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Post by elizabeth on Aug 12, 2014 4:47:50 GMT
Shiloh raised this issue on one of the threads:
What I don't understand is, why was Christ standing? Why wasn't he seated at the right hand of God the Father?
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Post by shiloh on Aug 12, 2014 5:18:11 GMT
I'm thinking about that, Liz. I have a few things in mind, but maybe it was because He was victorious over sin and conquered it? I'm not sure.
Was He standing for Stephen alone to reassure him that was the case? We always read about Him being seated at the right Hand of the Father.
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Post by morningstar on Aug 12, 2014 5:30:48 GMT
The best explanation I've ever heard was from Hal Lindsey. Stephen was the first martyr, Jesus was standing for Stephen welcoming him into the Kingdom which was something special for such a special saint as Stephen, also because it was recorded in Scripture for all of us to know.
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Post by shiloh on Aug 12, 2014 5:37:17 GMT
yeah! Good answer, Morningstar. That's somewhere along the lines where my thinking was going to also.
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Post by elizabeth on Aug 12, 2014 5:41:26 GMT
Shiloh, being victorious over sin, wasn't the idea, to then sit down, at the right hand of God the Father.
Morningstar, I normally love Hal Lindsay, but that explanation just doesn't sound like the right one to me.
Maybe I'm wrong though.
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Post by elizabeth on Aug 12, 2014 6:08:49 GMT
I found this on Stephen/Christ standing. I thought it was beautiful:
Maybe it had something to do with the fact that at the time Stephen was stoned, the early Church was still trying to convert the Jews? They weren't offering Christianity to the gentiles. The gospel had yet to been offered to all it's intended recipients. This is just a guess on my part, I honestly don't know.
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Post by shiloh on Aug 12, 2014 15:22:57 GMT
HUH? How are we supposed to get that out of Christ standing when Stephen saw Him standing at the right Hand of the Father? I would never guess that in a million years and don' think it should be so mysterious to understand. I like Hal Lindsey's explanation. It should be something we'd be able to understand. That explanation sounds confusing to me. I DO believe it was because Stephen was the first martyr and Jesus stood waiting to welcome him. God opened up the heavens for him to see.
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Post by morningstar on Aug 12, 2014 21:21:55 GMT
I'll stick with Hal Lindsey's explanation it was simple and to the Point, but all in all each of us will go with what we find to our liking.
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Post by Leeza on Aug 13, 2014 17:00:50 GMT
The best explanation I've ever heard was from Hal Lindsey. Stephen was the first martyr, Jesus was standing for Stephen welcoming him into the Kingdom which was something special for such a special saint as Stephen, also because it was recorded in Scripture for all of us to know. That explanation really resonates in my spirit. I didn't hear Hal Lindsey saying this, but that was my impression, too. |
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Post by Benjamin on Aug 13, 2014 22:55:18 GMT
The best explanation I've ever heard was from Hal Lindsey. Stephen was the first martyr, Jesus was standing for Stephen welcoming him into the Kingdom which was something special for such a special saint as Stephen, also because it was recorded in Scripture for all of us to know. That explanation really resonates in my spirit. I didn't hear Hal Lindsey saying this, but that was my impression, too. I've always felt that this was the explanation - but I think that Hal overstates it. I don't think it was "for such a special saint as Stephen", but for all of His saints. We need to keep in mind that we are "all one in Christ Jesus", and that we have "every blessing in the heavenly realms in Christ". What separates us and Stephen? ...2000 years. That's it. |
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Post by Leeza on Aug 14, 2014 2:02:21 GMT
My understanding on what Hal said was that I took it that he meant "special saint" because Stephen was the first martyr, which made it special, and that is why Christ was standing. But I do not want to be so presumptuous as to put words in Hal's mouth, but that was my understanding of what he meant. So I do agree with his explanation on why Christ was standing instead of sitting.
But I do see your point, Benjamin, insomuch as each and every saint that has been martyred for the Lord is precious in His sight, and that one saint is not more special than another one.
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Post by shiloh on Aug 14, 2014 18:34:17 GMT
Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints. (Psalm 116:15)
I believe the death or martyrdom of any saint/believer is near and dear to the Lord. Yes, the only difference is 2,000 years, yet he was still the first martyr. Maybe the Lord stands to welcome ALL martyred saints or even saints that have died a natural death.
When I think of Him being seated at the right Hand of the Father, I think victory, the battle has been won and all sin has been defeated through Him alone. So yes, Liz, I do believe part of that has to do with victory in Jesus standing also.
A Psalm of David. The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool. Psalm 110:1 , Mark 12:36 , Luke 20:42,43..etc.
The Son rests while the Father carries out His vengeance against the enemies of our Lord. There is the wrath of God and the wrath of the Lamb but I'm getting off topic here. I believe both wraths are the same in a sense because Jesus is God.
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Post by morningstar on Aug 14, 2014 21:12:32 GMT
I know some of you may not care for Hal Lindsey, but that's life and we all have our preferences I am sure. I have learned so much from Hal in Eschotology and how he presents the Scriptures in such a clear and precise way.
So here one of his messages which is a better explanation of what he has taught on Stephen the Martyr dated back on 2011, in which he was talking about the coming persecution of Christians, and it seems were there now.
It's 28 min long, but if you click on the timer bar..go to 22:10 and hear what he has to say on the subject.
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Post by Benjamin on Aug 14, 2014 22:53:57 GMT
I know some of you may not care for Hal Lindsey...
If you're thinking of me, I'm completely okay with Hal Lindsey and love his ministry. I just had a minor meltdown over that one video where he talked about giving up everything for Christ and then asked for $80.00 for a CD. ...I'll watch this one and get back to you! |
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Post by morningstar on Aug 15, 2014 0:42:44 GMT
I know some of you may not care for Hal Lindsey...
If you're thinking of me, I'm completely okay with Hal Lindsey and love his ministry. I just had a minor meltdown over that one video where he talked about giving up everything for Christ and then asked for $80.00 for a CD. ...I'll watch this one and get back to you! Benji, Benji, Benji....Yes I was thinking of you...LOL!!...and your entitled to a meltdown...only once mind you. |
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Post by shiloh on Aug 15, 2014 3:38:44 GMT
LOL! That sounds like my daughter. She loves Charles Stanley but paid an arm and a leg for his bible with notes included and gets tired of the pushing of the cds.
My answer to her was, "You don't have to give or buy anything you don't want and they have to make a living too." As long as it's not going toward earthly mansions, private jets, maids, butlers, exotic vacations, designer clothes etc. then I don't see anything wrong with it. Jack Van Impe does that promoting of his dvd's all the time too. When we give or even buy, we should be able to do it from our heart. Some just don't touch me in the sense where I'd jump on the purchasing bandwagon to buy one of their books or dvds. She had a minor meltdown too.
Now, I must go back and watch the video.
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Post by shelayne on Aug 22, 2014 16:04:37 GMT
I think Christ will stand to receive every one of His own. This passage gives us a glimpse into that beautiful moment. This is what, we too will see upon our death. Or when He stands on the clouds and calls us up! Like every bridegroom, He will be standing for His bride, ready to receive her in love.
Maranatha!
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