Results 1 - 6 of 6
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Results from: Answered Bible Questions, Answers, Unanswered Bible Questions, Notes Ordered by Verse | ||||||
Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
1 | "Least in the kingdom of God"? | Matt 11:11 | victorA | 122663 | ||
Three years later, on the day of Pentecost of the year 33, the apostle Peter said that the descendant of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, namely, King David, had not ascended to heaven and so was not in any kingdom of the heavens or kingdom of God in Acts 2:34, “Actually David did not ascend to the heavens,”. Peter said that after Jesus made the statement about Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in Matthew 8:11 at the time of healing the servant of a Roman centurion. So those three patriarchs could not be in the Kingdom class as joint heirs with the Lord Jesus Christ. They were his ancestors, who preceded him by more than seventeen hundred years. It is therefore evident so the scriptures harmonize, that in Matthew 8:11 Jesus referred to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob figuratively. On the occasion when Abraham offered up his son Isaac, Abraham would figuratively represented Jehovah God and Isaac represented God’s only-begotten Son Jesus Christ, who was offered up in sacrifice. Accordingly Jacob represented the spiritual Christian congregation, the “kingdom of the heavens” class; for, just as the congregation gets life through Jesus Christ, so Jacob got life from Abraham through Isaac. From this standpoint Abraham, Isaac and Jacob mentioned together in Jesus’ illustration would picture the great theocratic kingdom or government, in which Jehovah is the Great Theocrat, Jesus Christ is his anointed representative King, and the faithful, victorious Christian congregation that Revelation 7:4 and Rev. 14:3 numbers as 144,000 are the members of the body of Christ as joint heirs in the Kingdom. When this Christian congregation was founded on the day of Pentecost, its spirit-anointed members were made Christ’s joint heirs and were put in line for a place in the heavenly kingdom, to recline there at the spiritual table with the Greater Abraham and the Greater Isaac. The natural or fleshly Jews of the nation of Israel claimed to be the “sons of the kingdom” or the prospective members of God’s kingdom. From the day of Pentecost forward they saw the beginning and the gradual development of this theocratic arrangement, but because of their lack of faith in Christ they were not in it. Hence, as Jesus said (Matt. 8:12): “The sons of the kingdom will be thrown into the darkness outside. There is where their weeping and the gnashing of their teeth will be.” For this reason it became necessary that many Gentiles (non-Jews), like the Roman centurion whose faith brought a miraculous cure by Jesus, should come “from eastern parts and western parts,” from all around the earth, to become dedicated, baptized Christians. Thus they could help make up the full number of the Kingdom class. For faithfulness to the death these converted Gentiles are resurrected to heavenly life to recline at the heavenly table, as it were, with Jehovah God and Jesus Christ “in the kingdom of the heavens.” When understood this way, Matthew 8:11 agrees with Jesus’ words in Matthew 11:11: “Among those born of women there has not been raised up a greater than John the Baptist; but a person that is a lesser one in the kingdom of the heavens is greater than he is.” Since Abraham, Isaac and Jacob are not greater than John, they will not be literally in the kingdom of the heavens. Jesus used them only as an illustration of those who will actually be in it. Wow, you picked a deep subject, a great subject a key to understanding the Kingdom of God. |
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2 | "Least in the kingdom of God"? | Matt 11:11 | Zsuzsi | 122669 | ||
Hello VictorA, Yes, WOW... It is a really deep topic! And I do not mean to offend you in any way, but I think I have to respectfully disagree with you about many of the points you make... "Some humans have the special priviledge of ruling in heaven over the earth, but the vast majority will fulfill God’s purpose for the earth by populating it forever in perfection." Do you have any Biblical reference for this? 1Cor 6:2: says, "Do you not know that the saints will judge the world?" "Saint" is most often used for 'godly people', both in the OT and the NT... "Again, God’s reward of living on earth will fulfill man’s every desire, since man was made to live on the earth God’s original purpose for creating man. God created angels to live in heaven." Agreed about the creation part. But immortality and freedom from suffering and complete liberation from sin and temptation are also part of all men's desires (at least part of mine, lol) - only heaven promises those to people. I call the 'perfect world' which is to come 'heaven'. Also, please note that Jesus said that people who get to heaven will be like angels (Matt 22:30, Mark 12:25, Luke 20:36). So I doubt that they will reproduce etc... "King David, had not ascended to heaven and so was not in any kingdom of the heavens or kingdom of God in Acts 2:34, “Actually David did not ascend to the heavens,”" NO! I believe 'ascended to heaven' here means the physical ascension of Jesus, which David obviously did not do. (The Greek "anabaino" means: 'ascend, to go up to, rise, mount, be borne up, spring up') Reading the whole verse and the exact wording of Acts 2:34 in the NASB, "For it was not David who ascended into heaven, but he himself says: 'THE LORD SAID TO MY LORD, "SIT AT MY RIGHT HAND," - to me this means that Jesus was more than David, not that David was not going to get to heaven at all! "...in Matthew 8:11 Jesus referred to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob figuratively..." Well, Isaac didn't actually die... Jesus did. But anyway, even if I do accept your argument about this, I still have doubts about Luke 13:28, where He does clearly mention 'all the prophets' - however we look at it! Also see Rev 18:20, about 'saints' and 'prophets' getting to heaven. Please read my replies to Angel (JCrichton) and Emmaus to see what I believe this passage really means. Your viewpoint is a completely new one for me, actually; I have seen many different interpretations of this passage and of the Kingdom in general, but among all those there is none like yours! I think I'll read Revelations again tonight, or at least parts of it, and pray about this... I encourage you also to do so. Will get back to you tomorrow. Sincerely yours in Christ, Zsuzsi |
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3 | "Least in the kingdom of God"? | Matt 11:11 | victorA | 122672 | ||
Hello again, It's really funny you tell me about reading Revelation again tonight! I read the entire New Testament every two months or so and just this morning read the first two chapters of Revelation! What a coincidence. Thank you for your kind remarks even if they are different and I do have several questions for you in Revelation if you would like one or two as John's writing are among my favorite. The first verse is my question. Would you write to me all your thoughts on this verse alone? I would like your thoughts alone though. |
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4 | "Least in the kingdom of God"? | Matt 11:11 | Zsuzsi | 122688 | ||
Hi VictorA, I suggested a reading into Revelations because that is one of the most obvious things to read when we want to learn about the kingdom of God and the end of the times... :-) I read the entire book last night, actually, and also prayed; I honestly did my best to see things from your point of view but I am still arriving at paradoxical questions. I think we need a very intimate relationship with the Lord before we can understand these prophecies as they were meant to be understood, just like in the case of the OT books of the prophets. It is really "solid food", to put it that way: no wonder why He fed the people milk instead in His parables! But I do hope He comes soon. Come, Lord Jesus... (Rev 22:20) And yes, sure, we can discuss many things about Revelations if you have questions - I love this book too: it's scary yet beautiful. To start with, I'll post my thoughts about the very first verse, as you asked; look up Rev 1:1. Yours in Christ, Zsuzsi |
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5 | "Least in the kingdom of God"? | Matt 11:11 | Emmaus | 122690 | ||
Zsuzsi, One reason that you find victorA's correspondences a little different is that they tend to reflect the teaching of the Jehovah's Witnesses or The Watchtower Society, which does not belive in the Trinity, the divinity of Jesus or that the Holy Spirit is a person. Emmaus |
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6 | "Least in the kingdom of God"? | Matt 11:11 | Zsuzsi | 122698 | ||
Emmaus, You might be right. Yet, seeking the Truth I normally attempt to consider all points of view, and take all uncertain issues directly to the Lord in prayer. His answers are usually fast and clear enough - just as in this case. A young person like me, in such a media- and money-centered society, can only hold onto the teaching that comes directly from Him. So He has the last word. :-) Psalm 119 is one of my favorites: "How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to your word. I seek you with all my heart; do not let me stray from your commands. I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you. Praise be to you, O LORD; teach me your decrees." Psalm 119:9-12 Thanks for the comment, though. :-) God bless you, Zsuzsi |
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