I just wrote this as a reply on http://forums.carm.org/vbb/showthread.php?119450-Temptation-of-Christ/page5&p=3487578 ...

reply #40

[quote=BulknSkull]The temptation of Jesus by the Devil always seemed confusing to me. Is it supposed to be taken literally, or as a parable? Also, why would anyone believe that the Devil would even have authority to give all the kingdoms of the world?[/quote]

BulknSkull (an interesting screen name),

When we interept the Bible, we should first take it as literal history. Second, figuratively/symbolic. Third, realize all the Bible is encoded. It's not an A, B, or C answer, it's D: all the above.

Jesus74 the Nazarean as 'G7od4 the Creator incarnate' would already have authority over all the kingdoms of Earth in c. 27 AD (780 AUC). He was tempted and tested by the D'evil. The question was, how would he choose to exert his authority - his providence? Y'shua74 was not only concerned how his actions would affect the present, he was well aware that he was greatly affecting the future as well. He was greatly promoting "heaven on Earth" which was the whole point of creating this planets and humans.

The Romans claimed to have peace throughout their empire, yet this 'peace' was established through violence and intimidation, and was unjust. The Roman Emperors in Jesus' day appeared to have authority over much of the civilized world, but did they really? Would Jesus lead the Zealots in an attempted violent overthrow of the Roman invaders of Judea like Judas Maccabeus overthrew the Syrians in 164 BC? No.

Jesus first and foremost taught love and peace. He taught this to the Hebrews and the Gentiles. This priority is distorted by many 'Christians' today who have actually succumbed to the d'evil of compassionless greed, violence, perceived power, and excess luxury.


Synchronism: 10/13/12 10:18 Single Christians ad - "Sometimes we wait for God to make the next move (cut off)" during Banned from the Bible on History Channel. 10:22 "Eve's temptation."

When we interept the Bible, we should take it as (1) literal history, (2) figurative/symbolic/mystical and (3) encoded. It's not an A, B, or C answer, it's D: all the above.

Jesus(74) the Nazarean as 'God(7_4) the Creator incarnate' would already have authority over all the kingdoms of Earth in c. 27 AD (780 AUC). He was tempted and tested by the D'evil. The question was, how would he choose to exert his authority/his providence? Y'shua(74) was not only concerned how his actions would affect the present, he was well aware that he was greatly affecting the future as well. He was continuing to create "heaven on Earth" which was the whole point(74) of creating this plan-it and humans.

The Romans claimed to have peace throughout their empire, yet this 'peace' was established through violence and intimidation, and was unjust. The Roman Emperors in Jesus' day appeared to have authority over much of the civilized world, but did they really? Would Jesus lead the Zealots in an attempted violent overthrow of the Roman invaders of Judea like Judas Maccabeus overthrew the Syrians in 164 BC? No.

Jesus first and foremost taught love and peace. He taught this to the Hebrews and the Gentiles. This priority is distorted by many 'Christians' today who have actually succumbed to the d'evil of compassionless greed, violence, perceived power, and excess luxury.


Synchronism: 8/25/13 12:00 "Hail to the King", Ice Road Truckers on History Channel