[quote]Even if both genealogies worked for purposes of the argument, the case breaks down for other reasons. There are many messianic prophecies which Jesus did not fulfill.
Jesus did not bring home the Jews dispersed among heathen nations.
He did not sit on the Throne of David (i.e. become king and rule Israel).
He did not save Israel from its enemies (i.e. the occupation army of Rome).
And he did not restore the sovereign State of Israel.
Failure to accomplish these requisites disqualifies him from the title: "Messiah".
db[/B][/QUOTE]
Jesus yet lives if you were to believe in him. This gives him some time on these prophesies. He may have gone to prepare a whole new Jerusalem in which he will fulfill these prophesies that you pointed out. To sit on the throne of David. The bible also talks of another enemy one that is greater than Rome. Ephesians 6 says this:
10Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. 12For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.
Maybe this is the enemy that Jesus was sent to free Israel from. Instead of the Romans. The kingdom of heaven Jesus speaks of may be this new Jerusalem. A kingdom that knows no earthly borders. I believe it was Napoleon though I'm not sure about this who once said that Jesus had built a greater empire without raising a sword than all of the great conquerors put together. From a man who knows about empires this gives some credibility to the kingdom of heaven.
I'm sure that I have poorly worded this and left out detail I should have included.
However I think that the Jews may have taken these prophesies to mean that he would do all these things in the manner they expected. Then he rebuilds Israel as an eternal nation, where he sits on the throne as an eternal king. An Israel that is freed from it's enemies and bondage eternally.
Is it possible that you have misinterperted these prophesies to mean an earthly kingdom when God really meant to build a lasting kindom?
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saved by grace
[This message has been edited by funkmasterfreaky, 12-04-2002]