What came after that seems to have been a battle of 'my word' against 'your word' and every sort of propaganda following that. Communication, clear communication is essential for comprehension, so when a word is used and used and re-used it eventually becomes the given meaning of that word. 

That its original meaning might have been meant as something different now no longer registers with most users. 
We all have heard that ....

Yet here I wish to look at a handful of words and see how their original use has changed to fit the times they traveled.

Bear in mind these three words were used when the original Aramaic was translated into Greek. So the closest to the original source was, in this instance, Greek. When it subsequently turned into English, look what happens. Agenda or what?

The first is SOTERIA - this word spelt transliterated from the Greek. Its original taken from Aramaic meant "safe return", however when translated and used in the English translation of the Bible it has been taken as meaning 'salvation'. Innocuous enough you might think, which could be right. Yet, as used in the Bible it hinges on the acceptance of a third party enabling the saving, the salving involved.

The next word up for consideration is HAMARTIA - this one I love. Again from the Greek, the term in archery for missing the mark is hamartia and when we look at how this word has been translated into English within the terms of the Bible, it is given the word "sin". The power infused within that word is as powerful and well known as any in the book. It has been traded into the weight that will drag you to the depths of 'hell'. Yet its original meaning was one of missing the mark. Offering the non judgmental opportunity for giving it another go.

The next word I offer is METANOIA - In its much vaunted use in the Bible, it is translated as 'repentance'. Again a seemingly considered translation until we get back to the root of this word which means a 'radical change of thinking', a 'transformation of thought', a change of heart. Within this original meaning there is something personal, considered, appraised and above all deeply compassionate. It is where Noein = to think and meta = more and that brings a whole new paradigm into the picture.

All these words are merely three examples. Yet they have each and every one of them been converted ( pun intended), sharpened and used to disseminate degrees of control and influence completely missing in their originals.

The question we surely need to ask is why. Why would such manipulation be exerted? Of course obviously to promote a particular belief structure, power base and control mechanism. or least likely, lazy translation.

Propaganda has been at work from time immemorial. Today it is alive and kicking as never before, with tools to aid its transmission. Our media, communications channels, the way we are taught to believe, they all contain control mechanisms exerting the persuasion, manipulation and will of another over us. Until we open our ears, eyes and most especially minds to this possession, for that is what it is, we will continue to remain the slaves we have been formed and forced to accept we are. Yet again beware: We are told this is freedom! The ultimate bogeyman we are all threatened with is that end all of end alls - APOCALYPSE. Now many of us assume we know the meaning of this word, do we not? Yes of course it is the end of the world, the disaster to match all disasters. It is the END - period! 

Some have said it means knowledge revealed.In terms of new insight, new information becoming revealed of such a nature that it is powerful enough to destroy the whole pile of preconceptions created, both collectively and personally. That most certainly could well be described as "the end of the world". Our whole base of safety, understanding and security blown away. 

When we look around our world today, what do we see? Lies, deception, manipulation, power domination loaded every which way with threat or fear of death, persecution, hellfire, damnation unless we tow the particular line of command. Is that not the precursor or even key to annihilation when we awaken to the truth blinded rom us through these horrendous lies?

Again a word made to look and feel like the end of all life as we know it, transforms into an opening, a doorway to another level of existence, of life more truthful to the original intent. A stairway to heaven if you want to get all romantic.

Yet that heaven is within, it is the light to lighten the way within, then out into a new world of awareness, comprehension and ultimately freedom. The freedom from the bonds and shackles of being told to accept another interpretation.

Finally and with absolutely no desire to throw any sort of direction into this mix, as I personally do not label myself with anything when it comes to religious labeling. However since we have talked of the words and their distortions found in the Bible, I would like to leave you with the the original Aramaic translation of  The Lord's Prayer as it originally was set down. For those that know the one we have all, Christians that is, the one we have been brought up to recite - this one reveals the difference as astounding, releasing, loving and personal in a way no intercessor could ever be or convey: Enjoy.....

            O cosmic Birther of all radiance and vibration
            soften the ground of our being and carve out a space
            within us where Your Presence can abide.

            Fill us with your creativity so that we may be empowered
            to bear the fruit of Your mission.

            Let each of our actions bear fruit in accordance with our desire.

            Endow us with the wisdom to produce
            and share what each being needs to grow and flourish.

            Untie the tangled threads of destiny that bind us,
            as we release others from the entanglement of past mistakes.
            Do not let us be seduced by that which would divert us from our 
           true purpose, but illuminate the opportunities of the present moment.

          For You are the round and the fruitful vision, the birth-power and fulfillment, 
            as all is gathered and made whole once again.

As much as we may be told all we know, all we are, may likely go up in one huge mushroom cloud of annihilation, perhaps we should just cock a snoot at all those fear mongers, out them for their lies and spin and recognize that :

"Change is not as good as the rest. It is the best in all possible worlds!"

Don't take my word for it - discover for yourself - start really thinking new - train yourself to stop missing the mark, develop more and more Metanoia and have a safe return!