Never saw so much ART in my whole life as I did when we went to that country.
yes msc appreciate your imput and God Bless
I learned this circle around head meaning from my professor who has been studying Baptist History and has about every book he knows of. He lectured one time on the structures of the Byzantine and Middle Age paintings.
Once you visit Greece, you'll understand what happened where w/ the tour guides. They are pretty accurate. If you have that privilege take it.
I'm not familiar with Greek Orthodox religion except what I've heard from those involved and observed.
See, when I walked into some churches, I have seen pictures of Mary holding Jesus on lap as child. It seemed they put her on a higher scale than most humans. Unfortuneatly, I noticed a round shape over the head of Jesus and that symbolizes that one is dead. The square means alive. So, do they believe in the resurrection of Jesus?
Glad they are not controlled by a single ruler like say the Pope for Roman Catholism. Not sure how their government structure stands. They are very symbolic. Thankyou for the other info. I do not understand my observance of the circles around head of Jesus though.
Safety precautions are more emphasized here in the US than anywhere else I've been. That just makes the adventure more exciting.
Proof in the pudding took over 2 hrs to type all this and think it through. Enjoy it while it lasts. I do not do this often, but the places travelled have important evidences that prove the Bible is true and makes it come alive. The Word doesn't need proof to those who believe it. John 14:6 w/ John 1:1 and 1:14. Thankyo
A couple more points on the Greece trip. One of the last things our group did was travelling to Corinth to see the place where idols like that of Aphrodite was worshipped. Just a note that the Temples were always the buildings standing above all other buildings in the area as if the belief of that day was for that particular god to watch over them. Five or more pillars still stand where a Temple in Corinth overlooked the Agora (marketplace)
The modern city is by the Aegean Sea and Ionic while the ancient city was at the summit of AcroCorinth.
Now, the bema seat is right midst the ruins in the Agora where Paul was judged due to the Jews turning him in and found guiltless. (Acts 18:13-15) Judgment seat is interpreted Bema Seat and we saw proof.
Also, the place where the Jewish Synagogue was is not documented w/ signs, but our guide told us. It is where a notable 3 windowed house was, the only place where the windows were still seen intact. It is only a few yards from the Bema Seat. AcroCorinth is where the..
Hebrews 11:6 "But without faith [it is] impossible to please [him]: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and [that] he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him."
Anything that man does that has no faith in Christ is not pleasing to Him. There must be a basic understanding that Jesus is the way, truth, and the life. Only He is capable of saving a poor lost sinner to those who believe. Believe means "truth in accepting in doing what is or is not seen"
A lost sinner 99% of the time has never seen what Jesus' sacrifice meant, so it takes faith unseen because no one in the 21st century has witnessed Jesus dying on the cross. The only source is God's Word, perserved through history.
To sum it up, faith is only good through what you do through acceptance of Jesus Christ as your Savior. If growth does not take place, he or she may never have had that faith pleasing to the Lord.
This is where a new Christian, after accepting Jesus as Savior, would experience growth throught the words of the Lord. "Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God." Matt. 4:4
That ties in perfectly to what the Bible is saying in John 1:14 w/ the Word being made flesh and dwelling among us. John knew this because he saw Jesus and knew that Jesus was the Word and proof of His incarnation being set apart in all His glory.
We are to eat every word that the Word gives to us for that is how man should live in emotions and intellect.
I see Greece as a place just needing another Paul w/ the will to trust God 1st, then the works.
Matthew mentions the results of faith or how to identify it in the lives of others. Mat 7:16 Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? Mat 7:20 Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them
This is certainly important to remember because why else would Christ have died for us. *thinking of Easter* The cross of Christ would be made of none effect if we think we can be saved by our deeds w/o faith.
Met some Greek Orthodox people and they are nice and very religious, but being nice and religious will not save. Only the grace of God and what Jesus did upon the cross does.
Ephesians. 2:8-9 For by grace are ye saved through faith and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; Not by works lest any man should bost.
The job for the one who accepts the Word and has faith in Jesus is the works that come due to faith in His death and resurrection to take away our sins. The Bible shows that we should not do works in order to be accepted or to gain faith. Ecc. 7:15, Romans 4:6, Isa. 64:6. Point is that works w/o the Lord leads to unrighteousness even if a man says hes doing it for the Lord.
I think of this verse Matt. 7:22 which Jesus spoke of: "Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?"
and the Lord's reply in the next verse
"And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity."Why would Jesus say this? False hope due to their own motivations.
A tour guide mentioned how Paul was the one who introduced Greek Orthodox religion, but Greek Orthodox developed after Constantine 320 A.D. and therefore, major changes since Paul has occurred, where some beliefs are even against what Paul stood for like works before faith. Some of the Greek Ortho. churches visited had candle vigils and portraits of Mary and Jesus. Key places for placing of these building are on top of Olympus Hill, higher than Acropolis, at a cave in Patmos, where it is believed John stayed, and next to an 11th century monastery at top of what looked to be the highest point of the island. They certainly try to pick highlighted places and emphasize their findings. There is always a collection box as you walk in. I just want to say that Paul did start churches, but not Greek Orthodox.
I never thought Greece to be a poor country, but is the poorest member in the European Union. The Lord blessed each day with mostly sun, except for the day in Ephesus in Turkey where some rain came. Only spent 1 day there seeing ruins high up on the hills. Misquitos were in the low-lying places, coincidently where the 2nd church of Ephesus was located. The Jewish Synogogue, where Paul's 1st stop usually was in every city, is said to be behind ancient library. The amphitheater was a little ways down from there where Paul may have preached.
Athens: spent 3 days there and saw the condition of the lost. Most are scraping to get by and usually through income of the tourists. In our group or by self, I could easily be recognized as a tourist. Poverty is known, especially when a lady tries to sell me a white cloth for 30 euro = 50 American dollars. I hear phrases like, "I will make you good deal, no?" or "best offer I do"
I hear some of my group talked prices down, which I do not feel very comfortable doing, but its everyday life to them.
I will leave more info later. Thankyou
