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veganineden · 10 months

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On the Evolution of “Happily Ever After” and Why “Nothing Lasts Forever”

A reflection inspired by Good Omens 2

One of my favorite Tumblr posts on the second season of Good Omens 2 was actually not about the series at all, but our reaction to it, primarily the ending. @zehwulf wrote, “I think a lot of us—myself included—got a little too comfortable with assuming [Aziraphale and Crowley would] work on their issues right away post-Armageddon.” We did the work for them through meta, fanfiction, fanart, and building a plethora of headcanons. Who among us AO3-surfing fans didn’t read and love Demonology and the Tri-Phasic Model of Trauma: An Integrative Approach by Nnm?

In the 4 long years since season one was released, we did more than seek to understand and repair rifts between two fictional beings: we were forced to reckon with ourselves too. We faced a global pandemic, suffered traumatizing losses and isolation, and were forced to really and truly look into the face of our atrocities-ridden and capitalistic world. The mainstream rise of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Justice work, and our participation in this work, showed us that the systems in place were built to oppress and harm most of us, and they are.

So, what does this have to do with the evolution of “happily ever after”?

My friend put it best in a conversation we had following the season finale, when she pointed out a shift in media focus. The “happy end” in old stories about wars and kingdoms used to be “we killed the evil old king and put a noble young king in his place and now citizens can live in peace” and we’re transitioning into a period of “we tore down the whole fucking monarchy.”

If we look at season one, written to follow the beats of a love story, it comforted us by offering a pretty traditional happy ending pattern: you get your fancy dinner with your special someone, the romantic music plays, and you have a place to call your own. Season one’s finale provided a temporary freedom for Aziraphale and Crowley, the “breathing room,” but it didn't solve the problem that was Heaven and Hell, or the agendas belonging to those systems of oppression.

Is it good enough to keep our heads down, pretend the bad stuff isn’t happening, and live our own personal happy endings until we die? Moral quandaries aside, if you don't die (or if you care about the generations after you), then, like Aziraphale said, it “can’t last forever.” There’s a clear unpleasant end to the “happily ever after” that’s based on ignoring our problems– it’s the destruction of our relationships, and humanity.

Ineffable Bureaucracy can go off into the stars because they do not care about humanity.

You know who does?

Aziraphale.

And Aziraphale knows that Crowley cares about humanity too. (He knows because Crowley was the one who proposed sabotaging Armageddon in the first place, who only invited him to the stars when he thought all was lost, because Crowley would save humanity if he thought it was possible, and Aziraphale knows Crowley has survived losing Everything before, and he will do all in his power so that Crowley does not need to experience that again.)

In season one and two, we see how much they care about humanity, beyond their orders, to the point The Systems begin to frown at them. Aziraphale hears Crowley’s offer to run away together in the final episode of season two, to leave Earth behind, and just like the first time that offer was made in season one, he declines. He knows choosing only “us” is not a choice either of them can live with for the rest of eternity.

I believe season 3 will provide an opportunity to “dismantle the system,” but I don’t know how it will play out. I worry that Aziraphale has put himself in the now-dead trope of the “young noble king.” (I wish Crowley had told him why Gabriel was dismissed from his duties.) I worry that he would martyr himself as a sole agent for change. I worry that he doesn’t actually know how to dismantle anything by himself: because you can’t. He needs Crowley. He DOES. He needs Crowley, and Muriel, and other angels and demons and humans without fixed mindsets to help him. Only by learning to listen and making room at the table for all can they (and we) move past personal satisfaction to collective liberation.

Crowley was right when he said that Aziraphale had discovered his “civic obligations.”

So, I think we will get our modern-day happy ending– and it’s going to involve a lot of pain and discomfort, communication, healing and teamwork– and in the end, it’ll all be okay. There will be a time for rest and a time for “us.”

And most likely a cottage.

“Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better.”

- Maya Angelou

Support the SAG-AFTRA strike and other unions. Trust @neil-gaiman. Register to vote if you haven’t yet. Hold yourself and others accountable with compassion. Read books. Keep doing the work. Rest. Then watch Good Omens 2 again.

#good omens 2 #good omens #crowley #aziraphale #ineffable husbands #good omens meta #good omens 2 meta #ineffable advocacy #ineffable partners #neil gaiman #terry pratchett #gos2 spoilers #good omens 2 spoilers #nothing lasts forever #liked by Neil Gaiman

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ecoamerica · 2 months

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youtube

Watch the American Climate Leadership Awards 2024 now: https://youtu.be/bWiW4Rp8vF0?feature=shared

The American Climate Leadership Awards 2024 broadcast recording is now available on ecoAmerica's YouTube channel for viewers to be inspired by active climate leaders. Watch to find out which finalist received the $50,000 grand prize! Hosted by Vanessa Hauc and featuring Bill McKibben and Katharine Hayhoe!

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vivalarevolution · 2 years

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𝓦𝓱𝓮𝓻𝓮 𝓨𝓸𝓾 𝓛𝓮𝓯𝓽 𝓨𝓸𝓾𝓻 𝓗𝓮𝓪𝓻𝓽

Daemon Targaryen x Velaryon Oc

Summary: A king needs a queen, but she doesn't want to be queen. Not when her heart belongs to another man, the king's brother.

(Velaryons, are presented as in books)

A/N: Hello everyone. This is my first story posted here. I hope you all gonna like it.

Also english is not my native language, so I am sorry for any mistakes.

Part 2

Rhaella was the oldest child of Lord Corlys Velaryon and princess Rhaenys Targaryen.

She inherited her mother's beauty. However, her character was a combination of both her parents, and it was an explosive mixture indeed.

A woman like her was a rarity and a thorn in the sides of lords who could not accepted a stubborn creature like her.

She was more a dragon than a human.

If she could, she would probably have spent her entire life on the back of a large beast. Flying between the clouds, listening to the sounds of birds and feeling of the sea breeze on her face as white as snow.

But she had to tread on hard ground that was not as lighthearted as heaven, but brutal and full of lurking dangers.

When Queen Aemma died, the entire kingdom held its breath, only to explode with a sea of a thousand voices demanding that the king would find a new queen in her place.

And then the first dangers emergeed from the shadows, attacking the white-haired girl.

For the first time in her life, the violet-eyed woman felt threatened. She felt neither safe nor at peace.

She hated that in the eyes of the kingdom, being high-born made you only a broodmare to sell.

It was a harsh reality but how realistic.

-My lady , the water is to hot. You will burn yourself- said one of her servants but Rhaella didn't listen , going into steaming water.

-I'll be fine Rosalie. You can go now- she said, dismissing the maid.

The old woman gave her one last look before she disappeared behind the door of the chamber, leaving the girl alone with her rushing thoughts.

Rhaella felt the water surrounding her body, embracing her in a warm and soothing manner, like an embrace of a mother or a lover.

At the thought of her lover, her eyes opened slightly.

Even now, Daemon haunted her mind like a plague. Her heart pounded with every second that the violet-eyed face appeared in front of her, and her skin stung at the thought of his rough hands and soft lips giving her pleasure for long hours.

Her hands involuntarily went to the necklace, which was a gift from a man and a symbol of a promise. A promise of love for a fair-haired woman.

Lavender eyes wandered to the door, then shifted their interest to the balcony in front of it.

She wondered if she had focused hard enough, Targaryen would have appeared on the threshold of her terrace, taking her far away, somewhere where they could finally indulge in their embrace without fear or apprehension.

But no one came.

Rhaella spent the rest of the afternoon staring out to sea. The distant sound of the waves crashing against the rocks soothed her heart, as did the gentle movement of the water.

More and more she found herself thinking, hating herself for it, hating how her mind worked, but no matter how much she tried to change it, nothing helped.

-You could not be forced to sit in the castle even for a few minutes - a male voice said behind her - You preferred to ride Jaehaeron and fly over the Driftmark. Now you cannot be forced to leave the chamber. What has changed?

The white-haired girl looked back.

Seeing her father, she smiled imperceptibly before returning to admire the view outside the window.

-People change - she said.

-Rhaella, I'm your father. If there's anything or anyone that's keeping you awake, tell me - he said confidently, standing next to her.

-You are also a Lord - she remarked listlessly. - Advisor to King Viserys -she added, and alabaster hands gripped the stone balustrade tightly.

-Has that ever stopped me from parenting?- He asked, looking at her grim face.

-No -she replied. -But through it you can become the cause of my downfall.

-What do you mean? - He asked, patiently waiting for her answers.

The young woman looked down, stroking her white hands with her fingertips, thinking about the sequence of words that had been pressed on her lips for so long.

-I don't want to be his queen -she whispered after long minutes of silence, and even though she wanted to say so much, only this sentence came out of her mouth.

Corlysy's eyes softened at the eldest daughter's words. Throughout her age, expectations for her were great, often overloading her small shoulders on which she had held a lot anyway.

The man hugged her body, pulling the girl's head closer as she sobbed softly. Stroking her silver curls, he tried to soothe her.

After weeks of agony, Rhaella felt everything leaving her body. Sorrow, fear, anger and longing came out of her body, finally giving her a moment of respite.

Her breathing grew shallower and calmer, allowing her to hear her heart racing.

-I would like to assure you that your wish will be granted. But if the king himself wants to have you as a wife, there will be nothing that can be done - he informed her in a calm tone of voice, combing the white waves on her head - You are the oldest candidate, besides joining our houses will give us a strong and lasting alliance.

-I would prefer to fall off Jaehaeron's back, breaking all the bones in my body- she announced angry- Than marry a man who is not close to me.

-So tell me who you are close to?- He asked unexpectedly.

-What do you mean?- She asked in surprise, pushing herself off her father's torso to meet his eyes.

-You are my daughter, my firstborn. All your life you were stubbornly persuaded that you would never marry, and your mother supported this because she loved you too much to ruin your happiness. There is someone close now, so tell me Rhaella, who is close to you? - The head of the Velaryon family asked her.

-Is it important? - she answered the question - My happiness does not matter anyway.

-It matters - the older man said firmly -Me and your mother, we care about your happiness -he assured.

Violet-eyed girl looked into her father's eyes, then looked down after a while, biting her lip with nervousness. She was silent until the white-haired man lifted her head up in the act of silent command.

-I fell in love with the wrong man- she confessed quietly- I can't marry him, because he is already married- she admitted honestly- But I love him and he loves me. He's the only one holding my heart in an iron grip.

-His name -the girl's father said seriously.

The daughter of Rhaenys looked confidently into the man's eyes. Her hard and controlled eyesight did not bode well.

-Daemon Targaryen - she announced unscrupulously, pressing the name through her teeth as if it were burning her tongue.

Corlys sighed heavily.

Frowning, he released the woman from his embrace and walked away from her a few steps, leaning heavily against the stone balustrade of the balcony.

The young woman looked at Lord of Driftmark unimpressed, expecting any response that did not come as quickly as she might have expected.

-Does anyone know? Anyone? -Rhaell's father asked suddenly.

-No - she replied immediately - I knew the consequences of my decision.

-And despite that, you decided to take the risk? - he asked, glancing out of the corner of his eye at his eldest child.

-If I were a man, you wouldn't be half as disappointed - she said, avoiding answering the question -But you have to understand that living in a cage wore me out. I couldn't sit back and watch the people doing what I wanted so badly.

- You wanted to prostitute yourself on the side? -he asked in a hard and cold tone.

-I wanted freedom! - she almost shouted -I wanted to try life. And I don't regret the moment or the decisions I made.

-This conversation stays between us. Not a single word has the right to leave this chamber - said the white-haired man after a while - I will discuss it with your mother. Then we'll decide what to do next.

The girl looked annoyed at the man leaving, and her lavender eyes glazed again, but this time she did not let the tears flow out, hiding the bitterness inside her.

What the silver-haired girl was going to do from miles away seemed stupid, not fully thought out and impetuous plan that had no right to succeed.

However, her person decided to try anyway, too stubborn to stop now.

Sneaking out of the castle was one thing, but sneaking into the dragon's pit on the pretext of an evening ride was something else entirely.

Avoiding through large groups of guardians, she hid in the shadows, trying to reach her beloved dragon.

When the black beast's head caught her eyes, a broad smile appeared on her face.

-Jaehaeron - she said softly so as not to scare the animal.

The dragon opened it’s amber eyes and heavily raised his huge head. When he saw his rider, he approached a little, nudging the woman.

His strength nearly knocked her to the ground, but at the last moment Rhaella clutched at his muzzle with her tiny hands.

-Hello, my dear - she said gently, stroking the hot scales of the reptile- We have to go- she added, staring at Jaehaeron's pupil, and he, as if understanding her words exactly, bent his head and part of his big wing so that she could easily climb on his back, sitting down in a handmade saddle.

Rhaenys' daughter gripped the reins tightly as she started forward.

The moment she got off the ground, nothing else mattered. Her dragon's wings were five houses wide, and the head was the size of a small carriage. The animal was hard to miss, but after a few flaps of its wings, King's Landing moved away a considerable distance, looking only as a blurry outline in the eyes of the fair-haired girl.

Her eyes followed the city view for a moment longer before turning to the one in front of her. As new structures began to appear in the distance, Rhaella held her breath.

Jaehaeron knew exactly where to go, as if his mind and hers had become one.

The Dragonstone grew clearer minute by minute, making the woman's heart beat like mad again.

As her dragon's shadow enveloped the first parts of the castle, the guards were quick to notify the rogue prince who, sitting in his chamber, stared at the tongues of fire emerging from the fireplace.

-My lord, a new dragon has appeared on the island - announced one of the soldiers.

The white-haired man turned his head and looked at the man unfazedly.

-What does it look like?- He asked.

-Black, with white ends. Large -the guard said shortly, not knowing much about these kind of reptiles.

Daemon got up from his chair and left the room without a word. His steady and quick steps led him towards the exit where the white-haired beauty with her dragon waited.

Rhaella, seeing the silhouette of the prince, slowly walked away from Jaehaeron, facing the man. When she was close enough, Targaryen opened his arms for her to let her fall freely into them. Her body pressed against him instantly, like a lost piece of a puzzle.

Violet-eyed prince hugged her tightly, hiding his face in the crease of her slender neck, inhaling her addictive scent of lilac and gooseberry.

-Daemon - she whispered longingly, as he raised his head to look into her eyes.

-My little dragon- he replied, stroking her reddened cheek- What are you doing here?

-Six months ago you promised me you'd come back for me. I couldn't wait any longer -she confessed, snuggling into his large white hand.- Not when the vultures stopped feeding, looking for another prey.

-What happened? - he asked seriously, carefully studying the woman's face.

-King is looking for a new wife - she whispered, as if the information was to be a secret.- I couldn't bear the fear that I might be one of the options. I was afraid that I would never see you again, Daemon.

-I would never allow it - he assured, and there was something dark, menacing in his voice. -I would kill anyone who stood in my way to you.You belong to me, only to me.

-As you belong to me - she said equally possessively, brushing his lips. -And I want it to stay that way- added Rhaella, running her hand over the white-haired man's neck.

-It will stay this way -he assured, pulling her body back against him, covering her tiny body with his.

The silver-haired girl closed her lavender irises, praying in the depths of her soul that Daemon would actually protect her from the cruel world on the ground, so that she could once again taste the carefree life in the clouds.

#daemon targaryen #hotd #house targaryen #daemon x reader #house of the dragon #daemon targaryen x reader #prince daemon targaryen #daemon targaryen x oc #dance of the dragons #asoiaf #game of thrones #corlys velaryon #rhaenys targaryen #fanfiction #house velaryon #house of the dragon x reader #matt smith

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niteshade925 · 1 year

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Just a short post on the topic, since I intend to reserve the long version for my culture sideblog where this kind of post should belong:

Since many people (esp people in the west) tend to misunderstand what “Mandate of Heaven” really is, I’ll just explain it in a concise way. “Mandate of Heaven”, or 天命, which really should be translated as the “Will of Heaven” or “Heaven’s Will”, actually reflects “the will of the people”. I’m too lazy right now so I’ll just copy paste what I wrote in an addendum to someone else’s post:

Instead, "heaven" is better understood as "nature", one which can "reflect" the opinion of the people like a weird mirror of sorts. To understand what Mandate of Heaven means, one absolutely must understand what "Unity of Heaven and Humanity"/天人合一 means. In this concept, the opinions, thoughts, and actions of humans (not just ruling class people) are echoed by "heaven". Which means that, yes, this concept is really all about the people. Ideally, anyway. This also means that every time a natural disaster happened, it was seen as the people's discontent or the ruler's mistakes/wrongdoings reflected in nature. Thus, we see that when natural disasters happen in history, the emperor might issue a public confession (called 罪己诏, or "Edict of Self-Blame"), in the hopes that "heaven" (people by extension) might cease its wrath. Sometimes these "signs from heaven" were also used as justifications for rebellions and uprisings like OP mentioned above, sometimes also usurpations.

And:

Now we come to the part of why I said "ideally". In ancient China, there was a special social class that held just as much power as the emperor (sometimes even more than the emperor, for example the Three Kingdoms period). This class was called shi/士 (sometimes translated as "scholar officials" or "literati"), and may be understood as the class of "elites" in ancient China. Shi elites often exist in the form of clans or families who have a sort of "monopoly" on governmental positions, and they are not simply rich people or landowners or nobles. Most importantly, they have knowledge, and they can control the dispersal of knowledge. It was the shi elites who came up with this concept of "Unity of Heaven and Humanity", which meant they have the final say in what the "signs from heaven" actually meant. In theory, the "humanity" in this concept should encompass all people, but in practice, it really only meant the shi elites. So in the end, it was a nice idea, but its overwhelming reliance on human interpretation made it so historically the situation often became a tug of war between the ruler and the shi elites, and not the people putting a check on the actions of the ruling class.

To add on to that, here are more concepts associated with 天/Heaven:

天 (Heaven): Heaven in traditional Chinese thought represents the supreme morals and natural laws of the universe, and is not a god (which means it is also not “the” god). It’s above all gods. It does not have a form and unlike many other deities in Chinese religions and culture, is not visually anthropomorphized. It is also different from 老天爷 (”Old ‘Ye’ Heaven”) in common vernacular.

天道 (Heaven’s Way): the natural laws by which everything in the world exists, operates, and changes. Can also mean causality, as in the phrase “天道轮回，报应不爽” (”The Way of Heaven cycles around, and retribution will come sooner or later”; the implication is that if one does bad things, because of this cause and effect it will eventually come back to bite them in the ass).

天行 (Heaven’s Workings): literally the way Heaven operates, or just the laws of nature. As in “天行有常，不为尧存，不为桀亡” (”Heaven’s Workings is constant; it shall not exist because of a benevolent ruler like Yao, and shall not disappear because of a tyrannical ruler like Jie”) from 《荀子·天论》.

天理 (Heaven’s Principles): the natural laws of the world, the supreme morals, and the ultimate truth. Often used as the ultimate moral basis, as in “天理昭彰” (”Heaven’s Principles are clear and evident”; means that Heaven will uphold justice, punish those who are evil and reward those who are good).

天命 (Heaven’s Will): the will of nature (which includes all people). See above.

#mandate of heaven #chinese philosophy #chinese culture #天 #天道 #天行 #天理 #天命 #may delete when i actually come out with the longer post on the sideblog

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wrens-versus-the-world · 4 months

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Just a thought...

So you know all of those stories where the mc gets isekaied into the body of the main character, or the main antagonist (i.e "not your typical reincarnation story") or something cliche like that??

If they're the the antagonist they try their damndest to change the plot, be good, etc.

What if we had something like this for TGCF (heaven's official blessing)?????

Like with Ming Yi (earth master) and Shi Qingxuan???

Okay, now spoilers down below ;)

What if, hear me out, the mc dies, and then gets reincarnated into TGCF as Shi Qingxuan. Post banyue kingdom arc, but before ghost city arc. So, when Pei Ming is pissed at Xie Lian for general pei junior getting banished.

I feel like Ming Yi would immidiately notice something was wrong when 'SQX' is silent. Maybe he wouldn't find it too off putting at first, but what would happen after he may be put off by.

Imagine the MC was an avid Shi Wudu (water master) hater, and a hardcore He Xuan advocate (me lol). And they decide to take advantage of the large crowd gathered in the Palace of Divine Might...to publicly ask for Jun Wu to strip them of their divinity because it did not rightfully belong to them?!

Then the mc takes it one further, admitting to all of their 'brother's' crimes, and how he too deserves to have his divinity stripped from him.

not to mention the fact that the mc would totally explain exactly what Shi Wudu did. How he switched He Xuan's fate with their own (whilst leaving out who He Xuan is currently, only mentioning how he lost his fiance, parents, and his little sister).

The room would be completely silent, He xuan would be extremely surprised. (who wouldnt lol??)

Idk what exactly would happen, but at some point the mc would change their appearance to match their actual look (bc heavenly officials can change their form). and *have a without-revealing-anyone's-identity-because-that-would-be-too-easy conversation before the mc leaves*

Shi wudu gets stripped of his divinity (b/c he deserves it), the mc leaves on their own.

Maybe a small time skip?? The mc and He xuan meet again, and a romance forms between the two (they both share their identity), and they live happily ever after... or something IDRK (Im trying to cope from the blackwater arc lmao)

I'm not too sure if this'll be anything, but if anyone would like please feel free to write this (or some adaptation giving credit lol:D)

#beefleaf #he xuan x reader #he xuan #ming yi #shi qingxuan #shi wudu #x reader #heaven official's blessing #drabble #idk really #wren versus the world #black water sinking ships #black water arc #wind master #water master #earth master

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sasoxichomoshi · 8 months

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Ashlesh analysis

Since im the only person in the face of this world that is deranged enough about Nilah to go beyond the mortal realm seeking for answers, i felt i had the responsibility to write this post with as much info as i could

frequently i feel like people dont know how to address or read ashlesh since 1) he's subortinated to nilah (as if he was an accessory, and not an entirely different entity, but i understand why this overlap happens) and 2) it's not like we have a lot of info on him to begin with

or that's i think people like to believe; i mean, yes he has less lore that directly mentions him than fiddlesticks, but i believe that with a bit of reading we can infer a lot from ashlesh, and that's why im here writing this post

1. DUALITY

first i would like to point out something interesting that (so far) just happened with ashlesh: the fact that he has two different titles

for me, it speaks about ashlesh complexity as a character - he resonates in duality, joy under his influence can mean multiple things, his waters cut deep but they also veil against harm, he gives power but takes the soul

i feel like (at some point) ashlesh was closer to humanity (meaning that he helped humans thrive at the same time he fed on them, yk like cattle) than to his siblings - The Ten Kings - and that's why he was granted two titles, he seems to go beyond the "just consume" that we see from fiddle, yes he fed on humans but he understand how to do this

the devil is smarter

this of course is a past that we'll probably never know about ashlesh; if it was once written, the river of fate has likely washed it away long ago

2. AMBITIONS

despite mysterious, ashlesh seems to have a clear and audacious goal: fight the heavens

it's transparent like water that ashlesh harbours resentment towards the celestial realm above and it has a good reason: it was the celestials that trapped him

here's the story

For those who dont know, the new fiddlesticks and zoe got a small connection in lore - in one of the old splasharts, fiddle carries a key, but upon receiving his rework, it was not there anymore

so people started noticing that the key that once belonged to fiddle was now in the hands of a mischievous little (and too powerful) girl

(this lore event is also present in fiddle's biography)

but after all, what this key was for?

Carnivalnites (or Jared Rosen), the main writer behind fiddle rework, rell, viego and nilah, answered it in an old tweet (now deleted) what the key was for

note 1: "beautiful and terrible in its joy", the duality concept strikes again

note 2: by the way it's put and by the way jared talks about the "something else" (that we now know it's ashlesh), it seems that at early stages the demon of joy was meant to be a lesser demon that was under fiddle sphere of influence (this concept is confirmed by the demonology annotation image from noxus that came out with fiddle rework) but with nilah release they have since moved from this concept cause now ashlesh is one of the ten kings alongside fiddlesticks

with all this information we can confirm that ashlesh is deeply tied with targon, or more specific to the celestial realm beyond

celestial beings trapped ashlesh for some unknown reason, possibly the demon was posing some kind of direct threat to them so he had to be locked

...

my personal theory is that ashlesh got kicked from the celestial realm, tried to build up his own "kingdom" below on runeterra, but also got denied this option and the celestials locked him away as a final punishment

"She read of the mad king Viego and his tragic fall, the genesis of the first dragons, and the foundation of the universe in the Kathkan tradition."

how is this possible? cause ashlesh himself is a star that once resided on the celestial realm and upon coming to the world below, he turned into the demon we know

Ashlesha (or Āśleṣā) is the 9th nakshatra (constellation) of the Hindu astrology; it's symbol is the sea serpent and its element is water. The head of the snake (in Hydra constellation) corresponds to the star Āshleshā.

interestingly, fiddlesticks bio also mentions this strange and otherworldly nature

An evil gone from the world for numberless centuries—long enough that the warnings of a nascent humanity passed into rumor, then myth, then legend… until all that remained were simple fables. An entity so utterly alien that it defies almost all contemporary knowledge of magic.

note 3: about the "turning into a demon" part, fiddle's bio is full of "it got turned into" imageries, of men and animals transforming with demonic power, so i dare say that is not impossible for ashlesh turning into a demon;

last, but not least, to make this even joyful (and funnier) i present you all the Star Guardian Version of the story (Jared worked on Another Sky novel for SG 2022 event too, so the thematics overlap)

ashlesh the STAR of joy

remember how fiddlesticks and zoe were (also) related in Another Sky? yup yup

(i feel somehow that zoe also was the key to free ashlesh in this AU too)

with these i finish my thoughts, thank you for those who read it !

#ashlesh #analysis #character analysis #nilah

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ecoamerica · 1 month

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Watch the 2024 American Climate Leadership Awards for High School Students now: https://youtu.be/5C-bb9PoRLc

The recording is now available on ecoAmerica's YouTube channel for viewers to be inspired by student climate leaders! Join Aishah-Nyeta Brown & Jerome Foster II and be inspired by student climate leaders as we recognize the High School Student finalists. Watch now to find out which student received the $25,000 grand prize and top recognition!

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jeannereames · 6 months

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Dr. Reames, forgive me if this question has been answered before. Recently I read that Alexander the Great and his kingdom were mentioned in the Bible, more precisely in the Book of Daniel, depicting his victory against the Persians and the formation of the successor kingdoms.

From the King James Version:

3 Then I lifted up mine eyes, and saw, and, behold, there stood before the river a ram which had two horns: and the two horns were high; but one was higher than the other, and the higher came up last.

4 I saw the ram pushing westward, and northward, and southward; so that no beasts might stand before him, neither was there any that could deliver out of his hand; but he did according to his will, and became great.

5 And as I was considering, behold, an he goat came from the west on the face of the whole earth, and touched not the ground: and the goat had a notable horn between his eyes.

6 And he came to the ram that had two horns, which I had seen standing before the river, and ran unto him in the fury of his power.

7 And I saw him come close unto the ram, and he was moved with choler against him, and smote the ram, and brake his two horns: and there was no power in the ram to stand before him, but he cast him down to the ground, and stamped upon him: and there was none that could deliver the ram out of his hand.

8 Therefore the he goat waxed very great: and when he was strong, the great horn was broken; and for it came up four notable ones toward the four winds of heaven.

9 And out of one of them came forth a little horn, which waxed exceeding great, toward the south, and toward the east, and toward the pleasant land.

10 And it waxed great, even to the host of heaven; and it cast down some of the host and of the stars to the ground, and stamped upon them.

20 The ram which thou sawest having two horns are the kings of Media and Persia.

21 And the rough goat is the king of Grecia: and the great horn that is between his eyes is the first king.

22 Now that being broken, whereas four stood up for it, four kingdoms shall stand up out of the nation, but not in his power.

Considering that the Book of Daniel was written well after Alexander’s conquests, can we confirm that this verses are indeed about him? I couldn’t find any reliable source on this topic.

And also, considering the Seleucid Empire that succeeded Alexander in the region, Hellenism and the Maccabean revolt. Can this depiction, if it is indeed of Alexander, be considered faithful to how he and his deeds were perceived during his lifetime? Is this depiction of Alexander and the Diadochi usual, or does it depart from how they perceived and advertised themselves to their subjects? Or is this a particular viewpoint from Judea? And least, to the peoples outside of the Hellenistic sphere, or Greece, could this be considered the way Alexander’s legacy is seen?

Thank you so much in advance, and for going through this painfully long ask!

Yes, Alexander is, indeed, mentioned in the Book of Daniel. I am not an expert on the exegesis of this book, but it does refer to him and the Successor kingdoms, as well.

I don’t think it necessarily reflects how Alexander was viewed throughout the Mediterranean. It’s intended to fit the style of earlier Jewish prophetic literature, although the Tanakh (Hebrew Bible) places it (correctly) among the Writings (Ketuvim), not the Prophets (Nevi’im), as it belongs to the Hellenistic period. So yes, it’s post-Alexander, even if, internally, it claims to belong to the Achaemenid Persian period.

One of the better commentary series on Biblical material (at least from a historian’s POV) is the Anchor Bible Series from Yale Univ. Press. Here's a link to the commentary on Daniel. 😊 It’s been out a while, so you can probably find a used copy pretty cheap, or check it out from your local library. (If they don’t have it, they should be able to get it for you via interlibrary loan.) That will give you a better analysis than anything I can do.

(I’m painfully aware of my limits, ha.)

#Alexander the Great #Book of Daniel #Alexander in Jewish literature #Biblical history #Hellenistic Era #asks #Classics

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haunted-plush · 28 days

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Story ideas:

"Boything". A young adult runs away from home and tries to find his place in a hostile world, over time somehow magically morphing into a cat all the while becoming more content with himself and the people he meets. This would be a novel

No title ideas yet. A young man trapped in a post-apocalyptic world that's been taken over by war hungry androids thinks he doesn't need anyone else to survive but meets another young man and has to navigate the world alongside him. They fall in love. This would also be a novel

In a candy themed world full of cat people, the Kingdom has been taken over by an evil king who has been prophesied to fall to the chosen one. There is one who will defeat him, the main character. He does not want to be part of the prophecy but has to go along anyway. He meets many side characters. This would be a web comic

A young man prays to heaven,and as a result, he is granted one prayer to be answered to by God. An angel comes down to grant him his prayer, which is just to be able to get one boy pregnant. The angel is put off by this at first, but agrees to marry the human and become pregnant. This would probably be a web comic

In a secluded secret area, there exists a secret school for mythical people such as werewolves, vampires and cat people. They're engaged in a light war with each other and have their own cultures, customs and fashions. Although sometimes there's some slight overlap, such as hybrids. This would be for a roleplay group, possibly in a discord server

During Christmastime, a young woman is sent to the small town where her recently deceased uncle once lived to pick up some of his belongings that were handed down to her. She meets a man her age while there and begins to fall in love with him, staying in the town for a few days as per his request. However, she notices many of the townspeople acting strange and over the course of several days realizes that her weird uncle was involved in this cult that the town is made up of and now she must escape with her life. This would be a movie or short film

"Trashical Girl". An alien sets out to give one human magical powers in order to protect their planet from another evil alien race. Unfortunately, the powers go to the wrong person. A young man living in New York City gains trash themed magical girl powers, and eventually, another young woman would also gain powers to be his equally as powerful sidekick. He also has a boyfriend who does not get any powers and some sort of small alien creature that will give him the powers, teach him how to use them, and also be merchandisable. This could be many things, including a web comic or even a video game

"Grandpa got Isekai'd!" An old man dies/gets killed and wakes up in a traditional fantasy setting extremely confused and accompanied by a half animal hybrid girl who she claims bought her from an evil seller. He says he would like to know what's going on and she says his best bet is to go talk to the king, Who would be willing to hear him out? Since he is a former member of the Royal guard. They go on their way to the king and discover that the world is full of horrible injustices towards the half animal human hybrids, and the old man helps out many of the people who were abused, freeing them and treating them as equals. Upon reaching the king, he discovers that he also not only takes part in this system, but enforces it and abuses it. And they all work together to unite the Kingdom and you usurp the king to create a more fair world. This would maybe be a web comic

In a corrupt Kingdom ruled by an evil king, there exists a prophecy that a young hero will usurp the king and become legendary. This young man, our main character, believes he is the chosen one in the prophecy and begins his journey to take down the malicious king, but on his way he experiences many hardships and must watch his friends suffer and die. By the time he reaches the king, he has become a cruel and heartless individual and only takes the throne for power, becoming an even worse ruler. This would be a comic probably

#just some ideas ive had #some much longer than others #the candy kingdom one ive had since i was 12

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dem-obscure-imagines · 2 years

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X-Men Masterlist

Erik Lehnsherr | Magneto

Please Come Back - Angst, fluff

After an argument, Erik has to convince you that you belong with him.

Hank McCoy | Beast

New Year’s Eve Kisses 2023

Is This Okay? - Fluff, Mermaid!Reader/Mutant!Reader

Your mutation causes you to sprout a tail every time you touch water, and sometimes this puts you in precarious situations, especially around Hank.

Seven Minutes in Heaven - Fluff, Makeout Session

Hank is insecure about his beastly alter ego, but to you, there’s only more to love.

John Allerdyce | Pyro

Coconut Cream - Fluff

You get new lip gloss and John decides he has to have a taste.

Fire and Ice - Fluff, Opposites attract

You’re ice, he’s fire, but somehow, you’ll make it work.

Kurt Wagner | Nightcrawler

One Morning at a Time - Fluff, Soulmate AU, Poly

While waiting for the soulmark that would change your life forever, you meet a wounded, winged mutant and a teleporter whose personality is sunshine incarnate. You can’t help but catch feelings for them, even though you have no idea where or with whom your destiny truly lies.

Together Again - Fluff

While looking for your notebook, you find something (or someone) much more precious instead.

Nightcrawler and the Princess - Fluff, Princess!Reader

Being the princess of a small kingdom has its perks. However, you’re not sure this is a secret you can share with the rest of your friends…

Popular - Fluff, Angel!Reader/Mutant!Reader

When he finds himself crushing on his angelic classmate, he wonders why someone so popular would ever be interested in him.

Not Much of a Looker: (Part 1) - (Part 2) - (Part 3) - Fluff, Blind!Reader

You’re the new student at Xavier’s School for Gifted Youngsters and just because you can’t see Kurt doesn’t mean you can’t catch feelings for him.

Night at the Museum - Fluff

Xavier’s School goes on a field trip to a Museum and Kurt is more than a little excited about it.

Don’t Be Afraid - Fluff

When it’s dark out, Kurt will always be there to comfort you.

Post-Mission Cuddles - Fluff

After a tiring mission, you find comfort in your favorite blueberry’s arms.

Headcanons for Cuddling with Kurt

Peter Maximoff | Quicksilver

Too Slow - Fluff, Slow!Peter

When Peter temporarily loses his speed, you teach him how to take it slow.

Scott Summers | Cyclops

Love is Blind - Fluff, Soulmate AU

You’re supposed to know your soulmate when you make eye contact with them for the first time, but unfortunately for you, you’ve never seen your crush without his sunglasses.

Wade Wilson | Deadpool

Literally a Child - Fluff

Wade is your guardian, and as such, he has a tendency to parent you in his unique Deadpool way.

Best Friends Forever - Fluff

Wade is your BFF.

Warren Worthington III | Angel/Archangel

Merry Christmas, Darling - Fluff, Christmas, Mutant!Reader, Gender Neutral!Reader

The Holidays are in full swing at the X Mansion, and as always, you are tasked with helping run the place. But things are a lot less dull with a certain winged mutant around.

One Morning at a Time - Fluff, Soulmate AU, Poly

Different Now - Fluff, Hurt/Comfort

You and Warren were friends as kids, but when you’re fighting the fearsome Angel of Death, you don’t recognize him. He recognizes you, though…

Spin the Bottle - Fluff

A game of spin the bottle takes a turn when you give Warren the one thing he could have never asked for.

Your Halo is Showing - Fluff

Warren finds it hard to make friends. So do you. But you’re both learning how to come out of your shells…

Try - Fluff, Soulmate AU, Healer!Reader

Warren has been through hell and then some, but will meeting his soulmate turn that around? Well, it’s worth a try...

A World of Color - Fluff, Soulmate AU

Looking For You - Fluff, Soulmate AU

Hearts On Fire - Fluff, Angst, Soulmate AU

The Girl with the Angel Tattoo - Fluff, Soulmate AU

Fix You - 2 - 3 - Fluff, Angst, Healer!Reader

Warren is convinced he’s broken, but it’s a good thing he caught feelings for the one person who might be able to fix him.

Going Soft - Fluff

Your relationship with Warren has exposed his soft side to the boys, but he’s determined to prove to them he’s just as tough as he used to be. He doesn’t know, however, that you and the girls have a trick up your sleeves.

Fear of Heights - Fluff

You are very afraid of heights, but Warren promises he won’t drop you.

Santa Baby - Fluff, Christmas

You use the power of invisibility to put a Santa hat on each of the X-Men.

James Proudstar | Warpath

Headcanons for Dating Warpath

#xmen #x-men #xmen imagine #x-men imagine #xmen masterlist #x-men masterlist

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shepardsherd · 4 months

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Okay so, Major Post: A Summary Of ALL my wips across The Athenverse

This is gonna get major long, so I'll continue under a read more if it gets longer than it needs to be

Universe A Terraclaw Two men, both could have changed the world. Now they're tearing it apart, just to keep those close to them, safe. Both Kings, both royalty. One the Upsurper, one the blood prince.

Nohing stands in ttheir way as kingdoms fall, whilst people try to claim justice and land for themselves. And innocents will be caught in the crossfire. Welcome to Terraclaw

Speechless

Humans have always hated Elves, and Elves have always feared Humans since the 500 year war. Until one day, when the world's are torn apart again with the death of a 16 year old girl that sets off a campaign to bring down the barrier separating their walls and reunite the two kinds once more. The people want to be heard. We won't leave them speechless.

Raising Hell

They said darkness was coming, but the Kennedy crew already knew darkness was here- in the government, in the villages, in the cities and now… in Heaven

In a bid to get to the bottom of things, Sebastian Kennedy and his boyfriend who is the literal Angel Zachariah and their friends must fight for their lives, saving their families whilst uncovering secrets and raising hell all the while.

Heaven will fall and Hell will reign. Things will never be the same

Not You (also in Universe B)

When there is love, hate will always follow. Blinding hate that will unravel someone and tear worlds apart. Jericho Owens is a time traveller who loves his wife. His wife's boss also loves her, and soon, Jericho will tear his world and a parallel universe apart, just to see the woman he loves, again.

Wildlands

Layton Manners, an autistic professor/ vault hunter of treasure, goes on a downward spiral as he tries to find his bes friend and robot he made, Churchill. How can he ever trust again? Will he ever love again?

This journey across the universe to find his friend, will take him to places he's never been and find out things he'd never have found himself. The world is wild. And so is he.

Slash and Burn

What would you do, if everything around you crashed and burned? Would you try to build again? A series of explorers from anoher plane find themselves on Clawven, a ruined plane overrun by monsters. Now is time to take it back, bring the land back to its former glory.

Secrets will be revealed, times have changed and hundreds of years have passed.

Scars Of Fate

4 adventurers - Taion, Feron, Samara and Melori are said to be descendants of some heroes of legend and they're trying to find out more about the heroes of legends whilst helping out others

Turns out, each hero of legend went missing and it just so happens that as the four travel, they find out who the heroes really are, who they themselves are and have to fight against everything they've ever known to find where they belong, set things right.

Worlds will be rocked. Things will never be the same.

Universe B Reaper's Paradise

Natsupre. The world of the Reapers and the supernatural. Its getting out of hand, people are dying, Reapers are Reaping and Gods have all but abandoned the planet... but why? Time for our Reapers to find out.

Heaven Asunder

Heaven turns out to be a planet, not the Afterlife people think it is. The Angels have abandoned their posts, Heaven is falling apart in more ways than one. The Angels have free reign over the planet but are interested in using their power to divide and conquer realms

Universe C - Genderbend world

Heaven's Fallen

Heaven is falling. The Gods aren't listening and the world is burning. Sebastiana must team up with her best friend and lover, Zariah and their friends to put an end and restore order to Heaven's corrupt ways. And the truth will leave them reeling. Secrets will come out and stories will be told. Heaven will fall. One way or another

Chaos Dawning Clementine has gone missing. Leighton is wanting to find her, because she made her after all. Clemenine is her cyborg creation. Chaos is dawning and there's only so much time left, before there is nohing left to save at all.

Imperfect Choice

Gods have all but abandoned the world because of a stupid, brash choice. Everything is falling apart and someone has to try to put it all together again. People will die. Lies will tear families apart. But they need to unite the land in hope, to cope. For a better future.

Universe D With God As My Witness

Lou Hart, a simple man who belives the supernatural exist. Everyone tells him they don't. Over the course of a few months, maybe even a year, he finds out not only do the supernatural exist, he becomes one of them. He tears apart a world to keep his best friend with him.

With God as his witness, Lou Hart will get revenge.

Chain Of Memories

In a world where people can live forever, two humans Eon and Regina find themselves wondering if they've ever met before.

God has plans for their world, the only thing standing in their way is the chain of memories that seem to find these two and leave a vicious cycle on the edge of being broken… its time for Eon and Regina to finish what they started and take back what is rightfully theirs.

Can they save themselves, their world and their friends?

#writeblr #writblr #am writing #ash shepard wips

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cruelfeline · 2 years

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Entrapdak/Hordak songs currently in my listening rotation. And I'm marking what I find to be the best lyrics just because!

Work Song - Hozier Especially: "My babe would never fret none; about what my hands and my body done; If the Lord don't forgive me; I'd still have my baby and my babe would have me; When I was kissing on my baby; and she put her love down soft and sweet; in the low lamp light I was free; heaven and hell were words to me."

Ashes of Eden - Breaking Benjamin The entire thing. Like, I will cry.

All That You Are - Goo Goo Dolls Essentially all of it, but especially: "You, see me through; I was alone in the dark, and the fear was my truth."

What I've Done - Linkin Park So let mercy come and wash away; what I've done; I'll face myself' to cross out what I've bcome; erase myself; and let go of what I've done.

And especially: "For what I've done; I start again; And whatever pain may come; Today this ends; I'm forgiving what I've done."

On My Own - Ashes Remain "Every little thing that I've known is everything I need to let go; you're so much bigger than the world I have made; So I surrender my soul; I'm reaching out for your hope; I lay my weapons down; I'm ready for you now."

This one is particularly funny because I'm pretty sure it's Christian Rock and has the exact opposite meaning of how I interpret it.

I Don't Care - Ed Sheeran "'Cause I don't care as long as you just hold me near; You can take me anywhere; ANd you're making me feel like Im loved by somebody." Break the Cycle - You+Me All of it.

Like Half the Centaurworld Soundtrack Pretty much anything involving losing one's identity and/or being separated from a loved one against one's will. Dearly Beloved - AmaLee (From Kingdom Hearts) "My Dearly Beloved; Be strong, I shall be there; Always here beside you; So, keep your head held high; The shadows of this world; Will try to steal you away into their arms; But you belong in mine."

Falling Apart - Papa Roach "I'll follow you out of the dark; I tried it my way; But I keep falling apart."

And: "I stand here again; Forsaken in a place that feels like I can never win; I'm reaching for a saving grace' I can't even trust no one; I need to rise above; I don't think I'm good enough; To feel your perfect love."

Crush - Dave Matthews Band "It's crazy I'm thinking; And here, I'll be dancing on the ground; Am I right side up or upside down?' To each other we'll be facing my love, by love; We'll beat back the pain we've found; You know I mean to tell you all the things I've been thinking; Deep inside, my friend.; Each moment the more I love you."

Flames - David Guetta "Go, go, go; Figure it out, figure it out, but don't stop moving; Go, go, go; Figure it out, figure it out, you can do this; So my love, keep on running; You gotta get through the day; There my love, keep on running; Gotta keep those tears at bay."

Time Stands - Nathaniel Rateliff I don't actually know; just the whole sense of it, somehow; the melancholy of post-Prime recovery.

#entrapdak #hordak

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sxrrandomfanfics · 2 years

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WIP game

Saw the ask meme by @2hoothoots and they didn't tag anyone, instead letting others who come across it claim it... what the heck I'll put this on my sideblog all about writing!

Rules: post the names of all the files in your WIP folder regardless of how non-descriptive or ridiculous. Let people send you an ask with the title that most intrigues them and then post a little snippet of it or tell them something about it! And then tag as many people as you have wips. (You can make your own post or reblog this one!)

I'm tagging @sideburndanny, @boxmorelover232, @sweetstwawbewwymilk and... Actually I don't know how many people are comfortable with tag games and there's too many wips.

And my stories are under "Keep Reading." There's a lot

The Digging Turnabout

Fusion Army

Talk to Yourself

What can you offer?

Boxed Into Your Role

A Little More Than Friends

Where is the Chansey!?

Defense Squad

Spider Queen's Kingdom

Starlight, Starbright

A Shadow is Just a Self You Haven't Met Yet

Butterfly Effect

Cleaved

Dream On

Electric Demi-God: Dendy

End Eps

Foot Size

Let's Not Be Villains

Mind Swap

Monster to Hero

Shin-Dig

The Box of Kings

Africa

Australia

A Kid Named Kelp (collab!)

And From the Prince Formed a Dragon

And Whom the Bell Tolls

Bruises

Circus Life Seems for Me

Do You See What I See?

Earth and Sea

Exeperiment One Thousand Seven Hundred Seventeen

Galochio

I Still Love You

Lili's Burn List

Shark Week

Shit that Happens at Camp Whispering Rock

Shoot a Star on the Boulivard Tonight

Raz's Regretful Realm

Family Swap

First Impressions

Wisdom is Bone

Sour Citrus

The Bechdal Test

The Wizard of Ot

Twister

Wait, We Have Girlfriends!

With What I Know Now

Yankee Doodle

MMI&MF

You Are Where You Belong

Blood Belly

Inter-Urban

Stars Lie

Blessed Misfits

Heaven and Earth Beetles

Moonlover

War Isn't Hell

A Dad is Someone Who Should Die Before You

Heterobiology

Lost Without You

There Will Never Be Another Like Me

Trial For a Shadow

We Made Him Worse

#reblog game #tag game

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shammah8 · 2 years

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RECEIVE ALL THINGS - PASTOR CHRIS OYAKHILOME

📖......“Therefore, let no man glory in men. For all things are yours” (1 CORINTHIANS 3:21).

Did you notice the Bible didn't say some things, or all spiritual things are yours? Rather, it says all things are yours! You may say, “But when I look at my life, it doesn't seem as though all things truly belong to me!” The problem is, you're looking at the wrong things. Stop looking at what you think you don't have and receive what God has given you.

The Bible says it's impossible for God to lie (Hebrews 6:18); if He says all things are yours, then all things are yours. It's your responsibility to receive God's Word into your spirit and walk in the light of it. This is what the New Testament is all about – receiving what God has given! You're not supposed to work to get anything because God has already given you everything. You should know that it's one thing to be given something and another thing to receive it.

Your responsibility is to receive all that God has given you. Just as you had to receive His life into you by faith to be born again, so also you must receive divine health, abundant prosperity, success, victory and everything He gave you to live the good life on earth. Already, these blessing are yours, but you must appropriate them to your life by functioning in that revelation.

Live your life with the consciousness and conviction that all things are truly yours now because the Word of God says so. The Bible says, “…the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force” (Matthew 11:12). In other words, lay hold on your inheritance and let nothing cheat you out of God's best.

Everything you need for life and godliness has already been made available to you. “Why then do we pray?” you might want to ask. Prayer is not all about asking God for things. When I pray, I don't ask for anything, yet I lack nothing.

Some people can't but mention all their needs each time they pray because they believe God won't do anything until they say it. If you pray like that, I want you to know that He still won't do anything after you've said it because He's already done everything. Prayer should be a time to fellowship with your heavenly Father.

Remember, all Things are Yours; therefore, Receive all Things and Start walking in your Inheritance TODAY.

Help Spread God's Word Around the World via Online by Sharing this Post.

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gabelish · 6 months

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Leftist Bible Quotes

Kind of a shame what the Church has done because if you look at Jesus (and very early Christianity) with a historical lens with Jesus as a revolutionary resisting Roman occupation (also criticizing Rabbinical corruption at the time) and not as a religious figure that right-wing people claim to follow, he actually fucks hardcore. These are just a few of the quotes I found, though I’m sure there’s more.

Also slight disclaimer: I was raised atheist and I am still very agnostic and this post isn’t some weird way to attempt to convert anyone to anything. I just found some leftist Bible quotes and since thanksgiving is coming up I thought other people might want to put these into their back pocket if they want to argue with their relatives or copy/paste in Twitter replies to some asshole.

Awe came upon everyone, because many wonders and signs were being done by the apostles. All who believed were together and had all things in common; they would sell their possessions and goods and distribute the proceeds to all, as any had need. Day by day, as they spent much time together in the temple, they broke bread at home and ate their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having the goodwill of all the people. And day by day the Lord added to their number those who were being saved. (NRSV, Acts 2:43-47).

“Now the whole group of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one claimed private ownership of any possessions, but everything they owned was held in common. With great power the apostles gave their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all. There was not a needy person among them, for as many as owned lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold. They laid it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to each as any had need. There was a Levite, a native of Cyprus, Joseph, to whom the apostles gave the name Barnabas (which means “son of encouragement”). He sold a field that belonged to him, then brought the money, and laid it at the apostles’ feet” (NRSV, Acts 4:32-37).

“‘Ananias,’ Peter asked, ‘why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back part of the proceeds of the land? While it remained unsold, did it not remain your own? And after it was sold, were not the proceeds at your disposal? How is it that you have contrived this deed in your heart? You did not lie to us but to God!’” (NRSV, Acts 5:3-4)

“When Jesus heard this, he said to him, ‘There is still one thing lacking. Sell all that you own and distribute the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me’” (NRSV, Luke 18:22).

“He answered, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself.’” (NRSV, Luke 10:27)

“No one can serve two masters; for a slave will either hate the one and love the other, or be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth” (NRSV, Matthew 6:24).

“Come now, you rich people, weep and wail for the miseries that are coming to you. Your riches have rotted, and your clothes are moth-eaten. Your gold and silver have rusted, and their rust will be evidence against you, and it will eat your flesh like fire. You have laid up treasure for the last days. Listen! The wages of the laborers who mowed your fields, which you kept back by fraud, cry out, and the cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord of hosts. You have lived on the earth in luxury and in pleasure; you have fattened your hearts in a day of slaughter” (NRSV, James 5:1-6).

“But when he heard this, he became sad; for he was very rich. Jesus looked at him and said, “How hard it is for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God! Indeed, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God” (NRSV, Luke 18:23-25).

“But those who want to be rich fall into temptation and are trapped by many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction” (NRSV, 1 Timothy 6:9).

“So he said to them, ‘You are those who justify yourselves in the sight of others; but God knows your hearts; for what is prized by human beings is an abomination in the sight of God’” (NRSV, Luke 16:15)

“There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and who feasted sumptuously every day. And at his gate lay a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores, who longed to satisfy his hunger with what fell from the rich man’s table; even the dogs would come and lick his sores. The poor man died and was carried away by the angels to be with Abraham. The rich man also died and was buried. In Hades, where he was being tormented, he looked up and saw Abraham far away with Lazarus by his side. He called out, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue; for I am in agony in these flames.’ But Abraham said, ‘Child, remember that during your lifetime you received your good things, and Lazarus in like manner evil things; but now he is comforted here, and you are in agony. Besides all this, between you and us a great chasm has been fixed, so that those who might want to pass from here to you cannot do so, and no one can cross from there to us.’ He said, ‘Then, father, I beg you to send him to my father’s house— for I have five brothers—that he may warn them, so that they will not also come into this place of torment.’ Abraham replied, ‘They have Moses and the prophets; they should listen to them.’ He said, ‘No, father Abraham; but if someone goes to them from the dead, they will repent.’ He said to him, ‘If they do not listen to Moses and the prophets, neither will they be convinced even if someone rises from the dead’” (NRSV, Luke 16:19-31).

#leftism #communism #anarchism #also Tolstoy was a Christian anarchist iirc?#yeah no gods no masters but anarchism has nothing against spirituality itself just the hierarchy of clergy and dogmatism

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drwilfredwaterson · 7 months

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When Emma Inspires: "Hold on to hope. Keep it alive. We have to be greater than what we suffer. My wish for you is to become hope. People need that. And even if we fail, what better way is there to live?" - Amazing Spider Man 2. Part 2/2. (Chapter 1/2)

Earthquake: 13:28:38 GMT+3 Jerusalem, Israel, 04:28:38 MDT Local Time (approximately 10 minutes, 38 seconds (638 seconds) after the "Love Legends and Treasures" post at 10:18:00 UTC/03:18:00 PDT)

Mark 13:28 “Now learn this lesson from the fig tree: As soon as its twigs get tender and its leaves come out, you know that summer is near. Mark 13:29 Even so, when you see these things happening, you know that it is near, right at the door. Mark 13:30 Truly I tell you, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened. Mark 13:31 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away. Mark 13:32 “But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. Mark 13:33 Be on guard! Be alert! You do not know when that time will come.

TANAKH (Jewish Publication Society, Hebrew-English) Page 120: Exodus 4:28 Moses told Aaron about all the things that the Lord had committed to him and all the signs about which He had instructed him.

Mark 4:26 He also said, “This is what the Kingdom of God is like. A man scatters seed on the ground. Mark 4:27 Night and day, whether he sleeps or gets up, the seed sprouts and grows, though he does not know how. Mark 4:28 All by itself the soil produces grain—first the stalk, then the head, then the full kernel in the head. Mark 4:29 As soon as the grain is ripe, he puts the sickle to it, because the harvest has come.”

John 4:28 Then, leaving her water jar, the woman went back to the town and said to the people, John 4:29 “Come, see a man who told me everything I ever did. Could this be the Messiah?”

TANAKH (Jewish Publication Society, Hebrew-English) Page 175: Exodus 28:36 You shall make a frontlet of pure gold and engrave on it the seal inscription: "Holy to the Lord." Exodus 28:37 Suspend it on a cord of blue, so that it may remain on the headdress; it shall remain on the front of the headdress. Exodus 28:38 It shall be on Aaron's forehead, that Aaron may take away any sin arising from the holy things that the Israelites consecrate, from any of their sacred donations; it shall be on his forehead at all times, to win acceptance for them before the Lord.

John 10:37 Do not believe me unless I do the works of my Father. John 10:38 But if I do them, even though you do not believe me, believe the works, that you may know and understand that the Father is in me, and I in the Father.”

Acts 10:37 You know what has happened throughout the province of Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John preached— Acts 10:38 how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and how he went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil, because God was with him.

Strong's Concordance #638 aph: also, more so, furthermore, indeed, yet, but, rather Original Word: אַף

TANAKH (Jewish Publication Society, Hebrew-English): Page 1616: Proverbs 10:28 The righteous can look forward to joy, But the hope of the wicked is doomed. Proverbs 10:29 The way of the Lord is a stronghold for the blameless, But a ruin for evildoers.

Earthquake: M 2.6 - 7.8 km (4.9 mi) ESE of Lima, Montana

2023-11-04 10:28:38 (UTC) 44.614°N 112.498°W 12.4 km depth

In Dutch Hollow by I-15, Union Pacific Railroad tracks, Snowline Stock Lane, Crooked Run Creek, Junction Creek, Big Beaver Creek between Red Rock River and Antelope Flat and Beaverhead National Forest, Garfield Mountain, and Diamond Butte. The Lima High School mascot is The Bears. (Wikipedia)

Luke 2:4 So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. Luke 2:5 He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. Luke 2:6 While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, Luke 2:7 and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them. Luke 2:8 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. Luke 2:9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. Luke 2:10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Luke 2:11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. Luke 2:12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

John 7:6 Therefore Jesus told them, “My time is not yet here; for you any time will do. John 7:7 The world cannot hate you, but it hates me because I testify that its works are evil. John 7:8 You go to the festival. I am not going up to this festival, because my time has not yet fully come.”

Mark 4:3 “Listen! A farmer went out to sow his seed. Mark 4:4 As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. Mark 4:5 Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. Mark 4:6 But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. Mark 4:7 Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants, so that they did not bear grain. Mark 4:8 Still other seed fell on good soil. It came up, grew and produced a crop, some multiplying thirty, some sixty, some a hundred times.” Mark 4:9 Then Jesus said, “Whoever has ears to hear, let them hear.”

Luke 12:4 “I tell you, my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that can do no more. Luke 12:5 But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear him who, after your body has been killed, has authority to throw you into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him.

“Under the sword lifted high, There is hell making you tremble. But go ahead, And you have the land of bliss.” ― Miyamoto Musashi satsujinken (殺人剣) "life-taking sword" katsujinken (活人剣) "life-giving sword"

Translation: “Under the life-taking sword lifted high, There is hell making you tremble. But go ahead, And you have the land of bliss.” ― Miyamoto Musashi “Under the life-giving sword lifted high, There is hell making you tremble. But go ahead, And you have the land of bliss.” ― Miyamoto Musashi

“Do not rely on following the degree of understanding that you have discovered, but simply think, "This is not enough.” ― Tsunetomo Yamamoto, Hagakure: The Book of the Samurai

“I do not know how to defeat others. All I know is the path to defeat myself. Today one must be better than yesterday, and tomorrow better than today. The pursuit of perfection is a lifelong quest that has no end.” ― Yamamoto Tsunetomo, Hagakure: The Secret Wisdom of the Samurai

“Step by step walk the thousand-mile road.” ― Musashi Miyamoto

“Today is victory over yourself of yesterday; tomorrow is your victory over lesser men.” ― Miyamoto Musashi

BONDST RESTAURANT Iconic Japanese-Inspired Cuisine Discreet Elegance Since 1998 6 Bond St, New York, New York 10012

44.614°N

Strong's Concordance #44 Abiezer: From 'ab and Ezer; Father of help (i.e. Helpful); "My Father is help," a Manassite, also a Benjamite Original Word: אֲבִיעֶזר

Strong's Concordance #614 asiph: from 'acaph; gathered, ingathering, harvest Original Word: אָסִיף

112.498°W

Strong's Concordance #112 Iddow: Iddo, "his hand" Original Word: אִדּוֹ

Strong's Concordance #498 Eluzay: From 'el and uwz (in the sense of oz); God (is) defensive/protective; "God is my strength," one of David's heroes Original Word: אֶלְעוּזַי

Oh my God, help me: אֲ בִי עֶ זר אָסִ יףאִדּ וֹאֶ לְ עוּזַי I'm a foreigner: אֲ בִי עֶ זר אָסִ יףאִדּ וֹאֶ לְ עוּזַי

Proverbs 15:30 Light in a messenger’s eyes brings joy to the heart, and good news gives health to the bones.

Here's what it's like growing up in Taylor Swift's hometown Taylor Swift has lived in so many cool places since the start of her career fifteen years ago. Nashville, New York, Beverly Hills and London are just some of the cities where this musician has lived when she's not on tour. However, Taylor didn't grow up in any of these glamorous, star-studded locations. She was born in Wyomissing, a rather unknown suburban town in Berks County, Pennsylvania. Wherever you are across the country (or globe) right now you have probably NOT heard of Berks County unless of course, you are an avid Swiftie yourself. Of course, we have to talk about seven, because that song is explicitly about PA. Like I mentioned before, it pretty much lines up with my memories of summer in Berks County. From playing outside in the weeds to drinking sweet tea, it's what I daydream about for my own kids someday in the future. The mention of folk songs in seven is very interesting because Berks County is best known for its annual folk festival which draws in huge crowds every year (well, except for 2020…) This Kutztown Folk Festival is the oldest continuously operated folklife festival in America. Taking places over nine days in June and July, visitors get to experience delicious Pennsylvania Dutch foods, music, and culture. The folk festival draws significantly more visitors to the country than any other event or attraction, even T. Swift's former home. No wonder she named her last album folklore. Taylor was and is a huge inspiration to me and I'm sure many other Berks County girls. She is a constant reminder to me that if I work hard I can achieve my wildest dreams. It doesn't matter that I come from a small town or that my family isn't a part of the upper class. She has shown me that hard work and passion are the things that get you where you want to go in life and for that, I'm so very grateful. If you're reading this, Taylor, I want you to know that you lift people up from your hometown every single day without even knowing it. Not going to lie, I think Berks County is a pretty awesome place to live. Last year, I moved away from Berks for the first time in my life to attend college in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania a city about an hour north from my family's home. It was amazing to experience new things, meet new people, and be surrounded by a little more activity, but part of me missed the charm of Berks County. Just like any other place in the world, it is not without flaws, yet I truly believe there is something special here, something no other place in the world can replicate. www.girlslife.com/life/get-inspired/37085/heres-what-its-like-living-in-taylor-swifts-hometown

Taylor Swift - Christmas Tree Farm

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Published: December 5, 2019 (339th day) Duration: 3:45 (225 seconds) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mN3rDTAdM2o mN3rDTAdM2o mNrDTAdMo addmmnort 1+4+4+30+30+40+50+80+100=339. 339+3+2=344. 344+225=569. 569+339=908.

Strong's Concordance #908 bada: to devise, invent Original Word: בָּדָא

Taylor Swift Arm Lyrics - Speak Now World Tour: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: August 6th 2011: “Cause I live and breathe this Philadelphia freedom” Elton John “Philadelphia Freedom”

Charles Sanna (November 9, 1917, Philadelphia – March 13, 2019, Madison, Wisconsin) was an American inventor, best known for inventing Swiss Miss instant hot chocolate.

Taylor Swift - March 13, 2007: CW11 Morning Show with Mike and Juliet, New York, NY -

Rob Thomas - Little Wonders (from "Meet The Robinsons") (March 13, 2007/72nd day)

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Published: April 28, 2018 (118th day) Duration: 3:43 (223 seconds) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3afO87AYrKA 3afO87AYrKA (3, 87) afOAYrKA aaafkory 1+1+1+6+10+50+80+400=549. 549+3+87=639. 639+223=862. 862+72=934.

Rob Thomas revealed on April 1, 2017, via his Facebook page, that the song 'Little Wonders' was written about him and his wife Marisol's first dog Tyler: "I wrote this song about our boy Tyler. Today would have been his birthday. He made us so happy and lives on through Camp Tyler at Pets Alive and in all of our fondest memories. #firstchild #rip #teetsie" (Wikipedia)

Tuesday, 13 March 2007 = 23rd of Adar, 5767 Parashat Vayakhel-Pekudei כ״ג בַּאֲדָר תשס״ז Parashat Vayakhel-Pekudei is the 22nd and 23rd weekly Torah portion in the annual Jewish cycle of Torah reading. Torah Portion: Exodus 35:1-40:38 Vayakhel (“He Assembled”) opens as God commands the Israelites to observe the Sabbath. Moses asks for material donations for the building of the Mishkan (Tabernacle), and the people donate. A group of artisans designated by God begin building the Mishkan and its vessels. Pekudei (“Accountings Of”) is the final Torah reading in the Book of Exodus. It describes the making of priestly garments worn in the Mishkan (Tabernacle) and the completion of its construction. At God’s command, Moses erects the Mishkan and puts its vessels in place, and God's presence fills the Mishkan.

Strong's Concordance #934 bahereth: brightness, shining, bright spot, macula: The macula is responsible for the central, high-resolution, clear color vision that is possible in good light. (Wikipedia) Original Word: בֹּהֶרֶת

Taylor Swift - March 17, 2007: Veterans Park at 55 Homestead Road, Lehigh Acres: 36th annual Lehigh Acres Spring Festival. The theme of the festival was “Gone country.” Taylor's performance broke festival records and drew approximately 4,000 people. The winner of the Junior Miss Spring Festival contest was Alexandria Black. (Dennis Culver, News Press, 3/18/2007)

Taylor Swift Arm Lyrics - Speak Now World Tour: Auckland, New Zealand: March 18, 2012: “You know wherever I am, I’ll come running to see you again” – James Taylor, You’ve Got A Friend.

This album is called "Fearless", and I guess I'd like to clarify why we chose that as the title. To me, "Fearless" is not the absence of fear. It's not being completely unafraid. To me, fearless is having fears. Fearless is having doubts. Lots of them. To me, fearless is living in spite of those things that scare you to death. Fearless is falling madly in love again, even though you've been hurt before. Fearless is walking into your freshman year of high school at fifteen. Fearless is getting back up and fighting for what you want over and over again…even though every time you've tried before, you've lost. It's fearless to have faith that someday things will change. Fearless is having the courage to say goodbye to someone who only hurts you, even if you can't breathe without them. I think it's fearless to fall for your best friend, even though he's in love with someone else. And when someone apologizes to you enough times for things they'll never stop doing, I think it's fearless to stop believing them. It's fearless to say "you're NOT sorry", and walk away. I think loving someone despite what people think is fearless. I think allowing yourself to cry on the bathroom floor is fearless. Letting go is fearless. Then, moving on and being alright…That's fearless, too. But no matter what love throws at you, you have to believe in it. You have to believe in love stories and prince charmings and happily every after. That's why I write these songs. Because I think love is fearless. - Taylor Swift (Fearless 2008 liner notes)

Taylor Swift - Fearless Tour: Moline, IL: May 8, 2010: Song #14: "You're Not Sorry" (Incorporates an element of "What Goes Around… Comes Around" by Justin Timberlake)

TANAKH (Jewish Publication Society, Hebrew-English) Pages 1668 and 1669: Job 8:13 Such is the fate of all who forget God; The hope of the impious man comes to naught-- Job 8:14 Whose confidence is a thread of gossamer, Whose trust is a spider's web. Job 8:15 He leans on his house--it will not stand; He seizes hold of it, but it will not hold. Job 8:16 He stays fresh even in the sun; His shoots spring up in his garden; Job 8:17 His roots are twined around a heap, They take hold of a house of stones. Job 8:18 When he is uprooted from his place, It denies him, [saying] "I never saw you." Job 8:19 Such is his happy lot; And from the earth others will grow. Job 8:20 Surely God does not despise the blameless; He gives no support to evildoers. Job 8:21 He will yet fill your mouth with laughter, And your lips with shouts of joy. Job 8:22 Your enemies will be clothed in disgrace; the tent of the wicked will vanish.

"Hold on to hope. Keep it alive. We have to be greater than what we suffer. My wish for you is to become hope. People need that. And even if we fail, what better way is there to live?" - Peter Watches Gwen's Graduation Speech | The Amazing Spider-Man 2 (Andrew Garfield, Emma Stone)

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Released: May 2, 2014 (122nd day) Published by: Carl Duration: 4:57 (297 seconds) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O5MGVvaiQ8s O5MGVvaiQ8s (5, 8) OMGVvaiQs agimoqsvv 1+7+9+30+50+70+90+700+700=1657. 1657+297=1954. 1954+122=2076.

Strong's Concordance #2076 zabach: to slaughter for sacrifice Original Word: זָבַח

Mark 14:32 They went to an olive grove called Gethsemane, and Jesus said to his disciples, “Sit here while I pray.” Mark 14:33 He took Peter, James and John along with him, and he began to be deeply distressed and troubled. Mark 14:34 “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death,” he said to them. “Stay here and keep watch.” Mark 14:35 Going a little farther, he fell to the ground and prayed that if possible the hour might pass from him. Mark 14:36 “Abba, Father,” he said, “everything is possible for you. Take this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will.” Mark 14:37 Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. “Simon,” he said to Peter, “are you asleep? Couldn’t you keep watch for one hour?

The 5th of Av 5783/July 23, 2023: Earthquakes in Various Places, Love, Renewal, Freedom, and the 217 year anniversary of the revelation of the Megillat Setorim (“Scroll of Hidden Things”. Part 3/3.

What One Rabbi Said About Messiah Was So Shocking His Words Were Hidden For 200 Years. Now, Find Out the Truth Adam Eliyahu Berkowitz Biblical News August 11, 2016 4 min read A highly secret teaching from one of the most renowned Jewish scholars and thinkers in Jewish history is slowly becoming known, revealing shocking details about the character of Messiah which are so explosive that they were hidden, in code, for over two centuries. Megillat Setorim (“Scroll of Hidden Things”) has been a secret of the Breslov branch of Orthodox Judaism for over 200 years. It was revealed by the revered Rebbe (Rabbi) Nachman, the founder of the movement, exactly 210 years ago, on the fifth day of the month of Av in 1806, to two disciples during a long carriage ride in Ukraine. Some of Rebbe Nachman’s teachings were recorded by his students in hints and code, though he forbade them from passing on his words, and collected into the first manuscript of Megillat Setorim. After death of the rabbi’s disciples, the manuscript was allegedly lost, though many believe it was purposefully hidden in order to prevent it being sought after and revealed. “Rebbe Nachman did not want the Megillat Setorim publicized,” Rabbi Gedalia Fleer, who plays an important part in the history of the scroll, told Breaking Israel News. “Reading it is not enough. Interpreting it is another issue entirely.” In 1963, Rabbi Fleer became the first Western Jew to visit the gravesite of Rebbe Nachman in Uman, Ukraine, where a Russian Jew entrusted him with the manuscript. Though “Rebbe Nachman says very little about the Messiah,” said Rabbi Fleer, “What he does say in Megillat Setorim is that when he comes, he is not going to appear like we think he will. People are going to look at him and say, ‘That’s the Moshiach (Messiah)?!’ “It seems to be that he is not going to dress in a rabbinic manner, and he is going to be a young man and not an old man with a long beard.” Rabbi Fleer went on to warn that Rebbe Nachman’s disciples did not believe anyone should anticipate or try to guess at the coming of the Messiah. “Messiah is going to come by hesech ha’daat (inadvertently). If you think he is going to come at a certain time in a certain way, then he won’t come. That’s why Breslov Hasidut (Hasidism) doesn’t delve into the subject very much,” he explained. Dr. Zvi Mark, chairman for the study of Hasidism at Bar-Ilan University, became the first person to make the Megillat Setorim accessible to the general public when he published The Scroll of Secrets – The Hidden Messianic Vision of R. Nahman of Bratslav. According to Dr. Mark, the Messiah is described in the teachings as a man of enlightenment and art. The secret scroll even sheds light on the sequence of events in the Messiah’s lifetime. “Megillat Setorim describes the Messiah as conquering the world without firing even a single bullet,” Dr. Mark explained to Breaking Israel News. "He is described as an innovator of wisdom, medicine, and music. A character who deals in making peace between Israel and embodies religious leadership also to the nations of the world. “Although initially the Messiah will not be acknowledged, Megillat Setorim is writing about when he is young, less than 12 years old,” Dr. Mark continued. “But later, when he is older, he will be recognized by all of Israel as a rabbi and scholar, and then he will begin to act as the Messiah. “Not in Megillat Setorim, but in other places, Rabbi Natan writes that he understood from his teacher Rebbe Nachman that the War of Gog and Magog would not be a physical war, but a spiritual and cultural war. “The Megilla itself is a wonderful vision of the order of the coming of the righteous redeemer, whose influence is spiritual rather than military, and the revolution he brings to the world will be spiritual, increasing wisdom, and empowering the place of music in human culture.” https://www.israel365news.com/309649/200-year-old-scroll-hidden-things-reveals-incredible-details-life-messiah-war-gog-magog/

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