In nature, sure.
Hasn't come about yet, because of Israel rejecting her God and King.
God was originally planning to have a nation be "His people" and another group of people that are separate from that nation.
When God put Israel's plan on hold in Acts 9, He needed someone to enact the other half of His plans for the second group.
So, in that sense, in that Paul was chosen to do this task, he was born out of his time.
Except they didn't.
The kingdom has yet to come, per Revelation 20.
They didn't have thrones.
:idunno:
Not what they were promised.
They were promised 12 thrones on which to rule over Israel.
Are the "thrones" that literal?
You're coming to the conclusion of restating your premise. That's called begging the question. Flocks can certainly be other things, but it's pretty obviously used as a reference to the most flock-ish thing around--sheep--no matter how hard you want to deny it. Especially when he talks about wolves coming in. Are your geese really that worried about wolves?
Are geese really that worried about wolves?
You assume sheep, without support. You have ONE verse that you make this assumption about. If there were any other verses, you'd show them.No, I don't think they are. Sheep can't go anywhere wolves can't go. Geese can (up). Wolves might catch a goose every now and then, but much less than sheep.
Do you have some support for thinking that they are not literal?Are the "thrones" that literal? They might be, but then Jesus is constantly "seated" at the right hand of God. Maybe that's ok for a spirit, but with Him having a human body, seems like 2000 years is a long time to stay seated.
Are the "thrones" that literal? They might be, but then Jesus is constantly "seated" at the right hand of God. Maybe that's ok for a spirit, but with Him having a human body, seems like 2000 years is a long time to stay seated.
No, I don't think they are. Sheep can't go anywhere wolves can't go. Geese can (up). Wolves might catch a goose every now and then, but much less than sheep.
You assume sheep, without support. You have ONE verse that you make this assumption about. If there were any other verses, you'd show them.
Paul says that we are NOT sheep (Romans 8:36-37).
Again (though I agree the CONCEPT there in Acts is that of sheep), you are still going more by your own reasoning about it all.
The CONCEPT is that of one four legged predator (a wolf) able to disguise itself to where it appears anything but a wolf AMONG other four legged animals as its intended prey (sheep), is a constant throughout Scripture.
The CONCEPT is that of a predator able to hang out with, come and go, and so on, within their ranks.
Ezekiel 22:27 Her princes IN THE MIDST THEREOF are like wolves ravening the prey, to shed blood, and to destroy souls, to get dishonest gain.
Acts 20:28 Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. 20:29 For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in AMONG YOU, not sparing the flock. 20:30 ALSO OF YOUR OWN SELVES shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.
2 Corinthians 11:13 For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. 11:14 And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. 11:15 Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.
The CONCEPT, the predator in mind, is that of one that is able to appear to look like, and walk like, and quack like a "fellow" duck.
It has "a FORM of godliness."
So that, in the end, the thing is a CONCEPT, not actually one animal or another.
A CONCEPT conveyed via Analogy based on a facet of everyday life that most back then would have been very familiar with - that of Sheep, a Shephard, and the various Predator issues such faced, from a Wolf, and thus, that of the need for Very Vigilant Measures against such.
Here is that same CONCEPT via the Analogy of a different Predator...
Ezekiel 13:4 O Israel, thy prophets are like the foxes in the deserts.
And so on...
The thing is that of a CONCEPT conveyed via Everyday Familar Analogies, back then.
Romans 5:6-8.
If Jesus kingdom is not of this world (John 18:36), does it make sense to talk of His throne, or David's throne, and the thrones of His apostles as literal? Or do figurative thrones make more sense? Are figurative shepherds and sheep more likely than literal shepherds and sheep? Are figurative wolves going to be coming into the figurative flock, or are they real wolves with real teeth attacking real sheep with real wool (or real geese with real feathers, if [MENTION=8445]DAN P[/MENTION] prefers)?Do you have some support for thinking that they are not literal?
You can't just brush verses away that way. There needs to a clear reason to take them non-literally.
Yes, Jesus will literally sit on David's throne. It does NOT have to be the same throne that David sat on. David's throne is the kingdom of Israel with its capital in Jerusalem.... a literal kingdom with a literal capital and a literal King on a literal throne.Agreed. Just like Jesus wasn't saying His people are really sheep, and He isn't literally standing in a field watching over His flocks, especially while seated at the right hand of the Father, and being the door of the sheepfold.
Are "thrones" possibly treated the same way? Will Jesus literally sit on David's throne, @Right Divider? You know, the one that probably disintegrated 2500 or more years ago? Or does that just mean Jesus will rule over His people.
So you are another that abuses that scripture? Read the ENTIRE verse and don't leave ANYTHING out.If Jesus kingdom is not of this world (John 18:36), does it make sense to talk of His throne, or David's throne, and the thrones of His apostles as literal?
The figurative always points to the literal.Or do figurative thrones make more sense? Are figurative shepherds and sheep more likely than literal shepherds and sheep? Are figurative wolves going to be coming into the figurative flock, or are they real wolves with real teeth attacking real sheep with real wool (or real geese with real feathers, if @DAN P prefers)?
Derf;5291664 [Rom 8:37 KJV said:Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.[/COLOR]
To say that the "nay" is an indication of not experiencing those things in verse 35 suggests that the body of Christ will never undergo any tribulation or persecution or famine. Yet Christ Himself confirms that at least some of the church has and will. For example:
[Rev 2:9 KJV] I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but thou art rich) and [I know] the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, but [are] the synagogue of Satan.
Paul says NAY.... we are NOT sheep. Did you want me to quote the entire book of Romans?So you say and said before, but without persuasive hermeneutical reasoning, including purposely leaving off the provided context of vs 35. In fact, the passage clearly says those things happen, but don't affect our relationship with Christ, just as you can't say principalities and powers, life and death, height and depth don't exist because they can't separate us from His love (Rom 8:38-39). After all, you can't conquer something you never have a problem with. To say that a 7-year-old has "conquered" acne or pornography addiction or arthritis would be laughable.
Paul is NOT saying that all of those in the body of Christ will not suffer those things. He is says that EVEN in those things we are more than conquers. Paul himself suffered many of those things.[Rom 8:35 KJV] Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? [shall] tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?
[Rom 8:36 KJV] As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.
[Rom 8:37 KJV] Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.
To say that the "nay" is an indication of not experiencing those things in verse 35 suggests that the body of Christ will never undergo any tribulation or persecution or famine. Yet Christ Himself confirms that at least some of the church has and will. For example:
[Rev 2:9 KJV] I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but thou art rich) and [I know] the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, but [are] the synagogue of Satan.
Agreed. Just like Jesus wasn't saying His people are really sheep, and He isn't literally standing in a field watching over His flocks, especially while seated at the right hand of the Father, and being the door of the sheepfold.
Are "thrones" possibly treated the same way? Will Jesus literally sit on David's throne, [MENTION=15338]Right Divider[/MENTION]? You know, the one that probably disintegrated 2500 or more years ago? Or does that just mean Jesus will rule over His people.
If Jesus kingdom is not of this world (John 18:36), does it make sense to talk of His throne, or David's throne, and the thrones of His apostles as literal? Or do figurative thrones make more sense? Are figurative shepherds and sheep more likely than literal shepherds and sheep? Are figurative wolves going to be coming into the figurative flock, or are they real wolves with real teeth attacking real sheep with real wool (or real geese with real feathers, if [MENTION=8445]DAN P[/MENTION] prefers)?
So you'll allow for a non-literal "David's throne", but everything else is literal, including the sitting. Yet Jesus said the Pharisees sit in Moses' chair. (That sounds rather crowded, don't you think, all those pharisees in one chair?) And He describes what that means:Yes, Jesus will literally sit on David's throne. It does NOT have to be the same throne that David sat on. David's throne is the kingdom of Israel with its capital in Jerusalem.... a literal kingdom with a literal capital and a literal King on a literal throne.
Only a spiritual kingdom? Hardly. It was/is a kingdom that had/has real physical implications on our lives, real changes in our hearts, and real, observable effects on our actions. It was a kingdom whose power was given to the Gentiles for a time (maybe even a time, times, and a half a time). And eventually that kingdom will be THE kingdom on earth, where He rules all nations. And nations that bow the knee to Jesus Christ will thrive and prosper, as long as they don't then chase after the world.So you are another that abuses that scripture? Read the ENTIRE verse and don't leave ANYTHING out.
Joh 18:36 KJV Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence.
I was THEN (NOW) that His kingdom was "not of this world". Even the "not of this world" does NOT mean that is was "only a spiritual kingdom" as too many confused people say.
If you believe the figurative points to the literal, then you would have no problem believing that the thrones the apostles sit on are figurative, pointing to the position they were to have, and seemingly already have had, in ruling over Christ's church.([Mat 16:18 KJV] And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.)The figurative always points to the literal.
Put your magic wand back in its holster and just take the text for what it really means.
Hi and under what reason can connect Rev 2:9 to Rom 8:37 as the Greek word ARE MORE SUPER-CONQUERORS / HYPERNIKO which is in the PRESENT TENSE , ACTIVE VOICE and in the INDICATIVE MOOD !!
Paul is writing to believers under the GRACE OF GOD , NOW and not to those assemblies in the book of the REVELATION that are yet to happen !!
dan p
You need to learn to understand figures of speech. The Bible uses TONS of them (as we all actually do in normal everyday life).So you'll allow for a non-literal "David's throne", but everything else is literal, including the sitting.
Once AGAIN, learn what a FIGURE OF SPEECH is so that you will not be so confused all of the time.Yet Jesus said the Pharisees sit in Moses' chair. (That sounds rather crowded, don't you think, all those pharisees in one chair?)
Indeed, they were to follow the law of Moses as written and not the "laws" of the leaders that had perverted them.And He describes what that means:
[Mat 23:2 KJV] Saying, The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses' seat:
[Mat 23:3 KJV] All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, [that] observe and do; but do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not.
He was saying they are the ruling authority, so the people were to follow their commands, even though He continued by saying they were binding heavy burdens on the people:
[Mat 23:4 KJV] For they bind heavy burdens and grievous to be borne, and lay [them] on men's shoulders; but they [themselves] will not move them with one of their fingers.
Now you're just mangling things beyond all recognition.Only a spiritual kingdom? Hardly. It was/is a kingdom that had/has real physical implications on our lives, real changes in our hearts, and real, observable effects on our actions. It was a kingdom whose power was given to the Gentiles for a time (maybe even a time, times, and a half a time).
And yet in THAT kingdom, Israel will have a special place above other nations. The other nations will serve Israel and their King.And eventually that kingdom will be THE kingdom on earth, where He rules all nations. And nations that bow the knee to Jesus Christ will thrive and prosper, as long as they don't then chase after the world.
Yes, and yet Paul said that he did not want to build on any other foundation than the one that he himself laid. Romans 15:20 & 1 Cor 3:10I admit I'm not sure where to draw the line between physical and spiritual, but I have a hard time drawing it between the believing Jews and the body of Christ. Between believers and non-believers makes much more sense of the scriptures.
[Eph 2:18 KJV] For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.
[Eph 2:19 KJV] Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God;
[Eph 2:20 KJV] And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner [stone];
But TODAY there is NEITHER Jew NOR Greek in the body of Christ. Can't you see the difference?That doesn't remove the Jews from a place of prominence in His kingdom plans, but it might require them to wait until they are willing to follow His plan and not theirs. Until they say "Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord." (Matt 23:39)
Once again, from the TEXT (the Bible) there is no reason to believe that they are not literal thrones. Nothing in the passage even hints at figurative thrones.If you believe the figurative points to the literal, then you would have no problem believing that the thrones the apostles sit on are figurative, pointing to the position they were to have, and seemingly already have had, in ruling over Christ's church.([Mat 16:18 KJV] And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.)
You just want to put everything into doubt, don't you?(Oh, was that a figurative or a literal rock???, and could He build a literal church on a figurative rock? Or was it a figurative church on a literal rock? Was Peter (and the rest of the apostles) a part of the same foundation Paul talks about? Of course he was!)
And did Jesus really mean what He said that it wasn't His to say who would sit on His right and left in His kingdom? Was it figurative or literal? Remember this was James and John asking for the favor. Isn't it interesting that James was the first apostle to be martyred, and John was the last one living?