Expert: Brother Rando - 11/4/2009

Question
QUESTION: Greeting Brother Rando

In discussions I have had with Jehovah Witnesses I usually find them to give scriptural answers. I do not always agree with the way that they interpret and apply verses but none the less most everything that you believe can be said to have a strong scriptural basis except in one area of theology. I wonder if I am missing something; in one area you seem to have no scriptures whatsoever to support your view and there are clear scriptures opposing your view that you do not have a sound defense for. I am speaking of your view that Jesus is now purely a spirit being and he did not rise in his body. Paul writes that Jesus has a glorified body and that we will receive one like his. The gospels have Jesus clearly saying "a spirit does not have flesh and bone as you see that I have". Jesus also says "destroy this temple and in three days I will raise it up" and down a few lines and we read "but he was speaking of his body". We also read in Paul's writings "this corruption must put on incorruption and this mortal must put on immortality." Why do you not believe this?

ANSWER: You're not far off from the Kingdom of God.  You actually answered your own question.

You wrote, "Paul writes that Jesus has a glorified body and that we will receive one like his." and "We also read in Paul's writings "this corruption must put on incorruption and this mortal must put on immortality."

Now read what Jesus states, "It is the spirit that is life-giving; the flesh is of no use at all." (John 6:63)

So what kind of glorified bodies are in heaven?

"I saw another angel descending from heaven, with great authority; and the earth was lighted up from his glory."

"he makes his angels spirits," (Hebrew 1:7)

The difference between the ordinary angels and those given immortality is a precious gift from the Father.

"For just as the Father has life in himself, so he has granted also to the Son to have life in himself." (John 5:26)

"Accordingly Jesus said to them: “Most truly I say to YOU, Unless YOU eat the flesh of the Son of man and drink his blood, YOU have no life in yourselves." (John 6:53)

"The first man Adam became a living soul. The last Adam became a life-giving spirit." (1 Corinth 15:45)

Surely Mary Magdalene knew what Jesus looked like but she thought he was someone else because he was in a different fleshly body.  Angels materialize in fleshly form, this is nothing new.

"she viewed two angels in white sitting one at the head and one at the feet where the body of Jesus had been lying." (John 20:12)

"After saying these things, she turned back and viewed Jesus standing, but she did not discern it was Jesus." (John 20:14)

"She, imagining it was the gardener, said to him: “Sir, if you have carried him off, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away." (John 20:15)

By stating Jesus was resurrected in his own body, you deny Jesus's glorified body.  Also, if Jesus took back his own body that was to be sacrificed, that sacrifice would be nullified.  Think about this for a moment.  Who is the one person that would love for you to deny the ransom sacrifice in Christ?

Of course Jesus had to convince his followers it was him.  Why?  I mean really now, if he was resurrected in his own body, he would have no need to convince his followers for they knew what he looked like.  Right?  

You also wrote, "Jesus clearly saying "a spirit does not have flesh and bone as you see that I have" and in this sense "spirit" means ghost, apparition, vision, or vivid dream.  Since Jesus materialized, it would only make sense he says flesh and bone for saying flesh and blood makes no sense at all.

In the final part you wrote, "Jesus also says "destroy this temple and in three days I will raise it up" and down a few lines and we read "but he was speaking of his body".

In the scriptures there are two meanings, one is physical and the other is spiritual. The first one, the scriptures indicate God raising Jesus from the dead on the third day.  

"For if you publicly declare that ‘word in your own mouth,’ that Jesus is Lord, and exercise faith in your heart that God raised him up from the dead, you will be saved." (Romans 10:9)

Only Jehovah Witnesses acknowledge this scripture. The Whole World denies it, even the so called Christians of Christendom.   Jesus is Lord not God and Jesus did not raise himself up but was raised by God from the dead on the third day.  He was put to death on Friday afternoon, and resurrected in the early morning on Sunday.  Two full days and nights, then on the third day he was resurrected.

Since Jesus stated (I) he was talking about the spiritual temple of God that is coming to a completion now.  The New Jerusalem.  The body of Christ which 144,000 are members of Christ Body.

" For just as the body is one but has many members, and all the members of that body, although being many, are one body, so also is the Christ.  For truly by one spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free, and we were all made to drink one spirit. For the body, indeed, is not one member, but many." (1 Corinth 12:12-14)

Remember, these receive a glorious body.  "I have given them the glory that you have given me, in order that they may be one just as we are one." (John 17:22)

Just has two physical days have passed with Christ be resurrected on the third day.  There is also a spiritual day of a thousand years and the second day is coming to a close and this temple of God, Jesus will raise on the third day and the healing of mankind will begin.

Why not have an in-depth bible study.  https://watch002.securesites.net/contact/submit.htm

http://www.watchtower.org/e/bh/article_04.htm

Brother Rando


PS.... "Why, even Christ died once for all time concerning sins, a righteous [person] for unrighteous ones, that he might lead YOU to God, he being put to death in the flesh, but being made alive in the spirit." (1 Peter 3:18)

Saying Christ was resurrected in his flesh is to deny the ransom sacrifice for he was made alive in the spirit (this corruption must put on incorruption) that he may lead you to God.

"Consequently from now on we know no man according to the flesh. Even if we have known Christ according to the flesh, certainly we now know him so no more." (2 Corinth 5:16)


---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thank you so much for your answer, I do not ask them to start a debate as some do but to gain an insight into why some one would see it differently then I do. Your answer led me to a natural follow up question. Not debating I really want to know what you are saying. Mary asked the most basic of questions, I ask it also, where did the body go??? If Jesus didn't rise up from the slab what did happen, did the father recreate Jesus and put all of his memories in or something else? What is a glorified body exactly? Confused.

Answer
There are so many wrong views in your question.  I would have to write an entire book to answer them all.

Question:"If Jesus didn't rise up from the slab what did happen,"  

Answer: When Jesus was dying what did he say? Did he say Father into your hands take my body?  No.

"And Jesus called with a loud voice and said: “Father, into your hands I entrust my spirit.” (Luke 23:46)

It is amazing the same ones putting Christ to death reject him today for he fulfilled prophecy in front of their eyes in (Psalms 31:5) "Into your hand I entrust my spirit. You have redeemed me, O Jehovah the God of truth."

Question: "Mary asked the most basic of questions, I ask it also,"

Answer:  No she didn't, that is your interpretation, Scripture indicates Mary recognized Jesus by his words and in the manner he spoke with her. (Read the scripture again) John 20:16

Question: "did the father recreate Jesus"

Answer.  Yes. “Look! I am making all things new.” (Rev 21:5) "Jesus said to them: “Truly I say to YOU, In the re-creation, when the Son of man sits down upon his glorious throne, ..." (Matthew 19:28)

Question: "where did the body go???"

Answer: Jehovah disregarded it to keep it away from Satan, in the same manner Jehovah disregarded the body of Moses.

Question: "What is a glorified body exactly?"

Answer: "The bodies of spirit persons (God, Christ, the angels) are glorious. “At no time has anyone beheld God.” (1Jo 4:12) Man cannot see God and live. (Ex 33:20) When the apostle Paul had only a glimpse of the manifestation of Jesus Christ after Jesus’ resurrection, he fell to the ground and was blinded by the brilliance, a miracle being required to restore his sight. (Ac 9:3-5, 17, 18; 26:13, 14) Likewise, angels are far more powerful than men. (2Pe 2:11) They are glorious, brilliant ones and have appeared as such in physical manifestations. (Mt 28:2-4; Lu 2:9)"

Case and point: This is your Bible Assignment. Study it, mediate on it.

"After these things Jesus manifested himself again to the disciples at the sea of Ti·be´ri·as; but he made the manifestation in this way." (John 21:1)

"However, just as it was getting to be morning, Jesus stood on the beach, but the disciples did not, of course, discern that it was Jesus." (John 21:4)

"Then Jesus said to them: “Young children, YOU do not have anything to eat, do YOU?” They answered “No!” to him.  He said to them: “Cast the net on the right side of the boat and YOU will find [some].” Then they cast it, but they were no longer able to draw it in because of the multitude of the fishes." (John 21:5-6)

"Therefore that disciple whom Jesus used to love said to Peter: “It is the Lord!” Hence Simon Peter, upon hearing that it was the Lord, girded about himself his top garment, for he was naked, and plunged into the sea." (John 21:7)

"Jesus said to them: “Come, take YOUR breakfast.” Not one of the disciples had the courage to inquire of him: “Who are you?” because they knew it was the Lord." (John 20:12)

"This was now the third time that Jesus appeared to the disciples after his being raised up from the dead." (John 20:14)

If you are given understanding of these things, then it is Jehovah calling you to forgive your sins.  You must act and restart your Bible Study.   https://watch002.securesites.net/contact/submit.htm

Brother Rando