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To: dartuser
>>>The resurrected Christ was seen by only a few hundred people ... and we have several written accounts. I would think an event that the whole world witnessed would have at least 1 written eyewitness source. There is none.<<<

Maybe you should consider a different perspective. What does it really mean for "every eye" to see him? Who is every eye? And if all "kindreds" or "tribes" of the earth mourn, who are those tribes? The old Testament indicated the word "kindreds" is another word for the twelve tribes, or, in Abraham's case, a word for those of the same race or clan.

Therefore, I personally have dropped any pretense that "every eye" means every eye on earth.

There are further considerations. The question I asked you earlier about the gospel being preached in the "whole world" and to "every creature" was not a trick question; but one that had made me reconsider things when I first put that particular "two and two" together. I saw that the "whole world" in the New Testament was, in general, another term for the Roman Empire, like in this verse:

"And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed." (Luke 2:1 KJV)

Eventually I whittled everything away that didn't fit, and was left with the judgement against Jerusalem. The term "coming in clouds" is a type of old testament imagery for the Lord coming in judgement. I believe that is why Caiaphas got so bent out of shape:

"And the high priest stood up in the midst, and asked Jesus, saying, Answerest thou nothing? what is it which these witness against thee? But he held his peace, and answered nothing. Again the high priest asked him, and said unto him, Art thou the Christ, the Son of the Blessed? And Jesus said, I am: and ye shall see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven. Then the high priest rent his clothes, and saith, What need we any further witnesses?" (Mark 14:60-63 KJV)

I believe Caiaphas understood, from his study of the old testament, that Jesus was claiming to be the Lord and he was coming in the clouds of judgement. Those "clouds" in Revelation 1 and 14, and in Matthew 24; the "flood" in Daniel 9; and the "overflowing scourge" in Isaiah 28, I believe were all referring to the Roman armies sent by the Lord in judgement against Israel and Jerusalem in A.D. 67-70.

You mentioned Josephus earlier. There were some very strange coincidences and phenomena recorded by him. This is one from Barnes Notes on Matt 24:4:

"The Messiah was expected at that time [in history], Mt 2:1,2. Many would lay claims to being the Messiah, and, as he was universally expected, many would easily be led to believe in them. There is abundant evidence that this was fully accomplished. Josephus informs us that there were many, who pretended to Divine inspiration, deceived the people, leading out numbers of them into the desert. "The land," says he, "was overrun with magicians, seducers, and impostors, who drew the people after them in multitudes into solitudes and deserts, to see the signs and miracles which they promised to show by the power of God."

Note the references to the desert, and recall:

"Wherefore if they shall say unto you, Behold, he is in the desert; go not forth: behold, he is in the secret chambers; believe it not." (Matt 24:26)

There was also a long period of peace in those days lasting from about 17AD until about 60AD. Therefore a meaningless statement to us ("ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars") meant a lot to people of those days.

Philip

202 posted on 02/25/2014 4:14:17 PM PST by PhilipFreneau
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To: PhilipFreneau

So God used the armies of the beast to bring judgment to Jerusalem? At what point in 70AD was the beast defeated?


221 posted on 02/25/2014 6:37:29 PM PST by redleghunter
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