> General Discussions
Symbolic Meanings
mcmiller:
Hello All,
We have been given some great teachings by both Ray and Mike concerning the parables Jesus used to reveal truths to the Chosen while obscuring the meaning from all others. We have been told that the entire bible is in fact a parable since every word in it was put there by the one who would ultimately manifest as the man Jesus, and we know that He only taught in parables. We know that in the parables seed is not literal seed, soil is not literal soil and so on. My question is this: Do these words that have symbolic meanings always have a symbolic meaning and is it always the same meaning ? Take the term Rich Man as used in the parable of Lazarus and the Rich Man for instance. We know that the Rich Man signifies Judah, or more specifically the Called. Does this mean that everywhere in the bible that the term Rich Man is used signifies Judah or the Called? Like in Matt 19:24 …..
And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.
Many interpret this in a literal sense to mean that having wealth makes it almost impossible to enter the kingdom of God, therefore we should all be poor or else we are at risk of not making it.
And again in James 1:11 …
For the sun is no sooner risen with a burning heat, but it withereth the grass, and the flower thereof falleth, and the grace of the fashion of it perisheth: so also shall the rich man fade away in his ways.
So again, is this just a man with wealth or is it as before pointing to Judah and the Called?
How are we to know? The same thing with the word earth. When is it just soil and when is it a man just one step out of the sea?
What really makes it hard is when a term seems to have a different symbolic meaning in different scriptures.
Anyone have a take on this? I could really use some help.
Mark
eutychus:
the eye was a door to the city, camels would have to be releived of their
back packs(good)(riches) to be able to get through the door. 8)
interesting stuff.
A popular explanation of the figure, dating back at least to the 9th century, was that Jesus was referring to a well-known gate in Jerusalem called Needle's Eye, that was built so low that a camel could only pass if it entered kneeling and unencumbered with baggage. The lesson would then be that an eternal inheritance awaits those who unburden themselves of sin, and in particular, the things of this world. Although there is no historical evidence that such a gate ever existed, through frequent repetition the idea has attained the status of virtual dogma in some circles.
hillsbororiver:
Interesting for sure,
Rev 3:17 Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:
I believe it has more to do with the "in need of nothing" mindset than it does money or possessions.
Being poor does not automatically make one virtuous, if you are poor what do you have to give to the poor or if you have nothing how can you be a cheerful giver?
Believe me I have had first hand experience with the homeless and poor, there are many who are fine people who have had a bad run of luck (I know that is not the best way to phrase it) but I have seen selfishness and deceit also, as a matter of fact I remember another person saying how much the same many very rich and many very poor had a lot of personality traits that were common, they could only and very selfishly think of their own pleasures, never considering the effect it may have on others.
I found this interesting as well, in Exodus the Lord did not put a bigger obliglation on the rich than He did with the poor;
Exo 30:15 The rich shall not give more, and the poor shall not give less than half a shekel, when they give an offering unto the LORD, to make an atonement for your souls.
I also believe that those that have should help those who don't.
Joe
mcmiller:
Thanks for the replies.
I'm afraid, though, that I may have burried my real question too deeply in the body of my original post.
My first dilema is to be able to determine when we should look for a deeper spiritual meaning for words we find in the bible and when are they to be taken as-is?
Secondly, if a term has spiritual significance, does it always have the same meaning?
Christianity has for the most part taken everything stated in the bible as literal with virtually no deeper spiritual meaning. This is more than a nitche, it is a ditch. On the other hand, I think we run the risk of getting into the other ditch by trying to apply some deep spiritual meaning to every word in the bible.
Where is the balance, and we are encouraged to be balanced in all things.
Mark
Daniel:
Joe made a perfect point. There is no virture in being either poor or Rich, if you can "pick it up" you can see through the words used speak of pride and arrogance. Actually the fear of the Lord IS to hate "evil" and that is to hate pride and arrogancy. God resists the proud but giveth grace to the humble. One is judged as Rich, the other Poor and theres much more to link these concerning their "place" and how they are "discerned" and what they do and how they behave.
Heres something for your consideration if looking for the spiritual application.
Prov 13:7 There is that "maketh himself rich", "yet[/u]" hath nothing: there is that maketh himself poor, "yet[/u]" hath great riches.[/u]
Prov 10:22 The blessing[/i] of the LORD, "it[/u]" maketh rich, and he addeth no sorrow with it[/u]
2Cr 6:10 As "sorrowful", yet "alway rejoicing"; as poor, yet "making many rich"; as "having nothing", and yet possessing all things.[/i]
The "treasure" in earthen vessels
The Lord made "both" Rich and poor. Kinda like an "inflation process" and a "deflation process" (laughing a bit) God knows exactly what He is doing. Its the setting up for the "falling and rising again" (become a fool that one might become wise type thing)
Psalm 49:16 Be not thou afraid when one is made rich, when the glory of his house is increased[/u];
Psalm 49:17 For when he dieth he shall carry nothing away: "his glory" shall not descend after him.
Psalm 49:20 Man that is "in honour[/i]", and understandeth not, is like the beasts that perish.
Prov 18:11 The rich man's wealth IS his strong city[/i], and AS an "high wall" in his own conceit.[/i]
Prov 18:23 The poor "useth intreaties[/i]"; but "the rich" answereth roughly.
Prov 28:11 The rich man "is wise in his own conceit"; but "the poor" "that hath understanding" searcheth him out.[/u][/i] :idea:
Jesus speaks of "the evil eye"
Prov 8:22 He that hasteth to be rich hath an evil eye, and "considereth not" that poverty shall come upon him.[/i][/u]
Rev 13:17 Because thou sayest, "I am rich", and increased with goods, and have need of nothing[/u]; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: ...Without love one is nothing
Keep in mind "knowledge puffed up" and pride goeth before destruction and "the above" in the Rich mans "increase" timeless truths
Job 31:12 For it is a fire that consumeth "to destruction", and would root out[/i] all mine increase.[/i] (not rich toward God, His name)
Luke 1:53 He hath "filled the hungry with good things"; and "the rich" he hath sent empty away.[/u]
Prov 23:4 Labour not to be rich: cease from thine own wisdom[/u][/i].
Thinking one knows something not really knowing as he ought, paradox really. The Spirit knoweth all things and these are given us by Him to know. Then theres thinking one knows and not knowing as they ought.
Neat way our Lord words things
Luke 19:26 For I say unto you, That unto every one which hath shall be given; and from him that hath not, even "that he hath" shall be taken away from him.[/i][/u]
Kinda like "Peter Pan" :lol: (taking from the Rich giving to the poor)
Think of "My River is MINE, for my OWN Glory and my OWN Honour" Written throughout. Pride and humility is everywhere in scripture.
Peace
Daniel
Navigation
[0] Message Index
[#] Next page
Go to full version