Posted on 02/05/2016 6:31:45 AM PST by Kaslin
There is a misplaced fear -- shared, I'm sad to say, by many on the right -- that Christian conservatives are zealots, theocrats and all-around bogeymen.
Ever since the advent of the moral majority during the Reagan years, establishment Republicans have been leery and sometimes contemptuous of them.
They resent having to deal with this block of "crazies," who always muck up the right-wing coalition with their annoying Jesus talk and their injection of social issues into the mix. If they'd just quit talking about abortion and same-sex marriage we could take this country by storm. Instead we hand the nation to the Democrats on a silver platter, because no one likes those Christian scolds except fellow Christian scolds.
It doesn't help the Christian conservatives' cause that fellow Christians pile on with fingers wagging about the impropriety and unseemliness of Christians being involved in politics. "God is in control, so you should pray, but leave politics and statecraft to the politicians."
I happen to agree that God is in control, but that doesn't mean Christians should sit on the sidelines. I don't believe He created us to be passive and unengaged and to not fight for what is right in the culture and in government.
Regardless, we politically engaged Christian conservatives face multiple challenges. Obama and his party consider us Bible-toting, bitter-clinging domestic terrorists in waiting, and a mortal threat to the fundamentally transformed America they crave and the selective groups and causes they believe are entitled to protection under the Constitution. And as we've seen, a good chunk of Republicans consider us sanctimonious intermeddlers.
Along comes Ted Cruz, son of a pastor, and a master orator with the delivery and style, according to certain critics, of a preacher -- and boy do they mean that in a negative sense. Adding insult to injury, he is well-versed in the Bible and he advocates biblical principles -- as opposed to citing Scripture opportunistically, inappropriately and awkwardly.
The establishment already has visceral contempt for Ted Cruz, so when he evokes Scripture, their disdain rises to the level of loathing. Not only does his Jesus talk annoy and frighten them, they don't think he even means it. At the very least, he shouldn't rev up his fellow Bible-thumping crazies with such talk, lest they "rise up" and do something, well, crazy.
So when columnist Kathleen Parker heard that Cruz had uttered the phrase "the body of Christ" to Iowans while campaigning in their state, she became afraid, very afraid.
I have no personal animosity for Kathleen, for her attitude on this is typical of many others. Unfortunately, though, she misquoted Cruz as saying this, "You know, it's time for the body of Christ to rise up and support me." She found that "rather astonishing," and because of it doesn't "think there's any chance Ted Cruz can win a general. ... I don't know anyone who takes their religion seriously who would think that Jesus should rise from the grave and resurrect himself to serve Ted Cruz."
Cruz did not use "the body of Christ" in this context, but even if he had, any Bible-literate Christian would know he didn't mean it to imply that Jesus should resurrect Himself. Jesus was resurrected once and for all three days after He was crucified, dead, and buried. If Cruz's Christian audience had understood him to mean that Jesus should resurrect Himself again -- a bizarre notion -- they would have left him in droves as an inauthentic Christian.
Evangelical Christians use the phrase "the body of Christ" mainly as a synonym for "the Church" or "the body of believers," whether in a local or worldwide context. It further denotes unity in the diversity of believers. The term comes from the apostle Paul, who used it in a number of his letters. The Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology explains, "The primary purpose of the metaphor is to demonstrate the interrelatedness of diversity and unity within the church, especially with reference to spiritual gifts."
The idea, then, is that the Church is the body, and individual Christians have different spiritual gifts that we are to use together for the whole body (Church). Paul wrote to the Romans, "For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another. Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them."
What Cruz did say many times is, "If we awaken and energize the body of Christ -- if Christians and people of faith come out and vote our values -- we will win and we will turn the country around."
All he is saying is that Christians and people who share our Judeo-Christian values should support his candidacy because he will do everything in his power to promote these values -- not theocratically, but lawfully and constitutionally. It's just another way of saying to fellow Christian voters, "I need fellow believers to get involved in my campaign because we share the same values and goals."
I've said this before, but people should understand that they have less to fear from Christians than any other group of people. We will protect, not endanger, your liberties. We are the last group who would suppress your speech or any other liberties. Don't believe the mythmakers. Those so quick to point out the phobias of others may just have a touch of that characteristic themselves.
“The Great Sign in the Heavens from Revelation 12:1-2”
That’s part of a vision about Christ, not a literal sign in the heavens, as evidenced by the fact that the “sign” gives birth to Jesus in verse 5.
The term ‘body of Christ’ means the Church, or Christians, as a group. It has nothing to do with a physical body.
This is why it’s over for Cruz before it even started.
If a literal interpretation works, take the literal over the symbolic or spiritualized interpretation.
Revelation Chapter 12:
1 Now a great sign appeared in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a garland of twelve stars.
2 Then being with child, she cried out in labor and in pain to give birth.
Nelson, Thomas (2009-02-18). Holy Bible, New King James Version (NKJV) (p. 1193). Thomas Nelson. Kindle Edition.
Previous Bible commentators have taken this as a symbolic vision about Israel (Mary) giving birth to Jesus, and marking the start of the 3 1/2 year Great Tribulation.
However, since “knowledge had increased”, we can use star charting programs such as Stellarium to see that this could be a literal “great sign” in heaven.
The constellation “Virgo”, the Virgin, has always been identified with Mary the Mother of Jesus. The nine stars of Leo, the Lion (of Judah), form a “garland” above her head.
Jupiter has always been identified as the “King” star. It is striped (by His stripes we are healed) and has a large, red spot (they pierced His side).
Here is the sequence of events regarding the Sun, Moon, Jupiter, Virgo, Leo, Mercury, Mars and Venu
Mon, 21 November 2016 = 20th of Cheshvan, 5777
Jupiter enters Virgo (the Virgin’s Womb) crossing line from Spica to Porrima
Sat, 28 January 2017 = 1st of Sh’vat, 5777
Jupiter retrograde motion begins inside Virgo.
Sat, 10 June 2017 = 16th of Sivan, 5777
Jupiter prograde motion resumes inside Virgo
Thu, 17 August 2017 = 25th of Av, 5777
Total Solar eclipse across America (Charleston to Portland)
Sun, 10 September 2017 = 19th of Elul, 5777
Jupiter crosses Heze — Spica line. Virgin gives birth? Conjunction Regulus and Mercury
Wed, 20 September 2017 = 29th of Elul, 5777
New Moon, Venus — Regulus conjunction
Sun, 24 September 2017 = 4th of Tishrei, 5778
Sun at Virgo’s shoulders (clothed), the Moon is at her feet, Mercury, Mars, Venus are added to Leo’s nine stars as Virgo’s 12-star ‘garland’
The great sign in the heaven is complete. This formation has not happened in the past 6000 years and won’t happen again for at least another 2000 years.
Luke 21
25 “And there will be signs in the sun, in the moon, and in the stars; and on the earth distress of nations, with perplexity, the sea and the waves roaring;
26 “men’s hearts failing them from fear and the expectation of those things which are coming on the earth, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken.
27 “Then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.
28 “Now when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near.”
Nelson, Thomas (2009-02-18). Holy Bible, New King James Version (NKJV) (p. 1023). Thomas Nelson. Kindle Edition.
See the image at: http://i.ytimg.com/vi/_1y_hLqVXf4/maxresdefault.jpg
Uh, He already did rise from the grave and made every Believer alive in Christ and gave us power to overcome the world in his name.
Its comical listening to the religious, or the secular world trying to explain spiritual issues.
We have to be careful of the Revelation women. One is the Bride church, one is Israel, and one is the RC church on the beast.
Years ago a world famous sculpturer was set to construct a tall figure of Christ on the high bluff downtown over looking the sea similar to the one in Brazil but the Libs, PC nuts voted it down. Corpus Christi (body of Christ) What could have been more appropriate? And besides, it would really have put Corpus Christi on the map.
I know.
Wow. I missed this. Did Kathleen Parker actually think that the phrase “Body of Christ” means the Jesus in the flesh? If so, she is totally ignorant of Christian terminology.
Oh, and by-the-way, this term is often utilized in ‘Catholic speak’ also. And it means the same as what David Limbaugh wrote. The entirety of Christendom, the Catholics, the Protestants, and the Orthodox communions who embrace Jesus Christ as Lord and Redeemer.
Look....Ted Cruz is unbalanced, his religious fervor sides more with facism and his crass action of stealing votes from Ben Carson reveals a bad evil and lustful streak for power in this individual. He is not fit for any public office IMHO!!! End of story!!!
Now..if the voters of the USA want him.....that is fine with me...but, just look what a lie teller and deceiver, Barack Hussein Obama turned out to be....some “Hope 7 Change”....Arican-Americans gained “ZERO” from their “first Black POTUS”!!! SAD!!! Cruz will result in the same kind of performance!!!
Agree
Not true, The King of Kings simply rejected any lesser office.
Psalm 110:1
The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool.
Any person with an IQ over 80 knows the phrase, “The body of Christ”, knows it means all those who believe in Jesus Christ; nothing more, nor less.
I'm sure he does, many many times a day. It's called "praying".
False, He was always the King. He is the King. And He will always be the King of Kings.
Exodus 15:18
The LORD shall reign forever and ever.
Psalm 145:11-13
They shall speak of the glory of Your kingdom And talk of Your power; To make known to the sons of men Your mighty acts And the glory of the majesty of Your kingdom. Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, And Your dominion endures throughout all generations.
Matthew 27:37
And set up over his head his accusation written, This Is Jesus The King Of The Jews.
Well, I meant He avoided being made king at that time by the will of the people. “King” meaning the Jewish king in place of Herod.
Yes, He is rightful King of the Jews but that was not His mission to claim on that trip from Heaven to our realm. The Cross awaited Him and He was not to be deterred by local political matters.
Regret you misunderstood what I meant.
Yes, Dear Theophilus, Jesus has always been God, and He has always be the King of Kings. He has always been a High Priest of the order of Melchizedek. He has always been one with the Father and the Holy Spirit. He has a Name that no one knows except himself. However, every prophesy is not fulfilled all at one time.
Luke 4:17 And He was handed the book of the prophet Isaiah. And when He had opened the book, He found the place where it was written:
18 “The Spirit of the LORD is upon Me, Because He has anointed Me To preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me it heal the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives And recovery of sight to the blind, To
set at liberty those who are oppressed;
19 To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD.”
20 Then He closed the book, and gave it back to the attendant and sat down. And the eyes of all who were in the synagogue were fixed on Him.
21 And He began to say to them, “Today this Scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.”
Nelson, Thomas (2009-02-18). Holy Bible, New King James Version (NKJV) (p. 998). Thomas Nelson. Kindle Edition.
What Jesus left out on his first coming will be fulfilled in his second coming as YHWH speaking through Isaiah continues:
Isaiah 61:2 ... And the day of vengeance of our God; To comfort all who mourn,
3 To console those who mourn in Zion, To give them beauty for ashes, The oil of joy for mourning, The garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; That they may be called trees of righteousness, The planting of the LORD, that He may be glorified.”
4 And they shall rebuild the old ruins, They shall raise up the former desolations, And they shall repair the ruined cities, The desolations of many generations.
5 Strangers shall stand and feed your flocks, And the sons of the foreigner Shall be your plowmen and your vinedressers.
9 Their descendants shall be known among the Gentiles, And their offspring among the people. All who see them shall acknowledge them, That they are the posterity whom the LORD has blessed.”
Nelson, Thomas (2009-02-18). Holy Bible, New King James Version (NKJV) (p. 724). Thomas Nelson. Kindle Edition.
Psalm 44:8
In God we boast all the day long, and praise thy name for ever. Selah.
That’s OK. He knows what is in you heart! See you on the Glassy Sea! :-)
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