Jesus Question? (Full Version)

All Forums >> [Faith] >> General Faith



Message

Fortydays -> Jesus Question? (7/23/2008 10:51:18 PM)

Why do you think that every time Jesus was asked about heaven he spoke about life here on earth?"


EXAMPLES:

"The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field."
(Matthew 13:44)


He also said, "This is what the kingdom of God is like. A man scatters seed on the ground. Night and day, whether he sleeps or gets up, the seed sprouts and grows, though he does not know how. All by itself the soil produces grain - first the stalk, then the head, then the full kernel in the head. As soon as the grain is ripe, he puts the sickle to it, because the harvest has come."
(Mark 4:26-29)

Again he said, "What shall we say the kingdom of God is like, or what parable shall we use to describe it? It is like a mustard seed, which is the smallest seed you plant in the ground. Yet when planted, it grows and becomes the largest of all garden plants, with such big branches that the birds of the air can perch in its shade."
(Mark 4:30-32)


"Once again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was let down into the lake and caught all kinds of fish. When it was full, the fishermen pulled it up on the shore. Then they sat down and collected the good fish in baskets, but threw the bad away. This is how it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come and separate the wicked from the righteous and throw them into the fiery furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth."
(Matthew 13:47-50)


As the weeds are pulled up and burned in the fire, so it will be at the end of the age. The Son of Man will send out his angels, and they will weed out of his kingdom everything that causes sin and all who do evil. They will throw them into the fiery furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. He who has ears, let him hear."
(Matthew 13:36-43)


He said to them, "Therefore every teacher of the law who has been instructed about the kingdom of heaven is like the owner of the house who brings out of his storeroom new treasures as well as old."
(Matthew 13:52



bob97 -> RE: Jesus Question? (7/23/2008 11:09:36 PM)

Christ told us the kingdom is all around us...maybe that gives us a clue.

Bob



AboundinginHisGrace -> RE: Jesus Question? (7/23/2008 11:12:14 PM)

Because man lives on earth, what else is He going to compare it to? He couldn't compare heaven with heaven, or something we do not understand or have not seen, so that only leaves earth.



SonInMe1 -> RE: Jesus Question? (7/24/2008 7:50:08 AM)

Jesus was the greatest teacher. He used examples the people knew well to explain things that were hard to understand. He talked to an agrarian people using agrarian illustrations..



PopsiLufsJesus -> RE: Jesus Question? (7/24/2008 12:37:34 PM)

This is just a random thought...

but sometimes I believe we either see things to one extreme or to the other...

we are either so earthly minded that we forget about God and His kingdom, or we are so heavenly minded that we forget about the earth and that what we do here also matter for eternity...

anyways, my two cents....



ta_mosquito -> RE: Jesus Question? (7/24/2008 12:45:08 PM)

I agree with SonInMe and AboundingInHisGrace.

quote:

Why do you think that every time Jesus was asked about heaven he spoke about life here on earth?"

What about Matthew 22:30 - how in heaven we'll be like the angels, neither married nor given in marriage?

What about John 14:2-3 - how Jesus said he was going to prepare a place for us, and He'll come back to take us to be with Him?

Nope - He didn't speak about life on earth every time He spoke about heaven.



jmjphe -> RE: Jesus Question? (7/24/2008 2:19:25 PM)

He taught like this so everyone could listen and understand. You need not be an intellectual powerhouse to understand his teachings. Earthly things were often used because like it was said in prior responses, so we could relate it to somthing we knew. However, the kingdom of God was not always spoken about using earthly terms, just in a number of verses.



deermousie -> RE: Jesus Question? (7/24/2008 4:08:05 PM)

Jesus used a teaching method we now call cognitive dissonance, where a new thing is tied in to something already familar to the learner, to help them understand the new thing. That's why there's so many farming and business illustrations.

The funny thing about parables, however, is Jesus also used them to keep people *from* understanding (Yeah, that's what I said, too, the first time I heard it). See Matthew 13:15, Mark 4:12, John 12:40 to substantiate this.

Another odd thing is that Jesus talked about hell four times as often as He talked about heaven.

So I didn't answer your question, Fortydays, but maybe I've broadened the discussion a little, and perhaps it will help.



MC4JC -> RE: Jesus Question? (7/24/2008 4:38:32 PM)

According to Revelation Heaven will be similar to earth now, but undescribably more beautiful then anything we can imagine here now. Its really so much better and more beautiful, that words would not be found to describe it.



notmycity -> RE: Jesus Question? (7/24/2008 5:24:28 PM)

All of Christ’s parables regarding the kingdom address belief and unbelief; believers and unbelievers.

Consider this example:


Matt 13:31-32
31 Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is like to a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and sowed in his field:
32 Which indeed is the least of all seeds: but when it is grown, it is the greatest among herbs, and becometh a tree, so that the birds of the air come and lodge in the branches thereof.


Now to all you “Bereans” out there, look up where birds are spoken of in other parables.



Luvinme -> RE: Jesus Question? (7/24/2008 6:35:46 PM)

I think it was so that we could relate easier. It was the best way for us to see and understand Him.



OneJohn410 -> RE: Jesus Question? (7/26/2008 1:15:10 AM)

quote:

ORIGINAL POST: Fortydays

Why do you think that every time Jesus was asked about heaven he spoke about life here on earth?"


Jesus did not talk down to listeners. He 'met them' right there in their lifestyle. I'm in agreement with those who replied as such. I would not say he could only speak to people the way he did or they would not understand. He wanted those who heard Him to remember His words and reflect back on them, and to share them. As was mentioned, He did not always relate heaven to earth.

quote:

ORIGINAL: MC4JC

According to Revelation Heaven will be similar to earth now, but undescribably more beautiful then anything we can imagine here now. Its really so much better and more beautiful, that words would not be found to describe it.


MC,
How can heaven be like earth now but beautiful beyond description of any beauty we can imagine at the same time? Would you please provide some Bible verses that suggest that? I am totally unaware of anything that says heaven will be like earth now.

I don't know why you comment about imagining beauty and then saying nope, heaven is going to be better. You just mentioned Revelation, that shares in detail what heaven will look like. What's to imagine?

I agree that it will be visually stunning.

Now, if Revelation tells something of what heaven will be like, then there's some words that will describe it.

Taking in those words and capturing some sense of what John saw in his dream, now that is the challenge. You said you've found words that describe it in Revelation, and then that words will not be found to describe it.

As you are looking at it in person, being speechless does not sound unthinkable, but at that time, no one is going to be a news reporter trying to share some unique sight or anything like that. There's not going to be a challenge at the 'proverbial' gate to take five minutes and then describe to the attendant what you see to gain admission. I don't understand your point, or why someone bawling like a baby there in heaven, sobbing 'how awesome and mighty are You, God!' would not count as describing it. Actually, I do. There will be no tears in heaven. Joe Saved is going to be jumping up and down yelling that in joy. The way I see it, there's words of earth that describe it now, and to be there in person, someone will be a new creation, and there will be no way to know much past that- except once again by what is shared in God's Word.

I was reading this thread, and then read your post, and it just looked like you unintentionally hacked the thread and ran. I know I didn't start it, and I think I read into your post what you were trying to say. I just did not see it there. Mostly, I'd like to know where you found in Revelation the verses you said you did. Apologies if you consider your post shredded. I have only sought to share my thinking with you before you reply, because this is not a debate. I just got my feathers ruffled.

In Christ,
OneJohn410



GraceBro -> RE: Jesus Question? (7/26/2008 1:59:27 AM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: Fortydays

Why do you think that every time Jesus was asked about heaven he spoke about life here on earth?"


I believe Jesus spoke about heaven in earthly terms because....

"The man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned." 1 Corinthians 2:14

Remember that during the ministry of Jesus Christ, He was dealing with disciples who were still spiritually dead. Therefore, they didn't have the discernment that comes from having the indwelling Holy Spirit working within them to guide them into all truth. But even earthly examples most likely don't do justice to what heaven will truly be like. But, given His audience there wasn't much else He could use.

Grace and Peace



Page: [1]



Forum Software © ASPPlayground.NET Advanced Edition 2.5 ANSI