Spiritual Dictionary Section B

Babes - "Our Saviour rejoiced in spirit and offered thanks to God as He thought of how the value of truth, though hidden from the wise and prudent, is revealed to babes - those who realize their weakness and feel their dependence on Him." EV 333

 

Babylon - "...that richest of all earthly kingdoms...." PK 501

 

Babylon – “The term “Babylon” is derived from “Babel” and signifies confusion. It is employed in Scripture to designate the various forms of false or apostate religion.” GC 381

 

Babylon- (fall of)- “Not until this condition (II Thess 2:9-11) shall be reached, the union of the church with the world shall be fully accomplished through-out Christendom, will the fall of Babylon be complete.” GC 390

 

Babylon- “The fallen denominational churches are Babylon.” TM 61

 

Babylon – “The churches, represented by Babylon, are represented as having fallen from their spiritual state to become a persecuting power against those who keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ. To John this persecuting power is represented as having horns like a lamb, but is speaking like a dragon...” TM 117

 

Balaam – “was once a good man and a prophet of God; but he had apostatized, and had given himself up to covetousness; yet still professed to be a servant of the Most High.” PP 439 Balaam became a symbol for those who are willing to dabble with sorcery and are willing to sell themselves for the wages of unrighteousness. II Peter 2:15-16. Balaam is used in Revelation 2:14 as a symbol for those who attack God’s people and teach them to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication. Balaam’s name is interesting for in Hebrew it means “not of the people, foreigner, or alien” rightfully indicating his relationship to God’s people. CO

Balaam came from Mesopotamia, from the mountains of the east. Deuteronomy 23:4; Numbers 23:7

Moab hired Balaam to curse Israel. Deuteronomy 23:4; PP 438-439

Moabites believed that Balaam had the power to bless or curse. Numbers 22:6

Moab felt that Balaam was some kind of a magician for they were prepared to hire his powers of divination. Numbers 22:7; Exodus 7:11-12

God clearly expresses His will to Balaam – that he was not to curse Israel for they were blessed. Numbers 22:12

Balaam blames God for not allowing him to receive the financial rewards offered by Balak. Numbers 22:13

Balak increases the bribe to hire Balaam to do what God had instructed him not to do. Numbers 22:15-17

Balaam consults with Jesus again and Jesus tells him that if the people come to call you then go with them. Numbers 22:20

The Moabite envoy, annoyed at his delay and expecting another refusal, left without consulting him. PP 441

Balaam went after the Moabites in direct disobedience of God’s instructions. Numbers 22:21

God confronts Balaam three times by revealing Himself to the donkey and reveals His displeasure to Balaam directly. Numbers 22:22-33

Balaam acknowledges that he had sinned against Jesus.  Numbers 22:34

Balaam meets Balak and has to state that he can not say anything more than what Jesus allows him to say. Numbers 22:38; 23:26; 24:13

Jesus gives Balaam 3 visions and blesses Israel and tells that anyone who curses Israel will be cursed. Numbers 23:1-24:24

Balaam leaves Balak and returns to his home in Mesopotamia and then comes back to instruct Balak in how to cause Israel to sin against Jesus and become vulnerable to a curse by teaching them how to eat things offered to idols and to commit fornication at Peor. Numbers 31:16; Revelation 2:14; PP 451-452

Balaam is killed with the Midianites for he had joined himself to Moab rather than to Israel. Numbers 31:7-8

Jesus instructs us that Balaam was a soothsayer/diviner and thus subject to death. Joshua 13:22; Leviticus 20:6; Deuteronomy 18:9-14

Jesus protected Israel from the curses of Balaam and turned them into blessings. Joshua 24:9-10; Nehemiah 13:1-2; Micah 6:5

Balaam similar to Judas. PP 452

 

Balance, False- “A false balance is a symbol of all unfair dealings, all devices to conceal selfishness and injustice under an appearance of fairness and equity.” OHC 225

 

Bands – A device, or concept, that binds materials or men together,  or to something, either willingly or unwillingly. CO

God gives King Saul a band of men to support him, whose hearts God had touched. I Samuel 10:26

          Rezon gathers a band of men to harass Solomon. I Kings 11:23-25

          A band of soldiers assaulted Jesus. Matthew 26-28

          Jews banded together to attack Paul. Acts 23:12,21

Jacob’s group divided into two bands when Esau approaches. Genesis 32:7-10

God broke the bands of your yoke (of slavery) and made yo go upright. Leviticus 26:13

          The Spirit of God loosed the bands of Samson. Judges 15:14

More bitter than death is the woman whose heart is snares, nets, and her hands as bands, whosoever pleases God shall escape from her, but the sinner shall be taken by her. Ecclesiastes 7:26; Proverbs 7:6-27; Revelation 17

Therefore be not mockers lest your bands be made strong…Isaiah 28:22

The fast of God is to break the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burden, let the oppressed go free, that you break every yoke, feed the hungry, care for the poor, clothe the naked, care for your family. Isaiah 58:6-7

God will deliver His people from the wicked, He will break their bands, and He will minister to their needs. Ezekiel 34:22-31

God will deliver us from the wicked by drawing them with cords of a man and with bands of love. Hosea 11:1-4

God’s plan was to watch over His flock with two staves – Beauty of His covenant and Bands to maintain unity of His flock. Zechariah 11:7-17

Demon possessed of the Gadarenes broke their bands and their fetters by the power of demons, but was bound to Jesus by His forgiveness and love. Luke 8:26-36; Mark 5:1-17

Earthquake, sent from God, broke the bands of Paul’s imprisonment. Acts 16:26

See Cords, Fetters, Chains

Baptism – A action that is a symbol that describes a change of life, a new life, or a testimony to God of an experience that has been life changing to the individual, church, or nation. Baptism usually indicates that water has been crossed, on dry land, or that the individual has had some kind of life changing experience with God symbolized by immersing in water, or dying to the old way of life, and resurrecting to a new way of life.  CO

Baptism is a symbol of turning away from sin. Romans 6:34

Baptized in much water. Matthew 3:16; Acts 8:38; John 3:23

Can be baptized a second time if you learn more truth. Acts 19:2-5

Baptized unto John. Acts 19:3-4

Can be baptized and be non-converted. Acts 8:13-24

Go ye therefore and teach all nations, baptizing them…Matthew 28:19-20 (Baptizing requires teaching and educating to prepare the participant)

Jesus did not baptize. John 4:2

John the Baptist baptized with water. Luke 3:16

Must be baptized with the Holy Ghost. Acts 1:5

One Lord, one faith, one baptism. Ephesians 4:5 (Not a multitude of ways to get baptized.)

The baptismal candidate must be able to repent and agree to be baptized. Acts 2:38

The disciples to go into the world, preach the gospel and those who believe and are baptized will be saved but those who do not will be damned. Mark 16:15-16; Acts 8:36-38 (Baptism requires that one grasp the preaching/teaching and be able to understand and believe.)

The experience of Gethsemane and Calvary for Jesus and the disciples. Luke 12:49-50; Matthew 20:20-23

Examples of New Testament baptisms; Acts 8:12; 2:42-42; 9:18; 10:44-48

 

Old Testament examples of baptism:

Abraham crossed a flood to come to Canaan. Judges 24:1-3

Baptism symbolized by the washing of the priests in the doorway of the sanctuary. They were also anointed, and clothed for their ministry. Exodus 29:4-9; 40:12-16

Elijah and Elisha crossing of the Jordan at flood time on dry ground. II Kings 2:1-15

God’s people crossing the River Euphrates when it is dried up. Revelation 16:12-16

Israel being covered by the cloud was a baptism into Moses. I Corinthians 10:1-2

Israel’s crossing of the Red Sea was a symbol of baptism. Exodus 14:19-31; 15:22; I Corinthians 10:2

Israel’s crossing the Jordan River at full flood, on dry ground. Joshua chapters 3&4

Noah and the ark was a symbol of baptism. I Peter 3:20-21 (They went through water on dry ground. They died to an old way of life and were resurrected to a new way of life. )

 

Baptism – “Baptism is a most sacred and important ordinance, and there should be a through understanding as to it’s meaning. It means repentance for sin, and the entrance upon a new life in Christ Jesus.” EV 309

 

Baptism – “Christ has made baptism the sign of entrance to His spiritual kingdom. He has made this a positive condition with which all must comply who wish to be acknowledged as under the authority of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit….Baptism is a most solemn renunciation of the world. Those who are baptized in the threefold name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, at the very entrance of their Christian life declare publicly that they have forsaken the service of Satan, and have become members of the royal family, children of the heavenly King.” EV 307

 

Barabbas - Fathers Son - Youngs Concordance

 

Barabbas - An individual who was the symbol of Anti-Christ in Jesus' day and who was a type of Babylon for the last days. CO

          Barabbas was the representative of Satan. DA 739

          Claimed to be the Messiah. DA 733

          Claimed authority to establish a different order of things. DA 733

          Claimed to be able to set the world right. DA 733

Claimed that whatever he obtained by robbery or theft was his. DA733

Covered his rebellion and cruelty with religious enthusiasm. DA 733

          Had done wonderful things through Satanic agencies. DA 733

          Had gained a following among the people. DA 733

          Had excited sedition against the Roman government. DA 733

          The people chose Barabbas over Jesus. DA 738-739

The people who chose Barabbas would feel the cruelty of Barabbas as long as time should last. DA 739

 

Barren – A state of being with no fruit or no children. CO

 

Barren – 7 Examples in the Bible.

          Sarah – Genesis 11:30; 16:1-2; 18:1-15 Mother of Isaac

          Rebeccah – Genesis 25:20-23 – Mother of Jacob and Esau

Rachel – Genesis 29:31; 30:22-24 – Mother of Joseph and Benjamin

          Wife of Manoah – Judges 13 – Mother of Samson

          Hannah – I Samuel 1:1-3:19 – Mother of Samuel

          Elizabeth – Luke 1:7-80 – Mother of John the Baptist

The church – Isaiah 54:1; Galatians 4:26-28 – The Mother of the Deliverer – Jesus and Moses and their brothers and sisters.

 

Bear – A large carnivorous animal, also used as a symbol of judgment. One of a list destroying beasts. CO

David fought a bear as part of a growth process of being a good shepherd. I Samuel 17:34-37

          David’s ferocity as a fighter compared to a bear. II Samuel 17:8

Disasters compared to a bear and a lion. Amos 5:19; Lamentations 3:10

          Elisha uses a bear to accomplish judgment. II Kings 2:23-24

In heaven even the bears will be at peace and will not destroy. Isaiah 11:7

Our need for fair judgment is like the roaring of a bear. Isaiah 59:11

Second beast of Daniel 7 and the paws of the beast in Revelation 13 are like a bear.

 

Beast - Description of the creatures that God made on the 5th and 6th days of creation and the many ways the God uses them to express His thoughts.

          God brought forth the beasts from the earth. Genesis 1:24-25

          The green herb was the food for the beasts. Genesis 1:30

          Adam named all the beasts. Genesis 2:19-20

          The serpent was the most subtil of the beasts. Genesis 3:1

          Because of its involvement in the fall the serpent was the cursed. Genesis 3:14

          God differentiated the clean and unclean beasts. Genesis 7:2;      Leviticus 11; Deuteronomy 14

          God differentiated the cattle from the beasts, fowl, and creeping           thing. Genesis 7:14,21

          God allowed man to eat animals after the flood. Not to eat flesh with the blood, or fat. Genesis 9:2-4; Leviticus 7:22-27

          God requires the life of any beast that kills man. Genesis 9:5

          Jacob’s brothers lie about a beast and blame it falsely for killing          Joseph. Killing a man is a crime worthy of death. Genesis 9:5-6;       37:20,33

          God identifies man and beast together. Lice on man and beast, the       death of the firstborn, the sanctifying, the threat of death if they touch Mt. Sinai, etc. Exodus 8:17-18; 12:12; 13:2,12,15; 19:13;       Psalms 36:6; Jeremiah 31:27; Jonah 3:8-9

          Any sexual contact with a beast and the human and the beast     should both die. Exodus 22:19; Leviticus 18:23; 20:15-16;         Deuteronomy 27:21

          Touching a dead beast makes you ceremonially unclean. Leviticus       5:22

          Do not make a graven image of a beast. Deuteronomy 4:17;        Exodus 20:4

          If you kill a beast you must make restitution. Leviticus 24:18,21

          Man, when foolish, ignorant, and non-converted, is likened to a beast. Psalms 73:22; Ecclesiastes 3:18

          The righteous man regards the life of his beast but the tender      mercies of the wicked are cruel. Proverbs 12:10

Men die just like beasts die. Both turn to dust. Ecclesiastes 3:18-21

          In heaven there is no ravenous beast. Isaiah 35:1-10

          Absence of beasts is a sign of desolation. Jeremiah 33:9-12; 36:29;       Ezekiel 14:12-21; 25:13; 29:8

          God's flock (His church) falls prey to the beast (non-converted    people) because there was no shepherd. Ezekiel 34:7-9

          Beast of the field equated with the heathen. Ezekiel 34:28

A sign of blessing when man and beast multiply in the land. Ezekiel 36:11

          Beast of the bottomless pit. Revelation 11:7 See Beast of     Bottomless Pit - Atheistic France.

          Composite beast. Revelation 13:1-10. See Beast Leopard like - the        Papacy.

          Two horned beast. Revelation 13:11-18. See Beast two horned    lamb-like - The United States.

          Image to the beast. Revelation 13:14-18. See Beast - image to -    Apostate Protestantism in union with the United States.

          Beast that was and is not -  Resurrected Papacy. CO.

          God's people must be alert and not have any carnal or spiritual connection to the beast. Revelation 14:9-11; 15:2; 20:4

          God wars against the beast. Revelation 19:19-20; 16:2,10  

 

Beasts - Beasts are used to communicate many different issues. Listed below is a summary of the various ways beasts are described.

          To be a difference between clean and unclean beasts. Leviticus    20:22-26

          Sign of judgment - beasts are suffering with man. Hosea 4:1-3;   Joel 1:14-20

          Sign of judgment - beasts are hurting man. Genesis 31:39;          Deuteronomy 33:24; Hosea 2:12

          Beasts are compared with unconverted men. Job 18:3; Psalms    49:12,20; Ecclesiastes 3:18; Ezekiel 31:6; Daniel 4:15-16; 7; Acts        10:9-20,28; 11:1-18; Titus 1:12; II Peter 2:12; Jude 10

Unconverted make images of beasts. Romans 1:21-23; Ezekiel 8:10

          God's people are equated with sheep that the wild beasts are       attacking. Ezekiel 34:1-6

          God's people to be a lion among beasts. Micah 5:7-8

          God will eventually rid the earth of evil beasts. Leviticus 26:6

          Job 5:22-23; Ezekiel 34:25; Hosea 2:18

          Beasts are a cleansing agent. I Samuel 17:44,46; Jeremiah 16:4

          Jesus in the wilderness 40 days, tempted of Satan, and with the   wild beasts. Mark 1:13

          4 Throne room beasts. Revelation 4:6-10. 1st - lion, 2nd - calf, 3rd       man, 4th eagle. Full of eyes and have 6 wings. Intimately involved    with God's plans, take part in the seals (chapter 6:1-7) and plagues (chapter 15:7) and are involved in 7 throne room scenes -       chapter 4,5,6,7,14,15,19.

 

Beast – (Daniel 7:3) – “These great beasts, which are four, are four kings which shall arise out of the earth.” Daniel 7:17

          Lion like – Babylon 626-539 B.C. Daniel 7:4,12 & 2:38

          Bear like – Medo-Persia 539-331 B.C. Daniel 7:5,17; 8:20

          Leopard like – Greece 331-168 B.C. Daniel 7:6,17; 8:21

Terrible beast  - Rome – Pagan & Papal 168 B.C. – 1798 A.D. Daniel 7:7,17,19-25; 8:23-25; 9:26; 11:16-45  C.O.

 

Beast - 7 heads=7mountains=7kings Revelation 17:3,9-11-

Egypt, Israel, Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece, Rome-Pagan;         Rome-Papal. See ED 179 - "The crown removed from Israel passed successively to the kingdoms of Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece, and Rome." Israel received the crown from Egypt at the Exodus and  Rome-Papal is the head that is resurrected in Revelation 17:11. CO

 

Beast - dragon - "The line of prophecy in which these symbols are found begins with Revelation 12, with the dragon that sought to destroy Christ at His birth. The dragon is said to be Satan (Revelation 12:9); he it was that moved upon Herod to put the Saviour to death. But the chief agent of Satan in making war upon Christ and His people during the first centuries of the  Christian Era was the Roman Empire, in which paganism was the prevailing religion. Thus while the dragon primarily, represents Satan, it is, in a secondary sense, a symbol of pagan Rome." GC 438

 

Beast – Leopard like – Revelation 13:1-10 – “In chapter 13 (Revelation 13:1-10) is described another beast, “like unto a leopard,” to which the dragon gave “his power, and his seat, and great authority.” This symbol, as most Protestants have believed, represents the Papacy, which succeeded to the power and seat and authority once by the ancient Roman Empire. “Quoting Revelation 13:5,6” This prophecy, which is nearly identical with the description of the little