Comments on: Hierapolis and the Gateway to Hell

By: Rory Riddler

Rory Riddler — Mon, 23 Dec 2013 21:48:11 +0000

I heard the road leading to the site was paved with good intentions.

By: Paul Ballotta

Paul Ballotta — Mon, 08 Apr 2013 00:56:51 +0000

The fact that Hierapolis is also home to the gate of Hell adds an extra dimension to the drama described in the Acts of Phillip. The lowers waters mentioned in Genesis 1:8 allude to this, as it is written in Bereshith Rabbah 4:6: “Why is that ‘it was good’ not written concerning the second day? Rabbi Yohanan said…, ‘Because on that day Hell was created…'”
To quote D’andria’s article fromm the July/August 2011 issue of BAR, p.34:
“Phillip was dispatched with his sister Mariamne and Bartholemew, another apostle with whom he is often paired, to preach in Greece, Syria and Asia Minor. In Phrygia in western Asia Minor, the threesome came to Ophiorhyme; that is, “Serpent’s Town,” so-called because the inhabitants worshipped serpents and a viper called Echidna. Images of the viper and serpents filled the town, including the serpent temple with its statue of Echidna. The preaching of Phillip and his colleages, however, brought many of the townspeople to Jesus.”
After converting Nicanora, the wife of the pagan proconsul, her husband became enraged and threatened her, being himself a snake worshipper. She urges him to convert saying, “Flee from the wicked dragon and his lusts; throw from you the works and the dart of the man-slaying serpent.” These being serpents that could not be charmed (Psalms 58:5,6), the snake-worshippers were in the grip of their desires and did not need (no) education. The Christians were persecuted and Phillip was martyred.
The words of Nicanora recall the Isrealites during their wilderness wanderings who were set upon by serpentine seraphim (Numbers 21:6) whose venom had a burning effect. So it is interesting that the sixth-century bronze bread stamp portraying the apostle Phillip, with an inscription quoting Isaiah 6:3:”Holy, holy, holy, Lord of hosts; heaven and earth are full of Thy glory”, is sung by a higher order of Seraphim who stand before God’s throne (Isaiah 6:2).

By: Allan Richardson

Allan Richardson — Sat, 06 Apr 2013 15:52:47 +0000

Also, it is ironic that Plutonium, once a lethal PLACE, is now a lethal (in more than one way) ELEMENT. I doubt that the scientific community naming the element was aware of this.

By: Allan Richardson

Allan Richardson — Sat, 06 Apr 2013 15:50:34 +0000

Several volcanic lakes around the world have occasional carbon dioxide eruptions, but this is the first CONTINUOUSLY emitting location I have heard about. As to why the natives seemed to be able to enter the lethal gas area without harm, it was probably because, being aware of the gas, they took deep breaths and held them for up to a minute. If they were breathing normally and taking in carbon dioxide, their breathing would automatically speed up, in a vicious cycle resulting in taking in more of the asphyxiating gas, then unconsciousness and death (unless they were dragged out by a rope). Also, the gas is heavier than air and has no odor.