Description of Heaven in the Bible
No matter how hard we tried, we could not find more or less detailed descriptions of Paradise as the eternal abode of happiness in the Russian translation of the Bible. This is probably due, first of all, to problems with the correct translation of some words and terms in the Aramaic and Greek languages, as well as the complexity of the semantic interpretation of texts. There are only various references: “For we know that although our earthly house, this tent, is destroyed, we have a building from God in heaven, a house not made with hands, eternal” (2 Cor. 5:1), “I have not seen it the eye did not hear, the ear did not hear, and the things that God had prepared [in Paradise] for those who loved Him did not enter into the heart of man” (1 Cor. 2:9), “I know a man in Christ who, fourteen years ago, whether in the body - I don’t know, whether outside the body - I don’t know: God knows - he was caught up to the third heaven. And I know about such a man <...> that he was caught up into paradise and heard unspeakable words, which it is impossible for a man to utter" (2 Cor. 12:2-4), "At that time the disciples came to Jesus and said: who is greater in the kingdom of heaven? Jesus, calling a child, placed him in the midst of them and said: “Truly I say to you, unless you are converted and become like children, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 18:1-3).
Something interesting about Eden
Paradise is not only a place where righteous souls go after death, but, according to Scripture, it is also the starting point of human history. It was from Eden that Adam and Eve were once expelled. Scientists and theologians have been trying for centuries to figure out where the Garden of Eden was located.
Most researchers believe that Eden was located in Mesopotamia, where the Sumerian civilization once flourished. Some insist on the Caucasus, others on the Indian territories between the Indus and the Ganges. Supporters of the African origin of the first man are looking for traces of Eden on the Black Continent (by the way, the Vatican agrees with them).
But there are also alternative, sometimes unexpected theories. Thus, a number of scientists propose to consider Antarctica as the location of the “earthly paradise”. Calculations of planetary fields - magnetic and energy information - suggest that in ancient times the climate on this icy continent was completely different from what it is today.
In addition, ferns and mushrooms have been found in Antarctica. And geothermal springs have been discovered under the ice. This hypothesis is also supported by the activity that scientists from the Nazi Annenerbe showed in this area. Admiral Dennitsa’s report has even been preserved. In it, he notified the Fuhrer that submariners had found a passage to “earthly paradise” off the coast of Antarctica.
Confirming or refuting this theory is complicated by the fact that on the sixth continent, natural conditions are extremely difficult for research all year round. And mankind does not yet have equipment capable of breaking through tens of kilometers of ice.
If traces of the ancient Garden of Eden are found, humanity can learn a lot about its history. Perhaps most of our ideas about the past do not correspond to reality at all. Until the second half of the twentieth century, it never occurred to anyone to move the search point for the Garden of Eden so far to the south.
Description of Paradise in the Koran and Hadith
I [says the Lord of the worlds] have prepared for the righteous (for My servants)
what eyes have never seen, ears have never heard,
but human consciousness cannot even imagine such a thing [1].
Initially, it is important to stipulate that the Koranic text gives only a general idea of the heavenly abode, and in a form that is understandable to any person, regardless of the time in which he lives, regardless of his education, erudition, culture or wealth. The Koran was revealed in an earthly language; it conveys to people information about worldly and eternal values in a form accessible to them.
The Koran says:
“Give joy [O Muhammad] to the believers who do good deeds! For them [in the eternal abode are prepared] the Gardens of Eden, where rivers flow [near trees, bushes and beautiful palaces, calmly and serenely]. Each time they are given fruit from the Garden of Eden, they will be surprised: “This is the same as what was provided to us earlier. [We’ve already eaten something similar].” And they will only be given something that is similar [in certain characteristics, but in essence, tastes completely different]” (see Holy Quran, 2:25).
The companion of the Prophet Muhammad Ibn 'Abbas said: “If there is anything in the worldly abode that can relate to paradise, then these are only names.”[2]. Everything there is completely different than we can imagine.
“[Even] the human soul [with its metaphysical beginning and incredible capabilities in terms of sensations, impressions and fantasies, not to mention the human mind and understanding] does not know what is hidden [awaits the righteous] from [unearthly] joys as a reward for those good deeds that are performed [by people in the worldly abode]" (Holy Quran, 32:17).
There are no limits to your wishes. In Paradise, all the taste, sound, moral, aesthetic and other needs of its inhabitants will be satisfied.
“Truly, for those who believed and did good deeds, the beautiful gardens of Firdavs were prepared as “ceremonial” guest apartments[3]. [Even the most unrestrained and desperate dreamer, skillful speaker, outstanding artist or musician is unable to imagine, imagine and describe their beauty. This is far beyond the limits of worldly fantasy and imagination.] They are there forever, and [by the way] they will never have a desire to leave this abode (they will never want to exchange it for anything)” (Holy Quran, 18:107, 108).
Heaven exists - what do researchers and those who have “visited” explain?
With the development of resuscitation and the acquisition of the ability to pump out people in a state of clinical death, indirect evidence has appeared that heaven is not a fairy tale. As atheists say, “there’s something there.”
Up to 20 percent of people whom doctors were able to bring out of a coma talked about a tunnel, a light, where they were drawn, a door or a gate. From the threshold of which the patients were “turned away” by resuscitators.
Added to the visual impressions was a feeling of serenity and anticipation of the upcoming entry. Scientists have tried to explain these memories as processes of brain dying. They say that at this time the patient loses vision and ceases to see peripheral zones. And the “spotlight” visible to him is the central point, still accessible to the eyes that are switching off.
But many researchers strongly disagree with this interpretation. Thus, the Belgian neurologist Steven Laureys, who has headed the Coma Science Group in Liege for many years, talked with each person rescued.
According to the tests that patients underwent, the emotions they experience when encountering light are many times stronger than anything that people have encountered during their lives. The doctor cannot explain this surge by dying alone. He does not undertake to explain why the majority of people who have been brought out of clinical death, in principle, cease to be afraid of death.
The data obtained from resuscitated blind people is also interesting. Among them were those who were blind from birth. However, they also saw the light and the entrance. Orthodox science cannot explain how blind people, who by definition cannot see, could visualize images, and in such detail. Oxygen deficiency definitely has nothing to do with it.
But the case of a 4-year-old boy who experienced clinical death and delighted his parents and doctors with stories about angels is completely unique. This is despite the fact that I grew up in a family of atheists and never heard about these creatures from anyone.
In addition, he told about his meeting with his sister. And she died in childbirth long before the boy was born. Of course, the parents, so as not to traumatize their son, did not tell him about the dead girl. Too unexpected a topic for hallucinations, isn't it?
Paradise luxury
“They will enter the gardens of 'Adna (Eden) [permanent, endless], near which the [paradise] rivers flow. There awaits them everything they want [dolce vita[7], life in absolute ecstasy[8]: a palace or a modest, cozy gatehouse; interior design for every taste; life in a metropolis or endless flowering fields; transport of any model and configuration; tennis courts and transparent swimming pools; exotic fruits or such native jacket potatoes with sauerkraut... Moreover, only the names are similar to the mundane, but the taste and all the facets of the enchanting splendor simply cannot be described. This is eternal Paradise]. In a similar way [incredibly generous and beautiful] Allah (God, Lord) rewards pious people [for the fact that they believed in Him during earthly life, tried to follow what was prescribed, and avoided what was clearly forbidden]” (Holy Quran, 16: 31).
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“They decorate themselves there [if they wish] with gold jewelry and put on robes [for example] of green color, woven from thin silk fabric or brocade[9]. They [have the opportunity] to sit on sofas (seats) [of unimaginable beauty and comfort]. A better reward [than what awaits people in the heavenly abode] does not exist [neither in the worldly nor in the eternal], something more comfortable and luxurious cannot be found anywhere” (see Holy Quran, 18:31).
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“[They will have the opportunity] to sit on [the most comfortable, luxurious] beds [in the shade] and look [at the endless expanses of Paradise, admiring them, experiencing indescribable feelings and receiving indescribable sensations]. You will see on their faces the freshness (blush, shine) of bliss [a sign of absolute health and complete happiness]” (Holy Quran, 83:23, 24).
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“There are seats raised [high, and therefore, sitting on them, you see the magnificent endless expanse of heavenly space] <...> [There are] carpets laid out [complementing beauty and comfort]” (Holy Quran, 88:13, 16) .
“They and their wives[10] are leaning on their couches in the shade [they do not rush or fuss anywhere]” (Holy Quran, 36:56).
TING IN THE FLESH
I can’t ignore Pavel’s personality.
What Paul saw and heard in his vision of heaven could not be retold. This could mean that in order to strengthen Paul for his special mission in the sufferings that he had to endure. The Lord gave him a vision of future glory, part of which he was forbidden to reveal to others.
But it is also possible that the glory of heaven cannot be described in human language, just as the idea of flowers cannot be conveyed to a person who is born blind.
Apostle Paul
There are many different opinions on what this could mean. According to the general opinion, which seems most fair to us, it was chronic ophthalmia, an eye disease that caused severe pain and sometimes made his appearance repulsive.
7 And so that I would not become exalted by the extraordinaryness of the revelations, a thorn was given to me in the flesh, an angel of Satan, to buffet me, so that I would not become exalted. (2 Cor. 12:7)
This conclusion can be drawn from the language in which Paul's Epistles are written.
This happened to him 14 years before he wrote this letter, that is, about the time Paul arrived in Galatia, during his first missionary journey.
His coming to Galatia was caused by some kind of physical weakness,
13 You know that, [even though] I preached the gospel to you the first time in the weakness of the flesh (Gal. 4:13)
which gave him a repulsive appearance that made people in his presence painfully uncomfortable.
14 But you did not despise my temptation in my flesh and did not abhor [it], but received me as an Angel of God, as Christ Jesus. (Gal.4:14)
They would have given him their own eyes (Gal. 4:15).
15 How blessed you were! I testify about you that, if it had been possible, you would have plucked out your eyes and given them to me. (Gal.4:15)
Why eyes? Because, obviously, the disease affected the eyes.
Large handwriting, characteristic of Pavel,
11 You see how much I have written to you with my own hand. (Gal.6:11)
may have been a result of his poor eyesight. This could also be the reason that he dictated some of his messages to his assistants.
Heaven, third heaven and soul
Paradise Gardens
“Truly, the devout [who shunned the obviously forbidden in the worldly monastery and fulfilled the obligatory to the best of their ability] were destined for a place of success (victory) [the heavenly abode]; gardens and vineyards <...> [All this, like many other things that cannot be described in earthly words, is] a reward from the Lord, which is a [comprehensively] complete [not boring in its diversity and all-satisfying, generous] gift” (St. Koran, 78:31, 32, 36).
The Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of the Creator) said: “The two gardens of paradise are all made of silver, and the other two gardens of paradise are all made of gold [neither silver nor the gold mentioned here have anything in common with two valuable metals of earthly origin] . Between the inhabitants of the gardens and the opportunity to look at the face of the Lord [which is not commensurate with any matter, incomparable with anything] is a veil of [God's] greatness, in the garden of 'Adna (Eden)"[11].
The Koran says:
“The heavenly abode promised to pious people is like a [magnificent] garden along which rivers flow. Food (fruits, harvest) is constant [there are no such phenomena or even concepts as “drought”, “flood”, “out of season” and the like]. The shadow [is also] constant [there is a place to bask, hidden from the beautiful heavenly luminary. There will be no earthly sun there. It is likely that at each level there will be something different that illuminates and bestows grace]. This is the result of [a graciously and fruitfully lived worldly life] of pious people. The result of the unbelievers [those who never believed in God and did not become bearers of the tenets of faith throughout their entire lives] is Hell” (Holy Koran, 13:35).
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“[The inhabitants of Paradise] will not see there either the sun [with scorching rays], or cold [such concepts as cold or heat simply will not exist there]” (see Holy Quran, 76:13).
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“Allah (God, Lord) made a promise to believing men and women that their abode in eternity will be the gardens of paradise, under which rivers flow, and the beautiful palaces in the gardens of 'Adna (Eden), they will remain there forever. But the fact that the Almighty will be pleased with them is much more for them [hidden in this is an indescribable grace that cannot be compared either with the gardens of Eden or with palaces]. This [the result of a life lived creatively and well] is a huge success! [This triumph cannot be compared with any other]” (Holy Quran, 9:72).
SKY, SKY
In the Bible, the Hebrew word shamayim , like the Greek ouranos , means visible and invisible Heaven.
Integrity of the visible
Heaven and earth, when mentioned together, denote the integrity of the visible, God- CREATED WORLD (Gen. 1:1; Ps. 73:25; 120:2).
1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. (Gen.1:1)
25 Who is in heaven for me? and with You I want nothing on earth. (Ps. 73:25)
2 My help comes from the Lord, who created heaven and earth. (Ps. 121:2)
Heaven in the Old Testament is seen as a large tent stretched over the earth (Ps. 103:2; Is. 40:22, etc.), which one day, on the Day of Judgment, will be rolled up “like a scroll” (Is. 34:4; Rev. 6:13, etc.) track.).
Along with this, there is another idea, according to which Heaven is:
- like a vault of crystal (Eze 1:22),
- mirror (Job 37:18)
- or made of pure sapphire (Exodus 24:10).
Characteristics of Heaven
- this arch rests on the highest mountains as support pillars (Job 26:11).
- it has gates, doors (Gen 28:17; Ps 78:23)
- and windows (Gen 7:11; 8:2; 2 Kings 7:2,19; Isa 24:18),
- through which the Lord sends rain, snow, hail and lightning (Job 38:25), as well as His blessing (Mal 3:10).
- from here manna from heaven rained down on the earth (Ps. 77:23 et seq.).
- the sun and stars make their way across the sky (Genesis 15:5; Joshua 10:13; Job 9:9, etc.).
- The heavens also include the air space where birds fly (Gen. 1:26; Matt. 6:26, etc.).
One day Heaven, like the earth, will cease to exist (Ps 101:26ff; Isa 51:6; Matt 24:35), giving way to a new creation.
17 For behold, I am creating a new heaven and a new earth, and the former will no longer be remembered and come to the heart. (Isa.65:17)
10 But the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night, and then the heavens will pass away with a noise, and the elements will be destroyed with burning fire, and the earth and all the works on it will be burned up. 11 If all this is destroyed in this way, what kind of holy life and piety should you be, 12 looking for and desiring the coming of the day of God, in which the heavens will be on fire and the elements will melt? 13 However, according to His promise, we look forward to new heavens and a new earth, in which righteousness dwells. (2 Peter 3:10-13)
Dwelling of God
+ 1) The Bible, which views Heaven as the Dwelling House of GOD (Ps 2:4; 13:2; 113:11; Is 63:15; Mt 6:9), calls the firmament the throne of the Lord, and the earth His footstool (Is 66: 1; Matthew 5:34ff; 23:22; Acts 7:49).
However, the ubiquitous presence of God destroys human concepts of space,
27 Truly, shall God live on earth? Heaven and the heaven of heavens cannot contain You, much less this temple that I have built. (1 Kings 8:27)
7 Where can I go from Your Spirit, and where can I flee from Your presence? 8 If I ascend to heaven, You are there; If I go down to the underworld, you will be there too. (Ps. 139:7,8ff.)
although the visible Sky is firmly established in human imagination as the image of the invisible Sky.
16 For by Him were all things created, that are in heaven and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers—all things were created by Him and for Him; (Col. 1:16)
Reports of the appearance of angels (Gen. 18:2; Josh. 5:13) and of the resurrected Jesus (John 20:19,26) suggest that God's heaven is in contact with our material world.
Compare the cloud that overshadows Him during the transfiguration of Jesus, and during the Ascension it covers Him from the eyes of the disciples, Matthew 17:5; Acts 1:9.
5 While he was still speaking, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them; and behold, a voice from the cloud said: This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; Listen to him. (Matt. 17:5)
9 Having said this, He rose up before their eyes, and a cloud took Him out of their sight. (Acts 1:9)
The sky in its essence is something different, different from the visible firmament; here there is the invisible world of God in contrast to the visible world of man;
+ 2) the dwelling of God is at the same time the eternal homeland of Christ .
- He came down from heaven (John 3:13,31)
- and after the resurrection he returned there (Mark 16:19; Luke 24:51; Acts 1:9ff.).
- He is seated at the right hand of God (Mark 16:19; Heb 1:3)
- and someday will come to earth again (Matthew 24:30; Acts 1:11; 1 Thessalonians 4:16; Rev 1:7);
+ 3) Heaven is also the place where angels reside (Matt. 18:10; Rev. 7:11; 15:5ff., etc.); Satan was cast out of Heaven (Luke 10:18; Rev 12:7-9);
+ 4) Heaven will one day become the dwelling place of the saved (John 14:2-4; 17:24; 1 Thessalonians 4:17; Rev 7:9-17) - those whose names are written in heaven (Luke 10:20; Heb 12:23 ).
- Here they will live (Phil 3:20),
- here is their treasure (Matthew 6:20),
- their reward (Matt 5:12)
- and their inheritance (1 Peter 1:4).
The Bible understands this place as a place of glory ,
10 For it was fitting that He, for whom are all things and from whom are all things, bringing many sons to glory, should make the leader of their salvation through suffering. (Heb. 2:10)
where perfection and beauty inaccessible to the human mind will reign.
1 And I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. (Rev.21:1)
5 And there will be no night there, and they will have no need of a lamp or the light of the sun, for the Lord God gives light to them; and they will reign forever and ever. (Rev.22:5)
- Life (1 Tim 4:8),
- serving God (Rev 22:3),
- worship of God (Rev 5:9-14; 11:15-18; 12:10 et seq.)
- and glory (2 Cor 4:17) will endure forever.
Heavenly space
According to the ideas of the Old Testament Jews, there were several HEAVENLY SPACES [Heb. shamayim - pl. number in the absence of units); in later Judaism there were seven.
Related article: Jesus preached in hell for three days when he was dead?
The Bible does not speak about this number of heavens; Paul mentions only the “third heaven” (2 Cor 12:2-4).
The book of Hebrews not only tells us that Christ, “exalted above the heavens,” is “seated at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens,”
26 This is what our High Priest should be: holy, free from evil, blameless, separated from sinners and exalted above the heavens (Heb. 7:26)
1 Now the main point of what we are talking about is this: we have such a High Priest, who is seated at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in heaven (Heb. 8:1)
but also that He, being the great High Priest, “passed through the heavens”
14 Therefore, since we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. (Hebrews 4:14)
and entered “into heaven itself, to appear now for us before the face of God.”
24 For Christ did not enter into the sanctuary made with hands, after the image of the true [formed], but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us (Heb. 9:24)
God of heaven
In the New Testament, the word “heaven” is used to mean “God of heaven,” or “God (who revealed Himself) from heaven.”
25 Where did the baptism of John come from: from heaven, or from men? They reasoned among themselves: if we say: from heaven, then He will tell us: why didn’t you believe him? (Matt. 21:25)
31 They reasoned among themselves: If we say: from heaven, then He will say: Why didn’t you believe him? (Mark 11:31)
18 I will get up and go to my father and say to him: Father! I have sinned against heaven and before you (Luke 15:18)
Fragrance of Paradise
Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of God be upon him) said: “[If compared with earthly distances and the laws of physics, then] the smell of Paradise (paradise incense) is fully felt at a distance of a hundred years’ journey!”[12].
“And if a person [as a result of his earthly beliefs, haste in the good and righteous; in the ability to realize and materialize the possibilities given by God in the best creative way] was one of those close [to God on the Day of Judgment, close to His mercy and generosity], then [starting from the moment the soul leaves the body, peace awaits him (joy, mercy) and a pleasant aroma [a wonderful destiny], as well as the gardens of paradise [after the Day of Judgment]” (Holy Quran, 56:88, 89).
Concept of the term
Photo: Temples.ru
The word “paradise” came to us from the Persian language; literally translated it means “garden”. This was the original name given to the dwelling of the very first man, described in the Old Testament book of Genesis.
Paradise for the first people on Earth (Adam and Eve) appears before us in two forms. On the one hand, it is a blissful home for the human physical body. At the same time, we are also talking about spiritual paradise, which means the bliss that comes from communion with the Lord.
Also, paradise is understood as a blissful dwelling in which the righteous should find themselves after the Last Judgment takes place over all people.
Paradise rivers and seas
The Prophet Muhammad said: “The rivers (streams) in Paradise originate from under the hills and mountains, saturated with wonderful incense [which cannot be compared even with the most expensive earthly perfume, perfume]”[13].
“There is a spring [constantly] flowing [many springs, for every taste]” (Holy Quran, 88:12).
The Prophet Muhammad said: “In the Garden of Eden [in each of them] there is a sea of water, a sea of honey, a sea of milk and a sea of wine, and [many other] rivers originate from there.”[14]
The Koran says:
“[If you try] to liken something to the Gardens of Eden, prepared for the devout, then these are places whose river water never spoils [does not stagnate; its wonderful taste, smell or color does not change]. [Ibid.] rivers of milk that does not sour; rivers of wine, the taste of which is [incredibly] wonderful to drinkers [unlike worldly alcoholic drinks]; [in the Gardens of Eden there are also] rivers of honey, pure, purified honey. For the inhabitants of Paradise - any fruit [the variety and abundance of varieties is endless]. [With them] God’s forgiveness granted to them [previously, before entering Paradise...] [The Almighty is both generous to them and pleased with them]” (see Holy Quran, 47:15).
For the mundane human consciousness, regardless of time, place, mentality or tradition, these four sources satisfy basic human needs: the need for drinking water, nourishment of the body (milk), pleasure (wine) and healing (honey).
Of course, heavenly water is in no way comparable to even the purest spring water on earth; the best varieties of high-mountain honey are not even close to heavenly; milk cannot be compared with fresh cow or goat milk, not to mention store-bought “3.2%”; wine, even the most expensive and long-aged, is no match for heaven. And there is no talk of drunken gatherings in Paradise. Heaven is a place where lack of culture, and especially drunkenness, is simply absent. Do not forget: “If there is anything in the worldly monastery that can relate to the heavenly one, then these are only names.”
Some details about heavenly wine:
“The wine that comes straight from the ground and is provided to the inhabitants of Paradise is incredibly pure [there is no sediment or any impurities], and it is a real pleasure for those who drink it. There is no alcohol in it [nothing that would harm or destroy, like worldly alcoholic drinks], and people are not exhausted from it [intellectually or physically; do not get drunk, do not lose understanding or reason]” (Holy Koran, 37:45–47);
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“The inhabitants of Paradise will not experience headaches from the wine of Paradise and will not get drunk” (Holy Quran, 56:19).
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“To drink they [the inhabitants of Paradise] will be served [a drink] rakhik [wonderful, non-intoxicating, in which there are no artificial impurities], sealed [in vessels]. The aftertaste from it is [comparable to] misk (musk) [the best aromas of earthly life]. [But before you get there and plunge into all this endless and boring pleasure, you should try to earn it, and therefore] let those competing [in who is better, more skillful and sincere in good deeds and deeds][15]. The temperament (“disposition”) of this drink [is supplemented] from tasnim - a source available [in its pure form] only to those close to us [not to all the inhabitants of Paradise]” (Holy Quran, 83:25–28).
SOUL
Soul - most often means life, the properties of a living creature, both animal and human, but sometimes in relation to a person it means the properties of his immortal spirit, which cannot be killed.
28 And do not be afraid of those who kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul; but fear Him more who can destroy both soul and body in Gehenna. (Matt. 10:28)
Sometimes this word denotes a character trait and state of mind
32 And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and one soul; and no one called anything of his property his own, but they had everything in common. (Acts 4:32)
or just a person, a person.
13 Javan, Tubal, and Meshech traded with you, exchanging your goods for human souls and copper vessels. (Ezek.27:13)
41 So those who gladly accepted his word were baptized, and that day about three thousand souls were added. (Acts 2:41)
13 cinnamon and incense, and myrrh and frankincense, and wine and oil, and flour and wheat, and cattle and sheep, and horses and chariots, and the bodies and souls of men. (Rev. 18:13)
