SEE THE HOLY LANDS WITH DANIEL RONA


	HIDDEN LDS/JEWISH INSIGHTS #3 Book of Mormon Gospel Doctrine Supplement by Daniel Rona Weekly E-mail Reminder << THE VISION OF THE TREE OF LIFE >> 1 Nephi 8–11; 12:16-18, 15 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ (1.) WHAT’S IN A DREAM? ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Dreams are one of the means God has of communicating with his children. True Prophets have the responsibility of teaching us what those dreams mean. "The Biblical view was that dreams are divine communication --- events transpiring on a supernatural plane. Thus, dreams . . . could be interpreted only by visionaries or prophets, who were in touch with this ‘divine dimension.’ In the Bible, ‘dreamer,’ ‘prophet,’ and ‘magician’ are related terms." (Encyclopedia Judaica Jr.) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ (2.) IRRITATION OR REDEMPTION? ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Some Biblical accounts have a basis in dreams, some irritated family or friends and others brought redemption for people as well as condemnation of people in the lands where they lived. Joseph explained Pharaoh's dreams . . . God's promise to Abraham about the inheritance of the land of Israel came in a dream . . . Samuel's first prophecies were stimulated in a dream . . . because of his ability to interpret dreams, Daniel rose to positions of responsibility under Kings Nebuchadnezzar, Belshazzar and Darius." (Encyclopedia Judaica Jr.) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ (3.) TREE OF LIFE IMAGERY IS STRONG IN JEWISH CULTURE: ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ I found precious silver plates in the store of a well-known Jewish Scribe in the Old City of Jerusalem showing a "tree" with branches, laden with "fruit" with a stream of "water" flowing by. The words on this small sculpture fashioned as a flat square plate come from the Talmud. They recite part of a parable that a tree watered by "living water," has precious "fruit" that you would bring your children to partake of. (4.) STRONG IMAGERY OF FRUIT IN THE SCRIPTURES: "A part of the first harvest each year of grains and of fruits was to be brought to the Temple in Jerusalem as a thanksgiving offering to God obeying the commandment: ‘The choice first fruits of your soil shall you bring to the house of the Lord’ (Exodus 34:33)." (Encyclopedia Judaica Jr.) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ (5.) WHITE MAY MEAN A "WHOLENESS" OR "COMPLETENESS:" ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Garments used by religious Jews are often pure white. "In Ashkenazi tradition it is not just the bride who wears white on her wedding day. The groom, too, stands under the canopy wearing his white kitel, or robe . . . The day of their marriage is a solemn one for the bride and groom. They pray that their past sins will be forgiven and they can start their life together afresh. The white of their clothing symbolizes the purity and the forgiveness of sin for which they are hoping. For this reason a similar garment is used to clothe the dead for burial. The kitel therefore also serves to remind the wearer of how brief life is, and of the necessity for atonement." (Enclyclopedia Judaica Jr.) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ (6.) "ROD" IS A SYMBOL OF AUTHORITY: ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Moses lifted up his rod and the waters of the Red Sea parted, "And thou shalt take this rod in thine hand, wherewith thou shalt do signs." (Exodus 4:17) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ (7.) MOCKERY HAS NO PLACE IN TRUE RELIGION: ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ "We believe that it is necessary for man to be placed in communication with God; that he should have revelation from him . . . I do not wonder that so many men treat religion with contempt, and regard it as something not worth the attention of intelligent beings, for without revelation religion is a mockery and a farce." (John Taylor, Gospel Kingdom, Pg.35)
	CLICK HERE FOR MAIN MENU

HOLY LANDS REVEALED
6589 South 1300 East, Suite 150, Salt Lake City, Utah 84121
(800/801) 272-RONA (7662)
Fax 801-278-4821
EMAIL
info@israelrona.com

WEBSITE
www.holylandsrevealed.com