The concept of being “out of the box” and living a principle-centered life, free from idolatry, is directly related to spiritual growth and redemption as outlined in the scriptures. This progression is particularly relevant when we consider the biblical framework of becoming spiritual Israel and building Zion, distinct from the physical or national concept of Israel. The path of spiritual development involves aligning oneself more closely with divine principles and truth, which ultimately leads to becoming God’s people, while rejecting the idolatry and worldly paradigms that distort our relationship with Him.
Jacob’s Ladder: The Ascent and Descent of Humanity
Jacob’s ladder, as a biblical metaphor, represents the spiritual ascent and descent of humanity. Just as Jacob dreamt of a ladder connecting heaven and earth, so too do individuals move between the realms of earthly sin and heavenly sanctity. The movement on this ladder can be influenced by one’s life-centered paradigms and whether they are in the box (which symbolizes a life distorted by self-centered or idolatrous thinking) or out of the box (which represents a principle-centered life focused on divine truth).
Life Paradigms and Idolatry: The Distortion of the Truth
Avraham Gileadi’s insights into The Last Days and his interpretations of Isaiah’s prophecies offer a profound understanding of how individuals are categorized based on their alignment with truth and God. The closer one is to Babylon (which symbolizes worldliness, materialism, and idolatry) or perdition (spiritual destruction), the further they are from Zion and spiritual Israel.
Gileadi’s framework uses Isaiah’s typology to outline the spiritual condition of humanity, from the lowest state of rebellion (perdition) to the highest state of spiritual purity and alignment with God (seraphim). The stages between these extremes mirror the movement up and down Jacob’s ladder, where one’s spiritual condition determines their proximity to either spiritual elevation (Zion) or degradation (Babylon).
Here’s a breakdown of this framework:
- Perdition (Bottom of the Ladder):
- Represents those who are completely disconnected from God, choosing evil and rejecting divine principles. These individuals live in rebellion, and their worldview is entirely shaped by their desires, fears, and worldly attachments. Their lives are ruled by idolatry, whether that’s in the form of power, materialism, or self-worship.
- Spiritually, these individuals are far from God and in constant spiritual danger.
- Babylon (Worldly Living):
- Represents those who live in the world, pursuing wealth, power, and pleasure. These individuals may not reject God outright, but they are heavily influenced by worldly systems and values. Their life paradigms are centered on temporary, material concerns rather than eternal, spiritual truths.
- Babylon symbolizes spiritual confusion and distraction, where people worship false gods and idols, allowing their focus to shift from God to fleeting worldly things.
- Zion (Spiritual Alignment):
- Represents the state of those who are aligned with God’s principles and are living according to divine laws. Zion is not just a physical location but a state of being where individuals have purified their lives and hearts. Spiritual Israel consists of those who have made covenants with God and strive to live in harmony with His will.
- Building Zion involves rejecting idolatry, leaving behind worldly paradigms, and living a principle-centered life where God’s truth and love are at the core. Zion is the community of the redeemed, where unity, righteousness, and justice prevail.
The Stages of Ascent and Descent on Jacob’s Ladder
As people live their lives, they move through various stages of spiritual ascent or descent based on their paradigms, values, and alignment with God’s truth. In Gileadi’s framework, these stages mirror the process of ascension up Jacob’s ladder, where each rung represents a level of spiritual growth or degeneration:
- Spiritual Israel: Those who have aligned their lives with God’s truth and principles, living in a way that reflects the divine nature. These are the individuals who are actively building Zion.
- Babylonian or Lost: Individuals who are caught up in worldly pursuits, idolizing temporary things. They are often caught in cycles of sin, materialism, and self-deception, believing that happiness lies in the world’s offerings.
- Perdition (or Complete Rejection of God): The lowest state, where individuals have entirely forsaken God and His ways, leading them to spiritual death and isolation.
The Importance of Truth in Ascending or Descending
The movement up or down Jacob’s ladder, as symbolized by spiritual Israel or Babylon, is determined by the extent to which we align ourselves with divine truth. As we come closer to God, we are exposed to greater truths and higher levels of spiritual wisdom. This truth is not just theoretical knowledge, but practical application—living the principles Christ taught and exemplifying His life.
- Out of the Box (Principle-Centered Life): Living out of the box means aligning oneself with divine truth, focusing on principles such as love, justice, humility, patience, and kindness. A principle-centered life is not about having a rigid set of beliefs or following rituals for the sake of following them; it’s about embodying the teachings of Christ and being guided by the Holy Spirit.
- Idolatry (In the Box): Living in the box refers to being trapped in distorted paradigms and idolatrous ways of thinking, where the focus is on personal gain, worldly power, and material wealth. These paradigms are driven by desires for control, prestige, and self-interest rather than divine principles. Living in the box means elevating these idols (whether career, money, or pleasure) above God and truth.
The Role of the Savior in the Ascension Process
Ultimately, Jesus Christ is the key to ascending Jacob’s ladder. His teachings, His atonement, and His example serve as the path by which we can leave the false paradigms of the world and come closer to God. Through His grace, individuals can move from the depths of perdition and Babylon to the heights of Zion, becoming spiritual Israel. This journey is not a one-time event but a lifelong process of transformation that requires discipline, repentance, and a continual focus on divine principles.
In summary, the journey from being “in the box” to living a principle-centered life is the path to spiritual growth, where we move from the distorted views of Babylon and perdition to the purity and truth of Zion. This ascent involves rejecting idolatry and embracing divine truth, ultimately becoming God’s people once again, building Zion, and living in harmony with His will.
