Posted on 01/03/2002 11:19:13 AM PST by ArGee
A very rich man decided that he wanted to show kindness to the people of the fair city where he lived. Since he was very rich indeed, he decided to throw a banquet for the entire city. He rented the largest sports arena in the city and began his plans. He planned for huge amounts of the best food possible, making allowances for every religious and medical diet. He advertised the banquet in every possible manner - television, radio, billboard, door-to-door canvassing. Considering that there might be some who could not travel, he arranged for free bus transportation to and from the event, and some special-needs vehicles for all who could not ride busses. He even scheduled the banquet to run for 24 hours a day for several days so that everyone could be sure of being served.
He planned long and hard and finally the big day came. The rich man ate quickly and then went about wishing all his guests well and personally making sure that all had every need met. After a while he went outside to tour the grounds and talk with those who had not yet gone in, and those who had already left. Everyone was happy. Many were profusely thankful. It was a glorious occasion.
At one point the rich man noticed a group of people sitting outside a locked door with most unpleasant looks on their faces. Sensing they were not happy, he went over to them. He did not introduce himself but simply asked them if he could be of service.
"We want to go in through this door," one of them replied.
The rich man explained to them that the hall was arranged to feed a large number of people as quickly and effortlessly as possible. This required order inside, and the entrances and exits had been carefully planned to be as efficient as possible. He then offered to go call one of the golf carts that were avaialbe to help people who could not walk far to take them to the entrance. But the man replied, "We do not want to go in the entrance. We want to go in this door. We don't understand why we can't go in any door we wish. We think the man who set this banquet up is mean and hateful for insisting we go in through the entrance. He has tried to bill himself as a very kind man by offering this banquet, but he is not kind at all if he will not indulge us and let us go through this door.
The rich man was distressed at these words, but still attempted to please these people. He tried once more to explain to them what was behind this particular door, and how if they went in this door they would disrupt the meal service being offered inside. He offered to drive them himself, not only to the door, but inside the hall to their tables if they would only go through the entrance to enjoy the meal. Again the man said, "No, but only a hateful man would keep us from going through the door of our choosing. And we will sit here and tell anyone who will listen to us what an awful man he is until he lets us in."
At that the rich man was enraged and he shouted, "Enough." Then he called a police officer to have them thrown off of the property and ordered that they not be allowed to return until the banquet was over and all the scraps had been hauled away. Then, mourning for their loss, he turned to visit with other guests.
that's a fair response, i just tend to feel it was the other way around.
If a Jew believes in an after life (not all Jews do - particularly the partially secular ones) the above belief is universal including the Orthodox, Conservative and Reform. My religiously well educated Orthodox son-in-law believes this, as I do (I attend a Reform synagogue), and I'll ask him where the source of this belief lies. My guess that it comes from the Talmud, which includes the rabbinical commentaries on the Bible.
By the way, unless one knows what is in the Talmud, which is twenty times the length of of the Holy Scriptures, one is hardly equipped to challenge the origin or validity of most Jewish religious beliefs.
Wrong again. They have every right to believe whatever they want to believe. Just because somebody tells me they had a personal experience where they "saw" the "Great Sky Fairy" does not make it true, no matter how much they [want to] believe it. Sorry, but you have presented no evidence, only hyperbole.
After that, people who hear the story have a responsibility to judge it, based on what they know about the teller -- his closeness to the person who originally experienced it, his reputation for truth, etc. It may not be proof, but it is evidence.
Incredible claims require incredible evidence to back them up. I would not care who told me about "The Great Sky Fairy", I would need more than anybody's testimony, regardless of who that "anybody" is, to accept that claim.
Father, I echo the prayer of Boxford for LuvItOrLeaveIt. May it be so quickly. Amen.
Shalom.
I've just proven one of your statements wrong. This prayer has not been answered.
And what about people who were unlucky enough to live at a time when there were no invitations sent out?
I'm talking about my ancestors who never heard a word about Christ or the "good news" of the gospel. According to some Christians, my ancestors will be consigned to hell, because they didn't "profess a belief in Christ." They weren't even given a chance to accept or reject. Why are they being excluded?
I'm sorry, but isn't that kinda unfair? Even if I make it to the feast, I cannot celebrate the "divinity of the fellowship" with those I love, because they won't be there.
But more, how the lost blame G-d for holding to His simple plan of salvation rather than accepting their plan as superior...
Yes, very well said... I'm reminded of Matthew 7:14 - "For the gate is narrow and the way is hard, that leads to life, and those who find it are few." Not gates, but gate. Singular. This was an excellect thread...
I'm not sure what the record is, but more than 700 replies has to be close to a FR record??
I have read many posts on this thread of people complaining that they don't agree with having to take the front entrance to the banquet, or "why can't an omnipotent God just take everyone in?" What they don't understand is that not only is Jesus "The Way" into the banquet but he is the banquet and the food itself. It is like someone saying that they want to go swimming without getting wet.
Ultimately the definition of Heaven is eternal fellowship with God. I know that for most unbelievers that does not sound real great, but when we begin to understand the true greatness of God (which we never fully will in this life) we can begin to understand why Jesus is The Way. We cannot have fellowship with God (i.e. heaven) and reject Him at the same time. Just as when you go swimming you are going to get wet.
I have not named the banquet. In the names you have given, you suggest the banquet is an after-death banquet.
The banquet is a life banquet. I am eating of it now. The food is good. The wine is excellent. The fellowship is divine!
Come to the Table.
Shalom.
I have refused to accept the existence of God, and therefore have no choice but to make my own set.
I hope by now you know me better.
Shalom.
I am at the banquet now. The food is good. The wine is excellent. The fellowship is divine.
Come to the Table.
Shalom.
Practicing your piety in public?
Why assume that to look is to see?
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