Subject: Consider Rev 11:19 |
Bible Note: Dear THECROSS, You have also cited Jeremiah 31:22 in your thesis.. What does this verse mean? Can we come to the conclusions that you come to by reading this verse? I believe that the woman in this verse is symbolizing the nation of Israel. The Believer's Study Bible interprets this verse as referring to all Israel, "31:22: The promise to Israel involves an unusual reversal. Instead of a husband "encompassing" his wife, the wife, even with her weaker physical nature, "encompasses" her husband (cf. 1 Pet 3:7). "Encompass" is used here in the sense of faithful encompassing love, one which indicates clinging to an object (cf. Gen 2:24). Israel, the "woman" or "virgin," (v. 21) will "encompass" her divine Bridegroom and cling to Him." The New Scofield Bible states, "JEREMIAH 31:22: 'Thing' Most contemporary Bible teachers understand the passage to mean that Israel, contrary to the practice of women, will woo the LORD, her divine husband. Older expositors almost unanimously took the verse to predict the virgin birth of the Messiah. Their arguments are: (1) The "new thing in the earth" would require an event of unprecedented character. (2) The word "create" implies an act of divine power. (3) The term "woman" demands an individual rather than the entire nation. And (4) the word "man" is properly used of God (Isa 9:6)." So this verse, (Jeremiah 31:22) along with Rev. chapter 12, is showing the 'woman' to be Israel (symbolizing Israel as a whole) instead of the woman to be Mary herself. Yes, yes, Mary was the vessel that God used to deliver His Son to this earth. However, it would be entirely presumptuous to believe that Mary, and not the people of Israel, would be the progenitors of His Son, since His geneaologies (Matthew 1 and Luke 3) all point to the conclusion of Israel and not Mary herself! So the Bible does not ascribe any Deity to Mary, nor does it promote such Deity to her. Therefore, I remain unconvinced that she was a servant just like you or me, being used by God. THECROSS, if you have more sources to argue this issue, then go ahead. Go ahead and post them. Make my day. I will just refute them all one at a time! What will I use to refute them with? God's Holy Word, which is my sword!! Blessings, Nolan |