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The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah Vol 1 - Predestination

The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah Vol 1 - Predestination

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Maoiey Bereshith in presence <strong>of</strong> two, nor upon <strong>the</strong><br />

Merkabkah in presence <strong>of</strong> one, unless he be a '*<br />

sage," <strong>and</strong> underst<strong>and</strong>s <strong>of</strong> his own knowledge. Any<br />

one who ratiocinates on <strong>the</strong>se four things, it were<br />

better for him that he had not been bom: What is<br />

above, <strong>and</strong> what is below; what was afore, <strong>and</strong><br />

what shall be hereafter/ (Chag. U. 1.)<br />

intoxicated ^ bjr <strong>the</strong> new wine <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>se strange<br />

speculations, that <strong>the</strong>y CHAP, whispered it to one<br />

ano<strong>the</strong>r that water was <strong>the</strong> original element <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />

IV^ world,' which had successively been hardened<br />

into snow <strong>and</strong> <strong>the</strong>n into earth.* ' O<strong>the</strong>r <strong>and</strong> later<br />

teachers fixed upon <strong>the</strong> air or <strong>the</strong> fire as <strong>the</strong> * J«r.<br />

GhH original element, arguing <strong>the</strong> pre-existence <strong>of</strong><br />

matter from <strong>the</strong> use <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> word * made' in Qen. i.<br />

7, instead <strong>of</strong> ^ created.' Some modified this view,<br />

<strong>and</strong> suggested that God had originally created <strong>the</strong><br />

three elements <strong>of</strong> water, air or spirit, <strong>and</strong> fire, from<br />

which all else was developed.^ Traces also occur<br />

<strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> doctrine <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> pre-existence <strong>of</strong> things, in a<br />

sense similar to that <strong>of</strong> Plato.^ kBcr.B.L

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