Post by Rob W. Case on Mar 6, 2007 17:31:03 GMT -6
We live in incredibly interesting times. Centuries ago, the Bible foretold that in the latter times, there would be chaos and mass confusion. Since the turn of the 21st century there has been more of an effort than ever by God’s biggest adversaries to try and debunk the deity, credibility, and even the very existence of Jesus Christ.
Only until now has it been acceptable for two major elements to join together, like a key and a keyhole, and that is ignorance and deception. Ignorance is the keyhole for which deception can enter into, and open the door to infiltrate one’s belief system.
In 2003, Dan Brown released his book “The Da Vinci Code” which was a fictional murder mystery that had to be solved with “facts”. These “facts” which were “stumbled upon” by the characters caused them to find out “secrets” of Jesus Christ, suggesting that he married Mary Magdalene and had children with her. Such elements are an attack on his status as the Son of God. Hype followed.
In 2004, there was more hype concerning another “breakthrough.” This “breakthrough” focused on what is known now as the “Lost Gospels” which suggests that Emperor Constantine of the Roman Empire (the Emperor who converted to Christianity and encouraged Christians to play a role in restoring the Roman Empire to prosperity) conspired to hide or destroy any of the Gospels that doesn’t support the deity of Jesus Christ.
In 2006, there was yet another “breakthrough,” this time claiming that there was a new “lost Gospel” written by Judas Iscariot, the man whom we all know betrayed Jesus for 30 pieces of silver. Aside from that story, the film version of the Da Vinci Code was also released, reigniting the 2003 controversy.
Then, on February 25th, 2007 we were told that film maker James Cameron (mostly known for his “Terminator” films and “Titanic”) directed a documentary set to air on the Discovery Channel March 4th, 2007.
JAMES CAMERON FINDS JESUS?
www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,254692,00.html
Since the news broke out, there has been a lot of media regarding this television event. Is this in fact the real Jesus Christ? In fact the very core of Christianity rests on the resurrection of Jesus Christ as he would be the only religious leader who has conquered death. If by chance, he never conquered death, he wouldn’t be that much different then Buddha, Confucius, Mohammed, and other leaders within the market place of religions.
But what if in fact this documentary’s case is dead, but it is being resuscitated… or risen from the dead? What if in fact it is dead, but is given artificial life? Since the story broke out, I have been at work doing research on the matter. This is what I found.
At the start of the documentary, the foundation of this “finding” is laid out for you, as the narrator says….
The most famous death in History is the death of Jesus of Nazareth. Two thousand years ago, in first century Jerusalem, he was crucified by the Romans. The Gospels tell us he was buried in a tomb, and two days later, Mary Magdalene, one of his closest disciples, found the tomb empty. But according to the Gospel of Matthew, there was another story circulating after Jesus’ death, and though the gospel calls it a lie. It was rumored that Jesus’ disciples secretly took their master’s body, presumably to give him a permanent burial. If this is true, according to first century burial practices in Jerusalem, Jesus’ body would have been taken in a rock Hume family tomb. Given that he was crucified for insurrection, the reburial would have been done in secret, by his closest disciples. Jesus’ body would have been shrouded, and left to decompose. One year later, his disciples would have returned, this time joined by his family, for the final burial ceremony. Mary, Jesus’ mother would have attended the ceremony. Mary Magdalene would also have been there. His brothers, Simon, Joseph, Judah, and James, would have prepared Jesus’ bones for the final burial, placing them in a Limestone coffin called an Ossuary. Jesus’ name would have been inscribed on the side. His Ossuary would have then have been placed in a Niche, in an inner chamber, sealed away forever, deep inside his family tomb.
And then the title, “The Lost Tomb of Jesus,” flashes across the screen.
The Foundation:
I looked up the details of the burial of Jesus, according to the Gospel of Matthew. Here is what it says.
The Burial of Jesus
Matthew 27:57-60a
As Evening approached, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who had himself become a disciple of Jesus. Going to Pilate, he asked for Jesus’ body, and Pilate ordered that it be given to him. Joseph took the body, wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, and placed it in his own new tomb that he had cut out of the rock.
Let me stop right there. Joseph of Arimathea was a rich man who constructed a tomb for himself, but out of respect, decided to give it to Jesus. If Pilate would have not granted Joseph of Arimathea the rights to the body of Christ, then his body would have been placed in the same area as the criminals were, left to hang on the cross, unburied, until the bodies were eaten by carnivorous animals, and beasts, thus adding even more disgrace to the criminal. But Joseph of Arimathea’s request to donate his own newly built tomb to Jesus was also prophesied some 700 years before the event in Isaiah 53:9, where he states his vision. “He was assigned a grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death, though he had done no violence, nor was any deceit in his mouth." Now, let’s return to the Gospel of Matthew’s account.
Matthew 27:60b
[Joseph of Arimathea] rolled a big stone in front of the entrance to the tomb and went away. Mary Magdalene and the other Mary were sitting there opposite the tomb.
The Pharisees:
Remember the Pharisees? The Pharisees were were responsible for preserving the Gospels of the Old Testament and, in their own arrogance, saw Jesus (a carpenter hanging around with the poor) as a blasphemer claiming to be the foretold King of the Jews and calling the Pharisees for what they really were, right in front of their face.
Matthew 27:62-66
The next day, the one after Preparation Day, the chief priests and the Pharisees went to Pilate. “Sir,” they said, “we remember that while he was still alive that deceiver said, ‘After three days I will rise again.’ So give the order for the tomb to be made secure until the third day. Otherwise, his disciples may come and steal the body and tell people that he has been raised from the dead. This last deception will be worse than the first.” “Take a guard,” Pilate answered. “Go, make the tomb as secure as you know how.” So they went and made the tomb secure by putting a seal on the stone and posting the guard.
Okay, so the Pharisees threw the possibility out there that the disciples might steal Jesus’ body and tell others that it has been raised. So the body was sealed in the tomb and a guard was assigned to protect the body. After all, if Jesus was who he claimed to be, then he would actually come back to life himself, especially being God in the flesh.
And so it continues….
Matthew 28:1-9
After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb. There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and h is clothes were white as snow. The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men. The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus who was crucified. He is not here: He has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples: ‘He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.’ Now I have told you.” So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples.
Now, knowing the account, let’s ask a few questions about the matter at hand?
The narrator said, “But according to the Gospel of Matthew, there was another story circulating after Jesus’ death, and though the gospel calls it a lie, it was rumored that Jesus’ disciples secretly took their master’s body, presumably to give him a permanent burial.” My question is, What, exactly is the lie that the gospel claims? The Gospel as you read above, simply quoted the Pharisees raising theories of possible deception regarding Christ’s resurrection, possibly carried out by his disciples. But the wording of the narrator suggests something else. Then, the narrator says, “It was rumored that Jesus’ disciples secretly took their master’s body, presumably to give him a permanent burial.” Again, NO!!! The narrator’s claim suggests that the act may have already been fulfilled, putting the rumor in the past tense, as it may have already happened. The Gospel of Matthew recorded the Pharisees verbally suggesting that the disciples might take their master’s body and pass it off as though Christ was resurrected, suggesting a possible future scenario. And they took care of it. They talked Pilate into having the tomb guarded to prohibit grave robbers from doing the very things which the Pharisees suggested. But the “tweaked” wording of the foundation of the documentary takes you in a different path, one that, through a play on words, suggesting that Jesus of Nazareth may have been placed in an ossuary in Jerusalem, thus justifying your watching the film for two hours and driving up the prices for the sponsors who decide to advertise during the program. Those who do not read the Bible are the most likely to fall victim to its play on words. Some, who not only despise the Bible, but despise God, will cling to this story as fact, and will promote it as such.
Editor’s Note: Be aware that Part II of this series will be followed by this post.
Only until now has it been acceptable for two major elements to join together, like a key and a keyhole, and that is ignorance and deception. Ignorance is the keyhole for which deception can enter into, and open the door to infiltrate one’s belief system.
In 2003, Dan Brown released his book “The Da Vinci Code” which was a fictional murder mystery that had to be solved with “facts”. These “facts” which were “stumbled upon” by the characters caused them to find out “secrets” of Jesus Christ, suggesting that he married Mary Magdalene and had children with her. Such elements are an attack on his status as the Son of God. Hype followed.
In 2004, there was more hype concerning another “breakthrough.” This “breakthrough” focused on what is known now as the “Lost Gospels” which suggests that Emperor Constantine of the Roman Empire (the Emperor who converted to Christianity and encouraged Christians to play a role in restoring the Roman Empire to prosperity) conspired to hide or destroy any of the Gospels that doesn’t support the deity of Jesus Christ.
In 2006, there was yet another “breakthrough,” this time claiming that there was a new “lost Gospel” written by Judas Iscariot, the man whom we all know betrayed Jesus for 30 pieces of silver. Aside from that story, the film version of the Da Vinci Code was also released, reigniting the 2003 controversy.
Then, on February 25th, 2007 we were told that film maker James Cameron (mostly known for his “Terminator” films and “Titanic”) directed a documentary set to air on the Discovery Channel March 4th, 2007.
JAMES CAMERON FINDS JESUS?
www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,254692,00.html
Since the news broke out, there has been a lot of media regarding this television event. Is this in fact the real Jesus Christ? In fact the very core of Christianity rests on the resurrection of Jesus Christ as he would be the only religious leader who has conquered death. If by chance, he never conquered death, he wouldn’t be that much different then Buddha, Confucius, Mohammed, and other leaders within the market place of religions.
But what if in fact this documentary’s case is dead, but it is being resuscitated… or risen from the dead? What if in fact it is dead, but is given artificial life? Since the story broke out, I have been at work doing research on the matter. This is what I found.
At the start of the documentary, the foundation of this “finding” is laid out for you, as the narrator says….
The most famous death in History is the death of Jesus of Nazareth. Two thousand years ago, in first century Jerusalem, he was crucified by the Romans. The Gospels tell us he was buried in a tomb, and two days later, Mary Magdalene, one of his closest disciples, found the tomb empty. But according to the Gospel of Matthew, there was another story circulating after Jesus’ death, and though the gospel calls it a lie. It was rumored that Jesus’ disciples secretly took their master’s body, presumably to give him a permanent burial. If this is true, according to first century burial practices in Jerusalem, Jesus’ body would have been taken in a rock Hume family tomb. Given that he was crucified for insurrection, the reburial would have been done in secret, by his closest disciples. Jesus’ body would have been shrouded, and left to decompose. One year later, his disciples would have returned, this time joined by his family, for the final burial ceremony. Mary, Jesus’ mother would have attended the ceremony. Mary Magdalene would also have been there. His brothers, Simon, Joseph, Judah, and James, would have prepared Jesus’ bones for the final burial, placing them in a Limestone coffin called an Ossuary. Jesus’ name would have been inscribed on the side. His Ossuary would have then have been placed in a Niche, in an inner chamber, sealed away forever, deep inside his family tomb.
And then the title, “The Lost Tomb of Jesus,” flashes across the screen.
The Foundation:
I looked up the details of the burial of Jesus, according to the Gospel of Matthew. Here is what it says.
The Burial of Jesus
Matthew 27:57-60a
As Evening approached, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who had himself become a disciple of Jesus. Going to Pilate, he asked for Jesus’ body, and Pilate ordered that it be given to him. Joseph took the body, wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, and placed it in his own new tomb that he had cut out of the rock.
Let me stop right there. Joseph of Arimathea was a rich man who constructed a tomb for himself, but out of respect, decided to give it to Jesus. If Pilate would have not granted Joseph of Arimathea the rights to the body of Christ, then his body would have been placed in the same area as the criminals were, left to hang on the cross, unburied, until the bodies were eaten by carnivorous animals, and beasts, thus adding even more disgrace to the criminal. But Joseph of Arimathea’s request to donate his own newly built tomb to Jesus was also prophesied some 700 years before the event in Isaiah 53:9, where he states his vision. “He was assigned a grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death, though he had done no violence, nor was any deceit in his mouth." Now, let’s return to the Gospel of Matthew’s account.
Matthew 27:60b
[Joseph of Arimathea] rolled a big stone in front of the entrance to the tomb and went away. Mary Magdalene and the other Mary were sitting there opposite the tomb.
The Pharisees:
Remember the Pharisees? The Pharisees were were responsible for preserving the Gospels of the Old Testament and, in their own arrogance, saw Jesus (a carpenter hanging around with the poor) as a blasphemer claiming to be the foretold King of the Jews and calling the Pharisees for what they really were, right in front of their face.
Matthew 27:62-66
The next day, the one after Preparation Day, the chief priests and the Pharisees went to Pilate. “Sir,” they said, “we remember that while he was still alive that deceiver said, ‘After three days I will rise again.’ So give the order for the tomb to be made secure until the third day. Otherwise, his disciples may come and steal the body and tell people that he has been raised from the dead. This last deception will be worse than the first.” “Take a guard,” Pilate answered. “Go, make the tomb as secure as you know how.” So they went and made the tomb secure by putting a seal on the stone and posting the guard.
Okay, so the Pharisees threw the possibility out there that the disciples might steal Jesus’ body and tell others that it has been raised. So the body was sealed in the tomb and a guard was assigned to protect the body. After all, if Jesus was who he claimed to be, then he would actually come back to life himself, especially being God in the flesh.
And so it continues….
Matthew 28:1-9
After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb. There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and h is clothes were white as snow. The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men. The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus who was crucified. He is not here: He has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples: ‘He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.’ Now I have told you.” So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples.
Now, knowing the account, let’s ask a few questions about the matter at hand?
The narrator said, “But according to the Gospel of Matthew, there was another story circulating after Jesus’ death, and though the gospel calls it a lie, it was rumored that Jesus’ disciples secretly took their master’s body, presumably to give him a permanent burial.” My question is, What, exactly is the lie that the gospel claims? The Gospel as you read above, simply quoted the Pharisees raising theories of possible deception regarding Christ’s resurrection, possibly carried out by his disciples. But the wording of the narrator suggests something else. Then, the narrator says, “It was rumored that Jesus’ disciples secretly took their master’s body, presumably to give him a permanent burial.” Again, NO!!! The narrator’s claim suggests that the act may have already been fulfilled, putting the rumor in the past tense, as it may have already happened. The Gospel of Matthew recorded the Pharisees verbally suggesting that the disciples might take their master’s body and pass it off as though Christ was resurrected, suggesting a possible future scenario. And they took care of it. They talked Pilate into having the tomb guarded to prohibit grave robbers from doing the very things which the Pharisees suggested. But the “tweaked” wording of the foundation of the documentary takes you in a different path, one that, through a play on words, suggesting that Jesus of Nazareth may have been placed in an ossuary in Jerusalem, thus justifying your watching the film for two hours and driving up the prices for the sponsors who decide to advertise during the program. Those who do not read the Bible are the most likely to fall victim to its play on words. Some, who not only despise the Bible, but despise God, will cling to this story as fact, and will promote it as such.
Editor’s Note: Be aware that Part II of this series will be followed by this post.