One scholar [010] has proven that the whole idea that the Grail (supposedly the Cup that Christ used at the Last Supper) came to Europe, specifically Britain, brought there by Joseph of Arimathea, arises from a mistranslation of an old document that has "in britio Edessenorum", which means "in the citadel of the Edessans". "In britio" was wrongly taken to mean "in Britain". Hence the rash of king Arthur legends (is Arthur a confusion with king Agbar?), etc. today.
The Holy Grail that bears the Blood of Christ, according to tradition, went firstly to king Agbar (var. Abogar) of Edessa/Macedonia (hence "in britio Edessenorum"), a confusion with Essa being modern Urfa/Sanliurfa in Turkey (located near Haran), before going to Constantinople, then France. King Agobal is said to have lived at the time of Jesus Christ.
Also, Gaul has been confused with Galatia, hence the idea of Joseph of Arimathea's early taking of the supposed Cup to France, along with Mary Magdalene. There are allegedly many legends of her in France.
'San Graal' is actually Celtic, not French, but Dan Brown has mischievously re-translated it as 'Sang Real', Royal Blood, in order to make Mary Magdalene the bearer of a supposed child of Christ, hence a vessel of the royal blood, thereby her becoming the 'Holy Grail'. '

If you feel swayed by the narrative of Brown's book, do not crumble at his feet but read what his critics have to say to balance the available information. In these days we will encounter what amounts to Satanic plots to the highest degree and it is not over yet.

See Martin Lunn, Da Vinci Code Decoded, NY, 2004.

The reliability of the text of the Bible is made stronger today than it ever was in the past due to great scholarly achievements in translating ancient texts and fragments of texts of biblical books and finding them in agreement with the Bible we know today.

That Jesus was not married underlies the wording of the Apostle Paul in 1.Cor. 9:5, "Have we not power to lead about a sister, a wife ...". If Jesus would have been a married man, Paul could have said, `Have we not power to lead about a sister, a wife like Jesus had ...'.

Es gelang einem Gelehrten [010] zu beweisen, das die gesamte Idee, das der Gral (der vermeintliche Becher den Jesus beim letzten Abendmahl benutzte) nach Europa kam, und im besonderen nach der französischen Provinz `Bretagne', und von Josef von Arimatia nach dort transportiert wurde, mit der falschen Übersetzung einer alten Quelle zu tun hat, die besagt "in britio Edessenorum", was bedeutet "in der Zitadelle der Edessaner". "In britio" wurde falscherweise als "Britain/Bretagne" verstanden. Daher kamen dann auch die vielen Legenden über König Artur, wo Artur/Arthur auf den Namen Agbar(?) zurückzuführen ist.
Der Tradition gemäß kam der heilige Gral mit dem Blut Christi zuerst zu dem König Agbar (od. Agobar) von Edessa (deshalb haben wir "in britio Edessenorum"), Essa ist die Moderne Stadt Urfa/Sanliurfa in der Türkei, in der Nähe des alten Haran. Dort soll der Becher gewesen sein, bevor er nach Konstantinopel kam, und dann nach Frankreich. König Agobar soll zur Zeit Jesu Christi gelebt haben.
Wir wissen auch, das Gaul mit Galatia/Galatien durcheinander gebracht wurde, und daher kommt dann auch die Idee, das Joseph von Arimathea zu so früher Zeit den vermeintlichen Becher, zusammen mit Maria Magdalena, nach Frankreich transportierte.
Das Wort 'San Graal' ist tatsächlich ein Keltisches und nicht ein Französisches Wort, aber Dan Brown hat es mit schelmiger, boshafter Absicht als `Sang Real', also `königliches Blut', wieder gegeben, um dadurch Maria Magdalena, die Mutter des vermeintlichen Kindes mit Jesus, also ein `Gefäß' des königlichen Blutes, und damit das `heilige Gral' zu machen.

A Fragment of an Israelite Stele
What was described in the 1950's as the only fragment of an Israelite monumental stone inscription showing only the word asher/`which' in paleo-Hebrew writing can be seen in G.E. Wright, `Samaria' in BA, Vol. XII, Sep 1959, p. 67-(77)-78.; For a photo of a readable Greek inscription from near the Temple Mount of Jerusalem reading, "Theodotus son of Vettenus ... rebuilt this synagogue for the reading of the Law and the reading of the commandments ..." see BAR, Nov 2001, p. 55.

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Old Water Wheels
Among the mechanical methods to draw water from the (Nile) river, Egyptians used from of old a system called the sakieh which consisted of great, squeaky cogg wheels turned by a buffalo in his worn, circular path underneath a shed whose water wheel had cups around its circumference to pour water into a trough or pipe.
Another method was the very common shadoof consisting of a long pivoting pole with a counter weight at its handling end and a chain on its tip attached to a bucket.
A photo of large water wheels from the Euphrates area at `Hit' can be seen in Splendors of the Past, p. 57.

How to make Egyptian parchment: The initial steps are not described but involve `lime' or `chalk.' 1. Wipe it. 2. When it is shriveled polish it. 3. If it is in wrinkles put pumice on both sides and wipe it. 4. Put a little white lead mixed with a little alum (or vitriol) pounded together and tied in a linen cloth so that only the powder gets on the parchment, wipe and dry it and write on it.[W.E. Crum, A Coptic recipe for the preparation of parchment in PSBA, No. CCV, June, 1905, p. 166-171.]

"The massive blocks of stone of the Quays in the harbour of Alexandria and Port Sa`id came from the quarries of Meks. They consist of decent tertiary, light colored, sandy limestone, composed chiefly of innumerable broken fragments of conchylia, a kind of rock which extends far to the west of Alexandria, and probably constitutes the greater part of the lofty Cyrenaean plain. In the vicinity of Port Suez a greenish-grey gypseous marl overlies the solid limestone; which contains the tertiary marine conchylia, sharks teeth, and remains of crocodiles and amphibious mammalia. At several points on the Red Sea coast, particularly near Qoseir, at a height of 600-950 feet, above sea level, we find rock of the late tertiary or diluvial era containing coral.
To the post-pliocene, or latest tertiary period, belong several isolated deposits of sandstone near Cairo, in which are found the beautiful fossil sea-urchins (Clypeaster Aegypticacus). Near Cairo, 4 hours east at Bir al Fahmeh, is the great `Petrified Forest', 2.5 hours beyond is/was the little `Petrified Forest'.
Above Cairo, to the south, the Nile is flanked by ranges of hills, beyond which, to the east, stretches the Arabian desert, and to the west the Libyan desert. The hills on both banks of the Nile consist of early tertiary nummulite limestone. The strata dip gradually from south to north, so that the farther away we ascend the Nile the older are the strata that we meet with. To the south of Edfu the nummulite limestone disappears, being succeeded by Quartzose sandstone, belonging to the middle or upper chalk formation, and forming considerable cliffs at the Gebel Silsileh, which confine the river within within a narrow bed. This last formation, known as `Nubian Sandstone', covers many thousands of square miles of Nubia and the Sudan. From Assuan to Silsileh the Nile flows through Nubian sandstone, but near the ancient Syene a transverse barrier of Granite and `syenite' advances from the east, forming the boundary between Egypt and Nubia. This barrier extends southward for about 180 miles, forming a very irregular chain of barren hills 900-1300 fett in height. The Nile has forced a passage through this hard rock, exposing to view at places the beautiful red feldspar crystals which it contains, and forms the first cataract at Assuan." [Karl Baedeker, Egypt, Leipzig, 1902, p. lii-liii.]

Another Egyptien pagan god often shown with aggressive characteristics is `Bes'. His representations seem not far removed from, what one may consider as satanic characteristics. [1100]

Quoting: "But that which causes me to tremble is the fact that those who have had the greatest light and privileges have become contaminated by the prevailing iniquity. Influenced by the unrighteous around them, many, even of those who profess the truth, have grown cold and are borne down by the strong current of evil. The universal scorn thrown upon true piety and holiness leads those who do not connect closely with God to lose their reverence for His law. If they were following the light and obeying the truth from the heart, this holy law would seem even more precious to them when thus despised and set aside. As the disrespect for God's law becomes more manifest, the line of demarcation between its observers and the world becomes more distinct. Love for the divine precepts increases with one class according as contempt for them increases with another class.

The crisis is fast approaching. The rapidly swelling figures show that the time for God's visitation has about come. Although loath to punish, nevertheless He will punish, and that speedily. Those who walk in the light will see signs of the approaching peril; but they are not to sit in quiet, unconcerned expectancy of the ruin, comforting themselves with the belief that God will shelter His people in the day of visitation. Far from it. They should realize that it is their duty to labor diligently to save others, looking with strong faith to God for help. "The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much." {James 5:16}

The leaven of godliness has not entirely lost its power. At the time when the danger and depression of the church are greatest, the little company who are standing in the light will be sighing and crying for the abominations that are done in the land. But more especially will their prayers arise in behalf of the church because its members are doing after the manner of the world.

The earnest prayers of this faithful few will not be in vain. When the Lord comes forth as an avenger, He will also come as a protector of all those who have preserved the faith in its purity and kept themselves unspotted from the world. It is at this time that God has promised to avenge His own elect which cry day and night unto Him, though He bear long with them.

The command is: "Go through the midst of the city, through the midst of Jerusalem, and set a mark upon the foreheads of the men that sigh and that cry for all the abominations that be done in the midst thereof." {Ez. 9:4} These sighing, crying ones had been holding forth the words of life; they had reproved, counseled, and entreated. Some who had been dishonoring God repented and humbled their hearts before Him. But the glory of the Lord had departed from Israel; although many still continued the forms of religion, His power and presence were lacking.

In the time when His wrath shall go forth in judgments, these humble, devoted followers of Christ will be distinguished from the rest of the world by their soul anguish, which is expressed in lamentation and weeping, reproofs and warnings. While others try to throw a cloak over the existing evil, and excuse the great wickedness everywhere prevalent, those who have a zeal for God's honor and a love for souls will not hold their peace to obtain favor of any. Their righteous souls are vexed day by day with the unholy works and conversation of the unrighteous. They are powerless to stop the rushing torrent of iniquity, and hence they are filled with grief and alarm. They mourn before God to see religion despised in the very homes of those who have had great light. They lament and afflict their souls because pride, avarice, selfishness, and deception of almost every kind are in the church. The Spirit of God, which prompts to reproof, is trampled underfoot, while the servants of Satan triumph. God is dishonored, the truth made of none effect.

The class who do not feel grieved over their own spiritual declension, nor mourn over the sins of others, will be left without the seal of God. The Lord commissions His messengers, the men with slaughtering weapons in their hands: "Go ye after him through the city, and smite: let not your eye spare, neither have ye pity: slay utterly old and young, both maids, and little children, and women: but come not near any man upon whom is the mark; and begin at My sanctuary. Then they began at the ancient men which were before the house." {Ez. 9:5,6}

Here we see that the church--the Lord's sanctuary--was the first to feel the stroke of the wrath of God. The ancient men, those to whom God had given great light and who had stood as guardians of the spiritual interests of the people, had betrayed their trust. They had taken the position that we need not look for miracles and the marked manifestation of God's power as in former days. Times have changed. These words strengthen their unbelief, and they say: The Lord will not do good, neither will He do evil. He is too merciful to visit His people in judgment. Thus "Peace and safety" {1Thess. 5:3} is the cry from men who will never again lift up their voice like a trumpet to show God's people their transgressions and the house of Jacob their sins. These dumb dogs that would not bark are the ones who feel the just vengeance of an offended God. Men, maidens, and little children all perish together.

The abominations for which the faithful ones were sighing and crying were all that could be discerned by finite eyes, but by far the worst sins, those which provoked the jealousy of the pure and holy God, were unrevealed. The great Searcher of hearts knoweth every sin committed in secret by the workers of iniquity. These persons come to feel secure in their deceptions and, because of His long-suffering, say that the Lord seeth not, and then act as though He had forsaken the earth. But He will detect their hypocrisy and will open before others those sins which they were so careful to hide.

No superiority of rank, dignity, or worldly wisdom, no position in sacred office, will preserve men from sacrificing principle when left to their own deceitful hearts. Those who have been regarded as worthy and righteous prove to be ring-leaders in apostasy and examples in indifference and in the abuse of God's mercies. Their wicked course He will tolerate no longer, and in His wrath He deals with them without mercy.

It is with reluctance that the Lord withdraws His presence from those who have been blessed with great light and who have felt the power of the word in ministering to others. They were once His faithful servants, favored with His presence and guidance; but they departed from Him and led others into error, and therefore are brought under the divine displeasure.

The day of God's vengeance is just upon us. The seal of God will be placed upon the foreheads of those only who sigh and cry for the abominations done in the land. Those who link in sympathy with the world are eating and drinking with the drunken and will surely be destroyed with the workers of iniquity. "The eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and His ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil." {1Peter 3:12}

Our own course of action will determine whether we shall receive the seal of the living God or be cut down by the destroying weapons. Already a few drops of God's wrath have fallen upon the earth; but when the seven last plagues shall be poured out without mixture into the cup of His indignation, then it will be forever too late to repent and find shelter. No atoning blood will then wash away the stains of sin.

"And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, everyone that shall be found written in the book." {Dan. 12:1} When this time of trouble comes, every case is decided; there is no longer probation, no longer mercy for the impenitent. The seal of the living God is upon His people. This small remnant, unable to defend themselves in the deadly conflict with the powers of earth that are marshaled by the dragon host, make God their defense. The decree has been passed by the highest earthly authority that they shall worship the beast and receive his mark under pain of persecution and death. May God help His people now, for what can they then do in such a fearful conflict without His assistance!

Courage, fortitude, faith, and implicit trust in God's power to save do not come in a moment. These heavenly graces are acquired by the experience of years. By a life of holy endeavor and firm adherence to the right the children of God were sealing their destiny. Beset with temptations without number, they knew they must resist firmly or be conquered. They felt that they had a great work to do, and at any hour they might be called to lay off their armor; and should they come to the close of life with their work undone, it would be an eternal loss. They eagerly accepted the light from heaven, as did the first disciples from the lips of Jesus. When those early Christians were exiled to mountains and deserts, when left in dungeons to die with hunger, cold, and torture, when martyrdom seemed the only way out of their distress, they rejoiced that they were counted worthy to suffer for Christ, who was crucified for them. Their worthy example will be a comfort and encouragement to the people of God who will be brought into the time of trouble such as never was." {5T 209-213.1}

A Collection of Assorted Oil Lamps
`The changing shapes of ancient oil' lamps from MB I to Byzanrine times can be seen in BAR, Vol. XI, Mar/Apr 1985, p.44-56 and in Vol. 24, Mar/Apr 1998, p. 40-47.

1. Wiseman, D. J., `Chronicles of the Chaldean Kings (625-556 BC) in the British Museum', BM., London. (1956). His Babylonia Chronicle was put together in 1956 from 9 clay tablets containing events in the reign of each king's regnal year. They are just a tiny portion of the 90,000 tablets received at the BM between 1872 and 1889. [See BAR, Vol. XVI, Sep/Oct 1990, p. 62.]

2. Horn, S. H., "Babylonian Chronicle and the Ancient Calendar of the Kingdom of Judah", Andrews University Seminary Studies. Vol. 5. (January 1967) 12.

3. Thiele, E. R. `The Mysterious Numbers of the Hebrew Kings:a Reconstruction of the Chronology of the Kingdoms of Israel and Judah', Chicago, IL. (1951), p. 52-66.

4. Freedman, David N., "Babylonian Chronicle", Biblical Archaeologist, Vol. 19, (1956) p. 50.

5. Tadmor, Hayim, "Chronology of the Last Kings of Judah in Light of Two Neo-Babylonian Chronicles from British Museum" in JNES, Vol. 15, 1956, p. 229-230.

6. Green, Alberto R. "The Chronology of the Last Days of Judah: Two Apparent Discrepancies", Journal of Biblical Literature, Vol. 101, Mar, 1982, p. 61-62.

7. The cuneiform tablet BM 36304 and others in the British Museum.

Besides the Babylonian Chronicle there is also the:

Nabonidus Chronicle

The custome of burying the dead in large, baked clay coffins comes from Egypt. They were also found in Palestine:

(1) In Deir el-Balah, Gaza, archaeologists found a large anthropoid coffin containing two skulls, gold and carnelian earrings and pendants, bronze and alabaster vessels, a large bronze platter, an alabaster cosmetic spoon the handle of which was in the shape of a nude swimming girl, a bronze mirror and faience and carnelian scarabs and seals which helped date it to the time of Ramses II. The molded head of the coffin wore a pharaonic wig, not a feather type headdress. The pottery laying outside the coffin itself appears not to be of the Philistine ware type.
(2) After removing more than 30 feet of accumulation in 1923, archaeologists came upon an Egyptian style complex at the southern edge of Beth Shean. Door jambs and lintels bore fragmentary hieroglyphic signs and several the name of `Ramesses-Weser-Khephesh', commander of the garrison at the location, whose titles included the cartouche of Ramses III. Some 50 anthropoid type coffins were found at Beth Shean, two of which were restored, while the remainder was too fragmentary.<sup>1)</sup> Some of the lids had natural facial moldings, others were more grotesque. Some thought of them as betraying Mycenaean characteristics by comparison to the famous Mycenaean gold mask which some now regard as perhaps to be a fake. So this comparison needs to be treated with caution. One of the anthropoid coffin lids found at Beth Shean has, what is thought to represent a molded feather headdress, and is therefore conventionally attributed to the Philistine era. But no Philistine type pottery was found since Beth Shean was outside their area of influence anyway.<sup>2)</sup> This should also alert us to the possiblity that the chronological attribution of these layers is suspect. In revised view, following the end of the Persian led invasion of Egypt, Ramses III may have tried to secure his border for military intelligence by a few outposts.
(3) An anthropoid coffin was found in the east corner of the `Kasr' portion of ancient Babylon. [See R. Koldewey, `The Excavations at Babylon', London, 1914, p. 275. This may strengthen the period of anthropoid coffins to be Persian.]

Mari Letters
A Mari Letter from Itur-Asdu informs Zimri-Lim that another man, Malik-Dagan, has received a dream or prophecy from the god Dagan. BAR, Vol. 29, Jan/Feb 2003, p. 46. A color photo of the ML accompanies the information.

Famous Names from Mari
The statue of a governor (sakkanakku) of Mari named `Istup-ilum' found in room 65 of the Palace of Mari and the governor cuneiform inscribed `Idi-ilum' and `Laasgaan' are shown in M.H. Gates, `The Palace of Zimri-Lim at Mari' in BA, Vol. 47, June 1984, p. 70-(79, 81)-87. On page 85 is shown a life size diorite statue of `Puzur-ishtar' of Mari which was found in the museum of Nebuchadnezzar in his palace at Babylon and on page 95 we see the 27.2 cm tall statue inscribed on the right shoulder with the name of `Lamgi-Mari' or `Lamgi of Mari' which helped identify the site of Tell Hariri as ancient Mari.
The name of king Ibni-Addu, son of Hadad, was found at Mari. In about 20 of the Mari letters occurs the city name of Hazor.

Partial List of Images of Sumerian, Assyrian, Babylonian, Persian Artifacts
[Morris Jastrow, `The Civilization of Babylonia & Assyria', Philad., London, 1915.]

List of the otherwise harder to find Plates (Roman)/Figures (Latin): 1. B&W view of painted village of Khorsabad, 2. Birs Nimrud, the site of Borsippa, VII, 1. Sennacherib in his chariot, 2. carrying materials across a stream in a round vessel (Kouyunjik), VIII, 2. Hunting wild horses, IX, 1. Omen tablet fr. Ashurbanapal's library, 2. syllabary, ibid., X, Shamash, sun-god, in his shrine at Sippar, -with somewhat readable cuneis., XI, 1. Babyl. boundary stone, 2. stone pedestal (steatite) from excavations at Telloh., XII, 3. cunei inscribed terra-cotta cyl. & cones from Telloh , XV, 1. later period decorated in situ but all exposed clay coffin from Nippur, XVI, 1. statue of goddess Ninlil from Bismya, XVII, 1. excavations at Kaleh-Shergat (Ashur), 2. in situ exposed Assyrian memorial stela, XVIII, 2. Khorsabad archway of colored, glazed tiles showing round 8 petal floral designs and two winged priestly/royal figures, XIX, 2. the PROPYLÆ of the palace of Xerxes at Persepolis, XXI, 1. Rock sculpt. of Darius I., 2. Vase of Xerxes I., showing hieroglyphic (his name?) characters and a cunei inscr., XXIII, 1-2. inscribed obelisk and bust of Manishtusu, king of Kish., XXIV, 1-2. Lugal-Dudu, king of Adab - type Sumerian, Marduk-nadin-akhi, kng of Babylonia - type Semite., XXV, 2. Cyrus clay cyl. capture of Babylon, XXVII, terra-cotta votive images of the god Enlil and his consort Ninlil (Nippur), XXVIII, 2. said to represent a procession of gods, XXXI, 1-3. Ashur, Assyria's chief deity and 2 of his winged discs., Plate L, 1-2. Stele of Naramsin, king of Agade, bas-relief of same., LIII, 1-2. human headed bulls.

The List of `Governors of Lagash', Kish III. Dynasty as known in 1942

01. Ur (Zur) - Nanshe (formerly misread as Ur-Nina)
02. Akurgal
03. Eannatum (son)
04. Enannatum I. (brother)
05. Entemena II. (son)
06. Enannatum II. (son)
07. Enetarzi
08. Enlitarzi
09. Lugalanda (son)
10. Urukagina

List of Kings and Ishakus (governors)

The Kings before the Flood (according to the king lists)

Alulim ........................ NUNki .................. 08 sars 28,800 yrs
Ala(l)gar .................... NUNki .................. 10 sars 36,000 "
Enmeenbianna ............ Badtibira ................ 12 sars 43,200 "
Enmeengdanna ........... Badtibira ................ 08 sars 28,800 "
Dumuzi the shepherd .. Badtibira ................ 10 sars 36,000 "
En-Sib-zi anna ............ Larak ..................... 08 sars 28,800 "
Enmeenduranna .......... Sippar .................... 05 sars 21,000 "
(?) dudu ...................... Shuruppak ............. 05 sars 18,600 "

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Total: ............. 8 kings ........... 5 cities ............. 241,200 years.

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Guide to the Iraq Museum

A List of Artifacts found in the 1942 Document

Important Notice - Work in progress

The 1942 guide had been prepared according to the numerical order of the cases in the Exhibition Rooms which consist of two different groups; (1) the wall cases, which have a serial number throughout, (2) the central cases which have alphabetic letters. The objects are displayed in chronological order from the earliest period to more recent times. All images in the publication are in B&W and due to age frequently pale and would not well scan. We shall try to provide some images however, as time allows.

The `Decree of Naucratis'

[Source: http://www.franckgoddio.org/english/projects/canopicregion/history/history_01.asp]

`The doublet of the so-called stele of Naukratis.' by Jean Yoyotte, Prof. at the Collège de France Paris, June 7, 2001

A perfectly intact stele unearthed on the site of Nokratj (Naukratis in Greek), a little over a century ago (1899), revealed the contents of a decree which Nektanebos I, founder of the 30th dynasty, had published during his visit to Sais shortly after his accession to the throne (~ November 380 BC). The text, which is written in classic Egyptian and engraved in hieroglyphs using a particularly astute procedure, begins with a preamble relating the royal entry, followed by an emphatic praise of the sovereign. It then notes briefly his decision in favour of the goddess Neith, patroness of Sais and of the two preceding dynasties. This decision favouring the treasury of the goddess' temple, through a tax on the activities of the Greeks installed in the nearby trading post of Naukratis, on their imports via the canopic branch of the Nile on the one hand, and the products manufactured in From the volume of the tax regularly levied by the King's House, i.e. the state, on these two chapters, a dime was henceforth to be attributed to the temple of the goddess in order to create an additional offering, i.e. a benefit in kind for the local clergy which the newly arrived king wished to rally to his person.

Nectanebo's decision is presented as follows:
"Then His Majesty said: " Let one tenth of the gold, silver, wood and joinery and all thing coming from the Greek Sea, be taxed for the King's House in the place called Honë, as well as the tenth of gold, silver and all things existing in the domain of the harbour named Kratj on the bank of the Anu canal.."

Follows the order of the imposing posting of Nectanebos' decision in Naukratis itself:
"Then His Majesty said: "Let this be set on this stele erected in Nokratj on the bank of the Anu canal…"

On the upper part of the stele, above the 14 columns of learned hieroglyphs which metaphysically consecrated the perpetual donation, is engraved a picture showing the king offering to Neith a plate of food on the one side and a great golden necklace on the other. The Greeks knew well the Egyptian image of the goddess – which they had long since assimilated to Athena – and the message contained in the imagery, must have been as clear to them as to the Egyptians.

Both from the historical and the geographical point of view, the recent search and discoveries of Franck Goddio's mission allow definite conclusions as to important questions concerning the site of strategic and economic importance through which the Greeks were allowed – under surveillance - to penetrate the pharaonic kingdom.

It has been established in 1958 that the classic Egyptian word Honë – in the spoken language normally preceded by the female article T – was the place name transcribed into Greek as Thonis; the honë was a special term in the oldest Egyptian vocabulary designing the various outlets of the Nile's branches, which were in fact as many small deltas of several branches ending in the lakes along the coastline.

Herodotus, on the other hand, tells us that the guardian policing the entry to the Nile's canopic branch was called Thonis. Diodor of Sicily would learn later on that Thonis had once been the name of the emporium, the place of commercial exchange, of the Egyptians. The trilingual Decree of Canopus indicates that the locality, which the Greeks called Heracleion, after a temple which legend attributed to Herakles, was situated precisely "at the entrance of the honë" in question.

In 2000, Franck Goddio's underwater mission succeeded in establishing the site of all of Heracleion, its harbour installations and the city itself, and more specifically a most important temple in the pharaonic style. The readable remnants of inscriptions on a huge Ptolemaic naos which is part of this temple have further confirmed – if such was needed – that this building was indeed the sanctuary of Amun and Khonsu, alias Herakles, mentioned in the Canopic Decree. Bathymetric surveys indicate, on the other hand, that the hydrographic configuration of the site does indeed correspond to the type of river outlet called honë in the Egyptian language.

In May 2001, during an inventory of the monuments of Heracleion, Franck Goddio discovered a stele of Nektanebos I. which is a perfect replica of the Naukratis stele: material and dimensions are the same, as is the double image even in detail, and here, too, are 14 columns of vertical text.

In all logic, this discovery is not surprising, since part of the tax measures contained in the decree concerned the very customs of Thonis-Heracleion. Nevertheless, it is an extraordinary discovery: here are two versions of one and the same document, concerning two distant townships, preserved intact on the sites where they had been exposed in antiquity, and surely at little distance from the very spots where they had been erected. This might well be called a miracle when considering the destruction which nature and men have inflicted on the monuments of the two sites, and the disconcerting collection of dispersed and dismembered stones which are the normal picture in the region of Alexandria and most of Lower Egypt.

The Naucratis and Thonis versions provide texts which are word for word alike all along the first 12 columns and the 14th; the only differences concern small variations in the graphism of two words. Column 13 of the Thonis version is resolutely and most logically different from column 13 of the Naukratis stele:"Then His Majesty said: " Let this be set on this stele erected at the entrance of the Sea of the Greeks…"

This twinfold display is a further illustration of the refined art of communication mastered by the services of the pharaohs: communication between the state and its subjects, between Egypt and its foreign partners, as well as between the world of men and that of the gods. Sacred scripture ideally integrated politics and economy into a concept of the cosmos, which we call religious.

The two twin steles are both splendid examples of the art of engraving on hard stone in which the artists around the 4th century provide a rich collection of information for historians. The way in which the Sais workshops managed to manually produce two practically identical monuments is truly surprising.

Comments: We do well to remember that the hieroglyphic name engraved on the Stele of Naukratis is that of `Nekhtnebef'.

A Variant Reading of the Tel Dan Stela' [See also Here!]

01. "[...]MR '[...]and cut/made (a treaty) ?[...]
02. [ooo]-el my father, went up [against him when] he was fighting at A[bel?]
03. and my father lay down; he went to [his ancestors.] Now the king of Israel entered
04. formerly in the land in my father's land; [but] Hadad made me myself king,
05. and Hadad went in front of me; [and] I departed from [the] seven [...]
06. of my kingdom; and I slew sev[nty ki]ngs, who harnessed thou[sands of cha]riots
07. and thousands of horsemen. [And I killed Jo]ram, son of A[hab,]
08. king of Israel, and [I] killed [Ahazi]yahu, son of [Joram. kin]/g
09. of the House of David; and I set [their towns into ruins? .... ci]/ties
10. of theor land into de[solation? ...]
11. ... other and to over[turn all their cities? ... and Jehu]
12. [ru]/led over Is[rael ...]
13. siege upon [...]

Author's Conclusion: In sum, this inscription should be attributed to Hazael. It was not `an emergency display inscription', but a memorial stela much like the Mesha Stela. It was intended as propaganda boasting of Hazael's victories on the northern border of Israel. What does the Tel Dan stela teach us about our use of the book of Kings as a historical source? Kings is selective and political/ideological in nature, but it is also a redacted work that used earlier sources. At the beginning of this article I suggested that we need to look for "disinterested" statements, i.e., those things that do not apparently serve the political and ideological interests of the biblical narrative. To some extent, even a text like `.Kings 9:15-18 is not "disinterested"; that is, it can be explained as serving the political and ideological interests of an earlier source, perhaps as part of an apologetic for Jehu's revolt. Yet, it cannot be explained easily within the style and ideology of the later deuteronomistic editors. It is evidently truncated from its original source. By looking for such truncated motifs, we also can find fragments of earlier sources, which can fill in the gaps left by the selective editing and political/ideological agenda of the later redactors.
Additionally, this inscription should refocus our attention to the political dimensions of the "house of David". Biblical scholarship has tended to be overly enamored with the theological idea of the "house of David" and has tended to read all references to David in prophetic literature as late or as reflecting eschatological and utopian ideals. The Tel Dan inscription should remind us that the "house of David" was first a political designation and only much later did this political idea by its association with the temple and priesthood take on theological and ultimately eschatological dimensions.[2000] [See William E. Schniedewind, `Tel Dan Stela: New Light on Aramaic and Jehu's Revolt' in BASOR, Feb 1996, p. 75-90.; Avraham Biran, Five Years Later in BA, Summer 1980, p. 168-182; showing a dedicatory inscription in Greek and Aramaic reading, `To the god who is in Dan, Zoilos made a vow'.; an early EB jar and excavated cross section of an earthen ramparts, Mycenaen pottery from tomb 387 (Israel Museum), large to smaller IA I wares found in a stone lined pit, a view of the excavated sacred area, Roman period fountain house, a seal showing a running horse pulling a chariot with 3 persons with possible lancets sticking up and forward inside, a drawing of the city and gate of the time of Ahab.]

1. Ephesus, was the church of the Apostles. It represents God's church (the mountain, or Mt. Zion (Isa. 3:16; 4), of the 1st century A.D. Before his death (ca. 65 AD), the apostle Paul could say the gospel had been taken to the whole world, Col. 1:5,6,23. With incredible speed the church grew to over 6 million, by the end of the 1st century.
   1. What is the church? [2050]
      
   2. How will God clean it? Acts 4:7-12. [2055]
      
   3. What does that look life when applied to our life? Hebr. 1:1-3.
2. Smyrna (100 through 313 AD), covers a period of fearful persecution and martyrdom for the church. The Roman Empire attempted to stamp out Christianity. Now it was emperor worship that was advanced and more and more enforced in the Roman Empire. The Synagogue of Smyrna decided to go along with the state, they even build a temple for the emperor. Increasingly the issue became worship. The faithful Christian church could not do as the Synagogue did. Soon they ran afoul and experienced terrible persecutions which started first at Smyrna. Only God knows how many were decapitated, burned, fed to lions and slain by the sword. The church lived so close to Jesus that He gave them no reproof!
   
3. Pergamos (313 through 538 AD) covers the era of state supported religion and compromise. Christianity had grown so rapidly that there were places where Christians were in the majority. The Roman Emperor, Constantine, professed conversion and had his entire army baptized as Christians. - Satan, unable to destroy the church through persecution corrupted it by popularity, compromise what it stood for and worldly alliances. Pagan beliefs and practices corrupted the church. Pergamos was called Satan's seat because it was the headquarters of Rome's heathen religion. The Lord rebuked the church of this era for allowing false teachings to flourish.
   
4. Thyatira "And unto the angel of the church in Thyatira write; These things saith the Son of God, who hath his eyes like unto a flame of fire, and his feet are like fine brass; I know thy works, and charity, and service, and faith, and thy patience, and thy works; and the last to be more than the first. Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols. And I gave her space to repent of her fornication; and she repented not. Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds. And I will kill her children with death; and all the churches shall know that I am he which searcheth the reins and hearts: and I will give unto every one of you according to your works. But unto you I say, and unto the rest in Thyatira, as many as have not this doctrine, and which have not known the depths of Satan, as they speak; I will put upon you none other burden. But that which ye have already hold fast till I come. And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations: And he shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers: even as I received of my Father. And I will give him the morning star. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches."; (538 through 1500's AD; others 538-1798) is the longest period of all the seven churches. This period, sometimes called the `Dark Ages,' was a time of fearful apostacy.
   
5. Sardis "And unto the angel of the church in Sardis write; These things saith he that hath the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars; I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead. (They claim to be Christians but are spiritually dead. What to do? Keep studying the Bible about Jesus who alone can save us. Whatever we do, determines who controls us. Always be weary, get up and decide for Jesus. 1.Cor. 6:19; 2.Cor. 13:5) Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die: for I have not found thy works perfect before God. (We are either controlled by God or by the devil, James 4:7, therefore we are to be very vigilant, use our will power, and turn your eye at once upon Jesus and pray right away that His blood cleanses you. Phil. 4:5-7) Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee. Thou hast a few names even in Sardis which have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with me in white: for they are worthy. He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches."; (1500's -1755, others 1798-1843) covers the crucial period of reformation when Spirit filled men shook the world by testing Christian beliefs by God's Word. Some of these great men of God founded church denominations, still in existence today. But, sadly, when they died their followers ceased searching for truth, compromised what they had already possessed and went backward with astounding rapidity. Therefore, it is important to have Jesus constantly in our thoughts who alone can give us peace of mind. If we don't, our thoughts race daily here and there, and we can't control them for the devil strives to be master over us, but if we call upon the name of the Lord and switch our thoughts right away to Jesus, He can save us. That is why we cannot neglect Bible studies so our mind won't be filled with worldly cares only. Have something within reach that can reconnect you with heavenly thoughts. All people will have to make such choices many times a day, for we live still on Satan's ground. But the more we decide for Jesus - always - Satan looses his foothold and he must flee and we must be on the alert, for he will muster his forces and when we least suspect try to impress his will on us again. But do not despair, for living with Jesus in our mind we can overcome the devil, just like Jesus did. For we know, how ever fierce the temptation, those who cry, "Help us dear Jesus. . . ." will find deliverance. (DA 336.4) - Also, be not a hypocrite, then go home and be spiritually dead. Stay connected on His holy Sabbath with heaven itself in what you do and partake in.
   
6. Philadelphia "And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write; These things saith he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth; I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name. Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan, which say they are Jews, and are not, but do lie; behold, I will make them to come and worship before thy feet, and to know that I have loved thee. Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation (the national Sunday law would come later to Laodicea to purge them) , which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth. Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown. Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches."; (1755 through 1844, others 1843-1844) is the era of the birth and expansion of foreign missions and the American and British Bible Societies. Missionaries encircled the world, Great revival preachers like Whitefield and the Wesleys helped spark a global revival. The greatest revival since Pentecost was fueled by the study of the books of Daniel and Revelation. The name "Philadelphia" or "brotherly love" is fitting. As Jesus looked at His church of this era He offered no rebuke or reproff. God's Sabbath is about to be revealed, which will make the churches, us, the people, complete in the eyes of God.
   
7. Laodicea "And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God; I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth. Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see. As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent. Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches."; (1844 to the end). This is the last church age. We are in the late time of this era. It is the church whose last generation will see Christ come again in might and power.

Alai-Darwaza - The Taj-Mahal

Described as one of the most treasured gems of 700-1400 AD oriental architecture, the Alai-Darwaza, built by Alauddin Khalji in A.D. 1311, is a gateway which formed the main access through the southern wall to the enlarged Quwwatul Building. It is the first building employing wholly that period's principles of accurate construction and geometric ornamentation. It also betrays certain Saljuqian features in the form of its wide and bulging dome with a central knob pointed horseshoe-shaped arches and squinches and the Lotus-Bud fringed embellishment on the underside of the arches.

Its fine proportions, profuse carvings on the exterior, inscriptional bands of white marble in bold Nask characters and other decorative details in red stone make it a unique structure. The geometrical decoration on its interior is reminiscent of delicate timber ornamentation.

Dedication

In grateful commemoration of services rendered to posterity by the honorable Sir John Strachey G.C.S.I. to whom, not forgetting the enlightened sympathy and timely care of others India is mainly indebted for the rescued and preserved beauty of the ancient art and history of the provinces formerly administered by him. This tablet is placed by order of his friend the Earl of Lytton, Viceroy and Governor General of India. A.D. 1880.

Quitb-Minar, a Tower

The foundations of this world-famous tower known as the Qutb-Minar, were laid by Qutbuddjn Aibak of the Mameluk Dynasty towards the end of the twelfth century. The construction was interrupted at the first storey by his death, and the remaining three storeys were completed in matching material and style by his successor Ilutmish commonly known as Altamash in A.D. 1230. In A.D. 1368 the minar was damaged by lightening. Later, Firuz Shah Tughluq (A.D. 1351-1388) replaced the top storey by the existing two storeys faced with marble. Sikandar Lodi (A.D. 1489-1517) also executed some repairs to the minar in A.D. 1503, when it was again injured by lightening.

The tower has a diameter of 14.32 meters at the base and of about 2.75 meters at the top with a height of 72.5 meters and ascended by 379 steps, it is the highest stone tower in India and a perfect example of minar known to exist anywhere. The variegated plan of its three lower storeys, the projecting balconies with stalactite pendentive brackets and ornate bands of inscriptions on its facades heighten its decorative effect.

The Fortress of Agra

Agra Fort is the most important Fort of India. The great Mughals: Babjar, Humayun, Akba, Jahangir, Shahjephan and Aurangzeb lived here and the country was governed from here. It contained the largest State Treasury and mint. It was visited by foreign ambassadors, travelers and the highest dignitaries who participated in the making of Medieval history of India. No other Fort of India had this honour.
Agra Fort stands on an ancient site just by the River Jamuna. It was a brick Fort and Chauhan P. J Puts held it. It is mentioned for the first time in 1080 A.D. when Ghaznavide forces captured it. Sikandar Lodi (1487-1517) was the first Sultan of Delhi who shifted to Agra and lived in the Fort. He governed the country from here and Agra assumed the prominence of a second capital. He died in the Fort in 1517 and his son Ibrahim Lodi held it for 9 years until he was defeated and killed at Panipat in 1526. Several palaces, wells and a mosque were built in the Fort during the Lodi period.
After Panipat, Mughals captured Agra Fort and a vast treasure, which included the diamond later named `Koh-i Noor' -was seized. Babur stayed in the Fort in the palace of Ibrahim. He built a Baoli (a step well) in it. Humayun was coronated here in 1530, after his defeat at Chausa in 1539, he returned to Agra. Nizam, a water-carrier (saqqa), who had saved Humayun from drowning, was crowned here for half a-day and he issued a menial currency. Humayun was defeated at Bilgram in 1540, Sher Shah held it for 5 years. The Mughals defeated the Afghans finally at Panipat in 1556.
Realizing the importance of its central situation, Akbar (1556-1605) decided to make Agra his capital. He arrived here in 1558. His historian Abul Fazl recorded that this was a brick fort, known as `Badalgarh', it was in ruined condition and Akbar ordered it to be rebuilt with red sandstone. Foundations were laid by expert architects and it was massively built with bricks in [its] inner core and stone on external surfaces. Some 4000 builders daily worked on it and it was completed in 8 years (1565-1573).
The Fort has a semicircular plan, its chord lying parallel to the river. Its walls are 70 feet high. Double ramparts have massive circular bastions at regular intervals, battlements, embrasures, machicolations [3000] and string courses. Four gates were provided on its four sides, one "Khizri-Gate" opening on the river, where a series of ghats (quays) was also built.
Abul Fazl recorded that 500 buildings in the beautiful design of Bengal and Gujarat were built on it. Some of these were demolished by Shah Jahan to make room for his white marble palaces. But they were mostly destroyed by the British between 1803 and 1862, for raising barracks. Hardly 30 Mughal buildings have survived on the southeastern side, facing the river. Of these, the Delhi Gate and Akbar Gate and one palace: `Bengali-Mahal', are representative Akbari buildings. The Delhi Gate faces the city. A draw-bridge and crooked entrance made it impregnable. Two life-size stone elephants, with their riders were placed on its inner gate which was called `Hathi-Pol'. The Delhi Gate was monumentally built as the king's formal gate. `Akbar Gate' was renamed `Amar Singh Gate' by the British. This gate is similar to the Delhi Gate. Both are built of the red sandstone and is now split into `Akbari-Mahal' and `Jahangiri-Mahal'.
Akbar died and Jahangir was coronated in the Fort in 1605. The latter mostly resided at Lahore and Kashmir, though he visited Agra regularly and lived in the Fort. Agra continued to be the capital of the Mughal Empire. Shah Jahan was also crowned in the Fort in 1628. He was a great builder and its white marble palaces belong to him. He built three white marble mosques in it: Moti-Masjid, Nagina-Masjid and Mina-Masjid.
After the battle of Samogarh in 1658, Aurangzeb besieged the Fort and stopped its water supply from the river. Shah Jahan could not drink the well water and surrendered. Aurangzeb imprisoned him, his own father, in the Fort where he lived as a prisoner for 8 years. He died in 1666 and was buried in the Taj-Mahal. The Barbicans [3050] around the two gates and on the river-side were built by Aurangzeb to strengthen its defences.
Though Shah Jahan had transferred his capital to Delhi, formally in 1638, he continued to live here. But after his death, Agra lost its grandeur, Aurangzeb remained busy in the Deccan Conflict. Yet, time and again, he lived here and held the Durbar. Shivaji came to Agra in 1666 and met Aurangzeb in Diwan-I-Khas. He was betrayed and imprisoned, though the wily Maratha ultimately escaped. Aurangzeb's death in 1707 threw the affairs of the Mughal Empire into chaos. The 18th century history of Agra Fort is a saga of sieges and plunder. It was held by Jats and Marathas. The British captured it from the Marathas in 1803. They garrisoned it and converted it into an arsenal.
The Mughal Palaces have remained in a small, south-eastern portion of the Fort and only this area is protected and conserved by the Archaeological Survey of India. Agra Fort is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The Succession of Indian Rulers & some Events: Firuz Shah Tughluq (1351-1388); Sikandar Lodi (1487-1517); Ibrahim Lodi (1517-1526); Barbur (??-??); Humayun (1530-1540); Sher Shah (1540-1545); Battle of Panipat in 1556; Akbar (1556-1605); Jahangir (1605-??); Shah Jahan (1628-1658/ died 1666); Aurangzeb (1658-1707).

Subterranean Apartments & Phansighar (1569-1658)

An underground complex of stairways, corridors, tunnels and rooms in two storeys, exists beneath the palaces, all along the river side. Originally it extended from the Baoli (step well) near Bengali-Burj. To the Machichhi Bhawan and had entrances from the Baoli, eastern court of Jehangiri-Mahal Anguribagh and Muthamman-Burj. In fact Akbar built his palace, which originally covered this area, on the existing structures which were converted and used to serve as its foundational basement with which every quarter of his palace was secretly connected. This is also how it assumed such a gigantic height from the river. It housed his harem (seraglio) which had 5000 women including maids, as the historian Abul Fazl recorded, and : "not withstanding the great number of faithful guards." Akbar kept, "His own vigilance" through this complex. All entrances as also the original stairways, tunnels and corridors have been closed up from time to time, and it can now be accessible only by this window.

An octagonal room in its first floor had a Phansighar, an execution chamber with a 18.5 feet long wooden beam across it for private execution of offenders of the harem chastity. Babur's Baoli and well, a tank with cascade and series of rooms are also there. Slits for ventilation are given in the corridor which runs all along the Fort wall. There is also a Jharokha the second floor below it is more spacious and has larger apartments and a more complex network of halls, rooms and corridors. Agra Fort contained the largest treasury of the Mughal Empire and this floor was probably reserved for storing treasures in gold, silver, coins and jewelry. These underground apartments have now been closed for security reasons. They remain as great a mystery today as they were during the Mughal time.

The Diwan-I-Kas Private Audience Hall

This white marble palace was built by the Mughal King Shah Jehan in 1635. It consists of two large halls, an outer pillared hall and an inner closed hall, both connected by archways. Double pillars have been used to support five 9-cusped arches on the facade and three 7-cusped arches on each side. Pillars have carved and inlaid designs. Dados are similarly ornamented with carved plant motifs in the center and inlaid creeper design on the border. A Persian inscription is inlaid on 28 cartouches on the South Wall. It is in praise of this palace and the king, and also gives the date. The inner hall, which the historian Lahauri called `Tambi-Khanah', has Shah-Nashim (alcoves with raised seats for the king) on the sides. Silver and gold work was done on ceilings, probably by the French goldsmith Augustine of Bordeaux. Durbar was held in the outer hall, while the inner one was reserved for confidential business. Entry into this palace was restricted to important ministers, nobles, and emissaries.

The Takht-I-Taus (The Peacock Throne), which was made in 1634, was placed here and was transferred to the Diwan-I-Khas, red Fort Delhi in 1648 (from where it was plundered by Nadir Shah in 1739). It was in this Diwan-I-Khas that Shivaji met Aurangzeb in 1666 AD, tormented by the heat of Agra, fainted and took support of a pillar. There was a gorgeously ornamented white marble Dalam in front of the Diwan-I-Khas, adjacent to the Hammam. It was disassembled and taken to England during William Bentinck's regime (1828-1835) and is still there in the Victoria & Albert Museum, Lodon.

[1000] E.A.W. Budge, `The Book of the Dead', p. xxxii.; Brian Fagan, The Egypt of the Pharaohs, p. 184. Also Edouard Naville, The Book of the Dead in PSBA, June 11, 1902, p. 195-204.; Since Nu hates what is corrupt and Nu is associated with Ra (he navigates in the boat of Ra), and since Maat Ra drives away the Mighty One, Apepi, Apepi ought to be the one who corrupts. See also "The knowing of the pylons of the house of Osiris, in the garden of Aarru." Of the 15th pylon it is written, "The evil one, with red hair and eyes, who comes out at night, who binds her enemy all round, who puts her hands over the god whose heart is motionless (dead), in his hour (of danger), who goes and comes. She will prepare the unwrapping of the dead." The Book of the Dead, ch. CXLV in PSBA, Vol. XXIV, June 1902, p. 201. Also `Euphratean stellar researches' in PSBA, Vol. XVIII, Jan. 1896, p. 25-(39)-53. - A villain or devil may also have been called `Hura.' [Budge, 473a]
[1100] See Kate Bosse-Griffiths, A Beset Amulet from the Amarna Period in Egyptian Archaeology, 1977, p. 98-106.
[2000] This is the authors view. We may want to caution to entertain that view because, according to the biblical account, God chose David from a young age on because of certain qualities to lead Israel. Only God knows how to read a heart and only God knows the end from the beginning and only God inspires prophets to prophecy true prophecies.
[2050] The Lord has declared that the history of the past shall be rehearsed as we enter upon the closing work. Every truth that He has given for these last days is to be proclaimed to the world. Every pillar that He has established is to be strengthened. We cannot now step off the foundation that God has established. We cannot now enter into any new organization; for this would mean apostasy from the truth.
No Need for Fear - "There is no need to doubt, to be fearful that the work will not succeed. God is at the head of the work, and He will set everything in order. If matters need adjusting at the head of the work, God will attend to that, and work to right every wrong. Let us have faith that God is going to carry the noble ship which bears the people of God safely into port.
When I voyaged from Portland, Maine, to Boston, many years ago, a storm came upon us, and the great waves dashed us to and fro. The chandeliers fell, and the trunks were rolled from side to side, like balls. The passengers were frightened, and many were screaming, waiting in expectation of death.
After awhile the pilot came on board. The captain stood near the pilot as he took the wheel, and expressed fear about the course in which the ship was directed. "Will you take the wheel?" asked the pilot. The captain was not ready to do that, for he knew that he lacked experience.
Then some of the passengers grew uneasy, and said they feared the pilot would dash them upon the rocks. "Will you take the wheel?" asked the pilot; but they knew that they could not manage the wheel.
When you think that the work is in danger, pray, "Lord, stand at the wheel. Carry us through the perplexity. Bring us safely into port." Have we not reason to believe that the Lord will bring us through triumphantly? {Manuscript 129, 1905; 2SM 390.1-391.1} There are before me many who are old hands in the cause. I have known some of you for the last thirty years."
[2055] "In many of the revivals which have occurred during the last half century, the same influences have been at work, to a greater or lesser degree, that will be manifested in the more extensive movements of the future. There is an emotional excitement, a mingling of the true with the false, that is well adapted to mislead. Yet none need be deceived. In the light of God's word it is not difficult to determine the nature of these movements. Wherever men neglect the testimony of the Bible, turning away from those plain, soul-testing truths which require self-denial and renunciation of the world, there we may be sure that God's blessing is not bestowed. And by the rule which Christ Himself has given, "Ye shall know them by their fruits" (Matthew 7:16), it is evident that these movements are not the work of the Spirit of God. {GC 464.2}
In the truths of His word, God has given to men a revelation of Himself; and to all who accept them they are a shield against the deceptions of Satan. It is a neglect of these truths that has opened the door to the evils which are now becoming so widespread in the religious world. The nature and the importance of the law of God have been, to a great extent, lost sight of. A wrong conception of the character, the perpetuity, and the obligation of the divine law has led to errors in relation to conversion and sanctification, and has resulted in lowering the standard of piety in the church. Here is to be found the secret of the lack of the Spirit and power of God in the revivals of our time." {GC 465.1}
[3000] `Machicolations' are openings between the corbels of a parapet, or in the floor of a gallery or the roof of a portal, for discharging missiles upon assailants; also, a gallery containing such openings. - A parapet is a) a wall rampart, or elevation to protect soldiers; a breastwork. 2) A low wall or protecting railing at the edge of a platform or bridge, etc.
[3050] Barbicans are an outer defensive work.