Pray For The Peace of Jerusalem
The Names and Titles of God (The Immortal) 1 Timothy 1:17
17 Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen.
King James Version
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As I said, we are camping out on this verse for a few days, because there is so much here to digest.
Yesterday, the Title was "Eternal King". Today, it is "Immortal". Lest you think that Paul is repeating himself (maybe due to abnormal stress such as beatings, whippings, stonings, snake bites, shipwrecks, and unjust imprisonment?) I suggest we look at all the words that seem to have similar meanings, but carry nuances of difference:
1. Eternal: according to most dictionaries, "eternal" means "without beginning or end" (Dictionary.com) This makes it close to the word "infinity" in meaning.
2. Immortal: "Immortal" means "exempt from death." It means the same as "Everlasting". Somehow, it is easier for us to imagine immortality than it is to grasp the concept of infinity. The Greek gods and goddesses, for example, were "immortal" but they all had origins. Here is a fascinating page about the Origins of the Greek Deities.
The Ancient Egyptian Gods and Goddesses weren't even immortal. Not only did they have origins, but they also suffered death and dismemberment. The Story of Isis and Osiris illustrates this belief, and the rites of mummification were derived from it.
3. Infinite: The symbol for "infinity" looks like a figure 8 lying on its side. It has nor beginning or end. There is no "origin story" and no time when the Infinite One didn't exist. There is no birthday, no parents, no primeval chaos from which the gods emerged. According to Merriam-Webster, it means: : extending indefinitely : ENDLESS.
There you have three distinct words that are similar in meaning, but actually mean different things.
And they all fit our Immortal, Eternal, Everlasting, Infinite God.
Come and Pray For the Peace of Jerusalem, For Our FRiends in Need, For Persecuted Believers, and For Our Beloved Nation.
For whatever is hidden is meant to be disclosed, and whatever is concealed is meant to be brought out into the open. (Mark 4:22)
God Bless America.
Blessings To All Who Visit This Garden of Prayer.
Hallelujah and Amen
ML/LTOS