Are We Saved By Grace, As 'They' Say?
Grace in the so-called [New Testament]™
Is this the same Grace, as that found in the [Old Testament]?
When I was a 'christian', I believed the 'christian' concept of grace. Let me explain. It went something like this:
John Doe has been convicted of a hate crime including kidnapping, rape, child molestation, and murder. He has been sentenced to die in the electric chair. In the meantime, a man named JC goes to the Governor and pleas John's case. The Governor says, "John is too dangerous to be set free, he has not changed and he will kill again". Yet, a deal is made between the Governor and JC to release John. Although JC is totally innocent of any crime, he offers, out of great compassion and love, to die in John's stead. The Governor agrees to this. An innocent man, JC, is to pay the penalty for John's terrible crime and John is to be set free. The price will be paid, a life for a life, and the Governor is satisfied, the scale has been balanced.
This analogy is a fair description of the 'christian' idea of grace; it probably mirrors your idea of grace as well. But, is this what the Holy Scriptures (OT) define as grace? Is this grace a 'christian' concept, or is it an ancient promise of the Almighty CREATOR, our SOVEREIGN ruler, and Mighty One of Israel?
I believe in observing all the laws and Commandments as defined in the Holy Scriptures, because we are required to, by the CREATOR of the universe. The last time I tried to explain the scriptural concept of grace, to a dyed in the wool 'christian', I was soundly put down; "Oh, you're still under that old law", she said haughtily, "well, I'm under grace" she said; as if the laws of the CREATOR were something to be shunned, as if they were dirty. That reaction is what prompted this study.
Grace in the Old Testament.
The idea of "grace" is not a purely 'christian' thing. In the Hebrew Scriptures you will find "grace" or "graciousness" used several times, albeit in a different way. To name a few, Noah found "grace" in the eyes of the ETERNAL (Genesis 6:8)[1], Joseph found "grace" in Potifar's sight (Genesis 39:1-4), and King Ahasuerus loved Esther above all the women, and she obtained "grace" and favor in his sight (Esther 2:16-17).
The Hebrew word "Chen"[2] (khane) is "graciousness, kindness, or favor". It comes from the Hebrew word "chanan"[3] (khaw-nan') and means: to bend or stoop in kindness to an inferior, moved to favor by petition, beseech, intreat, merciful, have mercy on, and have pity upon.
From the above definitions, a simple explanation for "grace" is that of a superior showing favor, and/or mercy, toward an inferior. Thus we see that grace, is not exclusively just between the ETERNAL CREATOR and humans; grace can be extended by any superior: a parent, a boss, a teacher, etc. to anyone they might have influence over.
Does a teacher who knows that a student has worked hard for a decent grade, have the authority to give that student a "D" for effort, instead of a failing grade of "F", although the student failed the test? Can a boss grant a day off for a special occasion although an employee's work has been less than quality lately? Can a parent curtail grounding a child, if that child is truly contrite and repentant after breaking the rules? Of course, the answer is "yes", to all of these questions. What would be the reason for any of these authority figures, to extend "grace" to any of their subordinates? We will answer that question as we move along.
Could that same grace be given because someone else passed the test for his or her fellow student, someone else did better work than the employee asking for the day off, or that another sibling was more obedient to make up for the misbehaving child? Does the work of someone else ever fill the void of another's shortcomings? Can the righteousness of anyone be applied to save someone else? The answer to that question is a resoundingly huge, unqualified "NO", as we are told:
(Ezekiel 14:13-14) (KJV) 13Son of man, when the land sinneth against me by trespassing grievously, then will I stretch out mine hand upon it, and will break the staff of the bread thereof, and will send famine upon it, and will cut off man and beast from it: 14Though these three men, Noah, Daniel, and Job, were in it, they should deliver but their own souls by their righteousness, saith the ETERNAL CREATOR.
(Ezekiel 14:15-16) (KJV) 15If I cause noisome beasts to pass through the land, and they spoil it, so that it be desolate, that no man may pass through because of the beasts: 16Though these three men were in it, as I live, saith the ETERNAL CREATOR, they shall deliver neither sons nor daughters; they only shall be delivered, but the land shall be desolate.
(Ezekiel 14:17-18) (KJV) 17Or if I bring a sword upon that land, and say, Sword, go through the land; so that I cut off man and beast from it: 18Though these three men were in it, as I live, saith the ETERNAL CREATOR, they shall deliver neither sons nor daughters, but they only shall be delivered themselves.
(Ezekiel 14:19-20) (KJV) 19Or if I send a pestilence into that land, and pour out my fury upon it in blood, to cut off from it man and beast: 20Though Noah, Daniel, and Job were in it, as I live, saith the ETERNAL CREATOR, they shall deliver neither son nor daughter; they shall but deliver their own souls by their righteousness.
But, can grace be extended simply because the superior has the right and ability to give it, for whatever reason they might have? Yes. However, the One we are concerned about here is the ETERNAL CREATOR; mankind's Supreme SOVEREIGN Ruler, and Savior.[4] Does the Almighty ETERNAL CREATOR ever extend grace? Absolutely. Notice the following Scripture:
(Exodus 33:11-19) (KJ21) 11And the CREATOR spoke unto Moses face to face, as a man speaketh unto his friend. And he returned again into the camp; but his servant Joshua, the son of Nun, a young man, departed not out of the tabernacle. 12And Moses said unto the Lord, See, Thou sayest unto me, Bring up this people, and Thou hast not let me know whom Thou wilt send with me. Yet Thou hast said, I know thee by name, and thou hast also found grace in My sight. 13Now therefore, I pray Thee, if I have found grace in Thy sight, show me now Thy way, that I may know Thee, that I may find grace in Thy sight; and consider that this nation is Thy people. 14And He said, My presence shall go with thee, and I will give thee rest. 16And he said unto Him, If Thy presence go not with me, carry us not up hence. For wherein shall it be known here that I and Thy people have found grace in Thy sight? Is it not in that Thou goest with us? So shall we be separated, I and Thy people, from all the people who are upon the face of the earth. 17And the CREATOR said unto Moses, I will do this thing also that thou hast spoken; for thou hast found grace in My sight, and I know thee by name. 18And he said, I beseech Thee, show me Thy glory. 19And He said, I will make all My goodness pass before thee; and I will proclaim the name of the CREATOR before thee, and will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will show mercy on whom I will show mercy.
Because the Almighty ETERNAL CREATOR is the SOVEREIGN Ruler over us [His entire creation], and because there is no one over or equal to Him, He is omnipotent (all powerful) and He can do with His creation whatever He chooses. It is His choice, and His alone. So, whom does the CREATOR choose to be gracious to? Our future Mashiach (Messiah), King David answers:
(Psalms 84:10-12) (KJV) 10For a day in thy courts is better than a thousand. I had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my CREATOR, than to dwell in the tents of wickedness. 11For the ETERNAL CREATOR is a sun and shield: the ETERNAL will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly. 12O CREATOR of hosts, blessed is the man that trusteth in thee.
To those who walk uprightly! The question now is "Are you walking uprightly, in righteousness? What is righteousness?
(Psalms 119:172) (KJV) My tongue shall speak of thy word: for all Your Commandments are righteousness.
Can grace be extended to us? Will He show us mercy? Let Isaiah answer that question:
(Isaiah 30:18) (KJ21) And therefore will the ETERNAL wait, that He may be gracious unto you, and therefore will He be exalted, that He may have mercy upon you. For the ETERNAL is a SOVEREIGN of judgment; blessed are all they that wait for Him.
As we have just seen, all the ETERNAL's Commandments are righteousness, and therefore the ETERNAL will wait, that He may be gracious and have mercy upon those, who are willing to walk uprightly. At this point, I would like to interject a scripture:
(Deuteronomy 27:25) (GNV) Cursed be he that taketh a reward [bribe] to put to death innocent blood: And all the people shall say: So be it.
In our opening parable a deal has been struck, a bribe, if you will, tendered, and accepted. All three parties will receive a reward: a life for a life goes to the governor, freedom for the prisoner, and the "innocent" mediator, of the offer, has a defender for life. Because the prisoner is to continue in JC's way and declare the wonderful news of "grace" extended by JC. However, according to the above quoted Scripture, all parties would actually be under a curse for having received their "reward".
In a true sense, the offer was a bribe and the Hebrew Scriptures have much to say about bribery. Those that offer a bribe[6] are considered wicked. The deal offered is wicked and evil, although all our lives we have been taught this was a noble, honorable act.
The ETERNAL CREATOR is the "Governor" of whom I spoke at the beginning of this article. The "Governor" has the authority and power to pardon us of our sentence of death. There is no bribery needed. The ETERNAL WILL "pardon" us if we ask and repent, because He loves us. We are His creation and His children. There is NO need for a human sacrifice. Yet, a sacrifice is needed, but, what kind? King David explains:
(Psalms 51:16-17) (KJV) 16"For You do not desire sacrifice, or else I would give it; You do not delight in burnt offering. 17The sacrifices of the ETERNAL are a broken spirit, a broken and a contrite[7] heart; These, O CREATOR, You will not despise".
We must sacrifice a broken and contrite heart; a broken spirit that sees the futility of resisting the ETERNAL's laws and commandments. Then we must walk uprightly, and wait for His grace. The Almighty CREATOR is an awesome Being, and the only ONE that we should seek to emulate, serve, honor, and worship. He can do whatever He wills, for whatever cause He wants.
(Micah 7:18-20) (AMPC) 18Who is a SOVEREIGN like You, Who forgives iniquity and passes over the transgression of the remnant of His heritage? He retains not His anger forever, because He delights in mercy and loving-kindness. 19He will again have compassion on us; He will subdue and tread underfoot our iniquities. You will cast all our sins into the depths of the sea. 20You will show Your faithfulness and perform the sure promise to Jacob and loving-kindness and mercy to Abraham, as You have sworn to our fathers from the days of old.
(Hosea 13:4) (KJV) Yet I am the ETERNAL thy SOVEREIGN from the land of Egypt, and thou shalt know no 'god' but me: for there is no 'saviour' beside me.
He can and does extend grace to individuals upon repentance. Why? Because if we truly repent, then we will walk uprightly and keep all His laws and commandments, which are counted to you, and only you, as righteousness:
(Ezekiel 14:13-20) (KJV) 13Son of man, when the land sinneth against me by trespassing grievously, then will I stretch out mine hand upon it, and will break the staff of the bread thereof, and will send famine upon it, and will cut off man and beast from it: 14Though these three men, Noah, Daniel, and Job, were in it, they should deliver but their own souls by their righteousness, saith the ETERNAL CREATOR. 15If I cause noisome beasts to pass through the land, and they spoil it, so that it be desolate, that no man may pass through because of the beasts: 16Though these three men were in it, as I live, saith the ETERNAL CREATOR, they shall deliver neither sons nor daughters; they only shall be delivered, but the land shall be desolate. 17Or if I bring a sword upon that land, and say, Sword, go through the land; so that I cut off man and beast from it: 18Though these three men were in it, as I live, saith the ETERNAL CREATOR, they shall deliver neither sons nor daughters, but they only shall be delivered themselves. 19Or if I send a pestilence into that land, and pour out my fury upon it in blood, to cut off from it man and beast: 20Though Noah, Daniel, and Job were in it, as I live, saith the ETERNAL CREATOR, they shall deliver neither son nor daughter; they shall but deliver their own souls by their righteousness.
(Ezekiel 18:4-22) (KJV) 4Behold, all souls are mine; as the soul of the father, so also the soul of the son is mine: the soul that sinneth, it shall die. 5But if a man be just, and do that which is lawful and right, 6And hath not eaten upon the mountains, neither hath lifted up his eyes to the idols of the house of Israel, neither hath defiled his neighbour's wife, neither hath come near to a menstruous woman, 7And hath not oppressed any, but hath restored to the debtor his pledge, hath spoiled none by violence, hath given his bread to the hungry, and hath covered the naked with a garment; 8He that hath not given forth upon usury, neither hath taken any increase, that hath withdrawn his hand from iniquity, hath executed true judgment between man and man, 9Hath walked in my statutes, and hath kept my judgments, to deal truly; he is just, he shall surely live, saith the ETERNAL CREATOR. 10If he beget a son that is a robber, a shedder of blood, and that doeth the like to any one of these things, 11And that doeth not any of those duties, but even hath eaten upon the mountains, and defiled his neighbour's wife, 12Hath oppressed the poor and needy, hath spoiled by violence, hath not restored the pledge, and hath lifted up his eyes to the idols, hath committed abomination, 13Hath given forth upon usury, and hath taken increase: shall he then live? he shall not live: he hath done all these abominations; he shall surely die; his blood shall be upon him. 14Now, lo, if he beget a son, that seeth all his father's sins which he hath done, and considereth, and doeth not such like, 15That hath not eaten upon the mountains, neither hath lifted up his eyes to the idols of the house of Israel, hath not defiled his neighbour's wife, 16Neither hath oppressed any, hath not withholden the pledge, neither hath spoiled by violence, but hath given his bread to the hungry, and hath covered the naked with a garment, 17That hath taken off his hand from the poor, that hath not received usury nor increase, hath executed my judgments, hath walked in my statutes; he shall not die for the iniquity of his father, he shall surely live. 18As for his father, because he cruelly oppressed, spoiled his brother by violence, and did that which is not good among his people, lo, even he shall die in his iniquity. 19Yet say ye, Why? doth not the son bear the iniquity of the father? When the son hath done that which is lawful and right, and hath kept all my statutes, and hath done them, he shall surely live. 20The soul that sinneth, it shall die. The son shall not bear the iniquity of the father, neither shall the father bear the iniquity of the son: the righteousness of the righteous shall be upon him, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon him. 21But if the wicked will turn from all his sins that he hath committed, and keep all my statutes, and do that which is lawful and right, he shall surely live, he shall not die. 22All his transgressions that he hath committed, they shall not be mentioned unto him: in his righteousness that he hath done he shall live.
(Ezekiel 33:2-19) (KJV) 2Son of man, speak to the children of thy people, and say unto them, When I bring the sword upon a land, if the people of the land take a man of their coasts, and set him for their watchman: 3If when he seeth the sword come upon the land, he blow the trumpet, and warn the people; 4Then whosoever heareth the sound of the trumpet, and taketh not warning; if the sword come, and take him away, his blood shall be upon his own head. 5He heard the sound of the trumpet, and took not warning; his blood shall be upon him. But he that taketh warning shall deliver his soul. 6But if the watchman see the sword come, and blow not the trumpet, and the people be not warned; if the sword come, and take any person from among them, he is taken away in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at the watchman's hand. 7So thou, O son of man, I have set thee a watchman unto the house of Israel; therefore thou shalt hear the word at my mouth, and warn them from me. 8When I say unto the wicked, O wicked man, thou shalt surely die; if thou dost not speak to warn the wicked from his way, that wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thine hand. 9Nevertheless, if thou warn the wicked of his way to turn from it; if he do not turn from his way, he shall die in his iniquity; but thou hast delivered thy soul. 10Therefore, O thou son of man, speak unto the house of Israel; Thus ye speak, saying, If our transgressions and our sins be upon us, and we pine away in them, how should we then live? 11Say unto them, As I live, saith the ETERNAL CREATOR, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live: turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways; for why will ye die, O house of Israel? 12Therefore, thou son of man, say unto the children of thy people, The righteousness of the righteous shall not deliver him in the day of his transgression: as for the wickedness of the wicked, he shall not fall thereby in the day that he turneth from his wickedness; neither shall the righteous be able to live for his righteousness in the day that he sinneth. 13When I shall say to the righteous, that he shall surely live; if he trust to his own righteousness, and commit iniquity, all his righteousnesses shall not be remembered; but for his iniquity that he hath committed, he shall die for it. 14Again, when I say unto the wicked, Thou shalt surely die; if he turn from his sin, and do that which is lawful and right; 15If the wicked restore the pledge, give again that he had robbed, walk in the statutes of life, without committing iniquity; he shall surely live, he shall not die. 16None of his sins that he hath committed shall be mentioned unto him: he hath done that which is lawful and right; he shall surely live. 17Yet the children of thy people say, The way of the ETERNAL is not equal: but as for them, their way is not equal. 18When the righteous turneth from his righteousness, and committeth iniquity, he shall even die thereby. 19But if the wicked turn from his wickedness, and do that which is lawful and right, he shall live thereby.
What the ETERNAL CREATOR has taught us today about grace is this: they should deliver but their own souls by their righteousness. To put that another way, in plain simple language we can understand, the bottom line is this: you can only deliver your own soul by your own righteousness! A dead man on a wooden cross, can not do it for you, despite what the [New Testament]™ book of lies and deceptions would have you believe. For more in-depth study on this, see the article: Is Blood Required To Atone For Sin?
There will soon come a day, while in captivity, that the remnant of Israel will repent of 'baalism'[8] and cry out to their ETERNAL CREATOR, the only 'Saviour', with a broken and contrite heart. We should all pray for that day when the Almighty CREATOR "stoops in kindness" toward those walking in righteousness, and extends to them what has been promised, and all of humanity so disparately needs, His Grace.
Where Did The [New Testament]™ Come From?
The very names used today in our Bibles (Old Testament & New Testament), implies one is old, used up, no longer fit for use, while the other is new, better, improved, replacing the old. This is not by accident. Originally called the "Hebrew Bible" or the "Tanakh", the [Old Testament] is the word of the ETERNAL CREATOR and SOVEREIGN of the universe, His Commandments, Statutes, Ordinances, or "Laws", given to His people the Israelites. Moreover, they were to be "observed forever", with the added warning not to "worship or fear other gods". However this proved to be problematic for the "powers that be", because the people obeyed the ETERNAL over the rulers. Something had to be done. And it was! A [New Testament™] was created. In it, they replaced the ETERNAL with "other gods" (a savior, the trinity, mary, and so-called apostles and saints), His "Commandments, Statutes, and Ordinances" with false commandments, statutes, and ordinances like (advent, all saints day, ascension day, christmas, easter, lent, sunday, and so on).
The [New Testament]™ Gets Created By Decree!
The First Council of Nicea, was a council of Christian bishops convened in Nicaea in Bithynia (present-day Iznik in Turkey) by the Holy Roman Emperor Constantine I in AD 325. This first ecumenical council was the first effort by a Holy Roman Emperor on behalf of the state, to attain consensus in the church by decree, through an assembly representing all of Christendom. Its main accomplishments were settlement of the Christological issue of the nature of 'God' the Son and his relationship to 'God' the Father (inclusion of baalism by introducing polytheistic 'multi-godhead' worship known as trinitarianism), the relationship of the people to the state, the construction of the first part of the Creed of Nicaea, settling the calculation of the date of Easter (inclusion of paganism by outlawing passover in favor of Easter, changing the the ETERNAL's Sabbath from it's Hebrew calculation to sunday), and promulgation of early canon law.
What Is The Current [New Testament]™ Message?
Today it's all about building church rolls, collecting tithes for obtaining opulent lifestyles and wealth, glitzy jobs, fancy cars, fancy evangelists preaching their profane [New Testament]™ message of 'YOU ARE ALL SAVED, BECAUSE SOME FALSE 'GOD' DIED FOR YOU SO YOU DON'T HAVE TO, IF YOU JUST BELIEVE', and this zinger, "the penalty for breaking the ETERNAL's commandments and laws were Nailed To The Cross" endlessly proclaimed by the Church of Rome and her proselytising daughters.
We Need To Get Back To The Hebrew Scriptures.
We [present day Israelites] can and must repent of worshiping 'g-ds' which the fathers, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, did not know (i.e. a dead man [false idol], hanging on a wooden cross). Moreover, shouldn't you obey the Laws and Commandments the ETERNAL CREATOR, and SOVEREIGN of the universe has given you, the way He wants you to obey them? Willfully, cheerfully, with all your heart, and all your soul? With love and respect for all He has done, and is doing for you? Or, should you continue to obey the Church of Rome and her proselytising daughters with their so called [New Testament]™ "False Idol" and his lying [apostles, deciples, ministers, priests, deacons, popes, etc.], not to mention the "Self Proclaimed" Apostle Paul, with his 'baal' worshiping, polytheistic 'multi-godhead' trinitarian opinions, telling you that you have been set free from having to pay the penalty for breaking the ETERNAL's Laws, and that all you have to do now is believe? Really? Is that all you have to do? Think about it.
The Self-proclaimed 'Son Of God' Was Executed By The
Command Of The ETERNAL Based On The Law In The Torah!
(Deuteronomy 13:1-5) (WEB) 1If a prophet or a dreamer of dreams arises among you, 2and he gives you a sign or a wonder, and the sign or the wonder comes to pass, of which he spoke to you, saying, "Let us go after other gods" (which you have not known) "and let us serve them"; 3you shall not listen to the words of that prophet, or to that dreamer of dreams; for Yahweh your CREATOR is testing you, to know whether you love Yahweh your CREATOR with all your heart and with all your soul. 4You shall walk after Yahweh your CREATOR, fear him, keep his commandments, and obey his voice, and you shall serve him, and cling to him. 5That prophet, or that dreamer of dreams, shall be [PUT TO DEATH], because he has spoken rebellion against Yahweh your CREATOR, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, and redeemed you out of the house of bondage, to draw you aside out of the way which Yahweh your CREATOR commanded you to walk in. So you shall remove the evil from among you. Also see: (Exodus 3:15, Psalm 146:3).
It is vital that you understand how important the ETERNAL CREATOR and SOVEREIGN of the universe views false idols, false 'gods', false saviors, and those who promote them, either intentionally or unintentionally. Make no mistake about it. The self-proclaimed 'son of god', met the fate of false prophets [PUT TO DEATH], even though much of what he said, and did, came to pass. It is also a test and a warning to see if you can be tricked into believing such a one. Just as the CREATOR allowed the adversary of man to deceive Adam and Eve in the garden, He continues to allow the adversary of man to deceive you today with the so-called [New Testament's]™ false covenant! Also see: (Deuteronomy 28:20, Deuteronomy 29:25-26, Deuteronomy 31:16-18, Judges 10:10, Judges 10:13, 1 Samuel 8:8, 1 Kings 11:33, 1 Kings 19:10, 2 Kings 22:17, 2 Chronicles 7:19-20, Isaiah 1:4, Jeremiah 1:16, Jeremiah 2:13).
A Reminder From The Eternal Creator:
(Deuteronomy 30:15-19) (NIV) 15See, I set before you today life and prosperity, death and destruction. 16For I command you today to love the ETERNAL your CREATOR, to walk in obedience to Him, and to keep His commands, decrees and laws; then you will live and increase, and the ETERNAL your CREATOR will bless you in the land you are entering to possess. 17But if your heart turns away and you are not obedient, and if you are drawn away to bow down to other 'gods' and worship them, 18I declare to you this day that you will certainly be destroyed. You will not live long in the land you are crossing the Jordan to enter and possess. 19This day I call the heavens and the earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live.
(Jeremiah 9:14) (NIV) Instead, they have followed the stubbornness of their hearts; they have followed the 'Baals', as their ancestors taught them.
(Deuteronomy 8:19) (NIV) If you ever forget the ETERNAL your SOVEREIGN and follow other 'gods' and worship and bow down to them, I testify against you today that you will surely be destroyed.
Footnotes:
[1] [a]All scriptural links point to the Bible Gateway, A Searchable Online Bible In Over 100 Versions And 50 Languages, located at "BibleGateway.Com", a vast biblical resource containing all the major texts and reference materials useful for in-depth bible studies. Most scriptual quotations are from the (KJV) of the Bible, however versions noted in (parentheses) should also be consulted. [b]All Strong's scriptural references point to the Blue Letter Bible Lexicon, located at "BlueLetterBible.Org", another vast biblical resource which has over 4,000,000 links available, pointing to more than 165,000 pages of concordances, lexicons, dictionaries, commentaries, images, and several Bible versions.
[2] Strong's Exhaustive Concordance (#H2580).
[3] Ibid. (#H2603).
[4] See: (1 Samuel 22:3; Psalms 106:21; Isaiah 41:13-14; Isaiah 43:1-3, Isaiah 43:11-12, Isaiah 43:25-26; Isaiah 45:15, Isaiah 45:21; Isaiah 49:26; Isaiah 54:5; Isaiah 60:16; Isaiah 63:8; Jeremiah 14:7-8; Hosea 13:4; Zephaniah 3:15-17).
[5] The English word "Amen" is a gross mistranslation of the Hebrew Word "aman". Aman (aw-man') is (#H539) in Strong's which states, "a primary root; to build up or support; to foster as a parent or nurse; to trust or believe, to be true or certain, which literally means 'so be it.' However, in searching the electronic version of Strong's for the word "Amen" it states: "(#H543) 'amen (aw-mane') is from (#H539 'aman), but note, (#H543) does not match any words in this translation. In plain English it is saying that "amen" is an added word that is not translated form any Hebrew word. So, where does this word come from? It comes from the Septuagint. Where did they get it? The Woman's Encyclopedia of Myths and Secrets by Barbara Walker p27 states 'Amen': A Magic word interpreted as 'let it be' [it is] used to evoke divine response to a prayer. Such words often began as deities' names. This may have originally invoked the Egyptian 'god' Amen, 'the Hidden One', the sun in the belly of his Mother before his rebirth at sunrise. Its hieroglyphic symbol meant a pregnant belly*". *Book of the Dead, p194.
[6] See: (Exodus 23:8; Deuteronomy 16:9; 1 Samuel 12:3; Amos 5:12).
[7] Contrite is feeling regret and sorrow for one's sins or offenses, penitent, American Heritage Dictionary.
[8] "Baalism" originally was serving the pagan sun 'god' 'baal', but since that is the origin for all pagan heathenism, then worshiping any 'god' other than the ETERNAL CREATOR, the Mighty ONE of Israel, is defined as "baalism".