I can't make sense of this. If, at the time Jesus spoke this parable, no one could be justified through Christ's atonement, nor could they be justified through the law, does this imply that they couldn't be justified at all?Colin wrote:I think I look at Matt 18 (and most of what Jesus said during his ministry) in light of the fact that this was prior to his death and ressurection. In other words, during a time period where the old covenant was still in effect. At this time, no one could be justified through the attonement of Christ's blood, because it was still a future event.
If I look at this passage in light of Mosaic law, it seems to be an example yet again of how it was impossible for people to meet the demands of the law. Jesus explained many times that you needed to fulfill the "spirit" of the law, not just the "word", and of course everyone falls short. He explained this to show that justification through the law wasn't possible, and that his death and ressurection was necessary.
I'd be interested in hearing everyone's thoughts in this regard (underlining Paidion's).
In that case, what would be the fate of those who died during those days? Would every one of them go to hell?
What do you say about the man described in the following passage? Was Symeon one of the just, one of God's children? Or did this man, after death, go to hell (or will he at his resurrection)?
Now there was in Jerusalem a man named Symeon, an upright, devout man; he was expecting to see the consolation of Israel, and he was under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he should not die without seeing the Lord’s Messiah. So under the Spirit’s guidance he went into the temple, and when the parents brought the child Jesus there to do for Him as the custom of the law required, Symeon also took Him in his arms and blessed God, and said: "Now, Master, you will let your slave go free In peace, as you have promised; For my eyes have seen your Salvation, which you prepared before all peoples,a light of revelation to the heathen, and a glory to your people Israel." (Luke 2:25-32 Williams)