AGUEST SAID
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I am not trying to convince anybody that anybody's interpretation isn't correct or that mine is the correct way. I am just sharing my thoughts up to the discussion to how i view and understand what I know thus far.
And you are most welcome to do that on this site, dear HP (peace to you, dear one!); indeed, that is the purpose of this site, to invite everyone's input and not ridicule or malign if it differs from one's own. So, please, don't ever feel like you need to hold back.
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Taking out figurative illustrations and analogous thought, my stance is that i do do not think or believe that the physical animals or humans lost their earthly physical bodies upon entering the Ark of Noah or the mini baby Ark of Moses and became pure spiritual energy who then regained their physical bodies upon leaving thyroid respective arks Smile
That's understandable. Perhaps that's because you don't quite understand the process, though - they didn't actually "lose" their earthly physical bodies upon entering - rather, such is changed: transformed, transfigured. The Greek term is "metamorphosoo", and depicts a literal change [of FORM], as shown in the first part of the following:
It is what occurred with my Lord as recorded at Matthew 17:2 and Paul was speaking of as recorded at 2 Corinthians 3:18 (see
http://www.blueletterbible.org/Bible.cf ... KJV#conc/2 and
http://www.blueletterbible.org/Bible.cf ... JV#conc/18).
It's what Paul meant when he stated:
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And as we have borne the image of the earthy [terrestrial/physical man], we shall also bear the image of the heavenly [celestial/spirit man]."
So, they didn't LOSE their physical bodies, per se - such bodies were literally changed... and then changed back (put off, then put on). That's why bodies, both physical and spirit, are called "robes" or "garments." The spirit body is the "white" robe - meaning, it is clean, undefiled, without sin and death IN it. Thus, it is "incorruptible." The physical body is termed a "befouled garment"... or "unclean" robe. Because it does have sin and death IN it. This is why, for example, the great crowd is depicted as "washing their robes" in the blood of Christ, the Lamb. By means of his blood, their PHYSICAL bodies are cleansed of sin and death. Washed. So as to BECOME "white"... or spirit. Clean and without defilement.
Had they LOST their physical bodies, then, they would not have been able to return to them once outside again.
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When I read about shedding of the flesh I do not read it as a literal shedding of our soft and hard tissues but of our physical desires. The flesh is our earthly bodies, their physical bodily needs, and their desires.
Well, yes, there can be a figurative, symbolic interpretation. Can be in ALL of this; however, over the aeons, man has allowed the symbolic and figurative to OVERSHADOW the literal... and truth. That's because those who claim to KNOW... but do NOT... purport to teach about what these things are and/or refer to. They don't know... because they don't possess holy spirit, the blood/breath/semen of God... so as TO know. They are not "in union" with Him, so as to know what His purpose are.
And that's because they are in union with Christ, regardless of what they may claim. If they WERE, they would have the MIND of Christ, who is a spirit... and who, though his blood, which he received from God and so is God's blood... holy spirit... SPEAKS and TEACHES things "of the spirit." They are yet fleshly and earthly... and so their minds can only comprehend that which is fleshly... and earthly. Physical. That which is spiritual seems unbelievable, incomprehensible, even impossible. They forget, though, that with God... ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE.
Christ could walk on water, for example, due to his ability to "change" his vessel... the "cup", "robe", "garment"... from one of solid mass to one of spirit. This allowed his vessel to be lighter and so able to be carried on the water's surface. He did this for Peter, changed his vessel... as he promises to do for ALL those who belong to him. Set such ones FREE... so that even the "laws" of this world, the physical world... such a gravity... are not BINDING.
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It's akin to the saying that in order to find yourself you have to first lose yourself. One doesn't actually go drive into a forest and make themselves lost Smile its figurative
Again, I can see where this might be your interpretation... somewhat accurate, even, as to the symbolic fulfillment. I would YOU, though, to consider that there is also a LITERAL fulfillment... and if so, how that might manifest. It really isn't that hard to "see", dear one... when once has "purchased" and received "eyesalve":
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You say, ‘I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.’ But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked. I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see." Revelation 3:17, 18
We have no excuse to be blind as to these things, then, dear one... as although the statement was made to the congregation in Laodicea at the time, the invitation is to ALL... of those who are wishing and thirsting. Thus, the Spirit and the Bride are STILL saying, to such ones:
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Come! Take 'life's water'... the holy spirit of God, which is poured out from the innermost parts of His Son and Christ, the Holy One of Israel, JAHESHUA, the Chosen One of JAH (MischaJah)... which water/spirit "gives sight to the blind!" (Luke 4:18)...
FREE!" I hope this helps and, again, peace to you!
YOUR servant and a slave of Christ,
SA