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NASB | Romans 11:25 ¶ For I do not want you, brethren, to be uninformed of this mystery--so that you will not be wise in your own estimation--that a partial hardening has happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in; |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Romans 11:25 ¶ I do not want you, believers, to be unaware of this mystery [God's previously hidden plan]--so that you will not be wise in your own opinion--that a partial hardening has [temporarily] happened to Israel [to last] until the full number of the Gentiles has come in; |
Subject: Levitate, go to heaven, or the City? |
Bible Note: Good response...but... I liked your more detailed rendering of the Bridegroom story. And you are right; the groom returns for the bride and takes her to be with him. They do not live in the bride’s town. However, all parables break down at some point which is one reason why there are so many of them (particularly concerning the "kingdom of God/Heaven). I know; you're thinking I'm now reading what I WANT to read; but go with me on this for a bit. Question: Does this parable in light of other scripture, lend us to believe that Jesus is a) preparing a place; b) will come for His bribe; and finally c) bring the whole city of Jerusalem with Him (Rev 21-22)? Therefore, do we still have God dwelling with man on the Earth which is made new? Also, Paul used pagan and cultural points many times in his letters. Remember, he is not speaking to Jews in Galilee who live in these Insulas (households), but to Gentiles living in Roman cities in Asia Minor. The Apostle John used this same technique many times while writing the letter called “Revelation.” For example, Diocletian ruled very harshly. Earlier Emperors claimed to be gods but always allowed places like Israel to continue worshiping their own God. But not Diocletian! He was called the Beast in his day. He required a mark on your hand that acknowledged that you worshiped him as lord and savior. Without the mark you could not participate in commerce. There are numerous examples in Paul and John’s letters that use common experience from the current political, economic, and pagan religious experience. There are illusions to these same things in the Gospels as well. When Jesus is asked if paying taxes is okay, it is important to know why He asked for a coin, what was written on the coin, and the multi-purpose of coins in the first century. I’m not suggesting you are unaware of this stuff, but mention it to make the point that Paul most certainly could and did use the current political/pagan religious experience to drive home a point about who REALLY is both God and Savior. (Thanks for following this thread; I’m helped in working this stuff out in my own mind by virtue of having to articulate ideas and thoughts with you. I have always been led to believe one way, but as I studied I began to realize that some of my own understandings of how God relates to mankind had to change. This is good of course assuming the change is correct and leads me to a more righteous life. In the end, I think this understanding of God as it relates to Him wanting to make His dwelling with mankind, changes how we view our life here and now. God is concerned with the place where he wants to dwell. I believe the mentality of “Get ‘em saved, and move on to the next guy” has done the community of believers harm, and in the end actually “saves” less souls. How one understands the “Kingdom of God/Heaven” also has a profound impact on how we live our life.) |