The prophet's dictionary guide to the supernatural

250. Cave—A primitive shelter symbol representing the womb. In some cultures caves represented darkness and therefore hell. Ancient cults often used caves in initiation rites where newcomers to their faiths were compelled to spend time to receive the germs of their teachings and hopefully a prophetic word to settle them in the religion. Their darkness and isolation made people think caves housed familiar spirits. In antiquity, until John the Baptist, caves were connected with the reclusive lifestyle of the prophets. Their solitary lifestyles spent in the caves seemed to inspire them to receive oracles and orient them to their impending promotions by their gods. David’s experiences in the cave of Adullam is one such example. The birth of our Savior in a cave manger as the Great Prophet who was to come, prophesied by Moses centuries earlier, is another incidence of the incubation powers of caves subscribed to in that era. 251. Caves of Divination—Specially selected caves celebrated and frequented as haunts of familiar spirits. They were often resorted to because of their peculiar habitation of spirits and invisible agents who brought information from the invisible world to the inhabitants of the earth. Most religions had a cave that served as sort of a prophets and diviners sanctuary to which they retired to receive the answer to an inquiry. Many oracles were received this way. What made Jehovah curtail the practice was that other gods were sought to answer the inquiry of the messenger either by dreams when asleep, or by apparition. Anyone answering the inquiry other than Himself was condemned. 252. Cave of Incubation—The place where prophets entered to take on the mantle of their prophetics. It was assumed that caves symbolized wombs and so were useful to help birth the prophetic word in people. Their dark, isolated environment lent itself well to the appearance of the prophet’s god and clear hearing of his or her word. Caves were places where prophets and rising leaders were confined in order to birth their purposes, receive the anointing for their elevated service, and hopefully encounter the deity that was putting them into office. See Womb. 253. Cedar—A frequently mentioned tree in the Scriptures, it symbolically refers to longevity and durability. It is a sign of the immovable, the impenetrable, and the incorruptible. Its symbolism comes from the ancient Sumerians. They viewed it as representative of their tree of life. 254. Celestial Angels—Those angels whose assignments are in the highest heaven or in the presence of God. These include archangels, seraphim, and