by moomanchu 11 Replies latest jw friends
Once when Jehovah turned him into a sperm and once when the Romans crucified him.
Technically sperm is still alive when used for invitro fertilization. Then again is sleeping in a tomb for a few hours really dead ?
Forget it, no one died for JW's sins. đ
What is the purpose of that post?
Newsflash: imaginary literary character involved in ridiculous story plot.
What are you on about? Kindly articulate your thoughts
What is the purpose of that post?
It's fun to muse about the ridiculousness of JW doctrine.
What are you on about?
Where did Michael go when he was converted into a zygote?
Weâre told Michaelâs title in Jude 9. The Greek word for âarchangelâ (archĂĄggelos) means âchief angelâ or âchief messenger.â The word âarchangelâ isnât use to describe him in the Old Testament, but another angel calls him one of the chief princes (Dan 10:13).
Calling Michael âone of the chief princesâ implies that Michael has peers. However, if there are any other archangels, the Bible doesnât tell us who they are.
In Danielâs last vision, an angel describes how the last days will play out for the Jews. It is at this time that Michael, âthe great prince who stands guard over the sons of your people will ariseâ (Dan 12:1). The angel also refers to Michael as Danielâs prince (Dan 10:21). The Bible doesnât say what âstanding guardâ entails, but itâs very clear that Michael has special responsibilities for Israel.
Jude mentions that Michael argues with Satan about the body of Moses (a nod to a Jewish tradition). Unfortunately, weâre not given any more information on what that argument was about. Jude does tell us that Michael wasnât so bold as to pronounce a ârailing judgmentâ (the Greek word for ârailingâ is often translated âblasphemousâ or âdefamingâ) against the devil. What he does say is interesting enough to merit a fact to itself . . .
Well, three Greek words that are often translated into four English words. In Jude 9, Michael says to Satan, âThe Lord rebuke you!â
In Johnâs apocalypse, he sees a great war in heaven: Michael and his angels vs. the dragon (Satan) and his angels. The devil and his forces are too weak to remain in heaven, however, and so they are all thrown down to earth (Rev 12:7â9).
In Daniel chapter 10, the prophet fasts, humbling himself before God and praying for understanding regarding the Jewsâ future. An angel finally appears to him 21 days later, and explains the delay: the âprince of Persiaâ had been opposing him the whole time, and it wasnât until Michael relieved the angel that he could continue his trip to Daniel. The angel stays with Daniel long enough to give an outline of future events for the Jews, but must return to fighting the prince of Persia (and the prince of Greece will soon join the fight, too). Only Michael supports this angel against these forces (Dan 10:21).
@moomanchu
Technically sperm is still alive when used for invitro fertilization. Then again is sleeping in a tomb for a few hours really dead ?
***
Technically...Mary could have been - in modern terms - a surrogate mother. Something about this is suggested by the text John 1:13, where it is written that he was not born of blood, nor of the will of the flesh or of man. We don't know at what stage of development this embryo was "inserted" into the body, and we don't know exactly if Mary contributed her genetic "material" to the development of the fetus. We only know that she is designated as the mother.
1 Thessalonians 4:16 because the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a commanding call, with an archangelâs voice and with Godâs trumpet, and those who are dead in union with Christ will rise first. 17 Afterward we the living who are surviving will, together with them, be caught away in clouds to meet the Lord in the air; and thus we will always be with the Lord.
Matt 24:30 Then the sign of the Son of man will appear in heaven, and all the tribes of the earth will beat themselves in grief, and they will see the Son of man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. 31 And he will send out his angels with a great trumpet sound, and they will gather his chosen ones together from the four winds, from one extremity of the heavens to their other extremity.
petrW,
we don't know exactly if Mary contributed her genetic "material" to the development of the fetus.
Luke traces Mary's blood line to King David. Why do this if her egg wasn't used?
@moomanchu
Right after I solve the mystery of turning water into wine and learn to walk on water like Peter, I'll start thinking about the immaculate conception of the Virgin Mary...
More seriously: this is just my rationalization, and as stated above, it's more of an academic debate. Jesus was born of a woman (Gal 4:4) because it fits biblical anthropology. A man is defined as one who is born of a woman (outside of the first pair).
In the context of Jesus, the bigger question is really why was he born a man? Why didn't he come as an angel? The answers then go more into the realm of (first Adam - last Adam) divine justice and theodicea explanation. I mean, the explanation of very difficult questions...
For a faith without difficulties, it is sometimes good to accept the claims, especially if they are (historical) facts, and not to speculate too much on the variants. I don't mean to shy away from the answer! It's just that I think it's really quite a difficult topic and I'd have to write several pages of text here (about theodicy). And only the conclusion would be easy...
