Posted by Drake, Jr. on March 21, 1999 at 11:31:08 {MWI..8PVPLcMY}:
In Reply to: *THE MANNER OF HIS COMING... posted by Sir Richard on March 21, 1999 at 05:40:12:
Dear Sir R.,
Good thinking!
You're going to help develop this concept further.
Eagles do gather around dead or nearly dying bodies.
But since you've obviously made the connection with the "dumpster" Messiah.
Remember who the prodigal son was? He was DEAD for a long time while he was away from God's house. Remember the father's words, "I had to rejoice, since here my son was DEAD and he has come back to life."
So what you have clarified now is that these eagles, these farsighted ones, would be around the body even when it was in a death-like state. Thus from the time of the Messiah's birth, through his baptism, trials, spiritual death, etc. Until he finally returns.
So the concept of the prodigal son is quite synonymous with the spiritually death-like state of the Messiah for most of the time of his 40-year trial. Thus eagles or vultures surrounding a "corpse" (as some translations render it), underscores specifically the true nature of the Messiah's second coming.
OVERVIEW:
Just as an overview of how the Messiah's second coming would take place. He first came as a perfect man, and gave his life in sacrifice. He died and was resurrected again as
a spirit. But he had to return to the earth again in the flesh to rule for 1000 years. So how would this be arranged?
Well, since Christ was to be king and to judge the world, it was decided that it would be nice if he knew what it was really like to be an imperfect man. He knew what it was like to be perfect and maintain his integrity, but what are the complications of the fallen flesh. How wondrous it would be if he could experience that and UNDERSTAND that. It would make his total experience fuller.
But this is impossible. How could this be accomplished. It was decided this could be accomplished if instead of simply rematerializing in human form, as he did after his resurrection, that he would take on the identity and body of one of his imperfect, tested faithful anointed ones. That way, he would have personal knowledge of what it was like to be an imperfect human.
And it was decided not to choose the most illustrious of these servants, but someone with lots of problems who in the end chose to return to God. That is, adopt the identity of a "prodigal son."
So that's how Jesus gets manifested in the flesh the second time around. That's how he gets to experience being an imperfect human, by taking on the identity of one of his selected anointed ones who proves faithful until death.
But this was to be done in total secrecy and to demonstrate that this person actually would be faithful until death, a little mock-death scenario was created wherein this person could be observed to face death and yet not "yell out" to save himself. And what they came up with in a modern situation, was that this person would be dumped into a dump truck with a huge compactor which would threaten to crush him. Thus, like a lamb, being led to slaughter, he would have the opportunity to yell out to save himself, or to remain silent. He remained silent and those onlookers then knew this person was willing to die if holy spirit told him to do so. So it was to demonstrate this fake death.
Then after that death, he was anointed as the Messiah and his identity was adopted by the spirit of Jesus Christ.
Now it's new, I know, but it's practical and not that complex. Basically, since Jesus had to come in the flesh anyway to rule on the earth, it was decided to take advantage of his taking on the identity of someone on the earth so that he would have as part of his identity and experience what it was like to be an imperfect human. That would facilitate his having a full human experience and make him a better judge and king and priest. He could be more understanding. And he would know what it was like to be FORGIVEN for one's sins, etc. Those common experiences of all of mankind would now be part of his background and experience.
So it sort of kills two birds with the same
stone.
It's just a little shocking that a very sinful person and a very troubled person was chosen instead of someone illustrious with a glorious record of faithfulness in the truth.
But remember Jehovah always plays that contrast game. He finds more glory in making the "common" man or the ignoble man, who is not so educated or illustrious in human terms, his prophets and messengers. So that the amazing things that take place ends up giving greater glory to the creator.
And this theme is a strong Biblical one, where God chooses whom he will make the "heir" regardless of protocol. That is, this is the theme of the younger son usurping the older son. This is the favor of Abel's sacrifice over that of Cain's. This is the choice of Jacob, the younger, over Esau, the older. This is the younger, prodigal son who becomes the heir and gets the banquet over the faithful older son, who remains outside and spiteful, but not rejected.
This is all about Jehovah saying that it is he who decides who will rule, "even if it is the LOWLIEST OF MANKIND." So in this prophecy as well, to fulfill it properly, in some way, the ultimate choice for the Messiah would be from among the "lowliest of mankind", that is, someone who is not of the illustrious or rich.
That's why in all the illustrations about the Messiah, whether Lazarus or the man who is robbed and rescued by the Good Samaritan, or the prodigal son, he is always "naked, in prinson, full of sores, etc."
Remember: "When did we see you naked, and in prison? Jesus: the fact that you did not do it to the LEAST OF THESE, MY BROTHERS, you did not do it to me." This is a clue. It turns out that Jesus actually BECOMES one of these least ones. So in that way, they literally did reject Jesus and did not come to his aid.
So it all works out quite marvelously, and of course, it is TOTALLY SCRIPTURAL.
Yes, it is a surprise, it's different, but that's what the "wise virgins" after waking up, trimming their lamps are all about. They focus on the scripture and they are able to assimilate this "new wine" in time to get into the kingdom. But it is so new and so disturbing, they don't have time to hand-hold the foolish virgins through these new twists and turns.
Remember, both virgin groups "nodded" just before the Messiah arrived. So all this would not be known to them until the last minute.
Anyway, the eagles surrounding a dead body is quite specific to the death-like state, or near death like state of the Messiah during his 40-year test, where he is in a spiritually dead state while going through this prodigal son stage, and the reference to the Messiah as a "corpse" is quite explicative of his spiritual state.
Also, remember the reference in Revelation about "Sodom and Egypt where our master was slain..."
So the
eagles surrounding a near-dead body is very much to the context of how the Messiah would appear during the second coming.
So, thanks, for helping to bring out this fine point for us.
Amazing, isn't it! It's amazing to me too! But it's all right there in the scriptures....
Sir Drake, Jr.