SIBYLS (FEMALE PROPHETS)
A Sybil was a pagan prophetess from antiquity, and though not a figure within the biblical text, early Christians and some Jewish writers believed that the Sibylline Oracles—a collection of prophetic writings attributed to these Sybils—contained authentic prophecies of the coming of Christ and other biblical events. These Sybils were revered in the ancient world as having divine insight, and their oracles, particularly those with Jewish and Christian themes, were seen by some as divinely inspired, parallel to Old Testament prophets.
Who were the Sybils?
Ancient Prophetesses: The term "Sybil" comes from the Greek word sibylla, meaning "prophetess". They were women who prophesied under the inspiration of a deity at holy sites, their pronouncements often obscure and cryptic.
Pagan and Jewish Connections: While originating in Greek and Roman antiquity, the concept of Sibyls and their prophecies was also embraced within Hellenistic Judaism. Traditions even linked the first Sibyl to Noah's family.
Sybil's Role in Christianity
Foreseeing Christ: Early Christian writers, like Lactantius and Clement of Alexandria, saw the Sibyls as prophetesses whose oracles foresaw important events, including the birth and coming of Jesus Christ.
Pagan Evidence for Christian Truth: The Sibyls' prophecies were used to demonstrate to pagans that even their own sacred texts contained evidence of Christ's arrival.
Sibylline Oracles: The collective works of these prophetesses, the Sibylline Oracles, became a source of inspiration for early Christian writers, with some books of the Oracles being considered a mix of Jewish and Christian themes.
Legacy
Artistic Depiction: Sibyls were often depicted in Christian art alongside Old Testament prophets, symbolizing the divine revelation of Christ occurring even among the pagan world.
Inspiration for Later Works: The concept of the Sybil's prophecy continued through the medieval period, influencing Christian thinkers and art.
This Link goes deep into the history of Sibyls and there contribution to Christianity and the coming of Christ: The images are part of Michaelgo's Sistine chapel which I personally saw a rendition of in Brooklyn. It was a breath taking exhibition.
PROPHETS (Males)
In the Bible, God chose prophets to deliver His messages. These messages often contained warnings, instructions, and promises. While some prophets received visions or spoke directly with God, others communicated through dreams or symbolic actions. In the Old Testament, prophets held particular significance, serving as God’s messengers to the Israelites. Their messages are sometimes called "prophecy" and remain central to today's Christian faith.
Hmmm, that sounds a LOT like intuitive divination!
Major Prophets: Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Daniel
Minor Prophets : Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi
Other Prophets : Elijah, Elisha, Samuel, Nathan, Moses, Balaam, Deborah, Gad, Miriam, John the Baptist, Anna, Agabus
Source Link: https://watermarkwaves.com/blogs/explore-the-bible/list-of-all-prophet-names-in-the-bible-and-their-role
BIBLE PASSAGES: WHAT THEY MEANT VS WHAT THEY ARE (MISUNDERSTANDING OVER MEANINGS)
Key Bible Verses on Divination & Occult Practices:
Deuteronomy 18:10-12: "Let no one be found among you who... practices divination or sorcery, interprets omens, engages in witchcraft, or casts spells, or who is a medium or spiritist or who consults the dead. Anyone who does these things is detestable to the Lord". WHY is it detestable? Deuteronomy 18:10-12 says: Let No one be found among you, who sacrifices their son or daughter in fire, who practices divination or sorcery, interprets omens, engages in witchcraft, or casts spells, or who is a medium or spiritist, or who consults the dead. YES, burning your children BAD is NOT the same as reading pieces of cardboard or looking at the sky clouds and interpreting messages!
Leviticus 19:31: "Do not turn to mediums or seek out spiritists, for you will be defiled by them. I am the Lord your God". Do not turn to mediums or necromancers; do not seek them out, and so make yourselves unclean by them: I am the LORD your God. YES, certain spirits are not "good" but divination connects to YOUR HIGHER ENERGY.
Isaiah 8:19-20: "Should not a people inquire of their God? Why consult the dead on behalf of the living? To the law and to the testimony! If they do not speak according to this word, they have no light of dawn" (suggesting God's Word as the true guide). IF they do not speak, you mean AGREE with alive people? Okay, so it's about control, got it!
Galatians 5:19-21: Lists "witchcraft" as a work of the flesh that prevents inheriting the kingdom of God. 19* Now the works of the flesh are obvious: immorality, impurity, licentiousness, 20 idolatry, sorcery, hatreds, rivalry, jealousy, outbursts of fury, acts of selfishness, dissensions, factions, 21occasions of envy,* drinking bouts, orgies, and the like. I mean, theres a LOT going on in these passages! But Divination are works of the SPIRIT NOT THE FLESH. The "like"?
Acts 16:16-18: Paul casts out a spirit of divination from a slave girl, showing divination connected to evil spirits. 16 Once when we were going to the place of prayer, we were met by a female slave who had a spirit by which she predicted the future. She earned a great deal of money for her owners by fortune-telling. 17 She followed Paul and the rest of us, shouting, “These men are servants of the Most High God, who are telling you the way to be saved.” 18 She kept this up for many days. Finally Paul became so annoyed that he turned around and said to the spirit, “In the name of Jesus Christ I command you to come out of her!” At that moment the spirit left her. SO THEY GOT HER FIRED? Because they were annoyed she and the spirit were supporting them as servants of the Gd that would save others?
1 Samuel 15:23: "For rebellion is like the sin of divination, and arrogance like the evil of idolatry". 22 But Samuel declared: “Does the LORD delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obedience to His voice? Behold, obedience is better than sacrifice, and attentiveness is better than the fat of rams. 23For rebellion is like the sin of divination, and arrogance is like the wickedness of idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the LORD, He has rejected you as king.” Um...I'm confused here. What does rebellion have to do with divination? WAIT...WAIT... But obedience is BETTER THAN sacrifice? So KILLING IN THE NAME OF the LORD is OKAY? Who are we killing?????