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<---Note: hello again.Insert the search engine between the first message and the code button icon.Thank you ag.mgmt EndNote---> These messages are not necessarily in chronological order. The key is type altk -literally-.
...1.
There are certain similarities between
the Aaronic and millennial
systems...-scriptures listed are Ezekial
43:13-17;43:18;40:39;43:19;
42:13;43:20-27;44:25-27;45:18;46:1;
46:13;46:16-18;45:21-25;46:17;44:15-31;
43:4,5-...The very fact that God has
instituted an order strangely like the
old Aaronic order is one of the best
arguments that the millennium is not
being fulfilled in the church, composed
of Gentile and Jew, in the present age.
That this worship was particularly
planned for a redeemed Isreal is well
observed by Kelly-- William Kelly
--...It is the argument of the book of
Hebrews that Isreal sought access to God
in the old economy through the order or
arrangement of the Aaronic priesthood,
but that we are brought to God through
Christ as He ministered in a new order
or arrangement, the Melchisedec
priesthood. It is particularly
emphasized in Hebrews 7:15 that Christ
came to minister in a new order of the
priesthood. The requirements or rituals
of the two orders need not vary
appreciably for them to be two different
orders. Since both these orders point
to Christ, it would be expected that
similarities should exist.
2.
There are many basic differences between
the Aaronic and millennial systems. The
significance is not is the similarities
but rather in the marked differences
between the two systems. The millennial
system is marked by omissions from the
Aaronic order that make the two systems
so different.
=============================
end of part one's quoted material.
===============================
Interpretation of the presented info--
The Melchizedek priesthood of Jesus
Christ is distinguished by the authors
as that which renews animal sacrifices
in the millennium Kingdom. It is
claimed that omissions from the Aaronic
order as defined by their interpretation
of the Ezekial passages quoted are
evidence of the new system to be in
place which sacrifices animals; albeit
not for sins as they admit elsewhere.
The new order Jesus institutes is
defined as that which is fulfilled in
the millennium NOT in the present age.
*I am wondering how to understand
Gen3.21 in regards to this. My
understanding is that this was the
institution of killing an animal to
cover the sinner, clearly instituted by
God NOT Man. Does not this run counter
to the idea of using the killing of
animals for any other reason? Animals
for food was not allowed until after the
flood, but sacrifices were clearly
carried out to that time...I also have a
problem with their view of Jesus;
especially as our High Priest only
having import during the highly
debatable millinnial order as they
define it. That is not too much of a
stretch of the implications of thier
insistence upon this part of the
Melchizedek priesthood...ga.
Summary--
The pristhood of Jesus is presented as
important to a nonChristian system with
nonChristian rites during the millennial
reign of Jesus.
altk
The population of Palestine in Jesus'
day was approximately 500,000 to 600,000
(about that of Vermont, Boston, or
Jerusalem today). About 18,000 of these
residents were clergy, priests and
Levites. Jerusalem was a city of some
55,000, (about the size of Wheaton,
Illinois, today) but during major
feasts, could swell to 180,000. Children
in Jesus' day played games similar to
hopscotch and jacks. Whistles, rattles,
toy animals on wheels, hoops, and
spinning tops have been found by
archaeologists. Older children and
adults found time to play, too, mainly
with board games. A form of checkers was
popular then. Tradesmen would be
instantly recognizable by the symbols
they wore. Carpenters stuck wood chips
behind their ears, tailors stuck needles
in their tunics, and dyers wore colored
rags. On the Sabbath, these symbols were
left at home.
The second commandment forbade "graven
images," so there are few Jewish
portraits showing dress at the time.
Also because of this prohibition, the
Jews produced little in the way of
painting, sculpture, or carvings. The
masonry and carpentry of the day appear
utilitarian. One notable exception to
the commandment seems to be the
tolerance of dolls for children.
At the two meals each day, bread was the
main food. The light breakfasts--often
flat bread, olives, and cheese (from
goats or sheep)--were carried to work
and eaten at mid-morning. Dinners were
more substantial, consisting of
vegetable (lentil) stew, bread (barley
for the poor, wheat for the rich),
fruit, eggs, and/or cheese. Fish was a
common staple, but red meat was reserved
for special occasions. Locusts were a
delicacy and reportedly taste like
shrimp. (Jews wouldn't have known that,
however, since shrimp and all other
crustaceans were "unclean.")
Only those in the tribe of Levi could be
priests, but they had to be free from
any physical blemishes, infirmities, or
defects. Actually, there were deformed
and dwarfish priests, but, though
allowed to eat the holy food with the
other priests and Levites, they could
not make sacrifices.
There are a few hints of anti-Roman
sentiment in Jesus' ministry. When he
sent the demonic "Legion" (a Roman word)
into a herd of swine, it undoubtedly
conjured images of the Roman military
legions. (One legion occupying Jerusalem
even used a boar as its mascot.) Sending
the demonic legion to its destruction
would have been a powerful symbol to the
oppressed Jews.
Jesus wasn't the only wonder worker of
his day. Both Jews and Romans could list
dozens of divinely inspired miracle
workers. Jesus seems to have been
different in that he eschewed magical
formulas or incantations, refused pay,
and took time to discuss the faith of
those who sought his help.
Jesus lived close to three major ancient
cities. The ancient capital of Galilee,
Sepphoris, was just over the hill from
Nazareth. Tiberias was on the lake, and
travelers passed through Scythopolis to
get to Jerusalem. Curiously we have no
record of Jesus having visited these
cities.
As carpenters, Joseph and Jesus would
have created mainly farm tools (carts,
plows, winnowing forks, and yokes),
house parts (doors, frames, posts, and
beams), furniture, and kitchen utensils.
The mountain where Jesus was
transfigured could be Mount Tabor.
Ironically, though Jesus rebuked Peter
for suggesting he build three dwellings
there, by the 700s three churches sat
atop the mountain to commemorate the
event.
Jesus lived during the age of papyrus
rolls, which were no more than 33-feet
long. This as much as anything else
determined the length of literary works
in antiquity. It is no accident that,
for example, Luke's Gospel is the
maximum length for an ancient document,
and thus another papyrus role had to be
used to inscribe the Book of Acts.
Copyright(c) 1998 by the author or
Christianity Today, Inc./Christian
History Magazine.
...............altk
John 3: 1-17
"THE KNOW IT ALL"
Susan Duker 5/28/97
How simple it would be to read the bible if we could put all the colorful characters we meet into 20th century stereotypes. The land owners would be powerful corporate moguls. The centurion would be a strong military leader of the occupation force. The pharisees would be the religious right screaming the law and obedience to it. The sadducees would be the priests in ornate vestments who lead mass in great cathedrals. Jesus might be an evangelist, and the disciples the advance men that preceded him into the cities and arranged the tour for the crusade. And of course, the tax collector would become the IRS agent.
How very one dimensional those characters would be when translated without the reference to their own era. The ministry of Jesus, for instance, was not just preaching the gospel. He rode donkeys and walked hundreds of miles in his sandal shod feet. He went to parties and was overwhelmed by crowds. He ate and slept becoming one with the people. God did not send him messages by fax machine or E-mail. No, God spoke to him from clouds, on a mountain top, in a garden and even at his death on the cross. Christ in history was a little more dynamic than an evangelist.
In our gospel this morning we are presented with a character called Nicodemus. Nicodemus was a man well-versed in the scriptures and gifted as a teacher or Rabbi. Much has been made about the fact that in the gospel, Nicodemus came to Jesus at night. Was he ashamed to be seen with Jesus in the daylight? Possibly. Many of the descriptions in John deal with light and darkness. Jesus is the light of the world, bringing hope to all those in darkness. Nicodemus was surely in the dark about the message of Jesus.
But some commentaries point to the tradition of Rabbi's, who after preforming their religious duties all day, would retire to study the law in the evening. Nicodemus was very interested in knowing God. I am about to apply a 20th century stereotype to Nicodemus, so you must remember that it is very one dimensional. But it may show us a part of Nicodemus we have overlooked. He was a "know it all" when it came to the subject of God. Nicodemus did not come to Jesus to ask a question- he came to tell Jesus what he knew. "Rabbi," he said, "we all know that you are a teacher come from God; for no one can do these signs that you do, unless God is with him." Nicodemus was a "know it all".
It's interesting to take a close look at that 20th century stereotype the "know it all". When we were children, it was a derogatory term for someone we did not like. As we grew older it became an ideal term. Now in our information society, knowledge is greatly prized. When did the stereotype change? A good friend once told me, "Susan, don't ever become intellectually arrogant- education isn't everything." Being submersed in education right now I can understand where it plays an important part in my foundation as a minister. The Presbyterian Church is determined to see that I am equipped with enough education so that I can challenge every person to grow beyond the point where they stopped developing in the faith. It's a very noble goal, but first I must meet people where they are . . . at the point where they have given up .
. and where they need acceptance the most.
Did Nicodemus really "know it all"? Jesus didn't think so. Jesus set him up for a fall with a word play of double meanings. It's interesting to study the double meanings John used in his gospel.
Perhaps that is why the religious symbol for the Gospel of John is the Eagle ... he always takes a higher view. The Samaritan woman at the well thought Jesus was speaking of running water, when he spoke of "living water". Jesus told Nicodemus he must be born "from above". In the Greek the word is Anothen meaning- "from above"- actually a compound word "Ano"- from & "then"- above. It can also mean "again". Many scholars believe the ambiguity is deliberate because it set Nicodemus up to pose a ridiculous question. "How can a man be born when he is old? (What if his mother is already dead?) Can you enter a womb the second time? (Are we talking about reincarnation here?)" However stupid this sounds, these are logical questions that any thinking person would ask - when they've missed the point. Ironically, many people have accepted the misunderstanding of Nicodemus, "to be born again", and have missed the words of Jesus. The phrase "born again" is the misunderstanding of a "know it all".
What is it that Nicodemus misunderstood? The scripture takes an important turn here. Suddenly, the singular "you" addressing Nicodemus changes to the plural. The message is for all of us. This is a post Easter message written by John because the references to baptism and the Holy Spirit are to John a post Easter gift. John refers to Christ's ascension as a past not future event. In this way, a conversation with Nicodemus becomes a sermon to all people. People who need to hear that to find the spirit of God is not like climbing a ladder. We can't study our way to God. Life everlasting is a gift of God. We can't control the spirit of God anymore than the coming and the going of the wind.
The letter of Paul to the Corinthians said God has made foolish the wisdom of this world. Abraham and Sarah received the promise of God by accepting it. It is God who, instead of responding in kind to sinners, forgives by extending grace. God is finally a God who bestows salvation as a free gift and not as wages earned. As the famous John 3:16 states, God gave us life through the death of his Son on the Cross. Through the Cross, we know that God loves us enough to die for us. Through the Cross we know that God pays for our sins. And through the Cross we know that salvation is available to all. It is not a superior knowledge. Forgiveness is available to all who understand the message of the gift.
Later in the gospel we find Nicodemus as a member of the body that condemned Jesus and delivered him to Pilate. But after Jesus had been crucified, Nicodemus risked his life to help Joseph of Arimathea bury him. Perhaps even then he did not understand; yet, even at that very moment, he may have been working out his faith, despite his lack of understanding. God does not condemn.
"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him." We can be a "know it all" by accepting the free gift . . . the gift of God's love - beyond understanding.
-0-
This note sent by SUSAN DUKER
to the sshop-sermons list
altk 10 Reason Not to Wash
In one parish, the pastor, apparently fed up with all the excuses given over the years as to why people don't go to church, included "Ten Reasons Why I Never Wash" in the Sunday bulletin:
1. I was forced to as a child.
2. People who wash are hypocrites -- they think they are cleaner than everybody else.
3. There are so many different kinds of soap, I can't decide which one is best.
4. I used to wash, but I got bored and stopped.
5. I wash only on special occasions, like Christmas and Easter.
6. None of my friends wash.
7. I'll start washing when I get older and dirtier.
8. I can't spare the time.
9. The bathroom is never warm enough in winter or cool enough in summer.
10. People who make soap are only after your money.
-----------
Origin unknown. altk
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