Silver Sunday School. We're Called to Fight Against The Ruling Class Who Feed Off Wars
How did the Incarnate One Define his Mission? Proclaiming Good News to the Poor Means Bringing Bad News for The Political Class.
Disclaimer - The Silver Academy is not a religious organization so during Silver Sunday School we are treating the Bible like a Historical Text vs promoting that the Bible is “the word of God.” (so we are not taking a position on religion or on whether The Bible is the Word of God)
Our overarching values are to respect #allcultures #allcreatures #allcolours #allfaiths
-end of disclaimer
We’re called to be Agents of Peace not Brokers of War (War Profiteers)
Jesus began his public ministry around the age of 30.
According to Luke 4:16-21, his first recorded teaching took place in the synagogue at Nazareth, where he read from the book of Isaiah: "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor..." (Luke 4:18).
This passage defined his mission to preach the gospel, proclaim freedom, and bring healing and restoration.
Jesus' ministry lasted approximately 3 years until his crucifixion around the age of 33.
Like the USA today, Rome then was in a state of constant war (Unending Wars)
The Roman government during the time of Jesus was an imperialistic regime driven by constant warfare to expand its territories and seize resources from conquered lands.
The denarius, the Roman currency, was frequently debased by reducing its silver content to fund the military campaigns and pay the vast legions of soldiers. This exploitative economic system concentrated nearly all wealth in the hands of the Roman Senate, comprising the elite 1% who grew immensely rich from the spoils of war and slave labor extracted from subjugated populations.
Akin to modern US imperialism, Rome's unending state of war aimed to forcibly open new markets, secure raw materials, and create a climate favorable to Roman business interests by toppling existing regimes and installing Roman-friendly rulers over annexed territories.
Jesus was not the sweet and passive character as commonly portrayed. He was a Political Activist and Revolutionary, (thus why he was executed)
He was crucified for:
1. Being a Political Threat (Enemy of the State)
2. And to Deter Anyone Else Who questioned or planned “actions” against the Roman Government.
3. Teaching that there is a system based on peace and prosperity for the Villagers exploited by the parasitic class.
Jesus Drives Money Changers out of The Banks (Temple)
In ancient Greek and Roman times, temples functioned like banks. Temples played a significant role in managing wealth and valuables.
In Athens:
Temples served as repositories for storing valuable offerings, treasures, and surplus funds from the city-state.
The Parthenon, dedicated to Athena, housed a massive reserve of coined money and bullion contributed by the Delian League allies during the 5th century BCE.
This temple treasury helped finance major public works and military campaigns for Athens.
In Rome:
Roman temples did not operate as institutional banks, but wealthy individuals and the state deposited funds and valuables within temple precincts for safekeeping.
The Temple of Saturn on the Roman Forum functioned as the state treasury (aerarium) where tax revenues, reserves, and spoils of war were stored.
This is Why Jesus targeted the Temple while turning over the money trading tables and driving the money changers out with a whip in hand.
Temples of major deities like Jupiter Capitolinus accumulated vast wealth through offerings and bequests over time.
Temples in both Greek and Roman societies served as secure repositories for storing and managing communal wealth, funds, and precious objects under the auspices of respective deities. Their religious sanctity afforded a level of security and accountability for these valuable assets.
Temple Architectural Specifications: Thick Concrete Walls Plus Heavy Masonry (Secure Vaults)
Silver in the Bible
Silver is mentioned 320 times in 282 verses of the King James Bible. It is most frequently mentioned in the books of Exodus and Numbers (32 times each), followed by 2 Kings and 2 Chronicles (21 times each).The main contexts in which silver is mentioned in the Bible are:
As a precious metal used for making various objects and utensils:
It was extensively used in the construction of the Tabernacle and Temple, such as for making sockets, pillars, dishes, bowls, and other vessels.
It was used for making idols and pagan objects of worship, which was condemned.
As a form of money and wealth:
It was used as a medium of exchange and a measure of value, often mentioned alongside gold.
It represented great wealth and abundance, especially during the reign of King Solomon.
In symbolic and metaphorical contexts:
It symbolized something inferior to gold but still valuable, like the silver breast and arms of the statue in Nebuchadnezzar's dream representing an inferior kingdom to Babylon.
It is used metaphorically to represent the refining and purification of people's hearts by God, likened to the refining of silver.
In fulfilling biblical prophecies:
The 30 pieces of silver paid to Judas for betraying Jesus fulfilled an Old Testament prophecy.
Silver will likely be used to purchase the "potter's field" as prophesied by Zechariah.
Silver is frequently mentioned for its practical uses and as a valuable commodity, it also carries significant symbolic meaning and plays a role in the fulfillment of biblical prophecies.
Editors Note - It’s significant to note that I couldn’t find one mention of Bitcoin in the Bible nor any mentions of satellites, space stations, nuclear bombs, AI, solar energy, hydrogen fuel cell catalyst, or torpedoes. There were many mentions of the word war however.
Join us next week for Silver Sunday School.
We’re also happy to keep you updated
The graphic novel titled “Tarnished Crown, A chronicle of Silver Wars & Paper Promises”
The first draft is off to the illustrator and set for a book release by end of Summer 2024
Thank you for the very interesting perspective!