All ancient peoples, Semitic and non-Semitic, believed in some form of continued life after death. This has been shown all over the world, in ancient writings, burial-practices, art, etc. No one in the ancient world was completely secular. Rather, you might ask what the precise afterlife-beliefs were, among specific branches of the Semitic peoples (or others). Included among the Semites were the Assyrians, Elamites, Arameans, Lyddians, Arabs, Israelite Hebrews, Moabites, Ammonites, Edumeans and others.
They believed he came from heaven
They believed he came from heaven
According to Christian belief, people in heaven are believed to have knowledge of earthly events, including being able to see and observe what is happening on Earth.
God had chosen certain people to go to heaven. Apex =)
Zhouy Kwiangyin
I think you guys mean "Puritan" and they believed that God had already had certain people chosen to go to heaven. So if you weren't one of those people, no matter how many good deeds you can do will ever get you to Heaven.
They believed that he and his men were gods, sent from heaven.
Predestination
No. There are no sinners in Heaven since the Devil and the demons were thrown out after losing the war in Heaven. (Revelation 12:7-9) Those that are chosen to go to Heaven are handpicked by Jehovah God and Jesus, so they know that these individuals will not only avoid sin, but won't even be tempted to do so. (Revelation 14:1-4; 1 Corinthians 15:50) (New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures)
The emperor ruled the country and was believed to be the Son of Heaven. However, he was only the Son of Heaven IF he had the Mandate of Heaven. The Mandate of Heaven was on the people's side. If the people liked the emperor, he had the Mandate of Heaven. If the people weren't pleased with the emperor, his Mandate of Heaven would be lost and the people would revolt. The emperor had a cabinet. Under him would be the governors and other large posts, followed by the small posts.
They believed that he and his men were gods, sent from heaven.
They believed in mandate from/for heaven.