Interesting verse from the Gospel of Thomas
Ahnimus
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18 The disciples said to Jesus, "Tell us, how will our end come?"
Jesus said, "Have you found the beginning, then, that you are looking for the end? You see, the end will be where the beginning is. Congratulations to the one who stands at the beginning: that one will know the end and will not taste death."
Seems to me Jesus is referring to the causal loop theory of the universe. That at the end of the universe will be the beginning of the universe. Not sure why they wouldn't taste death though, unless that's metaphorical.
Does anyone else have an interpretation?
I know it's gnostic, but come on, I'm an atheist.
Jesus said, "Have you found the beginning, then, that you are looking for the end? You see, the end will be where the beginning is. Congratulations to the one who stands at the beginning: that one will know the end and will not taste death."
Seems to me Jesus is referring to the causal loop theory of the universe. That at the end of the universe will be the beginning of the universe. Not sure why they wouldn't taste death though, unless that's metaphorical.
Does anyone else have an interpretation?
I know it's gnostic, but come on, I'm an atheist.
I necessarily have the passion for writing this, and you have the passion for condemning me; both of us are equally fools, equally the toys of destiny. Your nature is to do harm, mine is to love truth, and to make it public in spite of you. - Voltaire
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i don't have an interpretation. i do have the exact meaning behind this verse though.
Check this out! Ancient Christian art. Pre-Byzantine era, 3rd or 4th century C.E.
Interestingly Jesus is not depicted, nor are any other religious figures. Only a pattern vaguely resembling the zodiac and two fish.
http://s3.amazonaws.com/tatumweb/blog/pix/megiddo-church-wp-04-large.jpg
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pisces_%28astrology%29
I arrived at the same conclusion reading the Gospel of Thomas. It's a fascinating book, and along with the other Gnostic teachings, it rings truer than any orthodox Christian teachings that I'm aware of.
3 Jesus said, "If your leaders say to you, 'Look, the (Father's) kingdom is in the sky,' then the birds of the sky will precede you. If they say to you, 'It is in the sea,' then the fish will precede you. Rather, the kingdom is within you and it is outside you.
113 His disciples said to him, "When will the kingdom come?"
"It will not come by watching for it. It will not be said, 'Look, here!' or 'Look, there!' Rather, the Father's kingdom is spread out upon the earth, and people don't see it."
athiests dont even acknowledge religion, let alone try to interpret the bible.
you sound more like a closet christian, trying to convince yourself that there is a god and the bible is truth.
(dont show this to the girl christians for thou art likely to scratch your holy eyes out)...
002:005
For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;
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Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.
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Whereunto I am ordained a preacher, and an apostle, (I speak the truth in Christ, and lie not) a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and verity.
002:008
I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting.
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In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array;
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But (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works.
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Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection.
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But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence.
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For Adam was first formed, then Eve.
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And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression.
002:015
Notwithstanding she shall be saved in childbearing, if they continue in faith and charity and holiness with sobriety.
"He who overcometh shall not feel the second death"
The idea is that those who resolve their issues are considered reborn and find the heaven within and around them in all things. Enlightened. They become one with the light consciously in life. At death they procede into the Light purely and naturally having done at-one-ment or atonement/resolution with this Light in life. These means the illusions of time and separation have dissolved. Death is a mere transition and done with ease.
On the other hand, facing the Light at "normal" death is like pointing out a contradiction or inconsistency to someone in life--people are shocked by the dissonence between the real truth and what they've mistakenly taken to be is the truth. The dissonance/separation causes them to recycle to different levels of existence, still separate from the light--levels such as reincarnation.
http://www.myspace.com/illuminatta
Rhinocerous Surprise '08!!!
I've read parts of the Qu'ran too. I don't believe any of it, but it's fun to interpret.
Funny, I've heard people quote verse 3 a lot.
I believe this means something that is found in other Gospels. Jesus saying, "I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end, he who believes in me will never die."
Pensacola '94
New Orleans '95
Birmingham '98
New Orleans '00
New Orleans '03
Tampa '08
New Orleans '10 - Jazzfest
New Orleans '16 - Jazzfest
Fenway Park '18
St. Louis '22
From the quote it doesn't sound as if Jesus is talking about himself at all. Why is it "he who believes in me" is the same as "finding the beginning and the end"? Not trying to attack, just trying to have a discussion.
I'm guessing this is because Christians were being horribly persecuted at this point in time. If art was found depicting Jesus, the artists would have probably had their heads cut off, or worse. These are the times when Christians were also worshipping in hidden underground tunnels called Catacombs. The fish to which you're referring is the Icthus which was a coded symbol of Christianity.
- the great Sir Leo Harrison
He was trying to say:
Spin the Black Circle
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That could explain why there are no realistic depictions of Jesus Christ. All the depictions are of a lanky white guy. Whereas Jesus was most likely quite bulky, being a carpenter, and dark skinned. Although some depictions are dark skinned, the vast majority make Jesus look European and none depict a carpenter-like man.
Haha, maybe it was a prophecy about vinyl
LIFE.
at the beginning we have life and at the end we have life. eternal life. the death we experience physically is not death at all but the beginning of that eternal life. like a mobius strip. we return to where we came from. it is a never ending cycle. it takes different forms but remains neverending.
take a good look
this could be the day
hold my hand
lie beside me
i just need to say
I agree completely; the fish example is most likely due to reasons I stated above. The examples you gave are most likely due to white supremacy, the rise of the Roman Empire and capitalism.
- the great Sir Leo Harrison
No doubt Jesus was not a European looking man, but the "bulky" part confuses me. I was a carpenter for 14 years, and Im about as far from "bulky" as you can get. Odd that you'd think he would be "quite bulky". At least it struck me as odd.
www.myspace.com/jensvad
All that stuff about eternal life and the fact that God is the beginning ("in the beginnig was the word and the word was with God and the word was God..."). God is the alpha and omega. Find God, find eternal life.
I think Thomas found a few mushrooms in his backyard before he started reading his notes and writing his gospel.
the other foot in the gutter
sweet smell that they adore
I think I'd rather smother
-The Replacements-
the other foot in the gutter
sweet smell that they adore
I think I'd rather smother
-The Replacements-
I don't think Jesus had access to a skill saw or drill press.
Imagine he had to do everything by hand.
Jesus roided up so he could win the annual Judean Carpenter's Skill Challenge.
the other foot in the gutter
sweet smell that they adore
I think I'd rather smother
-The Replacements-
I imagine that he looked like Tim Allen's assistant carpenter 'Al' from the t.v show 'Home improvement'.
http://www.myspace.com/illuminatta
Rhinocerous Surprise '08!!!