[FONT="]Although, in our culture and religion little is said or taught about reincarnation, there are references to it in the Bible. In the Old Testament in Malachi 4:14 the return of Elijah is prophesied. In Matthew 11:11 - 15 and 17: 10 - 13 Jesus reveals to his disciples that Elijah has returned in the person of John the Baptist. [/FONT]
The Bible promotes resurrection from death so I'm not sure your argument that little has been said about the far side of death's door, other than it is a one-way affair as far as we are concerned (as mortals), applies or even comes close. The Bible even tells you all the choices of it's future plans. Rather than being simple the 2nd chapter of Genesis takes you past the end of Revelation 20. A prisoner on Patmos interconnected to the same enity that was with Noah giving directions
Isa:66:22:
For as the new heavens and the new earth,
which I will make,
shall remain before me,
saith the LORD,
so shall your seed and your name remain.
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Taken to the "goddidit" rational this is phase one of an already planned event that has two phases. (both were mentioned by God, being the good host that He is)From the mention of 'after their kind' a record book of where the breath of life (a sub-section of the Voice of Creation) was recorded as being a seed that deserves the same breath of life in a an eternal world.
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[FONT="]In John 9:1 - 9 we read: [/FONT]
[FONT="]“As Jesus passed by he saw a man who was blind from birth, and his disciples asked him saying ‘Master, who did sin, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?’ and Jesus answered ‘neither hath this man sinned nor has his parents but that the works of God should be made manifest in him.’” [/FONT]
[FONT="]Reincarnation was a common belief two thousand years ago, which would explain why they asked if the man had sinned. How else could he be blind from birth unless he had sinned in a previous life? [/FONT]
Perhaps 'this man' meant this particular man that could be cured in the sight of a few chosen ones.
[FONT="]Notice that when Jesus healed a few, like a withered hand' that 'virtue' was only (allowed) to extend that far rather than the world feeling that same healing effect. One being healed is all it takes to establish that one with authority to heal all is standing in the midst of those needing such care. Judea had that for a few years as an example of what will be the rule.
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[FONT="]In John 3:13 Jesus said, “no man hath ascended to heaven but he came down from heaven”, clearly stating the existence of life before physical birth. [/FONT]
[FONT="]Many of the early Christian scholars wrote about reincarnation. About AD 553 the Emperor Justinian repressed reincarnation for purely political reasons. Today a few references remain, like Jeremiah 1:5, Proverbs 8:22 - 31, Wisdom 8:19 - 20 (in the catholic version only), Ephesians 1:4 and John 17:5. [/FONT]
For Jesus, as God's Judge, the first advent only established a very few things. Who was included and the changes that came with the torch being handed to the Gentiles. So far we have shown little attempt (2,000 years of recorded history being the witness) to adhere to the rules that come with the confession that Christ is Lord. The latest promotional vids don't point to any increase in adherence to this verse.
Lu:6:46:
And why call ye me,
Lord,
Lord,
and do not the things which I say?
Israel was spanked pretty hard when they fell away from the 'rules', it is naive of Christians to think they have any loopholes that they can escape through.
1Pe:4:17:
For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God:
and if it first begin at us,
what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?
1Pe:4:18:
And if the righteous scarcely be saved,
where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?
So it be spoke, so it be wrote, so it be done. So far it is at 2/3 and the last one has a 3 1/2 year time limit on it. Even then .............................................................. there is a little more to the story if you are part of the 'small' things God considers important.
Lu:12:6:
Are not five sparrows sold for two farthings,
and not one of them is forgotten before God?
