Mosaic Law and the After Life.

Post by **__id_2529** » Wed Dec 19, 2007 2:54 pm

Sorry if this subject has been touched on. This whole subject is new to me and i am NO expert.

I am daftly confused and confounded. It would seem that all the "law" written in the books of moses would come to serve a purpose.

1) to keep Israel from "set apart" from other pagan nations.

2) to keep civil order

etc..etc.

what I don't get is why the whole "book of the law" in the OT addresses so little about the after life if at all.

After all, if Moses was the spiritually leader of the Nation wouldn't he be WARNING of the Judgments to come in the After Life.

Post by **_TK** » Wed Dec 19, 2007 3:30 pm

i think it is a good question, and i am not really sure what the early israelites believed about the after life, if anything. Job seemed to believe in the afterlife. he may have lived in the time of the patriarchs, but his story is not part of the law, or course.

someone here will know, however.

TK

Post by **_STEVE7150** » Wed Dec 19, 2007 5:23 pm

what I don't get is why the whole "book of the law" in the OT addresses so little about the after life if at all.

As far as i can see God progressively revealed himself in scripture until Jesus came who Paul said was the exact image of the Father. And it was Jesus who really first revealed much of anything about the afterlife which is why i found the OT something like an unfinished story.
I guess God has certain times when he reveals certain truths because there were plenty of opportunities even before Moses was given the law.

Post by **_Derek** » Wed Dec 19, 2007 9:53 pm

As far as i can see God progressively revealed himself in scripture until Jesus came who Paul said was the exact image of the Father. And it was Jesus who really first revealed much of anything about the afterlife which is why i found the OT something like an unfinished story.

Though there are some questions still open to me, I basically agree with this. I just don't think that God had revealed much about it, before Christ.

However, the "inter-testamental" period had some developments in this area among the Jews. The differing beliefs of the Sadducees and Pharisees for instance. The Sadducees didn't believe in the ressurection, while the Pharisees did (Acts 23:8). I think that it is possible that the Sadducees didn't believe in an afterlife at all, but I am less certain about that. Both parties came to their respective understandings before Christ taught about the subject.

Post by **_Paidion** » Wed Dec 19, 2007 10:12 pm

Right Derek, concerning the Pharisees and Saducees. I looked up information about the Saducees recently. It seems not only possible, but even probable, that they did not believe in any afterlife at all. Indeed, some of the "experts" say so unequivocally.

Post by **__id_2529** » Wed Dec 19, 2007 10:29 pm

The ramifications for untold billions marching into the next age or eternity no matter what the case with little recorded warning of the judgments coming is a little strange if not disturbing.

thanks for the quick response gentlemen.

Post by **_Paidion** » Wed Dec 19, 2007 10:43 pm

Even the apostle Paul's warnings about coming judgments may not be what they are cracked up to be. Paul wrote a considerable portion of the New Testament, but notice he didn't mention Gehenna, that is, the Lake of Fire, even once.

I find that very interesting, but not at all disturbing.

Post by **__id_2529** » Thu Dec 20, 2007 8:45 am

Paidon.

In your view, having spent much time researching the UR position on this subject, there is little to be "disturbed" about in that view.

I suppose i would be curious as to the ET view of such silence.

Post by **_Homer** » Sat Dec 22, 2007 12:11 am

Interesting, but it seems that all (or almost all) the warnings and threats in the scriptures are directed to believers.

Post by **__id_2529** » Sat Dec 22, 2007 9:40 am

Thank you for your response Homer.

The idea of "believers" or "elect/select", however one perceives this concept, stills begs the question in my mind.

The individuals as far as recorded in the Bible after the giving of this Law would have been the nation of Israel.

Is Israel to be excluded from "Believers/Elect/Select"?

From the OT perspective it would seem that Israel is the only group of individuals who has any kind of revelation of God. Not "Believers" in the sense of the full promises of God concerning Jesus Christ, but of the present revelation of God at that time.

Blessing in Christ.