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Jazzedforhim, My link says the same thing on the passage you quoted but I started in the middle where the description of heaven is located. I suspect they're quite similar in most respects. I guess the point I was trying to make is that precious gems and gold don't seem to conform to the idea of helping the poor and that sort of thing. Doesn't the idea of all of the inhabitants of heaven living in a place that makes Bill Gate's home in Seattle look like an outhouse by comparison seem a little peculiar? I would have thought that a more appropriate ending for the Bible would have been a heaven in which people lived in a simple but comfortable lifestyle surrounded by the beauties of nature. But then again, I'm an atheist, so maybe I don't understand.
Matthew 6:19-21 (King James Version)
19 Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:
20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:
21 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
John 14:1-3 (King James Version)
1Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.
2In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.
3And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.
We know how people appreciate these fine things in this life, therefore it only makes sense that Heaven would be depicted in this way. I am so happy that I can visualize Heaven as being streets of gold and mansions etc rather than the thought that Heaven might look like this baron desert we live in MG
Doesn't this description of unimaginable wealth seem to contradict the basic philosophy of the Bible?
It's metaphor, spoken to a particular people in a particular age. We can still learn from it, to be sure, but don't take it literally.
To me, this has always been the greatest promise of heaven:
Behold how great love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God! For this reason, the world does not know us, because it did not know him. Beloved, now we are the children of God; but it does not yet appear what we shall be. However, we know, that when he shall appear, we shall be like him;--that we shall see him as he is. (I John 3:1-2)
We know how people appreciate these fine things in this life, therefore it only makes sense that Heaven would be depicted in this way. I am so happy that I can visualize Heaven as being streets of gold and mansions etc rather than the thought that Heaven might look like this baron desert we live in MG
That's the odd thing though. To someone, a mansion and streets of gold sounds fine. Not to me. Personally, I'd rather have a tree house in the mountains.
Heaven isn't about material comforts though. Those images were all metaphors to point us to a greater reality.
It's metaphor, spoken to a particular people in a particular age. We can still learn from it, to be sure, but don't take it literally.
The problem with that point of view is that the description is so detailed and even includes measurements. (just like Noah's arc, by the way) It sounds like a description of a physical location, not some vague concept. Let me ask you this. Since you take this particular thing as a metaphor, do you also do the same thing with Genesis or other parts of the Bible?
The problem with that point of view is that the description is so detailed and even includes measurements. (just like Noah's arc, by the way) It sounds like a description of a physical location, not some vague concept.
That happens throughout the Bible. Not just with the ark, but with the Tabernacle, the Temple, various visions, etc. I still think it's talking symbolism here. Both the Tabernacle, the Temple, and their fulfillment in Christ (which is what the book of Revelation is about; not the "end times") are pointing to greater realities that, let's be honest, our frail minds just can't comprehend.
Quote:
Originally Posted by MontanaGuy
Let me ask you this. Since you take this particular thing as a metaphor, do you also do the same thing with Genesis or other parts of the Bible?
Yep. I don't write the whole thing off as "it's all symbolism," but large parts of the Bible obviously are. Unless you've run into any talking snakes recently.
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I feel like you will sell soon.
