Posted by Bibleman [Bibleman] on November 02, 1999 at 01:43:39 {.c1iAaocfMMRXA6xmpscslyACFuF8c}:
In Reply to: Heavens were opened posted by bibleman on November 01, 1999 at 17:00:51:
Hi dproper,
What the Watchtower says and things they interpret are one thing and what we can understand from the Bible is another. So let's get that clear first. That this is a WTS concept.
As far as my pesonal beliefs regarding this are concerned, I'd have to say I'm undecided right now until I perhaps see a specific scripture that would make this for definitive.
However, the "heaven's opening up" to Jesus would not necessarily mean he became aware of his prehuman existence since the heaven's open up to lots of people. All that could mean is that he began to see visions of heavenly things like so many others.
Any time someone sees a vision of Heavens then I consider that the "heavens opening up to them."
Further, Jesus knew that he was "god's son" even when he was twelve years old since when he got left behind and his parents had to return and look for him he said, "Didn't you know I'd be in my Father's house?" So he always knew he was the "Messiah", and apparently do did John the Baptist.
So right now PERSONALLY, I think the event was similar incidents with others who saw into heaven.
Case in point is Stephen which Acts 7:55--
"But he [Stephen], being full of holy spirit, gazed into heaven and caught sight of god's glory and of Jesus tanding at God's right hand, 56 and he said: "Look! I behond THE HEAVENS OPENED UP and the Son of man standing at God's right hand."
So his "anointing" as the Messiah in my mind is primarily significant that this was the time he was being "cut off" from his personal life and being now set aside specifically as to his commission as the Messiah and as the sacrificial lamb. This officially began his Messianic work and he was being anointed and approved to officially do this at this time.
If this is the case, that Jesus’ memory was restored, is this kind of what it is like
for the annointed who are resurrected now ? Their memories restored ?
Interesting question, but let me say that we must take this separately. Jesus wasn't being "resurrected" at this time.
But the first resurrection which requires being "sown" into the bodies of already living anointed ones, is similar to being given another memory I would think. That is, subjectively, the person would simply remember doing something in an earlier time. Thus there is no conflict in personality.
It would be the same if you found out that in a previous life you were someone famous. You could remember what you did and who you knew back then, but you'd still have recollection of your current life. It would be almost as if you simply had two lives or a very long life only you forgot about the middle!
But additionally, someone could tell you that you were a specific person in your past and you'd know who you were but still have no memory. Some some people might be walking around having been told by holy spirit that THEY ARE "Daniel" or "Peter" or "Abraham" and they don't have any memory of that life yet. Still, Daniel and Abraham and Peter are realizing they have been implanted into the body of a modern person, and they are just waiting until that person becomes aware of their memory.
So for the resurrected ones, they might feel like they sort of have an "out of body" experience until everything is combined.
So actually, I don't know exactly how it's going to work. I'm sure it will be wonderful.
But there are lots of scenarios. Some people have MULTIPLE PERSONALITIES now and they are just one person and the personalities exist together. So maybe that's how it might be. You know...
For instance, in the new order, there might be this huge registry on the internet and you can look up one of the ancient men or women of old and you'll find out that say, Sarah has been resurrected into Beaver. So you'll just go up to Beaver. Say hello. Give her some flowers and say, "Listen, I'd like to ask Sarah something." Then she'll say "Sure, that will be $5.00." And then Sarah will answer your question. (smile)
I'm just kidding a bit, but two people can share the same body I think without many problems. You could be aware of two separate personalities, or it could be the same person with just two different memories. Who knows exactly how it will work?
So this is something I think that is open and you can find your own comfort level with it until we find out for sure after the millennium begins, I guess.
Nice question!
Cheers,
Bibleman