Real history may be more compelling than the mythos. Biblical scriptures The Israelites adopted a variation of the Canaanite alphabet and began writing down their historical myths. By around 700 BC, innovative priests had collected the best of these myths and woven them together to form a detailed history of the nation of Israel, intended to convince the Israelites that they were God's chosen people. As new events unfolded, and as new interpretations of their history grew more popular, new scrolls gained acceptance into the common collection of religious literature. Papyrus scrolls had only a limited lifetime, and so any scrolls which fell out of favor were eventually lost and forgotten. As the sacred scrolls were being copied or translated, successive generations were able to rework and refine the original myths and histories, incorporating into them new influences, and embellishing them with a greater degree of religious zeal and national pride. What evolved over the centuries became something like a national constitution. Unlike any other literature at the time, it gave the Israelites a common culture, a comprehensive set of laws, a strong national identity, and a fierce emotional connection to the land. The scriptures were so successful at preserving their cultural identity that even after thousands of years, their descendents continue to carry on their customs and beliefs. As a work of literature, it has had such a profound influence on other cultures that it now forms the basis for half of the world's religions. Biblical mythology The mythology of Israel begins with God creating the heavens and the earth. God then creates mankind and gives him possession over the earth. This ancient myth was devised so thoughtfully and told with such authority that many people today still believe it to be true. According to this myth, God chose a Sumerian man named Abraham, whose faith was so strong that his descendents were promised possession of the land of Israel. Generations of his family then continued to wreak havoc around the Middle East, getting themselves into trouble and then getting themselves out of trouble again, before finally becoming slaves to the Egyptians. Many centuries later, another mythical hero named Moses supposedly led more than a million of Abraham's descendents out of slavery in Egypt. After surviving in the desert for some time, they returned to the Promised Land, massacred its inhabitants, and were given a system of laws, traditions, and values. The rest of the scriptures cover the unfolding history of Israel. Early history United by their commitment to God, they battled for centuries against enemy states and invading hordes. The underlying theme is that when the people remained united by their faith in God then they prospered and defeated their enemies. But when they abandoned their faith in God, and when they were led by kings who were driven only by the desire for personal wealth and power, then the people became divided by civil war and were conquered by their enemies. The early scriptures say ... Follow after none of the other gods of the people who dwell around you, lest the Lord's anger blaze out fiercely against you and wipe you off the face of the earth, for the Lord your God is a jealous God. Seek to do all that is good and right in the Lord's sight, so that you may prosper and enter into possession of the good land which the Lord has promised to your fathers, to clear it of all who oppose you, as the Lord has commanded. Do not make idols for yourselves, nor set up carved images, nor erect stone sculptures for the people to worship, for I am the Lord your God. If you practice my commandments then I shall grant you seasonal rain, the land shall produce crops, and the trees shall bear fruit. You shall eat well and live in safety. I will chase away your enemies who will fall before you by the sword. But if you do not listen to me, then I shall turn against you and you will be defeated by your enemies. Your land will not produce crops nor will your trees bear fruit. I will destroy your livestock and unleash wild beasts into your fields. I will tear down your altars and pile your corpses upon your broken idols. I will turn your cities into ruins, and so thoroughly lay waste to your land that your enemies who settle on it shall be astonished. Around 930 BC, political differences forced the population to divide into the northern state of Israel, and the southern state of Judah. The people living in the southern state became known as the Jews. The two states continued to endure civil wars and foreign invasions until around 720 BC, when the northern state was conquered by the Assyrian Empire. The defeated Israelites were taken away as slaves and no longer appeared in history. They became known as the lost tribes of Israel. The Jews had been told by their ancient prophets that their forefathers had made a pact with God. As long as they continued to obey his commands then God would protect them. And so each time disaster fell upon them they were told by new prophets that they were being punished for their disobedience to God. http://www.evolutionary-metaphysics.net/history_of_ancient_israel.html continued
And so, the Pentateuch (1st 5 books) are ALL fictional and myths, the remaining Historical & Prophetic books are also mythological; and ergo the promise and expectation of a Messiah and Deliverer would also then be fables---thus 'your' Christianity is a sham and you are 'just playing the game?!" Did I get all that correct?
I think that Jesus brought a very radical message to first century Palestine.. Prophets generally wrote AFTER the FACT.. They were like the conscience of the society.
And so you are not looking for His return, as you also indicate by discrediting all scriptures pertaining to the end-times? I.e.' you have nothing to look fwd to? But a 'hope' that if there is any truth to any of it, you will go to heaven ...
I think the Tribulation was over in 73 AD.. and the Kingdom of God is here now... as opposed to the kingdom of law and purifiction rituals and blood sacrifice. Revelation states very clearly that it will come to pass before this generation (40 years) passes... and it is written in the past tense.. addressing the political power of the first century.. American King James Version And I saw no temple therein: for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it. Rev 21: 22
How could you look forward to the End Times? Do you relish the murder of millions of innocent people for the "crime" of not believing in Jesus?
It all still sounds to me as if you just believe in the moral code that the radical Jesus preached, and tend to disregard the other Epistles & prophecy (post-) of His followers as such, as they were written by mere men under their own consciences, and are not necessarily of the same ilk as Jesus radical doctrines. I.e. you will pick & chose what you desire to believe as good mores for this life...
I think the apostles had a variety of expectations.. because of the dual messianic threads.. One was for an anointed warrior king lke David who would rid them of the Roman occupiers and the other was for the Suffering Servant who brought a message to mankind.
And that is explained by Jesus' 1st coming as the 'suffering servant', and His 2nd coming as the 'conquering & victorious king.' Again why 'they' didnt see Him as Messiah..'
I don't know.. I think the whole message of Revelation is victory... The tyrants had been defeated.. Nero was dead.. During one year there were four Caesars.. and Judaism would never again bear fruit. I know that's preterist or partial preterist.. but its the only think that matches the facts that we have about the first century. There was NEVER any prophesy that was 2000 years out into the future... and I have NO doubt that the seven churches absolutely understood the symbolism perfectly. Further, there were two ingatherings of the Jews long before 1948.. and Gog and Magog had already invaded and taken Ashdod and Askelon.
Again, Margot, you cannot see the many, many 'types & shadows' thru out the scriptures---whether metaphorical or literal. The most obvious one being the type of 'father' Abraham sacrificing his only 'son' of the promise; but not allowed by God to do so, as it was NOT the 'acceptable eternal sacrifice' which was to come as pointing to His own dear Son, Jesus. And as Nero, Hitler, et al, and lump in the Crusades & the persecution of Israel, all are 'types' of end-time happenings. But, I guess, since "I" (the mere forum poster, OD) didnt write it all in a historical book as those you 'honor,' it all doesnt count for anything, huh?! Or....better yet, Jesus who studied the OT scriptures, merely 'copied' His own life after them, and was a charlatan who faked over 60 prophecies in His life (excepting the conquering warrior king parts and dismissed them with a story of a '2nd Coming to cover His a$$), and, altho 'well-meaning,' just had a 'God complex.'
Jesus didn't write anything down..... and Revelation is basically a series of letters to existing new Christian communities in Anatolia and around the Mediterranean.. Its encouragement.. Its a celebration that they have survived the Tribulation... Jesus is victorious... the old age is gone and a new age has emerged.
Sorry, but I keep going back to my original thoughts of 'one who is unsure of, or floundering in their faith,' and thus must find reasons to settle their mind....(?!) And that quandary is between you and your god.....Good 'luck!'
Futuristic interpretations of Revelation are entirely political, Overdrive.. its the meat and potatoes of every TV evangelist and Hal Lindsey type. I am by no means insisting that you look at first century history.. but you might discover a whole new meaning of Kingdom of God if you did. Remember... Jesus lived under occupation his whole life.. and he truly cared about the poor and down trodden. Forty years after the crucifixion a new age was born.
By your postings, it has become evident that you see Jesus as a mere man and not 'Divine." And that there is no Holy Spirit following His death and given to believers...we're just a bunch of well-meaning folk who are following the words of a dead man having good aspirations...how sad.
I think Jesus was divine.. and that the holy spirit has always been available to man... since the beginning. In Genesis 1:2 it says "And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters." By no means do I have all the answers.. but I do know that the Scofield heresy is strictly political and has NOTHING to do with the message of the Christ.
Sorry, again, Margot, but you already 'debunked' Genesis et all....but continue in your floundering..
