We are at 1 Peter 1:10. The author tells the reader that "prophets (which prophets?) who spoke of the grace ( what's grace?) to come to you searched intently (what did they search?) and with the greatest care, trying to find out the time and circumstances to which the spirit of christ in them was pointing (You mean the "spirit of christ "didn't make it clear? Imagine that! ) when he predicted the sufferings of christ and the glories that would follow. Supposedly, even though the time and circumstances of the sufferings of christ weren't revealed to the aforementioned prophets, it was revealed that they weren't serving themselves but the readers of this letter! The prophets spoke of the things that have been told to the readers by those who preached the gospel to them, by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven.
Okay, so, the letter readers got their version of the gospel, whatever that was, from people who got the gospel message from the Holy Spirit sent from heaven, not Jesus. And all this was supposedly prophesied, but we don't know when, where, or by whom, and we are given no quotes. But even angels want to know about this stuff. Riiight.
Therefore, the recipients of the letter are to prepare their minds for action, set their hopes fully on the grace (What's grace?) to be given them when Jesus christ is revealed. Wait. Jesus hasn't been revealed yet? They are also to be obedient, and holy in everything they do, because god is holy. What does holy mean and how do mortals attain holiness if it's a god thing?
In verse 17, God is referred to as a father who judges each man's work impartially. (What about women's work? ) That's why they should live as strangers on the earth, in reverent fear. (Be afraid!) They weren't redeemed with silver and gold from the empty way of life handed down from the ancestors. In this context, redemption is probably a metaphorical reference to being freed from slavery buy having their debt paid off or freedom purchased. They were redeemed by the blood of christ, who is described as a lamb without blemish or defect, chosen before the creation of the world. So, before lambs, blood, sacrifices, altars, etc., were even twinkles in god's eye, he knew he was going to sacrifice Jesus. That's weirdly specific don't you think? And very odd. Before he created anything, god decided to make his human/god son (who wasn't all human yet so how was he a "son?" ) a blood sacrifice to pay for the redemption of people he hadn't created yet.
All this was revealed in those "last times," for their sake. Those "last times" were almost two thousand years ago. Through Jesus, they believe in god, who raised Jesus from the dead. So, their faith and hope are actually in god. Does this mean they believed in Jesus first? They must be gentiles. According to the author they purified themselves by obeying the truth. Obedience to the truth seems to entail loving each other deeply and sincerely, from the heart. They do this because they have been born again, not from biological sperm (seed), but from imperishable seed "through the living and enduring word of god." In other words, invisible and metaphorical mumbo jumbo some how makes them have a renewed life.
Next, we have a quote from Isaiah 40:6-8 about the word of god, "All men are like grass, and all their glory is like the flowers of the field; the grass withers and the flowers fall, (because the breath of the lord blows on them. Surely the people are grass) but the word of the lord stands forever." The words in parentheses are in Isaiah but not in 1 Peter. How comforting and encouraging for the author to remind the reader of their eventual demise. However, he seems to forget that without people there wouldn't be transmission of, or need for, a word of god. When people disappear, so does god.
Showing posts with label prophets and prophecies. Show all posts
Showing posts with label prophets and prophecies. Show all posts
Tuesday, May 28, 2019
Tuesday, May 15, 2018
Malachi, wrap up
After reading Malachi, we can see that it is a very general book admonishing the Israelites to keep the law of Moses and to not slack off when it comes to sacrifices and offerings. It seems to encourage them to think of themselves as specially loved by Yahweh, above the other people groups in the area. They are also told to be faithful to him. Those who get the message, will be favored in the future, when the Lord comes. Those who don't are doomed to destruction. The day of the lord's coming will be foretold by Elijah. Elijah should have been long dead at this time, so his name must be symbolic.
This book does not specifically mention heaven, hell, angels, Satan, or demons. It does not anchor itself in time by mentioning any kings or other historic figures living at the time of the writing. It also does not mention any secular historic events. In 1:10, temple doors are mentioned, so it was most likely written after the construction of the second temple. It claims to be a message or oracle from Yahweh, yet often shifts between the first and third person points of view.
A book like this would have been applicable as a sermon across many hundreds of years, to pull the Israelites back into compliance whenever they began to look upon their neighbors, and their neighbor's gods, as not so bad. It would also give the priests leverage when the people would loosen the standards of their sacrifices and offerings. After all, the priests relied on those for their livelihood. The oracle is telling the people to shape up.
Malachi mentions the Old testament names Jacob and Esau, Israel, Moses, Judah, Levi, and Elijah, that's it. No specific Old Testament events are mentioned except the giving of the law to Moses. However, verse 2:11, which says Judah has desecrated the sanctuary by marrying the daughter of a foreign god, is an oblique symbolic reference to Genesis 38. There, the original Judah, son of Jacob, and who the Jews are named after, married a Canaanite woman. Malachi suggests that such a man will be excommunicated by Yahweh, even if he brings offerings to the lord.
The past portion of Malachi, verses 4:5-6, are viewed by some Christians as prophetic of John the Baptist (symbolized by Elijah) and Jesus (representing Yahweh). It is my contention that you only get there if you already believe Jesus is god in the flesh. Otherwise, it really doesn't make sense, especially since the Israelites had just been told in the verses just before to remember the laws and decrees of Moses. Elijah is there because he was the prophet who supposedly didn't die, but rode a fiery chariot up to heaven. The other prophets are probably all dead by the time of this writing. This author apparently thought a new word from Yahweh was needed to keep the Jews in the proper traditional mindset.
This book does not specifically mention heaven, hell, angels, Satan, or demons. It does not anchor itself in time by mentioning any kings or other historic figures living at the time of the writing. It also does not mention any secular historic events. In 1:10, temple doors are mentioned, so it was most likely written after the construction of the second temple. It claims to be a message or oracle from Yahweh, yet often shifts between the first and third person points of view.
A book like this would have been applicable as a sermon across many hundreds of years, to pull the Israelites back into compliance whenever they began to look upon their neighbors, and their neighbor's gods, as not so bad. It would also give the priests leverage when the people would loosen the standards of their sacrifices and offerings. After all, the priests relied on those for their livelihood. The oracle is telling the people to shape up.
Malachi mentions the Old testament names Jacob and Esau, Israel, Moses, Judah, Levi, and Elijah, that's it. No specific Old Testament events are mentioned except the giving of the law to Moses. However, verse 2:11, which says Judah has desecrated the sanctuary by marrying the daughter of a foreign god, is an oblique symbolic reference to Genesis 38. There, the original Judah, son of Jacob, and who the Jews are named after, married a Canaanite woman. Malachi suggests that such a man will be excommunicated by Yahweh, even if he brings offerings to the lord.
The past portion of Malachi, verses 4:5-6, are viewed by some Christians as prophetic of John the Baptist (symbolized by Elijah) and Jesus (representing Yahweh). It is my contention that you only get there if you already believe Jesus is god in the flesh. Otherwise, it really doesn't make sense, especially since the Israelites had just been told in the verses just before to remember the laws and decrees of Moses. Elijah is there because he was the prophet who supposedly didn't die, but rode a fiery chariot up to heaven. The other prophets are probably all dead by the time of this writing. This author apparently thought a new word from Yahweh was needed to keep the Jews in the proper traditional mindset.
Monday, February 1, 2016
Deuteronomy 18
After reading chapter 18:
*Here we again find parts of sacrifices and first fruits that are to be given to the Levites and other regulations about Levites. Then the Israelites are told not to participate in the detestable practices of other nations, especially child sacrifice, divination, sorcery, interpretation of omens, witchcraft, casting spells, or consulting with the dead. Never mind that some of these things were done by Abraham and Joseph. Plus, the Levites were supposedly able perform divination with the Urim and Thummim.
*However, there will be god appointed Israelite prophets. The Israelites must pay attention to the prophet. Supposedly, this is because they begged not to have to listen to God themselves, lest they die. A prophet cannot speak in the name of other gods, or say anything God has not commanded him to say, or he will be put to death. How will the people know if he is lying? Well, if the prophecy does not come true, of course! So, they won't know if he's telling the truth till after the fact. That's okay. The prophecies written in the bible were mostly after the fact anyway, others never did come true.
More:
http://infidels.org/library/modern/farrell_till/prophecy.html
http://www.debunkingskeptics.com/DebunkingChristians/Page7.htm
*Here we again find parts of sacrifices and first fruits that are to be given to the Levites and other regulations about Levites. Then the Israelites are told not to participate in the detestable practices of other nations, especially child sacrifice, divination, sorcery, interpretation of omens, witchcraft, casting spells, or consulting with the dead. Never mind that some of these things were done by Abraham and Joseph. Plus, the Levites were supposedly able perform divination with the Urim and Thummim.
*However, there will be god appointed Israelite prophets. The Israelites must pay attention to the prophet. Supposedly, this is because they begged not to have to listen to God themselves, lest they die. A prophet cannot speak in the name of other gods, or say anything God has not commanded him to say, or he will be put to death. How will the people know if he is lying? Well, if the prophecy does not come true, of course! So, they won't know if he's telling the truth till after the fact. That's okay. The prophecies written in the bible were mostly after the fact anyway, others never did come true.
More:
http://infidels.org/library/modern/farrell_till/prophecy.html
http://www.debunkingskeptics.com/DebunkingChristians/Page7.htm
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