The Gift

[allodial]

Now notice the key words I highlighted. THEM refers to THESE PHARISEES. Christ's answer was for them. The Mt 24 "signs" are meant for the End Time generation.

Thanks for your post Keith.

I suppose there can be much significance in paying attention to who is being spoken too. Consider the Samaritan woman and her "five husbands"-- the Samaritan's AFAIK had five gods. Some people try to universalize thing that are specific to the audience being addressed.

[Michael Joseph]

I suppose there can be much significance in paying attention to who is being spoken too. Consider the Samaritan woman and her "five husbands"-- the Samaritan's AFAIK had five gods. Some people try to universalize thing that are specific to the audience being addressed.

She was thirsty for water [truth]. Her five husbands were known to St. Paul too.

Eph_4:11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;

And there she was looking for more water [truth]. Jesus is trying to tell her how to find truth from WITHIN herself. The Way to the Dayspring from on High.

John 4:10 Jesus answered and said unto her, If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water.

Apparently those other five CAN'T give those living waters! Imagine that... And we have 2000 years of proof!

John 4:13 Jesus answered and said unto her, Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again:

John 4:14 But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.

RELIGION is nothing but a Cistern and is no well.

Pro 5:15 Drink waters out of thine own cistern, and running waters out of thine own well.

Pro 5:17 Let them be only thine own, and not strangers' with thee.

======

Otherwise, why do I care one bit about some conversation that happened at some dry well. Plainly put, I don't. But if it makes another "feel better" to think some conversation happened thousands of years ago at some well - then so be it.

I seek that Dayspring - WITHIN ME. Otherwise it appears from my meager experience that the "bitter waters" served up by religion have not healed anyone - I see war, famine, hatred, racism, bigotry, sexual gender bias, and on and on....

And there the woman is coming yet again - each Sunday/Saturday to the well - seeking water. Now, THAT I understand, why? Because I used to be her!

It is not to say that Religionists are my enemy, that is not so. I just see things from a different perspective now.

Shalom,
MJ

[Michael Joseph]

Of course those five teachers that are without as St. Paul recorded are just that Without my Temple.

Eph_4:11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;

But their are five other husbands that seek to lead - those are called: Sight, Taste, Hearing, Smell and Touch. And it is thru these that I experience the world and form my intellectual understandings rooted in my sensual experience.

But these are blind guides. And therefore the understanding gained thru these five husbandmen are equally as blind as the understanding gained thru the ones in Eph 4:11 IF and ONLY IF, those in Eph 4:11 are undertaking without the leadership of the Holy Spirit.

Thus in most cases there is no difference.


Joh 6:53 Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you.

Joh 4:8 (For his disciples were gone away unto the city to buy meat.)

Comment: His disciples should know better but religion only seeks its own. They look everywhere under the sun for meats for the belly and meats for the mind - but they don't do it the way Jesus told them to do it! And Jesus asks "why do you call me Lord and do not obey me?" Valid question! Here the literalists would most likely agree verse 53 is an allegory! I don't know but I'm just saying - most likely.


Joh 4:10 Jesus answered and said unto her, If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water



Shalom,
MJ