vl-anchor\" href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/1-peter\/passage\/?q=1-peter+1:17-23\" data-passage=\"1Pet118-2\">1 Peter 1:17-23<\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 120px;\">COMMENTARY:<\/p>\n<p><a class=\"vl-anchor\" href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/revelation\/5-9.html\" data-passage=\"Rev59\">Revelation 5:9<\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 120px;\">COMMENTARY:<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/romans\/passage\/?q=romans+3:21-25\">Romans 3:21-25:\u00a0<\/a>\u00a0<span class=\"verse-21\">But now apart from the law the righteousness of God has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 120px;\">COMMENTARY:\u00a0See <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/death-resurrection-life\/3#romans7\">interpretation of Romans 7 <\/a>for understanding of the law. The righteousness of God exists in his word\/laws written in the heart &#8212; not in <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/gods-written-word-and-gods-spoken-voice\/the-law\/6#religiouslaws\">religious laws<\/a>. God&#8217;s righteousness\/words are only made known in the hearts of New Covenant disciples because <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/passage\/?q=jeremiah+31:31-34;+jeremiah+32:40;+jeremiah+33:14;+ezekiel+37:26;+luke+22:20;+1-corinthians+11:25;+2-corinthians+3:1-6;+hebrews+8:8-12;+hebrews+10:16-17\">God writes his laws on the hearts<\/a> with his words. The law which testifies of these truths is God&#8217;s <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/gods-written-word-and-gods-spoken-voice\/the-law\/6#spirituallaws\">spiritual laws<\/a>. The message that the righteousness of God is written on the heart &#8212; not by obedience to religious laws &#8212; is the message (i.e. testimony) of all true prophets. This message contrasts with the teachings of <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/religion-is-the-kingdom-of-false-prophets\">false prophets<\/a> who teach that righteousness is achieved by obedience to <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/gods-written-word-and-gods-spoken-voice\/the-law\/6#religiouslaws\">religious laws<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><span class=\"verse-number\">22<\/span>\u00a0<span class=\"verse-22\">This righteousness is given through faith in\u00a0Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference between Jew and Gentile,\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 120px;\">COMMENTARY: Faith does not exist in things that can be seen. The object of faith that God values is his word. His word cannot be seen, but it must be believed. Faith in Jesus, therefore, is not in a person, but in what he says. Jesus and other true prophets are sent by God to speak God&#8217;s words. People of faith believe that God spoke through Jesus and that he speaks through other true prophets. The statement that there is no difference between Jew and Gentile introduces verse 22 which says that all have fallen short of the Glory of God.<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><span class=\"verse-number\">23<\/span>\u00a0<span class=\"verse-23\">for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 120px;\">COMMENTARY:<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><span class=\"verse-number\">24\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"verse-24\">and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 120px;\">COMMENTARY:<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><span class=\"verse-number\">25<\/span>\u00a0<span class=\"verse-25\">God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement,\u00a0through the shedding of his blood\u2014to be received by faith. He did this to demonstrate his righteousness, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished\u2014<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 120px;\">COMMENTARY:<\/p>\n<table style=\"border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;\" border=\"1\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"width: 10.4102%;\"><\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 12.8718%;\"><\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 76.7179%;\">\n<ul>\n<li>Belief refers to hearing God&#8217;s word <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/passage\/?q=genesis+45:1-7;+2-chronicles+36:15;+acts+3:26;+revelation+1:1;+deuteronomy+18:18;+isaiah+51:15-16;+john+17:1-8;+isaiah+59:21;+deuteronomy+32:1;+job+22:22;+psalm+19:14;+proverbs+12:6;+jeremiah+1:9;+jeremiah+5:14;+hosea+6:5\">spoken through any messiah (i.e. true prophet).<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/gods-written-word-and-gods-spoken-voice\/#definitionofsin\">Sin is failure to listen to God&#8217;s spoken voice<\/a>.<\/li>\n<li>Redemption comes to those who trust that a messiah speaks for God.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/religion\/religion-is-not-faith\">Faith comes by hearing God&#8217;s word spoken word<\/a> through a messiah\/true prophet.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><a class=\"vl-anchor\" href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/acts\/passage\/?q=acts+13:38-39\" data-passage=\"Acts1338-39\">Acts 13:38-39<\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 120px;\">COMMENTARY:<\/p>\n<p><a class=\"vl-anchor\" href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/ephesians\/2-13.html\" data-passage=\"Eph213\">Ephesians 2:13<\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 120px;\">COMMENTARY:<\/p>\n<p><a class=\"vl-anchor\" href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/hebrews\/10-19.html\" data-passage=\"Heb1019\">Hebrews 10:19<\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 120px;\">COMMENTARY:<\/p>\n<p><a class=\"vl-anchor\" href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/1-john\/1-7.html\" data-passage=\"1Jn17\">1 John 1:7<\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 120px;\">COMMENTARY:<\/p>\n<p><a class=\"vl-anchor\" href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/hebrews\/passage\/?q=hebrews+10:10-14\" data-passage=\"Heb1010-14\">Hebrews 10:10-14<\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 120px;\">COMMENTARY:<\/p>\n<p><a class=\"vl-anchor\" href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/hebrews\/13-20.html\" data-passage=\"Heb1010-14\">Hebrews\u00a0<\/a><a class=\"vl-anchor\" href=\"https:\/\/ebible.com\/query?utf=8%E2%9C%93&amp;query=Heb%2013%3A20&amp;translation=ESV\" data-passage=\"Heb1320\">13:20<\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 120px;\">COMMENTARY:<\/p>\n<p><a class=\"vl-anchor\" href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/hebrews\/10-29.html\" data-passage=\"Heb1029\">Hebrews 10:29<\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 120px;\">COMMENTARY:<\/p>\n<p><a class=\"vl-anchor\" href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/hebrews\/passage\/?q=hebrews+12:22-24\" data-passage=\"Heb1224\">Hebrews 12:22-24<\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 120px;\">COMMENTARY:<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/acts\/20-28.html\">\u00a0Acts 20:28<\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 120px;\">COMMENTARY:<\/p>\n<div class=\"float-left\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"article\">\n<p>Not all blood is the same. There is blood that is God&#8217;s spoken word and there is blood that is spoken by false prophets (princes).<\/p>\n<p>Judgment:<a class=\"bibleref\" href=\"https:\/\/www.biblegateway.com\/passage\/?search=Isa%2034:5-Isa%2034:6\">Isa 34:5-6<\/a> <i>; <\/i><a class=\"bibleref\" href=\"https:\/\/www.biblegateway.com\/passage\/?search=Exod%207:14-Exod%207:21\">Ex 7:14-21<\/a>; <a class=\"bibleref\" href=\"https:\/\/www.biblegateway.com\/passage\/?search=Ps%2078:44\">Ps 78:44<\/a>; <a class=\"bibleref\" href=\"https:\/\/www.biblegateway.com\/passage\/?search=Ps%20105:29\">Ps 105:29<\/a>; <a class=\"bibleref\" href=\"https:\/\/www.biblegateway.com\/passage\/?search=Acts%202:19-Acts%202:20\">Ac 2:19-20<\/a>; <a class=\"bibleref\" href=\"https:\/\/www.biblegateway.com\/passage\/?search=Joel%202:30-Joel%202:31\">Joel 2:30-31<\/a><\/p>\n<p>End times: <a class=\"bibleref\" href=\"https:\/\/www.biblegateway.com\/passage\/?search=Acts%202:19-Acts%202:20\">Ac 2:19-20<\/a> <i>See also<\/i> <a class=\"bibleref\" href=\"https:\/\/www.biblegateway.com\/passage\/?search=Joel%202:30-Joel%202:31\">Joel 2:30-31<\/a>; <a class=\"bibleref\" href=\"https:\/\/www.biblegateway.com\/passage\/?search=Rev%206:12-Rev%206:15\">Rev 6:12-15<\/a>; <a class=\"bibleref\" href=\"https:\/\/www.biblegateway.com\/passage\/?search=Rev%208:7-Rev%208:9\">Rev 8:7-9<\/a>; <a class=\"bibleref\" href=\"https:\/\/www.biblegateway.com\/passage\/?search=Rev%2016:3-Rev%2016:6\">Rev 16:3-6<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Shedding innocent blood: <a class=\"bibleref\" href=\"https:\/\/www.biblegateway.com\/passage\/?search=Gen%204:8-Gen%204:11\">Ge 4:8-11<\/a> <i>See also<\/i> <a class=\"bibleref\" href=\"https:\/\/www.biblegateway.com\/passage\/?search=2Sam%201:14-2Sam%201:16\">2Sa 1:14-16<\/a>; <a class=\"bibleref\" href=\"https:\/\/www.biblegateway.com\/passage\/?search=2Sam%204:5-2Sam%204:12\">2Sa 4:5-12<\/a>; <a class=\"bibleref\" href=\"https:\/\/www.biblegateway.com\/passage\/?search=Ezek%2035:5-Ezek%2035:9\">Eze 35:5-9<\/a>; <a class=\"bibleref\" href=\"https:\/\/www.biblegateway.com\/passage\/?search=Hab%202:12\">Hab 2:12<\/a>; <a class=\"bibleref\" href=\"https:\/\/www.biblegateway.com\/passage\/?search=Matt%2027:3-Matt%2027:8\">Mt 27:3-8<\/a>,<a class=\"bibleref\" href=\"https:\/\/www.biblegateway.com\/passage\/?search=Matt%2027:24\">24<\/a>; <a class=\"bibleref\" href=\"https:\/\/www.biblegateway.com\/passage\/?search=Acts%205:28\">Ac 5:28<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"mb-16\"><small class=\"text-muted\"><span style=\"font-size: 19px;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/small><br \/>\n<!--nextpage--><br \/>\n<strong>ARROWS<\/strong><br \/>\nArrows are like swords. There are arrows of truth in the mouths of New Covenant disciples that bring life, and arrows of false teaching in the mouths of false prophets that bring death. It is the same principle as the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/passage\/?q=proverbs+18:20-21;+proverbs+12:13;+proverbs+13:3;+matthew+12:37\">power of the tongue to bring life or death<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Arrows are slightly different, however, in the symbolism of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/passage\/?q=proverbs+25:18;+isaiah+49:2;+jeremiah+9:8;+psalm+64:3\">arrows as people.<\/a> But, like swords, people can bring either life or death. False prophets are arrows of death because they speal false teaching with their tongues. <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/true-prophets\">True prophets<\/a> and warriors, however, bring both <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/death-resurrection-life\">death and life<\/a>: Death to religion and new life to people who listen to God through them.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/passage\/?q=matthew+8:19;+matthew+9:11;+matthew+12:38;+matthew+19:16;+matthew+22:16;+matthew+22:24;+matthew+26:18;+mark+4:38;+mark+9:17;+mark+9:38\">Jesus was a teacher<\/a> and a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/passage\/?q=matthew+21:11;+matthew+21:46;+mark+6:15;+luke+7:16;+luke+24:19;+john+4:19;+john+6:14;+john+7:40;+john+9:17\">prophet<\/a> through whom <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/passage\/?q=zechariah+4:6;+john+7:16;+john+12:49;+john+14:10;+john+14:26;+john+16:13;+1-corinthians+2:12;+psalm+143:10;+luke+12:11-12;+matthew+10:17-20;+mark+13:11;+1-thessalonians+2:13;+exodus+4:12\">God spoke by the power of his spirit. <\/a>But he was no ordinary prophet. He was a <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/true-prophets\">true prophet<\/a> whose teachings\/words mediated the terms of the New Covenant to Old\/First Covenant religionists who had their eyes and ears opened so that they could recognize Jesus as the messiah who would <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/passage\/?q=isaiah+42:1-7;+isaiah+49:1-10;+isaiah+49:24-25;+isaiah+61:1-5;+luke+4:18-19;+matthew+11:1-5;+2-corinthians+3:17\">open their spiritual eyes and deliver them from captivity <\/a>to religion.<\/p>\n<p>God&#8217;s words spoken\/taught by Jesus and other true prophets are <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/passage\/?q=psalm+119:43;+john+1:14;+john+17:17;+2-timothy+2:15;+1-kings+17:24;+2-corinthians+4:2;+james+1:18\">words of truth<\/a>. People who hear and obey these <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/passage\/?q=john+17:17;+2-samuel+7:18-29;+john+15:1-3;+ephesians+5:25-26\">words of truth are sanctified, <\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/passage\/?q=matthew+8:5-10;+psalm+107:20\">healed,<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/passage\/?q=john+8:31-32;+john+8:36;+romans+6:18-22;+romans+8:1-2;+2-corinthians+3:17;+psalm+25:1-9\">set free<\/a> from the sin of religion. The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/passage\/?q=1-corinthians+2:6-15;+zechariah+4:6\">power to accomplish these miracles exists only in the word of God spoken through his voice directly or through true prophets.<\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 150px;\">STUDY TIP: See <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/true-prophets\/11\">Checklist for Identification of True Prophets.<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.azbible.com\/prophets-in-the-bible.html\">Jesus is only one of a long list of true prophets.<\/a> All true prophets are New Covenant disciples when they speak (i.e. prophesy) for God. None of these true prophets &#8212; including Jesus &#8212; were born into New Covenant families. All true prophets had seasons of their lives in which they were Old\/First Covenant religionists and there is evidence that <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/6#examplesofbacksliding\">some of them even backslid into Old\/First Covenant religion<\/a>. But, while they were true prophets, they all spoke God&#8217;s truth to religious people. They were all <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/passage\/?q=isaiah+61:1-5;+luke+4:18-19;+matthew+11:1-5;+2-corinthians+3:17;+isaiah+42:1-7;+isaiah+49:1-10;+isaiah+49:24-25;+isaiah+58\">anointed to speak truth that would set people free from the sin of religion.<\/a> They were highly motivated to take the <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/death-resurrection-life\/two-deaths\">risk of speaking out<\/a> because <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/passage\/?q=deuteronomy+5:15;+deuteronomy+16:12;+deuteronomy+24:18-22\">remembering that they were once slaves in Egypt,<\/a> they want to help people who are still <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/religion\/religion-is-not-faith\/religion-is-injustice-and-slavery\">enslaved to religion<\/a> become free.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><!--nextpage--><\/p>\n<p><strong>ROCKS AND STONES***<\/strong><br \/>\nLiteral interpretations of the Bible always lead to trouble in the form of religion. This especially true in the case of rocks and stones. Because religious people have interpreted rocks and stones literally and not symbolically, unbelievable harm has come to people who were maimed or killed by religious people who threw rocks and stones at people who were judged to have broken religious laws.<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 160px;\">STUDY TIP: See <a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Stoning\">this link <\/a>and <a href=\"http:\/\/www.nbcnews.com\/id\/38146472\/ns\/world_news\/t\/where-stoning-legal-how-it-done\/\">this link<\/a> for a history and practice of stoning as a means of execution.<\/p>\n<p>Rocks and stones are very common words in the Bible. Here is a breakdown of the frequency of these words:<\/p>\n<table style=\"width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse; border-color: #000000;\" border=\"1\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"width: 19%; border-style: solid; border-color: #000000;\">Old Testament<\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 17.7693%; border-style: solid; border-color: #000000;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/search\/?s=bibles&amp;q=rock&amp;t=nas&amp;f=O\">Rock 98 verses<\/a><\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 18.3845%; border-style: solid; border-color: #000000;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/search\/?s=bibles&amp;q=rocks&amp;t=nas\">Rocks 18 verses<\/a><\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 21.2692%; border-style: solid; border-color: #000000;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/search\/?s=bibles&amp;q=stone&amp;t=nas&amp;f=O\">Stone 131 verses<\/a><\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 23.577%; border-style: solid; border-color: #000000;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/search\/?s=bibles&amp;q=stones&amp;t=nas&amp;f=O\">Stones\u00a0 122 verses<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"width: 19%; border-style: solid; border-color: #000000;\">New Testament<\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 17.7693%; border-style: solid; border-color: #000000;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/search\/?s=bibles&amp;q=rock&amp;t=nas&amp;f=N\">Rock 10 verses<\/a><\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 18.3845%; border-style: solid; border-color: #000000;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/search\/?s=bibles&amp;q=rocks&amp;t=nas&amp;f=N\">Rocks 4 verses<\/a><\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 21.2692%; border-style: solid; border-color: #000000;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/search\/?s=bibles&amp;q=stone&amp;t=nas&amp;f=N\">Stone\u00a0\u00a0 48 verses<\/a><\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 23.577%; border-style: solid; border-color: #000000;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/search\/?s=bibles&amp;q=stones&amp;t=nas&amp;f=N\">Stones 19 verses<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p>The total number of references to rocks and stones in the Bible is four hundred fifty. Because of that frequency we know that these are words for which we will want understand their symbolic meaning. If we believe that <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/2-timothy\/passage\/?q=2-timothy+3:16-17\">all scripture is God-breathed and useful for training in righteousness,<\/a> we will be highly motivated to know that meaning.<\/p>\n<p>We begin our study of the meanings of these words by looking at references that are more well known:<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/deuteronomy\/32-18.html\">Deuteronomy 32:18 <\/a><span class=\"verse\">\u00a0<span id=\"verse-18\">You deserted the Rock, who fathered you; you forgot the God who gave you birth.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/1-samuel\/2-2.html\">1 Samuel 2:2 <\/a><span class=\"verse\"><span id=\"verse-2\">\u201cThere is no one holy like the LORD; there is no one besides you; there is no Rock like our God.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/2-samuel\/22-3.html\">2 Samuel 22:3\u00a0 <\/a><span class=\"verse\"><span id=\"verse-3\">my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation. He is my stronghold, my refuge and my savior\u2014 from violent people you save me.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/2-samuel\/22-32.html\">2 Samuel 22:32 <\/a><span class=\"verse\">\u00a0<span id=\"verse-32\">For who is God besides the LORD? And who is the Rock except our God?<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/2-samuel\/22-47.html\">2 Samuel 22:47 <\/a><span class=\"verse\"><span id=\"verse-47\">\u201cThe LORD lives! Praise be to my Rock! Exalted be my God, the Rock, my Savior!<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/psalms\/18-2.html\">Psalm 18:2\u00a0<\/a><span class=\"verse\">\u00a0<span id=\"verse-2\">The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/psalms\/18-31.html\">Psalm 18:31 <\/a><span class=\"verse\"><span id=\"verse-31\">For who is God besides the LORD? And who is the Rock except our God?<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/psalms\/42-9.html\">Psalm 42:9 <\/a><span class=\"verse\"><span id=\"verse-9\">I say to God my Rock, \u201cWhy have you forgotten me? Why must I go about mourning, oppressed by the enemy?\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/psalms\/78-35.html\">Psalm 78:35 <\/a><span class=\"verse\">\u00a0<span id=\"verse-35\">They remembered that God was their Rock, that God Most High was their Redeemer.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/psalms\/89-26.html\">Psalm 89:26 <\/a><span class=\"verse\"><span id=\"verse-26\">He will call out to me, \u2018You are my Father, my God, the Rock my Savior.\u2019<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/psalms\/94-22.html\">Psalm 94:22 <\/a><span class=\"verse\"><span id=\"verse-22\">But the LORD has become my fortress, and my God the rock in whom I take refuge.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/isaiah\/17-10.html\">Isaiah 17:10 <\/a><span class=\"verse\">\u00a0<span id=\"verse-10\">You have forgotten God your Savior; you have not remembered the Rock, your fortress. Therefore, though you set out the finest plants and plant imported vines,<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/isaiah\/44-8.html\">Isaiah 44:8\u00a0<\/a><span class=\"verse\"> <span id=\"verse-8\">Do not tremble, do not be afraid. Did I not proclaim this and foretell it long ago? You are my witnesses. Is there any God besides me? No, there is no other Rock; I know not one.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/exodus\/31-18.html\">Exodus 31:18 <\/a><span class=\"verse\"><span id=\"verse-18\">When He had finished speaking with him upon Mount Sinai, He gave Moses the two tablets of the testimony, tablets of stone, written by the finger of God.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/deuteronomy\/9-10.html\">Deuteronomy 9:10 <\/a><span class=\"verse\"><span id=\"verse-10\">&#8220;The LORD gave me the two tablets of stone written by the finger of God; and on them were all the words which the LORD had spoken with you at the mountain from the midst of the fire on the day of the assembly.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/joshua\/24-27.html\">Joshua 24:27 <\/a><span class=\"verse\"><span id=\"verse-27\">Joshua said to all the people, &#8220;Behold, this stone shall be for a witness against us, for it has heard all the words of the LORD which He spoke to us; thus it shall be for a witness against you, so that you do not deny your God.&#8221;<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/isaiah\/28-16.html\">Isaiah 28:16 <\/a><span class=\"verse\"><span id=\"verse-16\">Therefore thus says the Lord GOD, &#8220;Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone, a tested stone, A costly cornerstone for the foundation, firmly placed. He who believes in it will not be disturbed.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/matthew\/4-6.html\">Matthew 4:6 <\/a><span class=\"verse\">\u00a0<span id=\"verse-6\">and said to Him, &#8220;If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down; for it is written, &#8216;HE WILL COMMAND HIS ANGELS CONCERNING YOU&#8217;; and &#8216;ON their HANDS THEY WILL BEAR YOU UP, SO THAT YOU WILL NOT STRIKE YOUR FOOT AGAINST A STONE.&#8217; &#8220;<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/matthew\/21-42.html\">Matthew 21:42 <\/a><span class=\"verse\">\u00a0<span id=\"verse-42\">Jesus said to them, &#8220;Did you never read in the Scriptures, &#8216;THE STONE WHICH THE BUILDERS REJECTED, THIS BECAME THE CHIEF CORNER stone; THIS CAME ABOUT FROM THE LORD , AND IT IS MARVELOUS IN OUR EYES &#8216;?<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/luke\/4-3.html\">Luke 4:3\u00a0<\/a><span class=\"verse\">\u00a0<span id=\"verse-3\">And the devil said to Him, &#8220;If You are the Son of God, tell this stone to become bread.&#8221;<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/2-corinthians\/3-3.html\">2 Corinthians 3:3 <\/a><span class=\"verse\"><span id=\"verse-3\">being manifested that you are a letter of Christ, cared for by us, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/1-peter\/2-4.html\">1 Peter 2:4 <\/a><span class=\"verse\"><span id=\"verse-4\">And coming to Him as to a living stone which has been rejected by men, but is choice and precious in the sight of God,<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/mark\/13-2.html\">Mark 13:2 <\/a><span class=\"verse\"><span id=\"verse-2\">And Jesus said to him, &#8220;Do you see these great buildings? Not one stone will be left upon another which will not be torn down.&#8221;<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/passage\/?q=john+11:38-39&amp;t=nas\">John 11:38-39 <\/a><span class=\"verse\"><span id=\"verse-38\">So Jesus, again being deeply moved within , came to the tomb. Now it was a cave, and a stone was lying against it.<\/span> <\/span> <span class=\"verse\"> <strong>39<\/strong> <span id=\"verse-39\">Jesus said, &#8220;Remove the stone.&#8221; Martha, the sister of the deceased, said to Him, &#8220;Lord , by this time there will be a stench, for he has been dead four days.&#8221;<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/ephesians\/2-20.html\">Ephesians 2:20 <\/a><span class=\"verse\"><span id=\"verse-20\">having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the corner stone,<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/luke\/19-40.html\">Luke 19:40 <\/a><span class=\"verse\"><span id=\"verse-40\">But Jesus answered, &#8220;I tell you, if these become silent, the stones will cry out!&#8221;<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/john\/8-59.html\">John 8:59 <\/a><span class=\"verse\">\u00a0<span id=\"verse-59\">Therefore they picked up stones to throw at Him, but Jesus hid Himself and went out of the temple.<\/span><\/span><span id=\"verse-5\"><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/passage\/?q=psalm+118:22-23&amp;t=nas\">Psalm 118:22-23\u00a0<\/a><span class=\"verse\"> <span id=\"verse-22\">The stone which the builders rejected Has become the chief corner stone.<\/span> <\/span> <span class=\"verse\"> <strong>23<\/strong> This is the LORD&#8217;S doing ; It is marvelous in our eyes.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/passage\/?q=1+peter+2:4-7&amp;t=nas\">1 Peter 2:4-7 <\/a><span class=\"verse\"><span id=\"verse-4\">And coming to Him as to a living stone which has been rejected by men, but is choice and precious in the sight of God,<\/span> <\/span> <span class=\"verse\"> <strong>5<\/strong> <span id=\"verse-5\">you also, as living stones, are being built up as a spiritual house for a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.<\/span> <\/span> <span class=\"verse\"> <strong>6<\/strong> <span id=\"verse-6\">For this is contained in Scripture: &#8220;BEHOLD, I LAY IN ZION A CHOICE STONE, A PRECIOUS CORNER stone, AND HE WHO BELIEVES IN HIM WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED.&#8221;<\/span> <\/span> <span class=\"verse\"> <strong>7<\/strong> <span id=\"verse-7\">This precious value, then, is for you who believe; but for those who disbelieve, &#8220;THE STONE WHICH THE BUILDERS REJECTED, THIS BECAME THE VERY CORNER stone,&#8221;<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/passage\/?q=isaiah+8:14-15&amp;t=nas\">Isaiah 8:14-15 <\/a><span class=\"verse\"><span id=\"verse-14\">&#8220;Then He shall become a sanctuary; But to both the houses of Israel, a stone to strike and a rock to stumble over, And a snare and a trap for the inhabitants of Jerusalem.<\/span> <\/span> <span class=\"verse\"> <strong>15<\/strong> <span id=\"verse-15\">&#8220;Many will stumble over them, Then they will fall and be broken; They will even be snared and caught.&#8221;<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/passage\/?q=mark+13:1-2&amp;t=nas\">Mark 13:1-2 <\/a><span class=\"verse\"><span id=\"verse-1\">As He was going out of the temple, one of His disciples said to Him, &#8220;Teacher, behold what wonderful stones and what wonderful buildings!&#8221;<\/span> <\/span> <span class=\"verse\"> <strong>2<\/strong> <span id=\"verse-2\">And Jesus said to him, &#8220;Do you see these great buildings? Not one stone will be left upon another which will not be torn down.&#8221;<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/passage\/?q=matthew+16:17-18&amp;t=nas\">Matthew 16:17-18 <\/a><span class=\"verse\">\u00a0<span id=\"verse-17\">And Jesus said to him, &#8220;Blessed are you, Simon Barjona, because flesh and blood did not reveal this to you, but My Father who is in heaven.<\/span> <\/span> <span class=\"verse\"> <strong>18<\/strong> <span id=\"verse-18\">&#8220;I also say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build My church; and the gates of Hades will not overpower it.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/passage\/?q=matthew+7:24-27&amp;t=nas\">Matthew 7:24-27 <\/a><span class=\"verse\">\u00a0<span id=\"verse-24\">&#8220;Therefore everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts on them, may be compared to a wise man who built his house on the rock.<\/span> <\/span> <span class=\"verse\"> <strong>25<\/strong> <span id=\"verse-25\">&#8220;And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and slammed against that house; and yet it did not fall, for it had been founded on the rock.<\/span> <\/span> <span class=\"verse\"> <strong>26<\/strong> <span id=\"verse-26\">&#8220;Everyone who hears these words of Mine and does not act on them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand.<\/span> <\/span> <span class=\"verse\"> <strong>27<\/strong> <span id=\"verse-27\">&#8220;The rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and slammed against that house; and it fell -and great was its fall.&#8221;<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/1-corinthians\/10-4.html\">1 Corinthians 10:4 <\/a><span class=\"verse\"><span id=\"verse-4\">and all drank the same spiritual drink, for they were drinking from a spiritual rock which followed them; and the rock was Christ.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/romans\/9-32.html\">Romans 9:32 <\/a><span class=\"verse\">\u00a0<span id=\"verse-32\">Why ? Because they did not pursue it by faith, but as though it were by works. They stumbled over the stumbling stone,<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/luke\/24-2.html\">Luke 24:2 <\/a><span class=\"verse\"><span id=\"verse-2\">And they found the stone rolled away from the tomb,<\/span><\/span><span id=\"verse-44\"><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/luke\/20-18.html\">Luke 20:18<\/a><span class=\"verse\"> <span id=\"verse-18\">&#8220;Everyone who falls on that stone will be broken to pieces; but on whomever it falls, it will scatter him like dust.&#8221;<\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n<p>The symbolism of rocks and stones always refers to words.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li>God&#8217;s words spoken through his <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/true-prophets\/messiah\">anointed<\/a> messengers such as <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/true-prophets\">true prophets<\/a><a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/true-prophets\">,<\/a><a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/angels\"> angels<\/a><a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/true-prophets\">,\u00a0<\/a><a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/true-prophets\/messiah\">messiahs<\/a><a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/true-prophets\">, <\/a><a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/true-prophets\/the-high-priest\">high priests<\/a><a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/true-prophets\">, <\/a><a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/gods-written-word-and-gods-spoken-voice\/the-law\/two-covenants-part-2\/7#godspeaksfromcloud\">witnesses<\/a><a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/true-prophets\"> and <\/a><a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/true-prophets\/model-warriors\">warriors. Or<\/a><\/li>\n<li>The words of <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/religion-is-the-kingdom-of-false-prophets\" data-slimstat=\"5\">False Prophets,\u00a0<\/a><a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/egypt-and-babylon\/5#pharaohs\" data-slimstat=\"5\">Pharaohs,<\/a><a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/religion-is-the-kingdom-of-false-prophets\/kings-queens-and-princes\" data-slimstat=\"5\"> Kings, Queens and Princes, <\/a><a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/religion-is-the-kingdom-of-false-prophets\/pharisees-and-scribes\" data-slimstat=\"5\">Pharisees and Scribes<\/a><a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/people\/religion-is-the-kingdom-of-false-prophets\/serpent-devil-satan-adversary-demons-evil-spirits-and-anti-christs\" data-slimstat=\"5\">, Serpents, Devils, Satan, Adversaries, Demons, Evil Spirits, and\u00a0 Anti-Christs,<\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/passage\/?q=zechariah+10:2;+zechariah+11:15;+jeremiah+10:21;+jeremiah+12:10;+jeremiah+13:17;+jeremiah+23:1-2;+ezekiel+13:3;+zechariah+11:17;+jeremiah+50:6;+ezekiel+34:1-5;+numbers+27:16-23;+john+10:8;+john+7;+john+10:26;+psalm+74:1;+2-chronicles+18:16;+matthew+9:36;+mark+6:34;+matthew+26:31;+mark+14:27\" data-slimstat=\"5\"> foolish, worthless, stupid shepherds.<\/a><\/li>\n<li>The words of false prophets are stones that lead to <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/death-resurrection-life\/2#spiritualdeath\">spiritual death<\/a>.<\/li>\n<li>The words of God&#8217;s messengers are stones that lead to <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/#rewards\">spiritual life.<\/a><\/li>\n<li>Rocks and stones are words used in the<a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/death-resurrection-life\/two-deaths\/2#warofwords\"> war of words<\/a> between God and his enemies.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/passage\/?q=joshua+7:25;+deuteronomy+22:24;+exodus+19:13;+leviticus+20:27;+deuteronomy+13:10;+1-kings+21:7-10;+hebrews+12:20;+2-chronicles+10:18;+1-kings+12:18;+leviticus+24:16;+1-kings+21:13\">Old Testament scriptures that refer to stoning<\/a>, therefore, are symbolic references to speaking (i.e. throwing, hurling) words at someone. The stones (i.e. words) are words that either lead to life or death &#8212; depending on who is speaking.<\/p>\n<p>When spoken through God or his agents, God is sometimes called a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/rsv\/passage\/?q=isaiah+17:10;+psalm+28:1;+psalm+31:2;+psalm+89:26;+psalm+95:1;+1-samuel+2:2;+2-samuel+22:3\">rock of refuge,<\/a> and he is often referred to as a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/kjv\/passage\/?q=psalm+18:2;+2-samuel+22:2;+1-samuel+2:2;+deuteronomy+32:31;+psalm+18:31;+isaiah+44:8\">rock<\/a>. Since God and his word are inseparable, it can be said that <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/passage\/?q=2-samuel+23:3;+2-samuel+22:2-3;+2-samuel+22:32\">God&#8217;s word is a rock<\/a> in which we take refuge.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/passage\/?q=mark+12:10;+acts+4:11;+matthew+21:42-44;+luke+20:17-18;+1-peter+2:6-7;+isaiah+28:16;+ephesians+2:20;+psalm+118:19-22\">God and Christ are called corner stones that are rejected<\/a>. What people reject, however, is God&#8217;s spoken word.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/1-peter\/passage\/?q=1-peter+2:4-9\">God&#8217;s word is called a choice stone, a precious corner stone, the stone which the builders rejected, a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense.<\/a><\/p>\n<p>People are called <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/1-peter\/2-5.html\">&#8220;living stones&#8221; built into a spiritual house.<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Buildings in Bible days were typically made of stone. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/1-corinthians\/3-9.html\">People are called &#8220;God&#8217;s building.&#8221; <\/a><\/p>\n<p>God&#8217;s building would also be called God&#8217;s house, or God&#8217;s home. God makes his home in the hearts of New Covenant disciples. Thus, the hearts of New Covenant disciples are also stones.<\/p>\n<p>The hearts of Old\/First Covenant religionists are also called stones. Due to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/passage\/?q=hebrews+3:7-19;+hebrews+4:1-7;+john+12:36-40;+isaiah+6:9-10;+jeremiah+5:21;+jeremiah+6:10;+jeremiah+25:4;+isaiah+42:20;+isaiah+48:8;+romans+11:8;+acts+28:27;+ezekiel+12:2;+psalm+115:6;+psalm+135:17;+matthew+13:10-15;+deuteronomy+29:4;+acts+19:9;+2-chronicles+30:8;+nehemiah+9:25-26;+ezekiel+2:1-6;+mark+6:45-52;+job+22:22;+deuteronomy+6:6;+deuteronomy+11:18;+psalm+37:31;+deuteronomy+32:46;+ezekiel+3:1-10\">hardening by refusing to listen to God&#8217;s voice<\/a>, their <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nas\/passage\/?q=ezekiel+36:26;+ezekiel+11:19;+job+41:24;+zechariah+7:12\">hearts are as hard as stones.<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>ARCHAIC TERMS WITH TIMELY SYMBOLISM Blood, swords\u00a0, arrows and stones are very common features of the Old Testament. Blood is far less common in the New Testament and swords even less common. Both words invite gory interpretations of ancient, pagan <span class=\"excerpt-dots\">&hellip;<\/span> <a class=\"more-link\" href=\"https:\/\/thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/mystery\/symbols-signs-types-copies-shadows-and-patterns\/blood\"><span class=\"more-msg\">Continue reading &rarr;<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":1687,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"paget-blank.php","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-3779","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/3779","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3779"}],"version-history":[{"count":83,"href":"https:\/\/thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/3779\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":14189,"href":"https:\/\/thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/3779\/revisions\/14189"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1687"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3779"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}