The possibility that Bible authors were pressured by Old Testament prophecy to fabricate accounts of Jesus as Messiah is challenged, today. Also, there is more on the Tower of Babel, and unseen sin. A “Yahoo! Answers” writer using the ID “Edward” (Level 4 with 3,058 points, a member since February 13, 2013) posted the following:
Because the Jewish OT prophesied about the messiah, was it envitable that later Bible authors…?
would write about Jesus, having never met him, believing that they were being guided by the Holy Spirit in what they were writing was the truth?
THE BATTLE AXE: Unseen Sin? (06/18/2013)—The Tower of Babel continues to be an important caution and warning for modern-day Christian believers. A subtle and understated human principle comes into view that is widely embraced within democratic nations, the rule that there is strength in numbers: Where enough people accept, agree upon, or perform a behavior, it may be accounted as “harmless”, “normal”, no longer a threat to society, and, therefore, no longer “sin” or an obstacle to right relationship with GOD. In keeping with such thinking, Americans have seen Sabbath (Friday nights, Saturdays, and Sundays) become the time for exalting athletes and football rather than church attendance with praise to GOD; and holy matrimony with obligation to maintain heritage and priesthood from GOD through maintenance of traditional family is increasingly confounded by demands that same-sex (homosexual and lesbian) relationships must be respected as lawful marriage. Right relationship with GOD may not be founded upon temporal events or the ever-changing truth of human experience. Affection, dreams, fantasy and imagination may color and add excitement, however, such vanities cannot be trusted as foundations for eternity. The overriding principle from the holy writings must continue to come into view, the rule of judgment according to privilege: Atonement also must be made for sins committed by an entire community that have been performed in ignorance of the divine law, of sacred process, and of the consecrated purposes of GOD (see Leviticus 4: 13-21, Luke 12: 47-48, Acts 3: 13-21, and 1st Timothy 1: 5-14, KJV). On behalf of believers, Christ has completed all the necessary work for atonement, redemption, and salvation through his death on the cross. It remains that each Christian believer must personally confess participation in the collective error, repent, and appropriate the holy provisions from Christ.
THE GOLDEN ARROW: The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness, Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat? Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness. Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless. And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you; As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction. Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness. But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen. (2nd Peter 3: 9-18, KJV)
THE DOUBLE DAGGER: Words Spoken By GOD? (06/05/2013); Teachings on Judgment (06/06/2013); Why Jesus Authored No Books (05/01/2013); Recognizing True Prophets (05/02/2013); False Witness? (10/31/2010); Bible Complete? (11/01/2010); Holy Writings? (11/02/2010)
Edward, there are many points a person must consider, here, to avoid folly, presumption, and spiritual confusion. Included are these:
(1) The holy writings were carefully collected, fitted together and preserved as a tool for continuing a priesthood upon the earth that completes and finishes a sacred pattern in heaven.
(2) Men who have no sacred knowledge or part in the priesthood, yet seek to handle and manipulate the Scriptures, may do so without fear of the Lord (i.e., humility and reverence; correct awareness of divine awe), or expectation of divine judgment and punishment. However, these also are established in a self-awareness as attackers, blasphemers, mockers, and destroyers of faith and right knowing for others. More than this, in addition to violating aspects of their own conscience and personal integrity, those who continue in such error must realize a decay and decomposition of their own sense of commitment, dutifulness, faithfulness, honor, righteousness, self-respect, and will power to embrace the things from GOD.
(3) The divine endowments, knowledge, and motives of men are made visible and transparent through the holy writings. Antichrists, charlatans, deceivers, false prophets, hypocrites, impostors and unclean spirits all are exposed by the Scriptures.
(4) The operation of GOD and sacred process within created beings and living creatures may be communicated among men by their questions, responses to one another as well as their routine conduct, and is not only displayed and revealed through formal religious ceremony and ritual.
There is far more to be said, correctly applied, and spiritually apprehended. (For example, (5) The experience of knowing Jesus is through ones spirit content providing awareness that is shaped entirely by faith, an aspect of full divinity inseparable from such other divine substance as forgiveness, holiness, joy, longsuffering, love, wisdom and wrath against sin. The mundane elements of human discourse and intellect (we say, brilliance, cleverness, logic, reason) do not reveal the active presence of GOD, and cannot replace the imparted, indwelling Spirit available through the ministry of Jesus Christ that permits one to know GOD as GOD knows himself.) Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful. Be it unto you according to your faith.
THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC
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