Ping!
As I understand it, this thread is in the prayer forum and is, therefore, not open for argument.
Is that correct, religion mod?
**provide a link to a resource**
Well, I prefer to use only the scriptures. That will have to do.
**We have already seen how Elizabeth’s words echo similar exclamations from the Old Testament and how this confirms Mary’s identity as the “woman” of Genesis 3:15, Revelation 12, and the Ark of the New Covenant.**
“Revelation 12”.......ah yes, where the ‘interpreter(s)’ that see that passage as being Mary specifically, stop short of verse 6 which is a continuation of the passage. Just look at the second part of verse 5, and how it continues on into verse 6:
5 “..and her child was caught up unto God, and to his throne. 6 And the woman fled into the wilderness, where she hath a place prepared of God, that they should feed her there a thousand two hundred and threescore days.”
The days are three and a half years, and pertain to the nation of Israel. Is there some scripture, somewhere, that follows Mary for three and a half years, immediately after the ascension of Jesus Christ to heaven?
“Ark of the New Covenant”....
Well, I was going to reply to that, in your “part 2”, but our internet went down for 4 days. Meanwhile the 18 wheeler had to roll. As you can see, both are back. (the 18 wheeler is much more reliable).
Anyway, here is THAT reply:
This is yet another example of how the followers of man-made Mary dogma regularly place her in a more visible position than Christ himself. You followers of such teachings say that that isn’t so. Yet, the very actions (prayers, paintings, statues, writings, etc.) show her to be paid as much, or even more, attention than to Christ. The ark of the covenant was THE focal point of the tabernacle. Yet, your interpretations have Mary visible the entire time, and Christ only visible if someone removes the tables of stone.
Nevertheless, let us look at the list that the writer presents, and consider the replies I offer:
**Luke 1:28,31,42,45,48 (DRB) and Psalms 93:5: Mary was a house of the Lord, and the house of the Lord is forever holy.**
Forever? Although, nine months might seem like forever when expecting a child. My wife can answer that better than I.
** Luke 1:35 and Exodus 40:35: God overshadowed Mary just as He overshadowed the ark.**
That certainly doesn’t make the ark a symbol of Mary. God said he would dwell upon the mercy seat, between the cherubs. God covered Moses as he passed by before him. The glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle, and later, the temple. The Lord came down upon mount Sinai. He obviously overshadowed Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, while he walked with them in the fiery furnace, etc.
**Luke 1:39 and 2 Samuel 6:2: Both Mary and the ark arise and go to Judah.**
Mary had to leave Galilee and enter Judea (Judah). The ark had been in Judah for quite some time, before being moved to Jerusalem.
**Luke 1:41 and 2 Samuel 6:16: David leaps with joy at the presence of the ark, just as John leaps at the presence of Mary.**
“And David danced before the Lord with all his might..”. 2Sam. 6:14. You need it to say something like: David danced before the Lord and the woman (well, he wouldn’t have known her name, right?). I think John leaped because of WHO was IN Mary.
** Luke 1:43 and 2 Samuel 6:9: What David says at the coming of the ark is almost exactly what Elizabeth says upon the coming of Mary.**
ALMOST EXACTLY?? That’s a stretch. Elisabeth’s exclamation was of joy, because of the coming of her Lord. David had just seen Uzzah killed by touching the ark. He spoke with fear of what the presence of the Lord had just done.
**Luke 1:56 and 2 Samuel 6:11: Both Mary and the ark reside for 3 months in their new locations.**
And surprise,......the sky was blue both times.
The ark began it’s journey in Sinai, crossed the Jordan River, and then inside the borders of Judah, was briefly in Philistia (to their anguish), then spent about 70-80 yrs in Gibeah of Judah, before being moved a little closer to Jerusalem, where it sat for 3 months while David figured out how he should properly bring it into the city, and not get someone else killed in the process. Mary left Nazareth (not in Judah) to visit Elisabeth in Judah, somewhere in the vicinity of Jerusalem.
** Hebrews 9:4 and John 1:1; 6:51; Hebrews 5:4-5: Just as the ark of the Old Covenant contained the word of God on the stone tablets, the manna from heaven, and the rod of Aaron the great High Priest. Jesus Christ, who is the Word of God, the Manna from Heaven, and the great High Priest.**
So, when the ark was placed in the temple, and was missing the manna, and Aaron’s rod, what is ‘tradition’s’ interpretation there? Anyway, God was not displeased, for the glory of the Lord filled the house of the Lord.
WAIT!! With your interpretation, that situation has the house of the Lord (the ark), in the house of the Lord (the temple). But then, neither can truly hold the infinite God.
Jesus Christ IS the ark of the Covenant. “In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge” Col. 2:3. ( that would also include all of what is written on the tables of stone).
The Son said: “I am IN the Father, and the Father IN me” (John 10:38; 14:10,11,20). The outside of the wooden ark of the covenant was covered with gold, and the inside of the ark was covered with gold as well. The gold could preserve the wooden indefinitely. God preserved the Son:
“Because thou wilt not leave my soul in hell, neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.” Acts 2:27
The tablets of stone, which is the testamony, were placed inside, resting on the gold plated interior:
“My doctrine is not mine, but his that sent me.” John 7:16
**“you have found favor with God” (Luke 1:30);**
Yes, unmeritted favor: “For he hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden..”.
Here’s another chosen one, who was of low estate:
“..for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and children of Israel”. Acts 9:15 (The Lord informing Ananias, of Saul/Paul)