I was just on
http://GOD704.wikia.com and found the following on a 'talk page'.
I didn't write that but I wish I had. I went to the wiki, clicked on Random Page and got: "Nestor = Brad's44 hugbox 77". Now on to the theological forum:
That's false. See John 8:58. There are many books on Christianity and reincarnation - google that. They all refer to Matt 11:14-15 first and John 8:58 second. Read John 8:59 and you'll see why Y'shua didn't teach about transmigration of the soul more often.
John 8:58-59 --
58Jesus said to them, Truly, truly, I say to you, Before Abraham was, I AM.
59Then took they up stones to cast at him: but Jesus hid himself, and went out of the temple, going through the midst of them, and so passed by.
Like so many people, Brad takes Bible verses out of context and twists them to mean what he wants them to mean. Let's put them into context and see what is really being said here.
John 8:42-59
(with commentary) (NOTE: Where the text refers to "the Jews", it means the Pharisees, Sadducees and Rabbis in the Temple) --
42Jesus said unto them, If God were your Father, ye would love me: for I proceeded forth and came from God; neither came I of myself, but he sent me.
(Jesus is explaining that he was sent there by God, not by his own choice; and those who loved God as the Holy Father would love him for he was the Son of God) 43Why do ye not understand my speech? even because ye cannot hear my word.
(Up to this point, the Jews have been misinterpreting what Jesus has been saying. At this point he is saying -- in essence -- "If you can't understand me, you can't hear me.") 44Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.
(He is telling them that their actions and desires are those of Satan, who is the father of lies, and they have lost their spiritual connection with the One True God.) 45And because I tell you the truth, ye believe me not.
(Basically, "You have believed Satan's lies for so long that you can no longer hear the truth.") 46Which of you convinceth me of sin? And if I say the truth, why do ye not believe me?
(Jesus is referring to the fact his entire life has been proven sinless, and if he is sinless then he speaks the truth. No one there is in a position to deny this, but still they do not believe him.) 47He that is of God heareth God's words: ye therefore hear them not, because ye are not of God.
(Pretty straightforward: If you were men of God, you would hear me; you are not men of God, therefore you do not hear me.)
48Then answered the Jews, and said unto him, Say we not well that thou art a Samaritan, and hast a devil?
(Historically speaking, at the time this takes place, Samaria was believed to have been ruled by sorcery, and the people there not to be trusted as they were possessed of demons. Since Jesus passed through Samaria on his way to the Temple, it is assumed by the Jews that he too has been possessed.)
49Jesus answered, I have not a devil; but I honour my Father, and ye do dishonour me.
(Jesus denies the Samaritan charge. He was sent to Earth to do God's will, and in the second half of the verse he is essentially saying "By dishonouring me you are dishonouring God.") 50And I seek not mine own glory: there is one that seeketh and judgeth.
(Since Jesus is not doing God's work for his own glory, the words of the Jews cannot dishonour him -- but they can dishonour God who passes final judgment on all of Humanity.) 51Verily, verily, I say unto you, If a man keep my saying, he shall never see death.
(If you believe in and follow the Will of God, you shall live forever in Paradise.)
52Then said the Jews unto him, Now we know that thou hast a devil. Abraham is dead, and the prophets; and thou sayest, If a man keep my saying, he shall never taste of death.
(Again the Jews misinterpret. They think Jesus is speaking of eternal physical life, not of the soul traveling to Paradise. Therefore they use the examples of Abraham and the prophets dying to prove he is speaking as a demon.) 53Art thou greater than our father Abraham, which is dead? and the prophets are dead: whom makest thou thyself?
(In essence, "Do you say that you are greater than Abraham or the prophets, in that you can deliver us from death?")
54Jesus answered, If I honour myself, my honour is nothing: it is my Father that honoureth me; of whom ye say, that he is your God:
(Jesus does not proclaim his own greatness, which would be worthless. It is God, Whom the Jews are supposed to honour, that proclaims his greatness.) 55Yet ye have not known him; but I know him: and if I should say, I know him not, I shall be a liar like unto you: but I know him, and keep his saying.
(Jesus accuses the Jews of paying only lip service to God without any real understanding of Him. Jesus would be lying to say he believes in God like the Jews, for only he is being faithful to the Word of God.) 56Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day: and he saw it, and was glad.
(The Messianic Promise was first made to Abraham, and it gave him great joy to know that one day his people would be in Paradise.)
57Then said the Jews unto him, Thou art not yet fifty years old, and hast thou seen Abraham?
(Another misinterpretation. The Jews believe Jesus is claiming to have lived for over 2000 years and to have met Abraham personally, when it is clear to see he is less than 50 years old.)
58Jesus said to them, Truly, truly, I say to you, Before Abraham was, I AM.
(To the best of my memory, this is the closest Jesus came to saying he was God Incarnate, by invoking the same name God gave to Moses: "And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you. (Exodus 3:14).)
59Then took they up stones to cast at him: but Jesus hid himself, and went out of the temple, going through the midst of them, and so passed by.
(To proclaim oneself God was a blasphemy, punishable by stoning.)
Sorry about the length. Isn't it ironic that a Jew understands the NT better than the self-proclaimed Second Coming of Christ?
One of which deals with the returned Eliah (who didn't die) and the other with Jesus himself, who isn't fully human.
