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| #Post#: 3196-------------------------------------------------- | |
| Wisdom 2:23-3:9 | |
| By: Piper Date: November 10, 2015, 9:58 am | |
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| This is copied from today's Catholic Readings. I thought it | |
| fascinating, and wondered if anyone would like to comment on it, | |
| or discuss what it says to them. I especially wonder what "In | |
| the time of their visitation they shall shine, and shall dart | |
| about as sparks through stubble," might mean . . . Very | |
| interesting word usage. | |
| [quote]God formed man to be imperishable; | |
| the image of his own nature he made them. | |
| But by the envy of the Devil, death entered the world, | |
| and they who are in his possession experience it. | |
| But the souls of the just are in the hand of God, | |
| and no torment shall touch them. | |
| They seemed, in the view of the foolish, to be dead; | |
| and their passing away was thought an affliction | |
| and their going forth from us, utter destruction. | |
| But they are in peace. | |
| For if before men, indeed, they be punished, | |
| yet is their hope full of immortality; | |
| Chastised a little, they shall be greatly blessed, | |
| because God tried them | |
| and found them worthy of himself. | |
| As gold in the furnace, he proved them, | |
| and as sacrificial offerings he took them to himself. | |
| In the time of their visitation they shall shine, | |
| and shall dart about as sparks through stubble; | |
| They shall judge nations and rule over peoples, | |
| and the Lord shall be their King forever. | |
| Those who trust in him shall understand truth, | |
| and the faithful shall abide with him in love: | |
| Because grace and mercy are with his holy ones, | |
| and his care is with his elect.[/quote] | |
| It seems to be "made in His image" is to be immortal, as He is. | |
| Man was made for immortality, but it must be given / taken / | |
| back, because the Devil was jealous of man and tempted us into | |
| sin. Thus, death entered the world. | |
| It also seems that what men may view as punishment by God, may | |
| actually be God "trying" or testing a man to prove a man worthy. | |
| Those abiding in love do not face "destruction", do not die, but | |
| go to be with Him. I don't quite understand the simile, "as | |
| sacrificial offerings he took them to himself," unless it refers | |
| back to being put through a refining fire. What do you think? | |
| #Post#: 3198-------------------------------------------------- | |
| Re: Wisdom 2:23-3:9 | |
| By: Piper Date: November 10, 2015, 12:21 pm | |
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| [font=trebuchet ms]I apologize for the very small print in the | |
| OP. I was on my Kindle when I wrote it up. I will have to use | |
| my laptop for the forum from now on, if I wish to post. I know | |
| some of us have vision difficulties, and . . . my eyes, as well, | |
| are not quite what they once were.[/font] | |
| #Post#: 3216-------------------------------------------------- | |
| Re: Wisdom 2:23-3:9 | |
| By: Kerry Date: November 11, 2015, 4:34 pm | |
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| [quote]It also seems that what men may view as punishment by | |
| God, may actually be God "trying" or testing a man to prove a | |
| man worthy.[/quote]I think it would have been a tragic thing if | |
| Adam and Eve had been made immortal in their fallen form. I | |
| think it would have made errors permanent. | |
| I surely wouldn't want all the sinners in this world made | |
| immortal right now if that meant the errors of their hearts, | |
| minds, and souls were also made immortal. I even wouldn't | |
| hope for immortality for myself. | |
| We may fall and wither like leaves when our iniquities carry us | |
| away, but the Tree of Life will grow new leaves. | |
| It is a blessing that the cherubim guard the way lest the | |
| unworthy become immortal and are cheated of the opportunities to | |
| improve and perfect themselves. It seems a Divine Mercy | |
| to me although it can feel like punishment at times. | |
| #Post#: 3221-------------------------------------------------- | |
| Re: Wisdom 2:23-3:9 | |
| By: Piper Date: November 12, 2015, 12:00 am | |
| --------------------------------------------------------- | |
| Death is definitely a mercy in this world. No question. | |
| #Post#: 3509-------------------------------------------------- | |
| Re: Wisdom 2:23-3:9 | |
| By: Twinc Date: December 26, 2015, 2:48 pm | |
| --------------------------------------------------------- | |
| [quote author=Piper link=topic=380.msg3221#msg3221 | |
| date=1447308031] | |
| Death is definitely a mercy in this world. No question. | |
| [/quote] | |
| imho old age and death are life's two greatest disasters for | |
| families - let there be no more death and tears but only glad | |
| tidings of great joy - twinc | |
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