Topical Encyclopedia
Definition and ContextEcstasy, in a biblical context, refers to a state of being carried away by overwhelming emotion or a spiritual experience that transcends normal consciousness. This term is often associated with prophetic visions, divine revelations, or intense spiritual encounters. In the Bible, ecstasy is not explicitly named as such, but the experiences described align with what might be understood as ecstatic states.
Biblical InstancesSeveral instances in the Bible depict individuals experiencing what could be described as ecstasy. These experiences often occur during divine revelations or prophetic visions, where individuals are transported beyond their ordinary state of awareness.
1.
Prophetic Visions: The prophets of the Old Testament frequently experienced visions that could be considered ecstatic. For example, Ezekiel's visions are vivid and otherworldly, suggesting a state of ecstasy. In
Ezekiel 1:1, the prophet describes the heavens opening and seeing visions of God: "In the thirtieth year, in the fourth month on the fifth day, while I was among the exiles by the Kebar River, the heavens were opened and I saw visions of God."
2.
Apostolic Experiences: In the New Testament, the Apostle Paul describes an experience that aligns with ecstasy. In
2 Corinthians 12:2-4, Paul recounts being caught up to the third heaven: "I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven. Whether it was in the body or out of the body I do not know—God knows. And I know that this man—whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, but God knows—was caught up to Paradise and heard inexpressible things, things that no one is permitted to tell."
3.
John's Revelation: The Apostle John, while on the island of Patmos, received the visions recorded in the Book of Revelation. In
Revelation 1:10, John states, "On the Lord’s day I was in the Spirit, and I heard behind me a loud voice like a trumpet." This experience of being "in the Spirit" suggests an ecstatic state where John received divine revelation.
Theological ImplicationsEcstasy in the Bible is often associated with a deeper communion with God, where individuals receive divine messages or insights. These experiences are typically characterized by a heightened spiritual awareness and a temporary departure from ordinary perception. Theologically, such states are seen as gifts from God, allowing chosen individuals to receive and convey His messages to His people.
Cautions and ConsiderationsWhile ecstatic experiences are documented in the Bible, they are approached with caution within the Christian tradition. Discernment is necessary to ensure that such experiences align with biblical truth and are genuinely from God. The Apostle John advises believers to "test the spirits to see whether they are from God" (1
John 4:1), emphasizing the need for spiritual discernment.
ConclusionEcstasy, as depicted in the Bible, serves as a means through which God communicates with His prophets and apostles, providing them with visions and revelations that transcend ordinary human experience. These experiences underscore the profound and mysterious ways in which God interacts with His creation, offering glimpses of His divine will and purpose.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
n.) Excessive joy or enthusiasm; rapture; enthusiastic delight.
2. (n.) The state of being beside one's self or rapt out of one's self; a state in which the mind is elevated above the reach of ordinary impressions, as when under the influence of overpowering emotion; an extraordinary elevation of the spirit, as when the soul, unconscious of sensible objects, is supposed to contemplate heavenly mysteries.
3. (n.) Violent distraction of mind; violent emotion; excessive grief of anxiety; insanity; madness.
4. (n.) A state which consists in total suspension of sensibility, of voluntary motion, and largely of mental power. The body is erect and inflexible; the pulsation and breathing are not affected.
5. (v. t.) To fill ecstasy, or with rapture or enthusiasm.
Greek
1611. ekstasis -- a displacement (of the mind), ie bewilderment...... a displacement (of the mind), ie bewilderment,
ecstasy. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine
Transliteration: ekstasis Phonetic Spelling: (ek'-stas-is) Short
...Library
WhetherEcstasy is an Effect of Love?
... OF THE EFFECTS OF LOVE (SIX ARTICLES) Whetherecstasy is an effect of love? Objection
1: It would seem thatecstasy is not an effect of love....
AnEcstasy
... The Treasury of Sacred Song. Book First CXL ANECSTASY. Lord, when the sense
of Thy sweet grace Sends up my soul to seek Thy face,....
Of anEcstasy which came to Brother Bernard, and How He Remained...
... HERE BEGIN THE LITTLE FLOWERS OF SAINT FRANCIS OF ASSISI CHAPTER XXVIII OF ANECSTASY
WHICH CAME TO BROTHER BERNARD, AND HOW HE REMAINED FROM MATINS UNTIL NONE...
TheEcstasy of Saint Monnica
... SAINT AUGUSTIN II THEECSTASY OF SAINT MONNICA. They stayed through the
winter at Cassicium. However taken up he might be by the...
Concerning Good, Light, Beauty, Love,Ecstasy, Jealousy, and that...
... CAPUT IV. Concerning Good, Light, Beauty, Love,Ecstasy, Jealousy, and that the
Evil is neither existent, nor from existent, nor in things being. SECTION I....
Concerning "Good," "Light," "Beautiful," "Desire," "Ecstasy...
... THE DIVINE NAMES CHAPTER IV Concerning "Good," "Light," "Beautiful," "Desire,"
"Ecstasy," "Jealousy." Also that Evil is neither existent nor Sprung from...
Dreams, an Incidental Effect of the Soul's Activity.Ecstasy.
... Activity.Ecstasy.... effect. This power we callecstasy, in which the sensuous soul
stands out of itself, in a way which even resembles madness....
Treats of How God Suspends the Soul in Prayer by a Trance,Ecstasy...
... TREATS OF HOW GOD SUSPENDS THE SOUL IN PRAYER BY A TRANCE,ECSTASY OR RAPTURE, WHICH
I BELIEVE ARE ALL THE SAME THING.... Faculties lost duringecstasy.18....
How Brother Juniper Fell into anEcstasy During the Celebration of...
... PART TWO. HERE BEGINNETH THE LIFE OF BROTHER JUNIPER CHAPTER XII HOW BROTHER
JUNIPER FELL INTO ANECSTASY DURING THE CELEBRATION OF MASS....
Whether Rapture Pertains to the Cognitive Rather than to the...
... For Dionysius says (Div. Nom. iv): "The Divine love causesecstasy." Now love pertains
to the appetitive power. Therefore so doesecstasy or rapture....
Thesaurus
Ecstasy (3 Occurrences)... The body is erect and inflexible; the pulsation and breathing are not affected.
5. (vt) To fill
ecstasy, or with rapture or enthusiasm.
...Ecstasy (3 Occurrences).
...Gift (148 Occurrences)
... ie the ordinary faculties were suspended and the divine, specifically Christian,
element in the man took control, so that a condition ofecstasy was produced....
Trance (7 Occurrences)
... ekstasis, from which the word "ecstasy" is derived) denotes the state of one who
is "out of himself." Such were the trances of Peter and Paul, Acts 10:10; 11:5...
Transport (18 Occurrences)
... 3. (vt) To carry away with vehement emotion, as joy, sorrow, complacency, anger,
etc.; to ravish with pleasure orecstasy; as, music transports the soul....
Tongues (67 Occurrences)
... or explain it, the speaker was to hold his peace and speak to himself and to God,
ie he must not disturb the worship by giving voice to hisecstasy unless the...
Eclipse
Ravish (2 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (vt) To seize and carry away by violence; to snatch
by force. 2. (vt) To transport with joy or delight; to delight toecstasy....
Rapture (6 Occurrences)
... The state or condition of being rapt, or carried away from one's self by agreeable
excitement; violence of a pleasing passion; extreme joy or pleasure;ecstasy...
Entrance (190 Occurrences)
... 8. (vt) To put into a trance; to make insensible to present objects. 9. (vt) To
put into anecstasy; to ravish with delight or wonder; to enrapture; to charm....
Enthusiasm (3 Occurrences)
... 1. (n.) Inspiration as if by a divine or superhuman power;ecstasy; hence, a conceit
of divine possession and revelation, or of being directly subject to some...
Resources
Who was Teresa of Avila? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does the Bible say about doing drugs? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is glossolalia? | GotQuestions.orgEcstasy: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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