Here's the thing.....and since, some say the new testament is total fabrication....and that even the person of Jesus Christ may have never actually existed. and it is a fact that even after the canonization of the bible some 400yrs later that many books and translations were again tampered with....one reason I call the Bible the Book of Metaphors since the truth is best discovered when looking at it with those eyes....but, I look at the entire world that way<g> It's always best to look deeper into the nature of things then to blindly accept someones else's perception of reality. Things are rarely what they appear to be on the surface.
"The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that " they" might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly."
So, who is the "they" Jesus was referring to? Some translation say his sheep....but most others just say "they" ( So, if "They" is the church, today we can see more clearly and understand what the popes message to the world is saying in previous post and links)
Clarke's Commentary on the Bible
But for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy - Those who enter into the priesthood that they may enjoy the revenues of the Church, are the basest and vilest of thieves and murderers. Their ungodly conduct is a snare to the simple, and the occasion of much scandal to the cause of Christ. Their doctrine is deadly; they are not commissioned by Christ, and therefore they cannot profit the people. Their character is well pointed out by the Prophet Ezekiel, Ezekiel 34:2, etc. Wo be to the shepherds of Israel, that do feed themselves! Ye eat the fat, and ye clothe you with the wool; ye kill them that are fed: but ye feed not the flock, etc, How can worldly-minded, hireling, fox-hunting, and card-playing priests read these words of the Lord, without trembling to the center of their souls! Wo to those parents who bring up their children merely for Church honors and emoluments! Suppose a person have all the Church's revenues, if he have God's wo, how miserable is his portion! Let none apply this censure to any one class of preachers, exclusively.
That they might have life - My doctrine tends to life, because it is the true doctrine - that of the false and bad shepherds tends to death, because it neither comes from nor can lead to that God who is the fountain of life.
Might have it more abundantly - That they might have an abundance, meaning either of life, or of all necessary good things; greater felicity than ever was enjoyed under any period of the Mosaic dispensation; and it is certain that Christians have enjoyed greater blessings and privileges than were ever possessed by the Jews, even in the promised land. ( if,Greek word translation for "promised land" is correct) then it signifies more abundant life; that is, eternal life; or spiritual blessings much greater than had ever yet been communicated to man, preparing for a glorious immortality. Jesus is come that men may have abundance; abundance of grace, peace, love, life, and salvation. Blessed be Jesus.
clarke.biblecommenter.com
Now, since metaphorically we are Christs sheep....we too are the sacrifice?
>>>sheep were kept in folds to be sold for sacrifices, spoke many things parabolically of sheep, of their shepherds, and of the door to the sheepfold; and discovers that he alluded to the sheepfolds which were to be hired in the market place,, by speaking of such folds as a thief could not enter by the door, nor the shepherd himself open, but a porter opened to the shepherd. In the porter opening the door to the true shepherd, we may discover the second mark of a true minister <<<
.....my point is: words are the prime weapon of the occult and "magic" they often are not what we believe our understandings to be on the surface.....I highly recommend people who want some insight of the origins of many words purchase the Oxford dictionary of the English language...it may be a true eye opener and give more understanding to the context and origin on how words are used...to guide as well as mislead the ignorant.
Plato was great in his discourse on forms of acquisition....hunters and thieves etc...I believe I have posted previously some of this. |
