·
www.yourdictionary.com/allusion
The definition
of an allusion is a statement that hints at something rather than being
direct.
·
www.scribd.com/doc/28096170
Allusions
in this volume are drawn from a wide range of sources, including Shakespeare
and the Bible; Greek, Roman, Norse, and other types of mythology; literary ...
·
https://www.vocabulary.com/dictionary/allusion
Definition of allusion:
That little nod to a Dylan Thomas poem that you sneaked into your PowerPoint
presentation? That was an allusion, a quick reference to ...
We learn, from Hoyt, that John’s book, Revelation, is chock
full of allusions, in fact more than one thousand, over five hundred of which
come from the Old Testament. If we want
to understand what John is writing about, it is therefore helpful if we know
the Old Testament, especially the prophets Daniel, Ezekiel, Jeremiah, Isaiah,
Joel, and Zechariah.
We might also want to be familiar with the “tabernacle” or “tent
of meeting” (see Ex 25-30) and its associated symbols i.e. sanctuary, altar,
ark, cherubim, mercy seat, candlesticks, curtains, pillars. Perhaps Moses used these symbols to help the
former slaves, now freed from Egyptian rulers, to establish a sense of identity
and to relate to their God.
Here’s some information about the whole set-up and its
significance to the fleeing Israelites.
1.
There was a four-sided wooden structure surrounding
the inner tent, made of wood (acacia – also known as mimosa or shittem) and
covered with cloth or curtains. It had just
one entrance (see Matt 7:14 and John 10:9) and symbolised the first step to
spiritual communion and the desire of the worshipper to enter into the presence
of God.
2.
Inside the curtained walls was the square altar
of burnt offering (bullock, lamb, or goats were offered). Golden bowls collected the blood. This all indicated a willingness to give up
valuable material possessions and to go forward to communion.
3.
Further on was the laver, a bronze basin where
priests washed their hands after the sacrifice.
It represents purification of thought.
(Solomon’s laver was so enormous it was held up by 12 bronze oxen. It was called the “glassy sea” or the “molten
sea” – it was like a reflecting pool! The priests had to climb ladders to reach
it!
4.
Now we reach inner Tabernacle, an enclosure of
two rooms: The Holy Place and the Holy of
Holies.
5.
In the Holy Place, on the left was the seven
branched golden lampstand (candlestick), always lit when the people were at camp.
6.
On the right was the table of “shew bread” (twelve
tablets of unleavened bread “for show”, representing that the twelve tribes of
Israel were fed by manna in the wilderness).
7.
Straight ahead was the Altar of Incense, a small
golden altar from which emanated a fragrant aroma signifying gratitude. The golden altar had four horns, indicating
strength.
8.
Beyond the Holy Place and separated by a curtain
was the Holy of Holies in which was kept the Ark of the Covenant, a little
house, made of acacia wood and covered with gold, containing the tablets of the
Law, Aaron’s rod, and some of the manna of the wilderness. Its lid was called the Mercy Seat and on top
of the lid were two figures, six-winged cherubim or seraphim. (Cherubims were winged figures which stood
for wisdom and intelligence. Isaiah chapter six describes “the seraphims” with
six wings each: two covering the face, two the feet, two for flight. Hoyt tells us that the expression “cover”
here means “to protect” and suggests that the imagery indicates protected
vision, protected understanding and protected activity! How good is that?
Thus we see there are seven steps to communion:
1.
Desire to enter
2.
Willingness to give up material interests
3.
Purification of thought
4.
Spiritual illumination ever-present
5.
Spiritual sustainment ever-present
6.
Gratitude
7.
Communion
I love how our hymns indicate that the symbols disappear as
we progress – see hymns 108 and 170.
And Mary Baker Eddy speaks of “Seraphic symbols” in Science
and Health p. 512: “Spirit is symbolized by strength, presence, and power, and
also by holy thoughts, winged with Love…”
And in the following passage we read about communion -
May
this sacrifice bring to your beloved church a vision of the new church, that
cometh down from heaven, whose altar is a loving heart, whose communion
is fellowship with saints and angels.
Julie Swannell
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