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FAQ: What does John 3:14-15 mean where it says: "Just as Moses lifted up
the snake in the desert, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, that everyone
who believes in him may have eternal life."
REPLY: The incident to which Christ referred is located at Num 21:5-9.
Long story short: Moses' people became weary of living in the desert and
eating manna all the time at every meal. But instead of courteously, and
diplomatically, petitioning their divine benefactor for tastier food and better
accommodations, they became hostile and confrontational.
In response to their insolence; God sent a swarm of deadly poisonous
snakes among them; which began striking people; and every strike was
100% fatal, no exceptions. In no time at all, much people of Israel died.
Then those not yet dead got nervous and appealed to Moses for help. In
reply; Jehovah instructed Moses to construct a replica of the beasts and
hoist it up on a pole in plain view so that everyone dying from snake bite
could look to it for an antidote.
Now the key issue here is that the replica, lifted up, was the only God-given
remedy for the people's fatal condition-- not purity, not sacrifices and
offerings, not tithing, not church attendance, not missionary work, not
sacraments, not holy days of obligation, not the Sabbath, not charity, not
good deeds, not good behavior, not piety, not scapulars, not Bible study and
Sunday school, not catechism or yeshiva, not rosaries, not the Wailing Wall,
not one's religion of choice, not self denial and/or self control, not the so
called golden rule, not vows of poverty and/or chastity, not the Ten
Commandments, not the Eucharist; no, none of that. The replica, lifted up,
was it; viz: it was all or nothing at all-- there were no exceptions and no
other options. Whoever failed to look to that replica ended up dead.
In other words then: Christ, lifted up on the cross to satisfy justice for the
sins of the world, is the only God-given escape from punishment in the lake
of fire depicted by Rev 20:11-15 wherein people will be executed by a mode
of death akin to a foundry worker falling into a kettle of molten iron.
FAQ: How does one go about availing themselves of Christ's crucifixion?
REPLY: The best way is to RSVP God and tell Him-- in your own words --that
you've thus far failed to satisfy His expectations, and you're pretty sure you
never will. Then simply tell Him you would like to take advantage of His
son's crucifixion to avoid the consequences.
They say silence is golden but in this case silence could be terminal; so get
this benefit locked in now, while it's on the table; and for God's sake don't
take it for granted that He'll come around every so often to remind you 'cause
He's not obligated to do that.
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