GwynJ,

You wrote:

> Isa 42:13 The Lord will go forth like a
> warrior, He will arouse His zeal like a man of
> war. He will utter a shout, yes, He will raise
> a war cry. He will prevail against His enemies.

> I think this is more symbolic of confidence
> which comes from ultimate victory and power,
> total lack of fear due to no one being able to
> prevail against Him. Perhaps his utterances
> would incite his followers to remember all the
> victories which can be celebrated without fear.

Another interpretation is that this scripture refers to the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. It appears to me that since there are Old Testament scriptures referring to the Messiah coming in power, to defeat his enemies, etc., the Gospel writers had a problem. The Jesus they invented didn't satisfy those requirements, so they decided to see the fulfillment in a later return of Jesus. Thus, the Jews are looking for the first coming, but Christians for the second.

If these scriptures can be symbolic, as you say, maybe a lot more is also symbolic. Perhaps the miracles didn't really happen, but they're symbolic of the miracles God can do in your life. Perhaps Jesus never existed on Earth, but the story is symbolic of the love God has for us. Maybe the whole Bible is symbolic and almost entirely unhistorical.

• I couldn't tell you - gwynj - February 12, 2001 - 14:56 UTC
  • Yes, that is why we have science (versus scriptures). - alexander - February 12, 2001 - 19:49 UTC
    • what about Science AND Scriptures? - gwynj - February 12, 2001 - 21:02 UTC
      • No objection against correct scriptures. - alexander - February 12, 2001 - 23:38 UTC
        • but wouldn't science still - gwynj - February 13, 2001 - 22:15 UTC
          • Man is still evolving (and a lot to go). - alexander - February 15, 2001 - 02:36 UTC
            • math laws - gwynj - February 17, 2001 - 04:38 UTC
              • Math governs the Universe without any need of God. - alexander - February 17, 2001 - 10:28 UTC
                • the one I know does - gwynj - February 17, 2001 - 22:12 UTC
  • Bible or Shakespeare? - johnpowell - February 13, 2001 - 17:12 UTC
    • 3/4 right - gwynj - February 13, 2001 - 22:12 UTC
      • You're not a member, right? - johnpowell - February 13, 2001 - 23:53 UTC
        • Re: You're not a member, right? - gwynj - February 17, 2001 - 04:17 UTC