Those who never heard about Jesus?

[mfblume]

Originally Posted by Antipas

God doesn't contradict himself. Limited human interpretations of divine truth contradict themselves. Reincarnation is mentioned in the Bible, it is tradition that rejects the notion. Here is an example.

Malachi 4:5
Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord:

That is the SPIRIT of Elijah, not actually Elijah. The bible says it is appointed unto man once to die.

Luke 1:17 KJV And he shall go before him in the spirit and power of Elias, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.

This was said long after Elijah had died. For this reason the Jews believe that Elijah will appear and herald the coming of Messiah.

Not by being born as a baby and growing up.

They believe he will actually appear - the very same person. Fully grown and an adult like he left. Not born from a second womb and grow. Man, we can make the bible say anything if we take that reasoning you are displaying.

Yet the New Testament teaches that Jesus is the Messiah. Where was Elijah? God promised to send "Elijah the prophet", did God forget? No. We read that God did indeed send Elijah.

Matthew 17:12-14
12 But I say unto you, That Elias is come already, and they knew him not, but have done unto him whatsoever they listed. Likewise shall also the Son of man suffer of them.
13 Then the disciples understood that he spake unto them of John the Baptist.

Luke 1:17 KJV And he shall go before him in the spirit and power of Elias, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.

John was Elijah reincarnated. There are also many other references to reincarnation that fly in the face of Christian tradition. But they are there.

That us extreme extreme error.

When one religion emphasizes a given truth and another doesn't, or is completely silent on a truth, that doesn't mean that said truth is error.

THEY CONFLICT.

Buddha and Krishna predate Christ. Wouldn't it be more appropriate to say that the One who was in Buddha and Krishna is also found in Christ? Jesus does practically quote them in several places.

Nope, no more than the one in satan was the one in Moses when satan said the words of Moses.

It only conflicts with the exclusivist interpretation of the Bible.

No, it is what the bible actually teaches. Like I said, Read Exodus 20 and note how God said to not mix anything in with His name from other religions.

I don't believe that every religion is of God. It is quite the contrary. I believe that every religion, as we know it today, has been distorted by human translators, theologians, and leaders. As a result, every religion on the planet is in error. However, in spite of the error, various divine truths can be found in every religion.

Even satanism.

Thus no religion on earth is absolute truth. But very religion contains truth. The spiritual seeker who is pure in heart will find these truths.

Is Hell forever? Yes and no. When I hear this question, I think of a short exchange between Alice and the White Rabbit from, Alice in Wonderland.

Alice: How long is forever?
White Rabbit: Sometimes, just one second.

The soul evolves and changes through time. Many souls are in unrest because they have not forgiven themselves, feel unworthy, deny that they are dead, or because they have not accepted the spiritual realities they are now experiencing due to those experiences being contrary to their religious dogmas. It is often the most "religious" that find the greatest trouble passing over. This is an everlasting "Hell". But eventually every soul will surrender, find peace, and enter the Light. Those who do enter the Light return to the Source of All, God, and are as rain drops returning to the sea. They will once again emanate from the Source as naturally as water vapor once more arises from the seas in the midday sun. In this, the Source (God), experiences all things (including himself) in innumerable ways. He desires to know and be known. And so through this He both knows and is known. He is the All.

You never explained what happened to you because you did not write like this a few years ago.

Praying for you.