ASPHYXIA -- DEATH BY CRICIFIXIION

ASPHYXIA –  DEATH BY CRUCIFIXION

BY DR. MERVYN ABREO

          Death by crucifixion does not occur either because of the severe agonizing pain, or because of bleeding, but as a direct result of asphyxia, i.e. cutting off the oxygen supply to the lungs.                                                          

                                       

                                      

NOTE: Death by hanging occurs, not as a result of choking of the wind pipe as is commonly thought, but as a result of snapping of the cervical spine, when the person is dropped through a trap door.

ORIGIN OF CRUCIFIXION: The barbaric nations, before their conquest by the Romans, used to crucify their enemies after they had been killed in battle, in order to deter further conflict.

          The Romans, who prided themselves on being a civilized nation, went one step further. They crucified their enemies while they were still alive!

MECHANICS OF CRUCIFIXION: Unlike popular belief, the nails that pierce the hands do not pass through the palms. If this had been the case, then the hands would have been wrenched off the nails by the weight of the body, because the bones of the palm, (the tarsals), run in the same direction as the direction of the fingers.

 

          Rather, the nails have to pass through the wrist, proximal to the wrist bones (the metatarsals). It is these wrist bones that keep the hands from being wrenched off.

THE FOOT REST: The feet of the crucified person rest on a small wooden wedge. And we will soon see why this wedge is necessary.

KEEPING ALIVE: As already seen, death is by asphyxiation, because the crucified person, who is literally hanging by his wrists, is unable to breath. And so, to suck air into his lungs, he has to pull himself up, using his pierced hands to do so, while simultaneously lifting himself, by pressing down on the foot rest beneath his feet, feet which have also been pierced, and nailed to the vertical shaft of the cross.

          The instinct for survival is so strong that it may take several days for the crucified person to ultimately weaken, give up, and die.

          Therefore, to hasten death, the Roman soldiers often broke the knees of those crucified, so that they were unable to lift themselves up.

THE CRUCIFIXION OF LORD JESUS:

          The Lord was always in total control. And He said, “It is finished!” And, as His work here on earth was done, He voluntarily gave up His Spirit.

          But let us never ever forget the agony and humiliation He suffered for us.

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Dear friend,

          I look forward to getting your feedback. Do write in to me at:

                                        drmervynabreo@gmail.com

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