#A More Perfect Tabernacle
Text
NICODEMUS QUESTIONS JESUS
John 3:7 Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.
John 3:8 The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.
#Are you ready?#To be Born Again#Baptized by The Holy Spirit#The Power of The Holy Spirit#A More Perfect Tabernacle#Jesus Christ#The Son of God#Glory to God#The Father
52 notes
·
View notes
Text
Truth or Pagan ?/
To:You
Sun 2/25/2024 5:59 AM
below is place to look for updates and free education resources and if not there get back to me
“Hi (word of god evangelism), I’ve started a GoFundMe, and it would mean a lot to me if you could support the fundraiser by making a donation or even sharing my fundraiser with your friends. You can see my fundraiser here: [https://www.gofundme.com/f/poor-in-the-world-who-need-help-thru-our-church]. Any and all donations are appreciated, but even sharing the fundraiser will help me reach my goal!”
www.tumblr.com/stickyllamastudent
Angel Numbers, Spirituality, Symbolism and Astrology - Totally the Dream
You searched for 75 books missing from bible - Totally the Dream
The List of 75 Books Removed From the Bible - Totally the Dream
The List of 75 Books Removed or Excluded from the Bible
The Protevangelion
The Gospel of the Infancy of Jesus Christ
The Infancy Gospel of Thomas
The Epistles of Jesus Christ and Abgarus King of Edessa
The Gospel of Nicodemus (Acts of Pilate)
The Apostles’ Creed (throughout history)
The Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the Laodiceans
The Epistles of Paul the Apostle to Seneca, with Seneca’s to Paul
The Acts of Paul and Thecla
The Epistle of Clement
The Second Epistle of Clement to the Corinthians
The Epistle of Barnabas
The Epistle of Ignatius to the Ephesians
The Epistle of Ignatius to the Magnesians
The Epistle of Ignatius to the Trallians
The Epistle of Ignatius to the Romans
The Epistle of Ignatius to the Philadelphians
The Epistle of Ignatius to the Smyrneans
The Epistle of Ignatius to Polycarp
The Shepherd of Hermas (Visions, Commands, and Similitudes)
Letter of Herod To Pilate the Governor
Letter of Pilate to Herod
The Lost Gospel of Peter
The Epistle of Polycarp to the Philippians
Book of Enoch 1
Book of Enoch 2 (known as The Secrets of Enoch
Enoch 3
Book of Esdras 1
Book of Esdras 2
Book of Maccabees 1
Book of Maccabees 2
Book of Maccabees 3
Book of Maccabees 4
Book of Maccabees 5
Book of Tobit
Book of Jasher
Book of Judith
Book of Esther
Book of Ecclesiasticus / Sirach
Book of Jubilees
Book of Baruch 1
Book of Barucu 2
Book of Baruch 3
Book of The Shepherd of Hermas
Book of Wisdom / Wisdom of Solomon
Book of The Psalms of Solomon
Book of The Odes of Solomon
Book of Giants
Book of Adam and Eve 1
The Conflict of Adam and Eve with Satan
The Gospel of James / The Protevangelion
The Gospel of Peter
The Gospel of Thomas
The Gospel of Nicodemus / Acts of Pilate
The Syriac Infancy Gospel / Infancy of Jesus Christ
The Epistles of Jesus Christ and Abgarus, King of Edessa
The Epistle of Aristeas
The Epistle of Jeremiah
The Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the Laodiceans
The Epistles of Paul the Apostle to Seneca
The Epistle of Pilate to Herod
Assumption of Moses
Apocalypse of Moses
Testament of Abraham
Apocalypse of Abraham
Testaments of the Twelve Patriarchs
The Acts of Paul
The Acts of Paul and Thecla
The Apostles Creed
Psalm 151
Story of Susanna*
Story of Bel and The Dragon*
Story of Ahikar*
The Prayer of Azariah and the Songs of the Three Holy Children*
Prayer of Manasseh
0 notes
Text
There are three hierarchies of angels each of which contains three orders.
The Nine Choirs of Angels
The Arrangement of the Angels of the Lord (according to Pseudo-Dionysius)
Let’s turn to the individual choirs so that we can examine the powers each have, and how they relate with one another.
Seraphim
The seraphim are the angels closest to God. As such, they reflect most immediately the highest attribute of God manifest in creation: His love. They are on fire with the love of God; the very name means “incandescent ones” or “burning ones.” Classical sacred art portrays them as entirely red and ablaze. They are usually depicted as having six wings but no faces — simply a sea or ring of flame around the Holy Trinity. Because of this burning love, more than any other angel they have the most perfect knowledge of God, which makes them the most perfect adorers. St. Jerome notes that they not only burn by themselves, but they also inflame others with the love of God.
According to the prophet Isaiah, the seraphim are the angels whom he hears crying out “Holy, holy, holy,” as one of them purifies Isaiah’s mouth with a coal from the altar so that he might serve as the Lord’s messenger (Isa. 6:3–8). In the Extraordinary Form of the Roman Mass, the priest evokes this moment as he prays for worthiness in proclaiming the Gospel. We too should pray to the seraphim that we might be purified in our responsibilities as teachers and bearers of the Word to our families, our friends, and all those over whom we have responsibility. It was a seraph who appeared to St. Francis of Assisi when he received the stigmata. Later mystics, too, will speak of the seraphim as the Lord’s messengers and intermediaries when they had extraordinary experiences of loving and transforming divine union.
Cherubim
The cherubim have a deep intellectual knowledge of divine secrets and of the ultimate causes of things; their name means “all-knowing one.” As such, they constantly contemplate the wisdom and the love of God in His relationship with mankind. They reflect His omniscience. The cherubim were the mighty adorers of the first covenant in its wisdom; images of the cherubim were the only images of beings that were permitted in the ancient Temple of Jerusalem. Their carved figures adorned the lid of the Ark of the Covenant, which prefigured both the Virgin Mary “tabernacling” the unborn Christ and the Eucharistic tabernacles of our churches, containing the new manna of Christ’s sacramental Body and Blood. Embroideries of the cherubim also covered the beautiful drapery that separated the Holy of Holies from the outer court of the Temple. It was that veil that was ripped from top to bottom when Our Lord died on the Cross as the sign that He had passed into the Eternal Sanctuary and that the Temple of Jerusalem had fulfilled its purpose (Matt. 27:51). The cherubim are still considered protectors of the New Covenant and so are often depicted on tabernacles and Eucharistic vessels.
Thrones
The thrones, as their name suggests, can be thought of as beings raised up to form the seat of God’s authority and mercy. A throne manifests the glory and authority of a king; it expresses stability and power. And since a throne is also a judgment seat, these angels are especially concerned with divine judgments and ordinances.
In the early Church, a common representation of God’s glory in Heaven was a mosaic behind the altar and above the seat of the bishop that represented an empty throne with a radiant cross mounted above it. This image represented Christ the King, Lord of all and Judge of the living and the dead. But His judgment seat was also a throne of mercy, for Christ has redeemed the world by His Cross. His love has brought us to salvation. The thrones are never seen or experienced as “flying” but as “rolling” across the heavens, in keeping with their manifesting the Lord’s stability.
* * *
The second hierarchy receives knowledge of divine secrets through the first three choirs — knowledge that they could not perceive by themselves. The ardor of the seraphim inflames their love; the wisdom of the cherubim reveals the depth of the mysteries; and the stability of the thrones draws them into constant adoration of God’s majesty. In the Summa Theologiae, St. Thomas teaches that the names “domination,” “power,” and “principality” belong to government in different ways. The place of a lord is to prescribe what is to be done, and so Gregory says that “some companies of the angels, because others are subject to obedience to them, are called dominations.”
Dominations
The dominations are concerned with the government of the universe. They are the first of the three choirs in the second ring, which is the ring of the cosmos — the angels who are charged with great and universal stewardships. The dominations in particular are involved in the workings of divine power. They coordinate the ministries of all the angels who deal with creation. We see in the angelic world that the Church’s teaching that God works through secondary causes is beautifully demonstrated. The angels mediate God’s power just as the saints intercede for us with Him.
Virtues
St. Peter mentions the virtues in his first epistle (3:22), as does St. Paul in his Letter to the Colossians (1:16). The name is in some way a mistranslation or at least a “false cognate,” since this choir of angels does not deal with acquired habits (virtues), but rather exercises innate, raw power over the physical universe. According to Pseudo-Dionysius, their name refers to “a certain powerful and unshakable virility welling forth into all their Godlike energies, . . . mounting upwards in fullness of power to an assimilation with God; never falling away from the divine life through its own weakness, but ascending unwaveringly to the super-essential Virtue which is the Source of virtue.”1 They are the lords of causality and the principles of cosmic order in the material realm. They ensure the well-being of the world.
Powers
The powers (dunameis) form the third and last choir of the second angelic hierarchy, according to Pseudo-Dionysius, while other scholars and spiritual writers consider them to be the fifth choir. This choir is mentioned occasionally in the Old Testament, such as in the book of Daniel where we read, “Bless the Lord, all powers, sing praise to him and highly exalt him for ever” (Dan. 3:39). Some scholars maintain that the name “powers” is also used to indicate angels in general, since it is the Septuagint’s translation of the Hebrew sabaoth. In the New Testament St. Paul writes that there are powers who have remained faithful to God and powers who have fallen away and become part of the empire of Satan (Eph. 6:12). The choir of powers is thought to introduce man to the higher mysteries while repressing the attacks of the “hostile powers” of Hell against the deepest laws of physical creation.
* * *
The third sphere of angels is concerned with Almighty God’s plan of salvation for mankind. It receives from the highest sphere its focus on the immutability of God, which is manifested in creation by the harmonious principles and intelligent organization of the laws of nature, which are upheld by the angels of the second sphere. In turn, the angels of this third sphere pour out their influence on those who have the greatest interaction with us in the ordinary course of things established by God.
Princes or Principalities
The princes are also described as having members who have fallen away and others who have remained faithful. Principalities are the leading choir of the last hierarchy of angels. Their activities are described by Pseudo-Dionysius in this way, “The name of the Celestial Principalities signifies their Godlike princeliness and authoritativeness in an Order which is holy and most fitting to the princely Powers.” They are often seen as being the guardians of nations or peoples; this is why St. Michael is described in the book of Daniel as “the prince of Israel,” who comes to the aid of Gabriel against the demonic prince of Persia. It seems fitting that this first choir in the “ring of salvation” should also look after the spiritual structure of the supernatural life of the Church.
Archangels
This choir is the most known and loved in popular devotion. Among the archangels we find St. Michael, St. Gabriel, and St. Raphael. It is traditionally believed, due to the statements of Raphael in the book of Tobit, that there are only seven archangels.
Three of their names occur in Scripture, and so the Church uses these names in our worship — St. Michael, the prince of the heavenly host and the only one called “archangel” in the Scriptures; St. Gabriel, the messenger of the Incarnation; and St. Raphael, the angel of healing and of medicine.
The names of the other four are not used in our Liturgy, though there are certain churches that preserve these names and make use of them in private devotion, including some Eastern Catholic Churches. Roman Catholics often refer to them as the seven archangels or the seven assisting spirits around the throne of God.
The seven archangels have been regarded from the very beginning as having a special place in God’s plan; their number is often associated with the seven days of the week and the seven sacraments. It is thought that the archangels were outstanding in their fidelity to God, and so in the writings of the saints they are often called archangel princes, an appellation that connotes leadership and authority in the heavenly realm. Many spiritual authors and mystics speak of their special assistance and often attribute other “groups of seven” to their protection or patronage — virtues, gifts of the Holy Spirit, and so on. The archangels are also associated with the protection of nations, dioceses, religious communities, and the mission of the Church.
Angels
The ninth and final choir of angels is composed of those who are most involved with the doings of mankind. These angels are those who are sent out on missions from God and from whom the guardian angels are chosen. The angels who fill up this choir may be the lowest, but they are beloved because the Lord places them at our sides to watch over us and to care for us. They are the ministers of Christ’s love and our protectors. They defend us against harm and temptation. They warn us of impending evil and inspire us to remain faithful to God in prayer.
25 notes
·
View notes
Text
Hear my pleas
This one’s different from my usual fics and set in an alternative universe where all the worst-case scenario outcomes had happened (set post BG3):
Astarion has ascended, his vampire spawn lover Tav, a Bhaalspawn, is dead, Gale reached godhood, Shadowheart was killed by her Sharran kin, Karlach's beheaded for the sword of Tyr, Wyll and Halsin are dead along with the tieflings and the grove, Lae'zel and Minthara had been killed in the last battle against the Netherbrain.
Astarion's lonely and tired. He has no one. Thus, in his desperation, he builds an altar for the God of Ambition and prays to him despite not expecting an answer. – His prayers are heard though.
Astarion x Gale
(Trigger warning (18+): graphic description of sex, smut, angst, anilingus, anal sex, nonconsensual blood drinking, blood, biting, cum-eating, choking, dom/sub power dynamic, derogatory language, dubious consent, fellatio, face-fucking, violence, vomiting, spanking, sprinkle of praise kink, these men have trauma, character study, emotional rollercoaster, happy ending (I wouldn't stand it otherwise), unnamed Tav, they/them pronounce for Tav, original character, OC, post-canon)
Notes:
I finally forced myself to play the Dark Urge and to choose all the worst options 'for fun'. It wasn't fun. It hurt. Badly. Now, you all gonna suffer with me for a bit.
Also, just so that it's said: I do NOT support romanticising and/or defending violent behaviours, especially when it comes to sex!
In this fic, Astarion and Gale both know that what's happening is wrong.
The Netherbrain was defeated, but at what cost?
The Emerald Grove was dead and with it dozens of tieflings and druids, as well as Halsin the Archdruid and Wyll, the Blade of Frontiers. They had exchanged Zariel's attack dog, Karlach, for a sword blessed by Tyr – which hadn't been worth it at all. Shadowheart had been killed by her Sharran kin because of a betrayal the cleric couldn't even remember. Lae'zel and Minthara had been killed in the last battle against the Netherbrain, both of them fighting 'till the end. Gale had become the God of Ambition, now dwelling in the Outer Planes. Astarion had finished Cazador's Infernal ritual and had ascended to an all-powerful vampire lord. He had turned his lover Tav, a Bhaalspawn, into his first and only vampire spawn, granting them one single drop of his own blood to make them his spouse.
Everything had been perfect until Withers had gathered the three remaining members of the heroic group for a night of celebration. There, Tav had lost themself completely, giving themself over to Bhaal instead of Astarion, and attacked their lover, Gale, and Withers. The God of Ambition had killed them, incinerated them to a heap of ash, and the vampire lord had wept for the loss of his first true love.
Seven years had passed since then, but Astarion still couldn't find any joy in his immortal life. With his mad love dead, Astarion was alone again and once more at the brink of forgetting how to love. The Szarr palace had never felt like home and it still didn't, but Astarion had nowhere else to go. He hated the place, hated the servants who only bent to all his wishes because they hoped to be turned into spawns and gifted with immortality. He hated to host parties for the nobles, politicians, and other people in power because it forced him to put his mask back on and slip into a character that wasn't fully true to himself. He hated to be pleasant company and to show interest in people and things he didn't care about the slightest to secure his place in the city. He hated his life, his existence, and the worst of it all; he had to face it all by himself. Once again, Astarion was alone to survive the hells of eternity.
It was a breezy spring morning and Astarion decided to go for a stroll through the bustling city. His mindless wandering led him to the tabernacle near Basilisk Gate. He entered it, not knowing why he did so exactly, and came face to face with the statue of the God of Ambition. With a blank mind, Astarion stared at it, taking it all in. The long hair, the knowing eyes, the warm smile, the flowy robes. Gale Dekarios of Waterdeep, the God of Ambition. No deity had ever answered Astarion's prayers in the two hundred years of torture under Cazador. No deity had ever deemed the high elf turned vampire spawn worthy of their attention or their help. Astarion despised them for it. Would Gale answer to his prayers, he suddenly wondered. Would the God of Ambition, his former tadpole-infected companion, listen to his pleas?
"Start praying or get out," one of the clerics told him angrily - and Astarion laughed maniacally.
The huge marble statue dominated the room, chiselled by the most talented artist of Baldur's Gate. On its round base, purple candles, sweet buns, a couple of books, and a silver chalice with high-quality red wine were placed. Only one last thing was missing.
At the reunion party, Astarion had noticed how much Tara had detested Gale all of a sudden, hissing at him whenever he'd gotten too close to her. Gale had seemed utterly crushed about it. Thus, Astarion had planned to summon a tressym for Gale to lure the God of Ambition to him – or so he told himself.
The vampire lord checked his ritual again. The runes and the circle were right, the candles placed around it, the incantation was in his hand and its pronunciation perfected over the last two months. The potion that allowed him to understand tressym speak had already settled in his stomach. Astarion remembered what Gale had told Tav when he'd showed them how to access the Weave (no, Astarion hadn't been eavesdropping. He'd just been nearby accidentally). He hoped his plan worked.
Astarion lit the candles, tried his best to connect to the Weave, and uttered the spell. The runes started glowing and a breeze wafted through the room.
Please work, the vampire pleaded and repeated the ancient words that sounded foreign even to his old elven ears. Suddenly, a ball of fur popped into existence, dropping right into Astarion's arms.
"Oof, apologies. I'm usually much more graceful," spoke the tressym with a feminine, warm, young-sounding voice.
The vampire laughed and hugged the creature tightly. He'd done it. It had worked! The tressym let out a sound of distress and he finally gave her space to breathe again.
"Apologies, I'm just very excited. I wasn't sure if the ritual would work. I'm not too well-versed in higher magic, you see. My name's Astarion, by the way, and who have I the pleasure to meet?"
The tressym looked up at him and the vampire was met with the bluest eyes he'd ever seen. The long, fluffy coat was snow-white and her nose adorably pastel pink. She was stunningly beautiful.
"I'm Kalina. Nice to meet you Astarion. Why did you summon me? Forgive my question, but I'm still young and was never called upon before."
"Oh... well, you see, I –" Astarion paused, suddenly embarrassed and unsure how to phrase his request. The tressym awaited his answer patiently. He sighed deeply. "Look, there are two reasons why I summoned you. Firstly, I'm a vampire lord and I have no desire to create any spawns. I'm alone in this palace and have no one to share it with and I crave intelligent conversations. Secondly, I have - had a friend who was a talented wizard. He lived with a tressym that he adored, but then, he ascended to godhood and his tressym started to hate him for it. Gale seemed sad about it and I.... well, we both are lonely, I suppose. I'll try to call for him, pray to him to meet me once again, and I thought he might be persuade if... you know, if I had someone like you by my side to sweeten the deal a bit."
Astarion hated how he stumbled over his words like a bumbling amateur, but Kalina didn't seem to mind.
"I understand," she snickered amused. "You need me to wrap him around your little finger. To lure your lover back."
"He's not my –"
"Mhm." The tressym smirked as much as a cat can smirked and hopped onto the stone floor. "How about you offer me a nice meal, hm? I'm your guest after all."
At that, Astarion snorted an amused laugh, but guided Kalina towards the staff's kitchen in which he'd already stored a bunch of tressym-friendly food. Just in case.
Kalina decided to stay for a while and help him with his plan to get Gale down to the mortal realms. She turned out to be excellent company and Astarion started to understand why Gale had loved his 'dear old' Tara so much.
Finally, it was time. Astarion kneeled in front of Gale's statue, folded his hands, and closed his eyes reverently.
"Uhm, hello Gale, God of Ambition. It's me, your old friend Astarion. You're probably wondering why I'm praying to you. Funny story actually... If you could spare a moment, I'd like to talk to you after all these years. I'm... well... I'd like to see you again. – Please."
Astarion huffed, irritated about laying his heart bare. He hated it. He opened his eyes and stood up. His prayers were neither heard nor answered, and if they were heard, they were masterfully ignored. Bloody typical. Astarion couldn't prevent an angry snarl forming on his face. With another huff he turned around, stomping towards the door.
"Hello Astarion."
The addressed froze dead in his step, then, he whirled around with a gasp, eyes wide in disbelief. Behind him stood the God of Ambition. His skin shimmering silvery blue, wrapped in a dark purple toga. His eyes glowing with white light. He looked exactly as Astarion remembered him, not having aged a single day.
"Gale," the latter croaked out. He wanted to rush across the room and hug the other man, but his pride stopped him from doing so. Astarion didn't want to seem desperate, weak, and pathetic. Thankfully, Gale acted instead, embracing the vampire warmly. The latter was barely able to keep from sobbing.
"You came," he whispered. "You answered my prayer."
"Of course." The God of Ambition smiled. "It's an honour to be remembered by an old friend who went through the same horrors as I did."
"There's no one else left," Astarion spoke, close to tears. "We're the last ones standing."
Gale sighed, looking sad.
"I'm aware," he nodded. Then he turned around to look at the altar Astarion had made for him. "Impressive. And put up in your home... that's – I'm speechless, really."
Astarion snorted, replying: "I don't think it's possible for you to ever be speechless."
Gale chuckled at that and tasted some of the wine that served as an offering.
"Mmh, what a lovely vintage. Velvety, with a hint of blackberries. Wonderful choice."
The vampire preened. To him, all drinks tasted like vinegar and all foods like ash, thus, he was happy he'd picked the right wine.
"I got something else for you. Well, not something you can own, but... Kalina?"
"Yes?" purred the tressym, slinking through the door.
"Oh!"
Gale's eyes went wide in delight and surprise, a huge smile spreading over his face. Kalina looked at him.
"Ah, the God of Ambition has heard your pleas, I see," she spoke, the amusement audible in her voice. She moved closer to him. "Gale, wasn't it?"
"A tressym," the addressed breathed, ignoring the creature's question. "Oh, and what a beautiful specimen."
He bent down to sweep Kalina off the floor, cradling her close to his chest. She purred happily and rubbed her head against his shoulder.
"Your friend's delightful," said the tressym. "He knows exactly how to scratch my chin just right. You could learn something from him."
Astarion laughed.
"You cheeky thing!"
"Huh?" Gale looked at him confused and seemed flustered. Only now, the vampire realised that the other man thought he'd addressed him. Frowning, he asked: "I used a potion to understand Kalina. I thought you're well-versed in tressym speak."
"Uhm, no," muttered Gale, lowering his gaze. "I enchanted Tara's collar to give her the ability to be understood by everyone. I don't speak tressym."
"Oh..." Astarion was dumbstruck. He hadn't known and had just assumed. "Well, she says she likes you and you have talented hands, darling."
He winked suggestively at the last sentence and swore he could see Gale blush despite his silvery skin. The latter cleared his throat and asked: "Why did you call for me, Astarion?"
"Am I not allowed to wish to speak to an old friend?"
"Of course you are. It's just... unusual. I didn't expect you to call for me. We got along fine, but you never seemed that fond of me. If I remember correctly, you called me annoying at every occasion."
"Tsk, tsk, Astarion," tut-tutted Kalina and the addressed started fidgeting.
"I just -" Words were lost on him. It was so difficult to say the truth. Gale looked at him. Those intelligent eyes boring themselves into Astarion's ruby-red ones and straight down into his soul.
"You're lonely," the God of Ambition stated matter-of-factly.
"So are you," Astarion snapped back, angry that Gale saw right through his façade. "Don't tell me there are parties up there in the Astral Planes? Or did you reunite with your beloved Mystra? Fucking her again, now, that you're finally deemed her equal?"
Gale narrowed his eyes, the air around him suddenly crackled with purple magic. Kalina hissed in surprise and a flare of fear, jumping out of his arms and fleeing the room.
"You're just trying to rile me up because you're mad I struck a nerve," the God of Ambition spoke calmly. Of course, he was right and gods, did Astarion despise it. The latter bristle, putting up his defences.
"Why?" growled the vampire.
"Why what?"
"Why did you answer my prayers?"
"Because it's my duty."
"Ha! Fuck off!" Astarion cackled uglily. "There's not a single god that answers their devotees' prayers! Don't be ridiculous, Gale."
The addressed frowned, his mouth a thin line, visibly miffed.
"Would you prefer it if I say that I came because you deserve to be heard?" he asked then.
Astarion glared at him, his ruby-red eyes full of fiery rage. Baring his fangs, he roared: "Don't you dare! Don't you dare pitying me!"
"I'm not."
"Of course, you are! You always thought you're above me, above everyone else, because you were Mystra's Chosen! You were always haughty, but now that you've reached godhood, you're so much worse! You scolded me for being power-hungry and for ascending, but you did the exact same thing, Gale Dekarios!"
The addressed inhaled sharply, the air around him crackled again. The electricity of the magic made Astarion's hair stand on end.
"Vampire ascension changes a person," Gale replied. "It kills all your feelings. Your soul. You're not yourself anymore, Astarion."
"You know nothing about me!" roared the vampire lord. "I'm no longer a pathetic, scared spawn. I'm finally strong enough to force anyone to their knees and ensure my safety. I no longer have to run and hide."
"But at what cost? Your siblings and seven thousand innocent victims are dead. And so is Tav."
"Don't speak their name! You have no right! They were mine and you kill them!"
"They were a Bhaalspawn, Astarion. They attacked us at the reunion party. I had to save us."
Astarion screamed. His bat wings split the skin and shirt on his back and unfurled to their full glory. Usually, he had himself under control, but apparently not today.
"They were mine! They were my perfect vampire spawn spouse. Mine, forever!" Astarion heaved a breath he technically didn't need to breathe. He felt dizzy and nauseous all of a sudden. With another scream, he collapsed onto the floor. "They were my mad love."
"Astarion..." Gale moved closer, kneeled down beside him and pulled him into an embrace. The vampire sobbed, not remembering when he'd started to cry.
"I'm sorry," whispered the God of Ambition and kissed Astarion's temple.
The latter went very still under him. They had never really touched each other before today and the quick, mindless kiss was definitely unexpected. Something bitter and ugly coiled in Astarion's stomach at the gentle affection he received. He wanted to hurt Gale, to punish him for what he'd done to him and to his beloved spawn.
"I should kill you," Astarion growled viciously. "I should make you pay for what you’ve done."
"Then do it."
The words made the vampire's thoughts come to a screeching halt and he stared up at Gale.
"What?" he whispered.
"Punish me, Astarion."
"No, that was just –"
"Do it. Make me pay for killing Tav. For berating you for your choices. For not being able to save the grove from Tav's bloodlust. For not being able to save Shadowheart, Lae'zel, and Minthara. If you believe I deserve it, then, punish me for failing you and everyone else."
Gale's words stoke the fire of hatred in Astarion again. He felt violent and the wish to hurt the other man grew with every second. The vampire gave in to his urges and grabbed a handful of Gale's hair, yanking his head back painfully, gleeful to see the other man wince.
"You'll regret your words soon enough," sneered Astarion. "You'll wish you haven't left your cosy little spot in the Divine Planes."
He saw Gale swallow thickly, eyes big and nervous, and felt a sick kind of satisfaction. Astarion tugged on the other man's hair again, ordering: "Stay where you are. Don't you dare move."
The vampire stood up and retracted his wings, sneering down at Gale.
"You're exactly where you belong; on your knees. Soon, you'll beg for mercy. – Now, take your clothes off."
The addressed squirmed, but snapped his fingers and his clothes disappeared. Grinning, Astarion traced the branding of the Netherese Orb on Gale's chest with his fingers. The dangerous fracture of ancient Weave was still stuck there, emitting a subtle purple light under the vampire's pale fingers. Now though, with Karsus' Crown and Gale's godhood status, the Orb was permanently stabilised and had become a part of Gale, just like the rest of the ancient magic.
Astarion dug his fingers deep into the silvery blue skin, feeling its warmth and the chest hair. Gale grimaced and hissed at the pain. The vampire revelled in it.
"Look at you," he mocked. "At my feet. What would the other gods say if they knew, eh?"
"I don't care," answered Gale, and strangely enough Astarion believed him.
Suddenly, the vampire smacked him across the cheek with an open palm. The God of Ambition gasped, looking up at him. Shock and surprise written all over his face. Astarion laughed and hit his other side. The sound of skin hitting skin echoed loudly through the room.
"That's not enough," Astarion voiced his sick thoughts. "You need real punishment."
With that, he took a step back to open his belt and free it from his trousers. Gale's eyes widen in realisation. Astarion sneered. He was ill in the head and he knew it. Still, he ordered: "Get up, hold onto the base of your statue, and bend over."
The addressed trembled slightly when he obeyed and hid his face behind his hair as he lowered his head between his shoulders. Astarion stalked closer, sliding his fingers along the leather belt.
"Good," he praised and Gale shuddered slightly.
Interesting... The vampire cracked the belt over Gale's right butt cheek with force, revelling in the sharp cry of pain he coaxed out of the other man.
"Yes. Sing for me, pet."
Another hit, another cry. Astarion grinned, lost in a mixture of rage, arousal, and sick fantasies. Drunk on power. He landed another two blows on each butt cheek before he stopped. Gale was panting elaborately now, arms and legs shaking slightly. Astarion leant forwards and licked up a rivulet of black blood that welled from where Gale's skin had broken. The vampire made a face at the taste. It didn't reek of bile anymore like it had before, but there was something sharp and acrid about Gale's blood.
"You still taste disgusting."
At that, the God of Ambition chuckled lightly.
"Apologies. My body contains even more Netherese magic than before, thus, I'm sure it –"
Gale's reply ended in a yell when Astarion racked his sharp fingernails down his back, leaving bloody trails behind.
"You're still talking too much," the vampire said coldly. "I guess it needs more drastic measures to shut you up."
Astarion pushed Gale back down on his knees again and forced his jaw open with one hand, pressing his thumb into his mouth to pry it open. With the other hand, he freed his dick from his trousers skilfully. Gale's eyes widened in fear, but Astarion couldn't hear his pulse quickening. Actually, he couldn't hear a heartbeat at all.
Right. Gale's a god now. Immortal like me, the vampire realised, slightly bitter about it.
"What? Never sucked a cock before?" he taunted, releasing his grip on Gale's jaw to let him speak.
"Mystra liked to change her form sometimes. Thus, I know how to –"
"Don't speak that bitch's name ever again!" spat Astarion, riled up. "That bitch doesn't deserve to be worshipped nor anything else! Least your attention. She's the reason for your folly."
Surprised, the God of Ambition looked up at him. Oh, how Astarion wished the other's eyes were still as brown and expressive as they’d been before his ascension to godhood.
"I – Apologies. I didn't know it would upset you so much, but you've asked if I had any exp-"
"Shut up and suck me off, pet," Astarion interrupted him harshly, grabbed Gale's jaw again, and shoved his member into the other man's mouth and down his throat. The latter made a choking noise.
"Don't be dramatic. You don't need to breathe anymore," Astarion taunted and the addressed glared up at him. An ugly grin split the vampire's face. "How does it feel, God of Ambition? On your knees and used like a toy by a mere vampire lord. Where are your godly powers now?"
At that, Gale slightly bit down on Astarion's cock as a warning. The latter gripped the god's hair tighter, hissing: "Don't you dare."
To Astarion's surprise, Gale obeyed and his jaw went slack again, letting himself be face-fucked by the vampire who moaned blissfully. Astarion's eyes rolled back in his head as he pushed as deep as he could and spilled down Gale's throat.
"That's it, darling," he groaned. "Take it."
And the God of Ambition moaned as he swallowed the vampire lord's cold seeds. Astarion bit his lip to hold back a whimper. It felt so good. So loving.
He'd tried to find joy in sex again ever since Tav had been killed, but nothing and no one excited him anymore. Everything felt fake and wrong. Either because Astarion forced himself to enjoy it, or because whoever joined him in bed only did so because they were terrified of him or wanted something from him.
It didn't feel fake or wrong now. The only thing that felt wrong was forcing Gale to go along with what he wanted, but Astarion didn't particularly care about that right now. He still panted as he stared at the ceiling of the Szarr palace. The place that once had been his prison, had become his unwelcoming, cold home. Astarion hated it. He blinked slowly before looking down at Gale. A genuine soft smile appeared on the vampire's beautiful face.
"So good for me," he praised and couldn't keep himself from gently running his fingers through Gale's hair. "You can release me now."
That he did. Gasping for air and coughing, Gale looked positively wrecked and Astarion felt smug and almost satisfied, but when the God of Ambition initiated to stand up, the vampire spoke sharply: "I'm not done with you, pet."
The addressed froze.
"Astarion, I think that's quite enough. You had your revenge."
"I decide when it's enough! As I said, I'm not done with you, God of Ambition!"
In a sudden outburst of anger, Astarion backhanded him across the face, sending Gale onto the floor again. Sneering, Astarion placed a foot on the other man's chest and pushed him backwards onto the cold marble floor.
"You took everything from me," growled the vampire lord.
At that, Gale bristled.
"That's not true! You did this to yourself, Astarion! I warned you. I warned you that the ritual would change you and it had. It took away all of your humanity."
"Humanity?!" roared Astarion and cackled. "I'm an elf! I never had any humanity in me in the first place!"
"You know what I mean! Look how cold you're acting now. No more empathy. No more feelings. No more heart. No more love."
Snarling, Astarion bent over Gale, bringing their faces so close together that they felt each other's breaths on their skins when they spoke.
"My heart stopped beating over two hundred years ago when I was turned into a spawn. My heart's long dead – and so is yours now."
Astarion grabbed the other man's thighs and pushed them upwards, purring: "You better use that grease spell on your rear or I'll take you dry."
Gale's shocked, almost terrified, expression wasn't as satisfying as the vampire lord had hoped for.
"Astarion... please..."
"Any time now, Gale!" the addressed snarled, baring his fangs.
The God of Ambition looked hurt now, and even though he was trembling in fear, he muttered the spell.
"What an obedient pet," praised Astarion and pushed all the way into him until he bottomed out.
Gale screamed hoarsely, tears running down his face as he dug his nails into the vampire's shoulders. The latter set a violent pace, revelling in the other man's cries, and started to choke him just for fun. Gale wheezed, gasping for air. He obviously didn't need to breathe anymore, but his brain apparently hadn't gotten the memo yet.
"Astarion... please..." the God of Ambition begged, gulping in ragged breaths and the addressed squeezed his neck just a little tighter for a second to taunt him before releasing him. Gale's eyes rolled for a second as he gulped in lungful’s of air in a panic.
"We're not so different, you and I," sneered Astarion. "We both ascended, became something far more powerful than others could ever dream of. We're both immortals and can inflict terror in anyone. You're as power-hungry and greedy as me, Gale."
"If I... if I could turn back time," the addressed sobbed. "I'd stop you from ascending and I'd return the crown to Mystra. We both lost our humanity, our hearts, and ourselves. We sought power to prove ourselves, but we lost everything dear to us in the process. Now, there's only loneliness for us."
"Shut up!" yelled Astarion and buried his fangs in Gale's neck. His blood was vile and insulting, but also held power, so much power. Pure magic. The vampire wondered briefly if he'd become even more powerful if he'd drain the other man dry, or if the Netherese magic would kill him instead. He didn't care either way.
Gale choked on a sob, but continued talking.
"I'm sorry I failed to save us. I'm sorry I couldn't save you from yourself. I regret it. Forgive me... please."
His body went limp under Astarion, his hands losing their grip on the vampire's shoulders. Almost panicked, the latter, stopped drinking from him to stare at the other man instead. Astarion grabbed Gale's face with both hands, slightly shaking him.
"Don't die! You're a God, you can't die! Don't you dare leave me alone!"
Groaning, the God of Ambition opened his eyes.
" 'm not dying. Just... tired... can't...."
Suddenly, Astarion felt vile and it finally hit him what he'd done. He let go of Gale as if the touch had burned him and slipped his softening dick out of him. The vampire scooted back on his bare arse, horrified of his actions, before bending sideways and retching onto the floor. Gale's black blood was a stark contrast to the white-grey marble floor.
"Ugh..." Astarion groaned miserably and dry-heaved again. "I'm - I'm a monster. Just - just like - Cazador."
His eyes flitted back to Gale who winced as he sat up. All the fight had left the vampire and he trembled now.
"Why?" His eyes spilled over, an ugly sob escaping his throat. "Why did you let me hurt you like this? You're a god, you could have easily overpowered me."
"Because -" Gale wheezed. "Because it seemed like you needed it. You're lonely, sad, and hurt. Let me help you. Let me ease your suffering."
"Gods, you're the worst," Astarion cried and, before he could get cold feet, he crawled back to kiss the God of Ambition. He didn't expect the thrum of magic that zapped through him like lightning, even though he should have. Gale was glowing with old Netherese magic after all. It wasn't unpleasant though, thus, Astarion didn't pull away. Gale moaned – loudly, desperately, wantonly, needy – and deepened their kiss as he wrapped his arms around the vampire's neck. The Orb in his chest started to pulse with purple light, illuminating the cold marbled room. Astonished, Astarion gently stroke the mark with his fingers, hissing at the crackling magic there.
“It - it glows?”
“When - when I’m excited, yes,” Gale panted, slightly bashfully. Then, he added: "I'm - I am too."
"You're what, darling?"
"I'm lonely, sad, and hurt too. I no longer want to be alone. I miss having company I can trust."
"Yes," sobbed Astarion, desperately clinging to Gale's shoulders. "I miss it too. Please, Gale, please don't leave me. Don't go back to the Astral Planes."
"I'm not sure if I'm allowed to stay in the mortal realm, but I want to."
"You're a god. Can't gods do whatever they please?"
Gale sighed, answering: "Not always. It's complicated. But I stay as long as I can and if I must go, I'll come back as soon and for as long as I'm allowed. – If that's what you want."
Astarion nodded hastily.
"Yes, yes, I want that. Please, Gale."
"Yes," answered the God of Ambition simply and the vampire lord kept weeping.
3 months later
Astarion awoke from his reverie to the chirping of sparrows and screeching of seagulls. He stretched lazily under the white sheets, sleepily gazing at the sun-dappled room in Gale's tower in Waterdeep. Next to him, his lover stirred and Astarion turned to look at him. Gale looked ethereal as always. Like Astarion, he didn't need to sleep anymore, but he loved the sentiment of it.
"Good morning, darling."
Smiling softly, the ascended vampire lord stroke the God of Ambition's cheek, marvelling at his soft, long mane and silvery-blue, warm skin yet again.
"Good morning, dear," said Gale, voice husky from sleep.
Astarion leaned over to kiss him gently and Gale hummed happily. The vampire rolled on top of him easily, deepening their kiss while stroking his lover's hair out of his face. For a while they simply kissed, entangling their tongues, while rubbing against each other. When it wasn't enough anymore, Astarion asked: "Darling... may I?"
And Gale nodded, easily parting his legs around the vampire after the latter had pushed away the blankets.
"So gorgeous," praised Astarion before engulfing his lover's erection with his mouth.
Gale sighed blissfully, running his fingers through the vampire's white curls while closing his eyes. The latter stretched out his hand and, with a flick of Gale's wrist, a bottle of oil flew over to him. Astarion caught it easily, pouring some of the oil directly onto his lover's perineum and coating his fingers with it. Then, he started to carefully prepare Gale. Fingers pumping in and out of his hole while sucking him off. The God of Ambition panted and moaned beautifully as the Orb in his chest started pulsating with purple light. It was music to Astarion's ears.
"I'm ready," Gale panted and the vampire looked up at him, mirth sparkling in his ruby-red eyes.
"I don't deem you ready yet, darling," he retorted, basically bent his lover in half, and dove his tongue into him.
Gale almost yelled, clawing the sheets as he let out a string of moans.
"Astarion... Astarion..."
He repeated the name like a prayer and the vampire revelled in it. Gale's fingers tightened in the sheets, his hips spasming.
"Astarion!" he warned, sobbing.
The Orb in his chest started to glow brighter and brighter. The vampire knew his lover was close, thus, he kept going. Gale climaxed with a hoarse shout, spilling his seeds over his own belly and torso, and the light of the Orb exploded, making the god's entire body glow purple, almost as bright as the sun. When the light diminished, Astarion finally let go of Gale, placing one last kiss on his hole. Then, he bent forward and licked up his lover's still warm spent. When he was done, he wiggled his tongue into Gale's mouth to let him taste himself. The latter moaned and kissed back eagerly. Finally, the vampire entered his lover, slowly and carefully.
"You're so beautiful," he praised, gazing at the man beneath him through half-lidded eyes.
The God of Ambition blushed, intertwining their fingers.
"So are you," he whispered.
They kissed again, deeply but tenderly, as they made love (yes, love. They weren't fucking). Gale moaned blissfully and Astarion let out a harsh breath every time he bottomed out and his eyes threatened to roll back in his head. The vampire licked his lover's sweaty neck before biting down gently and drinking his vile but oh-so addictive blood.
"I love you," mewled Gale, throwing his head back on the pillow, and, with a loud moan, Astarion reached his high, spilling into his lover. Even through his closed eyelids, he could see how Gale emanated purple light once more. The vampire collapsed onto the God of Ambition, removed his fangs and licked the wounds until they stopped bleeding. With a deep sigh, he placed his head on Gale's shoulder.
"I love you too," he whispered.
He's content when the other man wrapped an arm around him and held him close. They dwelled like this for a while, recharging.
"I want to stay like this forever," revealed Astarion, slightly bashful.
Gale smiled, tenderly stroking the scars on his lover's back.
"Well, technically, we can," he answered teasingly and the vampire snickered.
"Yoo-hoo, Astarion, Gale!" lilted Kalina as she scuttled through the doorway and jumped up onto the bed. "Good morning, lovebirds. May I remind you that I am neither a god nor a vampire and need real substance to survive. It's already elven o'clock!"
The men chuckled amused and Astarion replied: "Of course, Kalina. We're very sorry that we forgot the time. I'll feed you right away."
With a happy purr, the tressym hopped off the bed and rushed towards the door.
"Ah, one more thing." She turned around to look at the pair with her pretty blue eyes. "I've spoken to Mrs. Dekarios and Tara and they've both agreed to visit you tomorrow."
"Really?"
Gale smiled broadly and happily. These were the moments Astarion missed his lover's human form. He'd always had such beautiful, expressive, warm, brown eyes. Now, they were simply two pools of bright, white light.
Kalina nodded.
"They're compliant on the condition that you'll meet up regularly and behave decently. No ascended, godlike behaviour and such."
"That can be arranged," Gale replied, smiling fondly.
Astarion simply nodded.
"Wonderful," the tressym purred. "And now that that's settled, I'd like my very plentiful brunch, if you'd be so kind."
Barking an amused laugh, Astarion swung out of bed, put on one of Gale's robes, and followed Kalina to the kitchen. The God of Ambition got up too, walking to the window in his birthday suit, and watched how the wheels of time and life spun.
'Fate spins along as it should' Withers had said, and he'd been right.
With a deep sigh, Gale gazed at the sea.
If I could turn back time, I would, and I'd change so many things, he thought woefully. But it's impossible and we must live with our decisions.
He smiled when Astarion wrapped his arms around his middle from behind, kissed his shoulder, and muttered: "Come back to bed, darling. I want to ride you until the sun goes down."
Even though our fates seemed dark, we've found the few specks of light in the darkness, the God of Ambition thought as he was led back to bed by his ascended vampiric lover.
Over the past three months, they'd realised that they both were still capable to feel and to love. Their true selves still existed, underneath all the power and ascension. The men clung to them more consciously now, not willing to let go of their humanity, hearts, and souls. It was a wonderful revelation.
Astarion and Gale would live forever, but they'd also love each other forever.
#baldur's gate 3#bg3#fanfic#astarion x gale#astarion#astarion ancunin#gale#gale dekarios#gale of waterdeep#oc#original character#Kalina the tressym#smut#non con#mind the trigger warning
27 notes
·
View notes
Text
“But when Christ appeared as a High Priest of the good things to come [that is, true spiritual worship], He entered through the greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not a part of this [material] creation. He went once for all into the Holy Place [the Holy of Holies of heaven, into the presence of God], and not through the blood of goats and calves, but through His own blood, having obtained and secured eternal redemption [that is, the salvation of all who personally believe in Him as Savior]. For if the sprinkling of [ceremonially] defiled persons with the blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a [burnt] heifer is sufficient for the cleansing of the body, how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal [Holy] Spirit willingly offered Himself unblemished [that is, without moral or spiritual imperfection as a sacrifice] to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works and lifeless observances to serve the ever living God?” —Hebrews 9:11-14 (AMP)
“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” —Romans 5:8 (NIV)
“Even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes.” —Ephesians 1:4 (NLT)
“Personal Holiness” By In Touch Ministries:
“Sometimes comparing ourselves to others leaves us feeling insecure, but other times it stirs up false pride. When we see others being mean, selfish, or lazy, we might think we’re better—and deserving of a place in heaven. In reality, we can always find someone “lesser” to make ourselves feel more holy. But compared to God’s perfect holiness, every person is lacking.
The truth is, whether or not we go to heaven has little to do with us—and everything to do with our heavenly Father. He was the one who made a way for our righteousness, and it wasn’t in response to our behavior. In fact, God decided long before we were born—before we had the chance to do anything good or bad—that He would offer the gift of salvation. Paul wrote to the Ephesians that God “chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him” (Ephesians 1:4).
If you find yourself trying to compare your holiness to that of others, or trying to prove to God that you’re worthy, remember what Paul wrote to the Romans: “While we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8). That’s how you know salvation can only be received.”
#hebrews 9:11-14#romans 5:8#ephesians 1:4#bible#christian blog#god#belief in god#faith in god#jesus#belief in jesus#faith in jesus#bible verses#bible truths#bible scriptures#bible quotes#bible study#christian devotionals#daily devotionals#christian life#christian living#christian faith#christian inspiration#christian encouragement#encouragement#christian motivation#christian quotes#holiness#in touch ministries#keep the faith#make him known
29 notes
·
View notes
Text
Psalm 19 (NKJV)
The heavens declare the glory of God;
And the firmament shows His handiwork.
Day unto day utters speech,
And night unto night reveals knowledge.
There is no speech nor language
Where their voice is not heard.
Their line has gone out through all the earth,
And their words to the end of the world.
In them He has set a tabernacle for the sun,
Which is like a bridegroom coming out of his chamber,
And rejoices like a strong man to run its race.
Its rising is from one end of heaven,
And its circuit to the other end;
And there is nothing hidden from its heat.
The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul;
The testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple;
The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart;
The commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes;
The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever;
The judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether.
More to be desired are they than gold,
Yea, than much fine gold;
Sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.
Moreover by them Your servant is warned,
And in keeping them there is great reward.
Who can understand his errors?
Cleanse me from secret faults.
Keep back Your servant also from presumptuous sins;
Let them not have dominion over me.
Then I shall be blameless,
And I shall be innocent of great transgression.
Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart
Be acceptable in Your sight,
O Lord, my strength and my Redeemer.
7 notes
·
View notes
Note
UMM have you ever written about/can you talk about Solveig's backstory?? I am SO intrigued by what you mentioned in the tags of that post about what she might see if the phantasmal killer spell is cast on her!
There is something everyone with OC dreams of receiving one day and it's a question about their backstory. My life is kinda crazy right now (that's why your previous ask is still in my inbox, I'll answer it soon I swear 😭) but I can't resist writing about my beloved Solveig.
It's going to be a longer post and English it's not my first language so I apologize for any mistakes in advance.
Buckle up!
TW: Domestic violence
Solveig comes from a wealthy family. Not patriar level of wealth but money wasn't much of a problem for them. Her mother, Vibekke, is a retired adventurer and treasures she gathered in her youth were more than enough for a good life. Solveig had a happy childhood despite growing up without a father (that's a story for another time). She spend her time mostly playing with other kids and her twin sister Linn who unfortunately lost genetic lottery and didn't inherit sorcerer magic. The girls were given a proper education. Solveig discovered her artistic talents and Linn was on the right path to one day study in Waterdeep to become a wizard. Everything was lovely.
Until it wasn't.
When Solveig was 15 her mother's health got worse. Her condition was treatable but the cost of medications and proper care have quickly consumed most of the family fortune. Sisters were trying to earn some money but who is going to employ two teenagers and pay them well enough? Two years later when her family was on a verge of poverty, Solveig started to pray at Stormshore Tabernacle regularly. And that's where she had met lord Ruadhan Heffernan, who offered her solution to all her problems.
To say Heffernan was rich would be an understatement. His family's wealth was impressive even among the nobility of Baldur's Gate, he had everything - title, money, respect, authority. But nobody is perfect in eyes of high society and people have found something on Ruadhan - he wasn't married. People started to gossip, calling him a miser or an impotent (sometimes both, depends on who you would ask).
He presented himself to Solveig as a man who needed to save his reputation and honor but who also was such a kind soul that wanted to help a poor girl in need. He was reliable, calm, sensible - everything Solveig needed at the time. She needed money to save her mother, he need a wife to save himself from judging eyes of patriars. And he wasn't even much older than her, and was quite a gentlemen... And she agreed.
Couple months later, the day Solveig turned 18, they got married. Solveig suddenly had to remember all those strangers who attended her wedding because they were important and know the complex etiquette. Maybe it wasn't the happiest day of her life but now she had enough money to provide a good care for her mother and she could even put her sister in a good academy in Waterdeep. Her own happiness didn't matter, the family had to come first.
For the first couple of months things were fine. Solveig didn't notice small signs that something was off - her letters would go missing, she couldn't leave her new house alone and she didn't really know where her money was. Before she knew, she became a prisoner and Raudhan's mask started to fall. He wasn't a mere noble. He was a cleric of Tiamat and had a high position in an enclave of Cult of the Dragon in Baldur's Gate (Tiamat is an evil dragon goddess, her cult tries to bring her to the material plane every now and then to take over the world basically).
But he wasn't satisfied with a high position. He wanted to be a leader and even more - a chosen of Tiamat. Solveig had a missing piece of his puzzle - direct connection to draconic bloodline. He blackmailed her into cooperation, saying her mother and sister were at his mercy now. So Solvieg gritted her teeth and agreed.
He was showing her to other followers as his trophy - daughter of metalic dragons, now corrupted in the name of their Queen. He was using her and her blood in rituals for Tiamat. Solveig still remembers how it felt to be a part of it. Stench of dark magic. Sensation of something being taken from her. Overwhelming presence of something far greater than her, ever watching, ever waiting and never fully satisfied.
Solveig tried to find an excuse why she couldn't be a part of Cult's activity. In the first few months when she still had some sort of contact to outside world, she was using meetings with important people (sometimes meetings that didn't even exists). "It will greatly benefit you as well the whole church, my lord. I will expand our connections and gather new allies" - she said that so often only to get out of the mansion for few hours (even if it was under constant surveillance). She tried to subtly get help and inform someone that the cult of chaotic evil goddess had it's temple under her house. Everytime Heffernan's servant interrupted and inform his master about Solveig's little treason.
Sometimes Raudhan mocked her for even trying to do something against him. He often tried to make her feel bad for betraying him. "I've given you everything a woman can dream of. You were destined to rot on the streets when we met and look at you now - a lady of a noble house. You could also try be a noble wife, you know? But you've chosen to hurt me and everything I've worked on for years. Is this your way of saying thank you? Don't you think I deserve more than a dagger in the back? What would your poor mother said about this?".
But one time she made him furious.
Someone from the Flaming Fist had sensed that something was wrong with the Heffernans and one day an elf showed up at the door, young investigator named Kalar. Solveig wanted to tell him everything and beg him to free her but Raudhan was watching and he knew that the Fist was here because of her. That day ended in tears, screams and Solveig getting locked in the room with a silence spell casted on it. She still doesn't know how long she's stayed there or what exactly happened to her during this time. All she remembers is a nearly empty room, bathed in total silence and a window too small to even jump through. Solveig was ready to die there until one day a crow tapped on her window. The bird had a short message: "I can help you".
Kalar got suspended after he visited their house but he didn't give up on his investigation. He wanted to help her. Solveig was suspicious and careful at first but she quickly started to plan her escape with him. Before she could start thinking about anything else, she needed to get out of this bloody mansion. They figured out almost everything - how to get out and the shortest way to the temple of Ilmater where someone offered to hide her - from there she could try to get Raudhan arrested/killed or at least get a divorce. There was one little problem - she couldn't leave the room she was locked in.
So she decided to wait.
One day Solved had finally heard a sound for the first time in gods know how long, as the door to her prison opened. Raudhan was standing there with a wide smile on his face. He told her in the most gentle and sweet tone she'd ever heard that the previous leader of the Cult was dead. Killed by some warlock who caught him by surprise during a failed attempt of summoning Tiamat. "This could be our moment. That is, if you finally understood your mistakes". Solveig nodded and played her part. She will give Raudhan what he wants for now. She will let him think he broke her spirit, wait for him to let his guard down and then she will have her freedom.
She started to participate in the rituals again. Eventually she started to fell sick. Magic the cultists were using drained her and effects of it started to show. She's became paler, weaker, lost weight. She had to escape and quickly before the rituals kill her. Luckily for her Raudhan gave her a bit of freedom around the house. Most doors where still locked for her but she wasn't watched all the time.
On one rainy night she finally got an impulse to escape. She had overheard Raudhan's conversation with another cleric of Tiamat. They were discussing interpretations of some sort of prophecy: "... you need to combine her bloodline with yours, Heffernan. You've waited long enough. You may not earn our Queen's blessing but your heir... think of the power they will wield".
An heir? Over her dead body.
She rushed to Raudhan's rooms, she had to find something she could use in court. Or to blackmail him. And then she found it - unsended letters that contained information about the Cult of Dragon and it's activity in Baldur's Gate. Perfect. Now all she had to do was to follow the plan and...
"Lady Heffernan, what are you doing?"
A servant saw her. Panic and will to survive overtook her body. She will either escape today or die trying. For the first time in years she used her magic for herself. Blood of her ancestors was singing in her veins when she covered the room in flames. After that she jumped through the window and while the adrenaline was keeping her going, she run. She left the burning mansion behind her, not looking back until she was in Rivington.
She was free. She had the letters.
For the first few days, she stayed hidden in the temple disguised as one of the monks. Kalar came to her a week later to discuss their next moves. Solveig was almost free at this point, she just needed a piece of paper with a court seal to prove it. She also had to reach out to her family, throughout the years she totally lost contact with them.
Linn was in Waterdeep - far enough from Baldur's Gate and Raudhan Heffernan- or at least that's what claimed an old sailor who was at the same ship as her. Vibekke was at her own house with a healer taking care of her. She was still weak but definitely felt better than all those years ago. It only took a few coins to bring them safely to Rivington. Solveig was finally reunited with her mother. You can only imagine happiness and tears of joy shed by a woman who wasn't allowed to see her family for, as it turned of, a whole decade.
Once she had her family back, Raudhan could no longer use them against her. With the help of Kalar, gold, connections she had made and a little blackmail Solveig was finally able to get a divorce papers signed. She had a feeling the power-hungry cleric of Tiamat won't be stopped so easily by a piece of paper but she could wait a couple more days before putting the rest of the plan in motion, right? Simply enjoy life and catch up on important matters with her mother, contact Linn and maybe try reaching out to her grandparents before going to war with the church of Tiamat.
She had time, right?
And that's when mind flayers attacked...
#quick note: this is a short version#i have many scenes from Solveig's past in my head including the ones in which she meets some origin characters from the game#it's also... let's call it lighter version? less horrifying?#I don't think I could write original version of her backstory. My bestie reads this blog#(yes i had “me and my husband” and “labour” on loop when i created Solveig)#once again thank you for the ask you made my week better#bg3#my tav#tav backstory
7 notes
·
View notes
Text
Movies I watched lately
Picnic at Hanging Rock (1975): This is a movie about being out of your depth in a mysterious universe of frightening powers and Valentine's Day being on the wrong day
Perfect Blue (1997): Scarier than The Shining. Definitely much more uncomfortable, with all the sexual violence. But that might just be because pop culture spoiled every part of The Shining ahead of time, whereas in Perfect Blue I didn't know what to expect next. In a twist, Perfect Blue actually explains exactly what's going on with the disappointing "mentally ill murderer" trope
The Handmaiden (2016): At first I thought, despite the colonialist setting, this was going to be a boring period drama about polite people in fancy costumes, but then came the first twist and I was hooked. I don't know if this subverts the male gaze or whatever. But this film is definitely entertaining, each shot an almost painterly composition, the small cast of characters all well realized. The setting was so over-the-top it felt a little like a cartoon. Shame Park Chan-wook decided the movie needed a gory torture sequence instead of focusing on what the female leads get up to except for putting those metal balls in their pussies
Zardoz (1974): This film unironically engages with the concepts L. Frank Baum introduces in his later Oz novels, when he turns Oz into a dystopia hell world by accident. The Tabernacle is Ozma's Magic Picture. Not sure how to feel about having a habitual rapist as our protagonist, but it was the 1970s, so the actors probably just hated women that much in their daily lives anyway
Puella Magi Madoka Magica the Movie: Beginnings (2012): It's like a slightly worse version of the show. Took out three memorable bits: Madoka's dream in the opening, Mami's backstory, and Hitomi screaming about lesbians. The dream is an especially odd deletion since without that, the opening is boring. But you can't call this scene-for-scene remake a cheap cashgrab because the new visuals are baroque, sometimes to the point that it becomes ridiculous. Why the hell is Kamijo's hospital room a gorgeous palatial chamber full of books and a collection of the weirdest chairs that have ever existed?
Puella Magi Madoka Magica the Movie: Eternal (2012): Ditto
Puella Magi Madoka Magica the Movie: Rebellion (2013): This expands on the wrong things from the show until it develops into just an avalanche of the wildest colors and visuals. Can't say it's not gorgeous though. The one new character is a little girl whose defining character trait is that she is obsessed with cheese. With a fourth Madoka movie coming out, I do not trust the creators not to ruin the series. Have Homura kiss Madoka you cowards
Manhunt (1976): This film's original Japanese title is something like "You Must Cross the River of Anger!" Very Alfred Hitchcock vibe. It is most notable because of its popularity in the PRC. I was glad that the writing was intelligent enough to recognize the main character would not return to the police force after what he goes through. On the other hand, it concludes extrajudicial execution is fine if the person is evil enough. This message is only true if you're a revolutionary socialist, not a cop,* so I have to cancel this movie sorry
*This is ironic and not actually something I believe (you still need some kind of fair trial, even if the outcome is a foregone conclusion)
Up Tight! (1968): Speaking of revolutionary socialists killing someone. A lot of people in this movie abruptly start shouting and wailing and attacking people and then have to be pulled off. It's a shame the gay character's homosexuality is treated as a sign of how he is an unreliable class traitor who loves cops
Do the Right Thing (1989): This is a really good movie about a hot day on a street where a lot of angry people scream at each other. Apparently, Spike Lee wrote the screenplay in two weeks. I am jealous. That got me thinking how many talented people it took to bring the screenplay to life. I don't know how Sweet Dick Willie's dialogue could be planned instead of extemporaneous, but that's the magic of cinema. The ice cube scene is weird
Total Recall (1990): I don't buy that Quaid and Melina could just get up and be fine after the air rushes over them in the finale. Their eyes were boiling! And whoever built the Mars colony in GLASS DOMES, brittle, ordinary glass, was so stupid that they could not possibly exist. This proves the story was a hallucination inside Quaid's head. Didn't expect the movie to feature a dwarf sex worker mowing down cops with a machine gun. They should have made a movie about her instead
18 notes
·
View notes
Text
WE ARE RIGHTEOUS IN HIM
"..therefore be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus." - 2 Timothy 2:1
God's grace is undeserved, this means that God's goodness is not expressed to each of us because we are good; it is given to us because He is good! Sometimes it's hard to even wrap our minds around this fact. This is because most of us have, in reality, believed that grace is based upon performance and our religious works. However, receiving grace from God has absolutely nothing to do with our performance at all; it is completely based upon undeserved favor.
If God's favor were based upon our ability to do right and perform well, then we would not need His grace.
We would then believe that because of our own abilities we have been blessed. This is such a deceptive lie of the enemy. He does not desire that we embrace the revelation of God's grace.
BONDAGE IN FEELING PERFORMANCE-ORIENTED
"And if by grace, then it is no longer of works: otherwise grace is not longer grace." - Romans 11:6a
There is bondage in feeling as if you are continually "missing the mark." Performance-oriented people experience difficulty resting in God, which is linked to God's grace. We can spend many years believing that God is disappointed in us if we didn't quite measure up to His standards.
We can also be deceived into believing that God's blessings are linked to how well we perform – as if His blessings were dependent upon our "good behavior" or "religious performance." This false belief sets us up for even more failure and disappointment. It becomes cyclical.
If we are ashamed, there is no confidence to boldly run to Him for grace and empowerment to transform. Shame and guilt robs us of our confidence to run boldly into God's arms – in fact, it causes us to run away from Him!
God knows we will never be perfect. He does not desire perfection due to our own strength for that would be "deserved favor." Grace is undeserved favor. The Lord desires for us to know that He is daily perfecting us through His divine grace. To believe that "it is up to us and our own ability to become transformed" is to believe that "the finished work at the Cross was not effective". Jesus Himself was perfect and, therefore, we are blessed and empowered to live holy through Him.
"through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God." - Romans 5:2
Many of us have been blinded concerning how to receive God's blessings. The Accuser of the Brethren has lied to us and said that God's blessings are based upon "works" rather than simply because God loves us. Remember God IS love! You cannot separate God from love. He blesses us simply because He loves us.
WALKING IN THE SUPERNATURAL AND DOING THE IMPOSSIBLE
"Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably..." - Hebrews 12:28
Many might ask what the connection is between grace and the supernatural. We can't walk in the supernatural without His grace!
Our faith needs to rest upon Jesus and the price He paid for the sick to be healed, the poor to be blessed, people to be set free, etc. If we focus on Jesus and His ability to heal the sick many of us would experience more miracles. Because we haven't seen the miracles for which we cry out, many times we feel that we didn't "perform" well and, as a result, we will shrink back from stepping out and praying for the sick or for demons to flee, etc.
When Jesus came to earth, He brought Heaven with Him. He came so that He could live in us – we became the Tabernacle for the Spirit of God. It is His ability in us that will empower us to experience more of the supernatural.
"To them God has chose to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory." - Colossians 1:27
RIGHTEOUSNESS
"For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him." - 2 Corinthians 5:21
Paul said in Galatians 2:20-21 (KJV), "I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless, I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave Himself for me. I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain."
HOW DO WE WALK IN GOD'S FAITH?
In order to walk by this kind of faith you need to understand your Christ identity. You must understand that all your sins have been forgiven -- past, present, and future -- you are never out of right standing with God. There is never any guilt, shame, or condemnation (Romans 8:1,2) to keep you from moving forward in bearing fruit that remains for God's advancing Kingdom through your Christ calling.
You are one with Christ (John 17:21) -- lay hands on the sick and expect them to recover -- believe for your miracle NOW!
When the word "righteousness is mentioned," many people immediately think that it involves more performance and perfect behavior – a list of "do's and don'ts" from God. Righteousness under the New Covenant is OUR RIGHT STANDING WITH GOD and is a gift from God and cannot be earned! (See Romans 5:17). Be assured that you are living through Jesus’ righteousness -- not your own. His Spirit lives in you and, therefore, you are qualified to walk in the supernatural! We need to step out and do it!
ACHIEVE YOUR FUTURE
The Accuser of the Brethren came against many in the Bible who God used mightily. The Bible is full of stories about people who were living in ordinary circumstances and empowered to do the impossible.
God sees much in you! He desires for you to boldly run to His throne of grace (Hebrews 4:16) right now to receive a fresh empowerment to achieve His PURPOSE for your life (your DESTINY in Christ). Don't allow past shame or guilt to hold you back any longer. The Lord desires to release His blessings to you today. Receive it; believe it and it is yours!
ALBERT FINCH MINISTRY
16 notes
·
View notes
Text
Psalms chapter 19
1 (To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David.) The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork.
2 Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth knowledge.
3 There is no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard.
4 Their line is gone out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In them hath he set a tabernacle for the sun,
5 Which is as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, and rejoiceth as a strong man to run a race.
6 His going forth is from the end of the heaven, and his circuit unto the ends of it: and there is nothing hid from the heat thereof.
7 The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple.
8 The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes.
9 The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether.
10 More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.
11 Moreover by them is thy servant warned: and in keeping of them there is great reward.
12 Who can understand his errors? cleanse thou me from secret faults.
13 Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me: then shall I be upright, and I shall be innocent from the great transgression.
14 Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.
2 notes
·
View notes
Text
THE CROWD'S RESPONSE
Acts 2:38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remissions of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
#Repent#Be Baptized#No Water just Repentance#In Jesus Name for your sins#Be Baptized by The Holy Spirit#Receive The Holy Spirt#Be Born Again#A More Perfect Tabernacle#Jesus Christ#The Son of God#Praise God#The Father
35 notes
·
View notes
Text
Truth or Pagan ?/
To:You
Sun 2/25/2024 5:59 AM
below is place to look for updates and free education resources and if not there get back to me
“Hi (word of god evangelism), I’ve started a GoFundMe, and it would mean a lot to me if you could support the fundraiser by making a donation or even sharing my fundraiser with your friends. You can see my fundraiser here: [https://www.gofundme.com/f/poor-in-the-world-who-need-help-thru-our-church]. Any and all donations are appreciated, but even sharing the fundraiser will help me reach my goal!”
www.tumblr.com/stickyllamastudent
Angel Numbers, Spirituality, Symbolism and Astrology - Totally the Dream
You searched for 75 books missing from bible - Totally the Dream
The List of 75 Books Removed From the Bible - Totally the Dream
The List of 75 Books Removed or Excluded from the Bible
The Protevangelion
The Gospel of the Infancy of Jesus Christ
The Infancy Gospel of Thomas
The Epistles of Jesus Christ and Abgarus King of Edessa
The Gospel of Nicodemus (Acts of Pilate)
The Apostles’ Creed (throughout history)
The Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the Laodiceans
The Epistles of Paul the Apostle to Seneca, with Seneca’s to Paul
The Acts of Paul and Thecla
The Epistle of Clement
The Second Epistle of Clement to the Corinthians
The Epistle of Barnabas
The Epistle of Ignatius to the Ephesians
The Epistle of Ignatius to the Magnesians
The Epistle of Ignatius to the Trallians
The Epistle of Ignatius to the Romans
The Epistle of Ignatius to the Philadelphians
The Epistle of Ignatius to the Smyrneans
The Epistle of Ignatius to Polycarp
The Shepherd of Hermas (Visions, Commands, and Similitudes)
Letter of Herod To Pilate the Governor
Letter of Pilate to Herod
The Lost Gospel of Peter
The Epistle of Polycarp to the Philippians
Book of Enoch 1
Book of Enoch 2 (known as The Secrets of Enoch
Enoch 3
Book of Esdras 1
Book of Esdras 2
Book of Maccabees 1
Book of Maccabees 2
Book of Maccabees 3
Book of Maccabees 4
Book of Maccabees 5
Book of Tobit
Book of Jasher
Book of Judith
Book of Esther
Book of Ecclesiasticus / Sirach
Book of Jubilees
Book of Baruch 1
Book of Barucu 2
Book of Baruch 3
Book of The Shepherd of Hermas
Book of Wisdom / Wisdom of Solomon
Book of The Psalms of Solomon
Book of The Odes of Solomon
Book of Giants
Book of Adam and Eve 1
The Conflict of Adam and Eve with Satan
The Gospel of James / The Protevangelion
The Gospel of Peter
The Gospel of Thomas
The Gospel of Nicodemus / Acts of Pilate
The Syriac Infancy Gospel / Infancy of Jesus Christ
The Epistles of Jesus Christ and Abgarus, King of Edessa
The Epistle of Aristeas
The Epistle of Jeremiah
The Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the Laodiceans
The Epistles of Paul the Apostle to Seneca
The Epistle of Pilate to Herod
Assumption of Moses
Apocalypse of Moses
Testament of Abraham
Apocalypse of Abraham
Testaments of the Twelve Patriarchs
The Acts of Paul
The Acts of Paul and Thecla
The Apostles Creed
Psalm 151
Story of Susanna*
Story of Bel and The Dragon*
Story of Ahikar*
The Prayer of Azariah and the Songs of the Three Holy Children*
Prayer of Manasseh
0 notes
Text
//A chained gaze, where the master is accustomed to withdraw//
Psalm 27V4-5 (ARA)
4For one thing I have requested from LORD JEHOVAH and to him I pray, that I may dwell in the House of LORD JEHOVAH all the days of my life, to see the sweetness of LORD JEHOVAH and to order his temple.
5Because he will hide me in his shelter in the day of evil; he will hide me in the shadow of his tabernacle and he shall lift me up upon a rock.
“There is only one thing, that he desires, although he also has besides full satisfaction in Jahve in the midst of strangers and in trouble. The future is used side by side with the perfect in Psalm 27:4, in order to express an ardent longing which extends out of the past into the future, and therefore runs through his whole life. The one thing sought is unfolded in שׁבתּי וגו. A life-long dwelling in the house of Jahve, that is to say intimate spiritual intercourse with the God, who has His dwelling (בית), His palace (היכל) in the holy tent, is the one desire of David's heart, in order that he may behold and feast upon (חזה בּ of a clinging, lingering, chained gaze, and consequently a more significant form of expression than חזה with an accusative, Psalm 63:3) נעם ה (Psalm 90:17), the pleasantness (or gracefulness) of Jahve, i.e., His revelation, full of grace, which is there visible to the eye of the spirit.“
//K&D Biblical Commentary on the Old Testament
“For in the time of trouble - When I am surrounded by dangers, or when affliction comes upon me.
He shall hide me - The word used here means to hide; to secrete; and then, to defend or protect. It would properly be applied to one who had fled from oppression, or from any impending evil, and who should be "secreted" in a house or cavern, and thus rendered safe from pursuers, or from the threatening evil.
In his pavilion - The word "pavilion" means "tent" or "tabernacle." The Hebrew word - סכה sukâh - means properly a booth, hut, or cot formed of green branches interwoven: Jonah 4:5; Job 27:18; see the notes at Isaiah 4:6. Then it is applied to tents made of skins: Leviticus 23:43; 2 Samuel 11:11. It thus is used to denote the tabernacle, considered as the dwelling-place of God on earth, and the meaning here is, that God would hide him as it were in His own dwelling; He would admit him near to Himself; He would take care that he should be protected as if he were one of His own family; as a man protects those whom he admits to his own abode.
In the secret of his tabernacle - In the most retired and private part of His dwelling. He would not merely admit him to His premises; not only to the vestibule of His house; not only to the open court, or to the parts of His house frequented by the rest of His family; but he would admit him to the private apartments - the place to which He Himself withdrew to be alone, and where no stranger, and not even one of the family, would venture to intrude. Nothing could more certainly denote friendship; nothing could more certainly make protection sure, than thus to be taken into the private apartment where the master of a family was accustomed himself to withdraw, that he might be alone; and nothing, therefore, can more beautifully describe the protection which God will give to His friends than the idea of thus admitting them to the secret apartments of His own dwelling-place.
He shall set me up upon a rock - A place where I shall be secure; a place inaccessible to my enemies. Compare Psalm 18:1-2; Psalm 19:14 (margin); Psalm 61:2; Psalm 71:3. The meaning is, that he would be safe from all his enemies.”
//Barnes Notes’ on the Bible
#faith#hope#jesus#mental health#damaged emotions#emotional health#love#mental help#emotional healing#prayer#blog#christian blog#devotional#bible#commentary#psalm 27#psalms#secret#gaze#safety
1 note
·
View note
Text
#DailyDevotion Are You Thirsty For The LORD?
#DailyDevotion Are You Thirsty For The LORD?
Psalm 42 As a deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for You, O God. 2I thirst for God, the living God: O when will I come and appear before God?
The Psalms are ordered into 5 parts, it is thought to resemble the first five books of the bible. If we look at Psalm one we can see that it resembles Genesis one. We have the blessed man who ponders all that God has said and the wicked to reject God. It takes us to the flood where righteous Noah and his family are saved but the wicked were no more. Psalm 42 brings us images of Exodus. The Israelites have been in Egypt four hundred years and as far as we know, they lived as we do with the preached Word of God handed down to us but with no prophet to have the LORD speak to them directly or through a mediary. So indeed, the Israelites panted for God, the Living God in the land of many idols and wicked religious worship practices. There was the promise to Abraham they would be in the land of Egypt for this period of time and then they would be brought out with God's mighty, outstretched hand. They wanted to appear before the LORD their God. Do we look to Sunday morning like this or for the Day of the LORD?
3My tears have been my food day and night because I'm asked all day long, “Where is your God?”
The Israelites cried out to the LORD to save them and deliver them from their oppression. They were wondering, “Where is our God?” Their cries went up and the LORD heard them. He sent Moses to them to deliver them and they came to His mountain and heard His voice. He gave them the tabernacle and the ark with the Word of Testimony which had His Name on it and made His presence among them. We gather in the name of the LORD and have His presence with us when we gather in His name and also with the Supper.
4As I pour out my soul before Him, I recall how I used to go in the crowd and lead them to God's house, with happy shouting and praise as the crowd celebrated a festival.
David now recalls how he would pour out his soul to the LORD. He recalled leading the people forth in joy to the LORD's house during the festivals with happy shouting and praise. O that we could gather with happy shouting and praise as we gather around the Word and Sacrament, the promised presence of the LORD there with His grace and mercy.
5Why am I so discouraged, and why am I in such turmoil? 6I must look to God for help, and praise Him Who is my Savior and my God.
Why are we so discouraged and why are we in such turmoil? Have we forgotten the promise of the LORD Jesus Christ that we are worth more than many birds? Have we forgotten His promise before we even open our lips, our Father knows what we need and is providing it? If so, let us follow David's lead and look to God for help. He is the source of every good and perfect gift. Having asked the Father for help in our time of need, let us praise Him as we believe He has heard and answered our prayers. Let us praise our LORD and Savior Jesus Christ who has opened heaven's throne to us by the pouring out of his innocent and precious blood and who intercedes for us at the right hand of the Father for all good things.
Heavenly Father, help us by Your Holy Spirit to remember Your promises and Your good will towards us on account of Christ Jesus, Your Son our LORD, and open our mouths that we may sing Your praise. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.
Read the full article
2 notes
·
View notes
Photo
Redemption through His Blood
Now the first covenant had regulations for worship and also an earthly sanctuary. A tabernacle was prepared. In its first room were the lampstand, the table, and the consecrated bread. This was called the Holy Place. Behind the second curtain was a room called the Most Holy Place, containing the golden altar of incense and the gold-covered ark of the covenant. Inside the ark were the gold jar of manna, Aaron’s staff that had budded, and the stone tablets of the covenant. Above the ark were the cherubim of glory, overshadowing the mercy seat. But we cannot discuss these things in detail now.
When everything had been prepared in this way, the priests entered regularly into the first room to perform their sacred duties. But only the high priest entered the second room, and then only once a year, and never without blood, which he offered for himself and for the sins the people had committed in ignorance.
By this arrangement the Holy Spirit was showing that the way into the Most Holy Place had not yet been disclosed as long as the first tabernacle was still standing. It is an illustration for the present time, because the gifts and sacrifices being offered were unable to cleanse the conscience of the worshiper. They consist only in food and drink and special washings—external regulations imposed until the time of reform.
But when Christ came as high priest of the good things that have come, He went through the greater and more perfect tabernacle that is not made by hands and is not a part of this creation. He did not enter by the blood of goats and calves, but He entered the Most Holy Place once for all by His own blood, thus securing eternal redemption.
For if the blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer sprinkled on those who are ceremonially unclean sanctify them so that their bodies are clean, how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself unblemished to God, purify our consciences from works of death, so that we may serve the living God!
Therefore Christ is the mediator of a new covenant, so that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance, now that He has died to redeem them from the transgressions committed under the first covenant.
In the case of a will, it is necessary to establish the death of the one who made it, because a will does not take effect until the one who made it has died; it cannot be executed while he is still alive.
That is why even the first covenant was not put into effect without blood. For when Moses had proclaimed every commandment of the law to all the people, he took the blood of calves and goats, along with water, scarlet wool, and hyssop, and sprinkled the scroll and all the people, saying, “This is the blood of the covenant, which God has commanded you to keep.”
In the same way, he sprinkled with blood the tabernacle and all the vessels used in worship. According to the law, in fact, nearly everything must be purified with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.
So it was necessary for the copies of the heavenly things to be purified with these sacrifices, but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these. For Christ did not enter a man-made copy of the true sanctuary, but He entered heaven itself, now to appear on our behalf in the presence of God.
Nor did He enter heaven to offer Himself again and again, as the high priest enters the Most Holy Place every year with blood that is not his own. Otherwise, Christ would have had to suffer repeatedly since the foundation of the world. But now He has appeared once for all at the end of the ages to do away with sin by the sacrifice of Himself.
Just as man is appointed to die once, and after that to face judgment, so also Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many; and He will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who eagerly await Him.
— Hebrews 9 | The Reader’s Bible (BRB)
The Reader’s Bible © 2020 by Bible Hub and Berean.Bible. All rights Reserved.
Cross References: Genesis 3:19; Exodus 16:32-33; Exodus 24:6-7 and 8; Exodus 25:8-9; Exodus 25:23; Exodus 26:31; Exodus 30:10; Leviticus 4:3; Leviticus 5:11; Leviticus 8:15; Leviticus 11:2; Leviticus 14:4; Leviticus 16:2; Leviticus 16:14-15; Numbers 7:33; Numbers 18:2; Psalm 103:12; Jeremiah 33:8; Ezekiel 45:18; Matthew 18:10; Matthew 22:3; Matthew 26:28; Luke 1:80; Acts 23:15; Hebrews 5:1; Hebrews 10:19
#Hebrews 9#The Epistle of Hebrews#New Testament#The Earthly Tabernacle#Redemption through His Blood#Christ offered up Once and Once only#The Reader's Bible#BRB#Bible Hub#Berean Reader's Bible
6 notes
·
View notes
Text
But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building;
Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.
(Hebrews 9:11-12 [KJV])
2 notes
·
View notes
Last Seen Blogs
hsvnebula
Venus (Probably) Had Herpes
sabuleum
abettor
melodyshealthylife
Melody's Healthy Life
sakurako07
sakurako
rockingxicons
𝖗𝖔𝖈𝖐