Posted by Bibleman [Bibleman] on October 28, 1999 at 09:34:25 {BrTq3yWfsYMRXA6xmpscslyACFuF8c}:
In Reply to: *10 VIRGINS - THE MESSIAH! posted by Ethelred on October 28, 1999 at 08:59:51:
You wish it was nonsense!
"But the physical man does not receive the thigns of the spirit of God, for they are foolishness to hime; and he cannot get to know them, because they are examined spiritually. However, the spiritual man examines indeed all things, but he himself is not examined by any man."
In other words, a spiritual person when told the Messiah must come as the Prodigal Son, might first say, "What? !!!" Ridiculous! But then they will automatically check it out to make sure.
When they see that the Prodigal son receives the "ring" and the "robe" they know those are spiritual code words in the Bible for the Messiah!
Then they know that the premise for a Messianic prophecy for the prodigal son is Biblical.
They then begin to check to make sure there is nothing in scripture that would contradict it.
But immediately they are pointed to the "wave offerings" which must be fulfilled by Jesus.
The first one on the 16th is without leaven. The spiritual person understands that "leaven" in the scripture means sinlessness. So they automatically understand the wave offering without leaven represents Jesus' sinless nature at his first coming. That's the whole concept of UNLEAVENED BREAD. It's a big deal.
With so much emphasis on unleavened bread to emphasize Jesus' sinlessness as a sacrifice, then, to have the second wave offering, note, in contrast with the first to be WITH LEAVEN, that is shocking! That's because it also has to be fulfilled by Jesus. But why is the second wave offering WITH LEAVEN which means WITH SINFULNESS?
How can that be? Why, that would mean to imply that Jesus would come in the flesh and in the imperfect flesh. Is that possible.
Absolutely! The first time he gains experience as a perfect man. The second time he gains experience as an imperfect man, not by being imperfect, but by acquiring the identity of one of his imperfect but ultimately faithful anointed ones; sort of by adoption The person chosen just happens to have been the "prodigal son" for a variety of SPIRITUAL reasons.
But at this point, the spiritual person has a CONFIRMATION that the Messiah's Second Coming must be WITH LEAVEN and so it's over.
They now search out those other specific scriptures to make sure that the person claiming to be the Messiah meets all the other requirements. Of course, Isaiah 53 and Zechariah 3 don't allow for fulfillment of Jesus at his first coming in the "perfect' flesh. They relate to his second coming in the "imperfect flesh."
But now, see how a "spiritual person" looks at someone who thinks this is "nonsense." They read Zechariah 3 where we find that high-priest Joshua who represents Jesus Christ directly, first presents with "befouled garments" before he is given clean ones, and a turban on his head to become king. Note the similarity where he is given new clothes just as the Prodigal Son.
But how does Jesus fulfill having befouled garments when he was always perfect, always sinless? The clean white robes mean sins are washed away. So befouled means sinfulness. So it doesn't work that Jesus in the perfect, sinless state could be said to have befouled garments and in need for forgiveness.
BUT... if the second coming is one with the theme of FORGIVENESS and imperfection, then there is a direct correlation for Joshua presenting with befouled garments and being given new, clean ones before his mission to rebuild God's house, and the Prodigal Son who is given new garments when he comes, the "best robe", plus the seal ring of the kingship.
So after considering that, and the obvious parallel, there is no way a "spiritual person" can ignore the Second Coming as at least Biblically implied as being in the imperfect state. So when others claim it is "nonsense" they just laugh since they know they can't ignore Zechariah 3's reference to "befouled garments" nor the second wave offering WITH LEAVEN.
They know that persons who consider it "nonsense" but look at Zechariah three and it's references to "befouled garments" and claim that does not represent the Messiah. They must put on the cap of being a "prophet" and claim the befould garments part of that prophecy about Jesus is immaterial and is not directly fulfilled by him. And when they see that, they know that person is without spiritual qualifications to understand that just the opposite is true. That is, that the Bible doesn't mention details in this manner to be ignored but to be fulfilled.
And just one final note. All of this was supposed to be in secret until after the fact. So the Bible does only "hint" about these things. It was not supposed to be so direct that persons would understand this in general beforehand, but could clearly see this is the case after the fact.
So the Messiah coming in the imperfect flesh as the "prodigal son" makes perfect sense to me since he needs to know what is is really like to be an imperfect person if he is to be a judge of mankind. He wouldn't know that from his experiences at the first coming. So this adds a whole new dimension to the Messiah and his identity, but it also COMPLETES him!
This is advanced spiritual concepts which relate to the big picture, not understood by many who are still drinking spiritual "milk" and are not ready for the "meat" of the kingdom.
In fact, this is the NEW WINE that is spoken of. That is so potent that if put into the old wineskins, they would burst them! So the new wine is put into new wineskins so that both are preserved.
But don't worry, it was always known some would not be able to accept this shocking turn of events. The older brother is upset and refuses to go into the banquet but he doesn't lose his father's approval. He's just not on the real inside goings on with the Messiah.
So there are two groups of approved ones. Those on the "inside" gathering secretly and privately with the Prodigal Son Messiah when he comes, and the "older brother" group who is upset at this change of events since they were not expecting this and they had many faithful years of service to their father, only to be snubbed like this. So they can't go in. It's too painful.
But, that's the way it goes! The younger brother usurps the older (Jacob usurps Esau) yet one more time.
So don't worry if you can't accept this or you think it is "nonsense." That's okay.
But it is Biblical and it is TRUE.
So just keep your eyes wide open! This is the time we've been waiting for. This is the time to be awake!
Read your Bible to find out what happens next. Only, if you reject this level of spirituality, you won't be able to go to the next step, so, I hope Jehovah brings you through, whether it is on the inside with the Prodigal Son Messiah, or the outside with the resentful older brother class.
Care to explain the befouled garments of Joshua and how Jesus fulfills that? What choice do we have?
Cheers,
Bibleman