Posted on 02/21/2007 8:27:10 AM PST by DouglasKC
Do you have a scripture that states Lazarus and these folks died again? It is appointed that men die once, that would make twice for these dudes.
No I don't....but I know they did because they were not resurrected to immortality. All men are appointed to die once [Hebrews 9:27], some twice.....and maybe some three times. The second death, the permanent death [Revelation 20:14] is the Lake of Fire death. I don't believe that Lazarus and the resurrected Saints in Jerusalem were thrown into a Lake of fire.
The Bible is silent on the fate of Lazarus and these others. There is some tradition that Lazarus, along with Joseph of Arimathia and other folks traveled to western Europe and later dies there.
And, of course, the "You will prophesy again" is the lead-in to the TWO WITNESSES.
Jesus said John would continue. The NIV puts it, "If I want him to remain alive until I return...."
John, who is incredibly humble in anything regarding himself in the scripture WOULD humbly play it down. He says that's not necessarily what Jesus meant. Could be.
But Jesus opened the door for speculation.
And the death of John is not mentioned in church history. I think someone mentions captors trying to boil him in oil, but that he was miraculously preserved. That's all church tradition.
The fact is that John is told he'll prophesy BEFORE KINGS and that does not happen in Revelation. He has things revealed to him in Revelation. He doesn't reveal things or prophesy.
And IMMEDIATELY we go to the "2 witnesses" story.
John is a definite contender, imho. The other major contender, imho, is Elijah. Enoch's departure is explained as "he was not for God took him."
Doesn't that sound sort of like "in the twinkling of an eye?"
I agree.
However, a case could be made is my point. Moses was alone. There was no witness. We're told that he never lost his strength. That's an odd thing to say about someone who dies....NEVER lost his strength?
And then there's the odd thing about contending over his body.
And, of course, there's the statement that he died. That pretty well locks it up...unless there are nuances in the Hebrew of that sentence.
My opinion is that Moses is a weak contender as one of the 2 witnesses. He DID appear with Elijah on the Mount of Transfiguration, and Elijah did not die.
"Why are they disputing over it? Any ideas?"
My best guess would be "Cryonic suspension". He probably is right next to the headless Ted Williams or it could be Michael wanted to save the DNA and Satan wanted no part of another Moses. Just a guess.
Assuredly....very good points....all.
Well....that's as good as anything I have ever heard.
We know that of the two, (Satan and Michael), Michael is the stronger. [Revelation 12:7-9] And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels and prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven. And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.
It's one of those verses that seem to go down a rabbit trail and disappear. [Jude 1:9]
They went to Heaven with Christ as part of his First fruits.
Christ cleaned out Abraham's bosom (Old Testament Saints) and took 'captivity captive'.
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