Jesus was not changing the meaning of "an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth", but restoring it to the original context. Jesus starts his statement with "you have heard it said," which could mean that he was clarifying a misconception, as opposed to "it is written", which could be a reference to scripture. The common misconception seems to be that people were using Exodus 21:24–25 (the guidelines for a magistrate to punish convicted offenders) as a justification for personal vengeance. However, the command to "turn the other cheek" would be not a command to allow someone to beat or rob a person but a command not to take vengeance.
The ubiquitous error of a lot of biblical interpretation for a biblical passage or verse almost always hinges on a failure to consider the fuller context in which the passage or verse is located.
As we can see in the fuller context Jesus is clearly attempting to correct the misuse of the law by certain traditionalists who side-stepped the Mosaic Law in order to honor their man-made traditions. Jesus often corrected false teachers who set their traditions above the law of God
"Prophetic infers that Jesus is a **PAGAN PACIFIST**"
Isaiah 9:6,7: For to us a Child is born, to us a Son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And He will be called Mighty God and **PRINCE OF PEACE**. Of the greatness of His government and **PEACE** THERE WILL BE NO END**!
Philippians 3:19,20: Their mind is on earthly things . But **OUR CITIZENSHIP IS IN HEAVEN**. And we eagerly wait a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ!!
**EVERY OATH** that you swear to is **CONDEMNED* and is **FROM THE EVIL ONE** in the New Testament era!!
When you join the military and become a professional killer you must make a **VOW** that you will obey all the commands of your commanding officer. And so if He commands you to drop an Atomic Bomb that will kill about 100,000 civilians including about 25,000 innocent children you must obey this command!!!
The following **OATH** is given by a officer in the US army to be repeated by all army recruits while they raise their right hand:
I, _____, do solemnly *SWEAR* that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; and that I will obey the orders of the President of the United States and the orders of the officers appointed over me, according to regulations and the Uniform Code of Military Justice. **SO HELP ME GOD**."
What is the OT command concerning *VOWS* and *OATHS*?? Numbers 30:2: Moses said, "This is what the Lord commands: When a man makes a *VOW* to the Lord or takes an *OATH* to obligate himself by a pledge, he must not break his word but must do everything he said!"
What are the NT commands concerning making *VOWS* and **OATHS*??
James 5:12: "ABOVE ALL, my brothers, do not swear--not by heaven or by earth or by anything else. Let your "Yes" be yes, and your "No," no, or **YOU WILL BE CONDEMNED**!"
Matthew 5:33-37: Jesus says, "You have heard that it was said to your people long ago {Numbers 30:2 above}, 'Do not break your oath, but keep the oaths you have made to the Lord.' BUT I tell you, Do not swear at all....Simply let your 'Yes' be 'Yes,' and your 'No, 'No'; anything beyond this comes **FROM THE EVIL ONE**!!"
And so **EVERY OATH** that you swear to is **CONDEMNED* and is **FROM THE EVIL ONE** in the New Testament era!!
Philippians 3:19,20: Their mind is on earthly things . But **OUR CITIZENSHIP IS IN HEAVEN**. And we eagerly wait a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who by the power that enables Him to bring everything under His control, will transform our lowly bodies that will be like His glorious body!
Now I ask you, how can any true Christian take such an **OATH** in good conscience? How can the follower of Christ pledge faith to a manmade constitution that might require him to compromise his fidelity to the commands of the Gospel? How can a **CITIZEN IN HEAVEN** (Philippians 3:20 above) pledge allegiance to a secular government that requires him to defend it? How can a Christian swear to obey the orders of any president or any officer that commands us? How can a Christian swear to place faith in any organization, institution, or document other than Christ, and His Word?
I Corinthians 4:6: Do not go beyond that which is written!!
Matthew 28:18-20: ALL authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations... Teaching them to **OBEY EVERYTHING** I have commended you!" {Which would include Matthew 5:33-37 above!!}
Notice that there is no “conscience clause” in the soldier’s oath. In taking the oath, the soldier willingly relinquishes his choice as to which orders he will obey. If any of our commanders gives an order, the soldier has pledged to obey it – even if that order violates his Christian conscience like killing your enemies which is forbidden in God's Word or a strike that may also kill innocent civilians and children, the Christian soldier has pledged to carry out that order.
Of course, the Christian soldier is always free to renege on his oath. He can always choose to disobey those orders he deems to be unjust or unchristian, and he will have to suffer the very severe consequences. But why would any Christian willingly take such a pledge to begin with, knowing that in doing so he is promising to obey a secular government that condones immorality?
To swear unconditional allegiance and obedience to anything other than Christ, His word, and His Church is a very dangerous thing. Our Lord was very clear that we cannot serve two masters: Matthew 6:24: Jesus says, “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other.” A born again Christian must never take an oath to defend a manmade constitution and he will never swear allegiance to a government that defends the slaughter of innocents. Like an order by President Truman to drop two atomic bombs that will both kill over 100,000 innocent civilians and over 25,000 innocent children!! {Jesus commands many times **NEVER** to hurt the little children!!}
"Prophetic infers that Jesus is a **PAGAN PACIFIST**"
Isaiah 9:6,7: For to us a Child is born, to us a Son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And He will be called Mighty God and **PRINCE OF PEACE**. Of the greatness of His government and **PEACE** **THERE WILL BE NO END**!!
Philippians 3:19,20: Their mind is on earthly things . But **OUR CITIZENSHIP IS IN HEAVEN**. And we eagerly wait a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ!!
**THE ONLY SWORD BORN AGAIN CHRISTIANS MAY USE IS THE SWORD OF THE SPIRIT WHICH IS THE **WORD OF GOD**!!
2 Corinthians 10:3,4: "For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are *NOT* the weapons of the world."
**HOW DO WE FIGHT THE **GOSPEL OF PEACE**??
Ephesians 6:14-17: Stand firm then, with belt of Truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the **GOSPEL OF PEACE**. in addition to all this, take up the shield of Faith, with which you can extinguish all the arrows of the Evil One. Take the helmet of Salvation and the **SWORD OF THE SPIRIT**, which is the **WORD OF GOD**!!
Matthew 26:30-34: They seized Jesus and arrested Him. With that, one of Jesus' companions reached for his sword, drew it out and struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his ear. "Put your sword back in its place," Jesus said to him, "For *ALL* **WHO DRAW BY THE SWORD WILL DIE BY THE SWORD**!"
James 4:1-4: What causes fights among you? Don't they come from your desires that battle within you? You desire but you do not have, so you kill. You covet but cannot get what you want, so you quarrel and fight. You do not have because you do not ask God. When you ask, you do not receive because you ask with the wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures. You adulterous people, don't you know that friendship with the world means enmity against God!
John 18:36: Jesus says, " My Kingdom is not of this world. If it were my servants would fight to prevent My arrest by the Jewish leaders. But now My Kingdom is from another place!!"
Matthew 5:43-45: Jesus says, You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' {As per Lev 19:18} But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven!"
Exodus 21:24:: The Lord said to Moses, "You are to take eye for eye, and tooth for tooth!"
Matthew 5:38,39: Jesus commands, "You have heard that it was said {In Exodus 21:24 above}, 'Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.' But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek turn to him the other also! And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well!"
Littledavid like Satan tries to eliminate the true meaning of the above very clear Scripture as follows:
"Jesus was not changing the meaning of "an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth", but restoring it to the original context. Jesus starts his statement with "you have heard it said," which could mean that he was clarifying a misconception, as opposed to "it is written", which could be a reference to scripture."
And Luke 6:28 below confirms that we should now **TURN THE OTHER CHEEK**
Luke 6:27-29: Jesus commands, "LOVE YOUR ENEMIES, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. If someone **STRIKES YOU ONE CHEEK, **TURN TO THEM THE OTHER ALSO**!. If someone takes your cloak, do not stop him from taking your tunic. Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you. do not demand it back!"
Romans 12:18-21: If it is possible, as far as it DEPENDS ON YOU, LIVE AT PEACE WITH EVERYONE! Do not take revenge my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written, "It is mine to revenge, I will repay," says the Lord. On the contrary "If your enemy is hungry, feed him. If he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head" Do not be overcome by evil but **OVERCOME EVIL WITH GOOD**!!
Christians of course would be behind police apprehending dangerous criminals. Christians understand the pagan governments will continue to have many wars and some of their taxes will be used to finance these wars. Christians will render unto Caesar the things belonging to Caesar but they should not participate in his war
Matthew 28:18-20: Jesus says, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations... Teaching them to **OBEY EVERYTHING** I have commanded you. And surely I am with always, to the very **END OF THE AGE**!"
So many verses ripped from their context to support false theologies.
Pagan pacifism belongs in the scrap heap of heresies and false doctrines like perfectionism, anti-trinitarianism, Unitarianism, uniformitarianism and many more.
Let’s look a few verses from the above that have been seized and ripped out of context.
Prophetic quotes the following and thinks the verses are teaching something different than the teaching found in the Old Testament.
And Luke 6:28 below confirms that we should now **TURN THE OTHER CHEEK**
Luke 6:27-29: Jesus commands, "LOVE YOUR ENEMIES, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. If someone **STRIKES YOU ONE CHEEK, **TURN TO THEM THE OTHER ALSO**!. If someone takes your cloak, do not stop him from taking your tunic. Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you. do not demand it back!"
Romans 12:18-21: If it is possible, as far as it DEPENDS ON YOU, LIVE AT PEACE WITH EVERYONE! Do not take revenge my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written, "It is mine to revenge, I will repay," says the Lord. On the contrary "If your enemy is hungry, feed him. If he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head" Do not be overcome by evil but **OVERCOME EVIL WITH GOOD**!!
The Old Testament taught these very principles.
In fact, Anyone can look up “the love your enemies” verses online that are found in the Old Testament
"In fact, Anyone can look up “the love your enemies verses online that are found in the Old Testament."
Actually you can easily find over 70 verses in the Old Testament to hate and kill your enemies. Whereas you can find over 40 verses which commands us to love and pray and feed our enemies and you can even find one verse which commands us to hate or kill your enemies!!
In the OT God ordered Israel to kill their enemies many times and God helped them do it. However in the NT Jesus commands in Luke 6:27-29: "Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you. If someone strikes you on one cheek, turn to him the other also."
Matthew 5:43,44: Jesus says, "You have heard that is was said, {in the OT} 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I tell you. love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven!!"
Whereas in the OT in Leviticus 26:7,8: God said to Israel, "You will pursue your enemies, and they will fall by the **SWORD** before you. Five of you will chase a hundred, and a hundred of you will chase ten thousand, and your enemies will fall by the **SWORD** before you!"
Numbers 25:16,17" The Lord said to Moses, "Treat the Midianites as enemies and kill them!"
Numbers 32:20,21: Moses said to them, "if you will do this--if you will arm yourselves before the Lord for battle and if all of you who are armed cross over the Jordan before the Lord until He has driven out His enemies out before Him!!"
Deuteronomy 6:18,19: Do what is right and good in the Lord's sight, that it may go well with you and you may go in and take over the good land the Lord has promised on oath to your ancestors, **THRUSTING OUT ALL YOUR ENEMIES BEFORE YOU**, as the Lord said!
Deuteronomy 23:14: For the Lord your God moves about in your camp to protect you and to deliver your enemies to you!
Deuteronomy 28:7 The Lord will grant that your enemies who go up against you will be defeated before you!
Deuteronomy 30:7: The Lord your God will put all these curses on your enemies who hate and persecute you!
Another OT command in Exodus 21:23-25 "If there is serious injury, you are to take life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot, burn for burn, wound for wound, bruise for bruise."
This was also changed by these NT commands by Jesus:
Matthew 5:38,39: Jesus commands, "You have heard that it was said {In Exodus 21:23-25 above}, 'Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.' But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek turn to him the other also!"
Luke 6:27-29: Jesus commands, "LOVE YOUR ENEMIES, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. If someone strikes you on one cheek, turn to him the other also. If someone takes your cloak, do not stop him from taking your tunic. Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you. do not demand it back!"
Luke 6:27-30: Jesus says, "Love your enemies, do good to those that hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. If someone slaps you on one cheek, turn to them the other also. If someone takes your coat, do not withhold your shirt from them. Give to everyone who asks you, and if someone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back!"
Luke 6:33-36: Love your enemies, do good to them and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your **REWARD** will be great and you will be children of the Most High because He is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. Be merciful, just as you Father is merciful!"
Matthew 18:21,22: Peter came to Jesus and asked, "Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister {or wife} who sins against me? Up to 7 times?" Jesus answered, "I tell you not 7 times but 77 times!" {Also can be translated 70 times 7 times!}
I Peter 3:9: Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called that you may **INHERIT A BLESSING**!
Matthew 5:9: Jesus the **PRINCE OF PEACE** says, "Blessed are the **PEACEMAKERS**, for they will be called the **CHILDREN OF GOD**!"
2 Corinthians 10:3-5: For though we live in the world, **WE DO NOT MAKE WAR AS THE WORLD DOES**! The weapons we fight with **ARE NOT THE WEAPONS OF THE WORLD**. On the contrary, they have **DIVINE POWER** to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God!
Ephesians 6:17: Take the helmet of salvation and the **SWORD** OF THE SPIRIT** which is the **WORD OF GOD**!!
**THE ONLY SWORD BORN AGAIN CHRISTIANS MAY USE IS THE SWORD OF THE SPIRIT WHICH IS THE **WORD OF GOD**!!
2 Corinthians 10:3,4: "For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are *NOT* the weapons of the world."
**HOW DO WE FIGHT THE **GOSPEL OF PEACE**??
Ephesians 6:14-17: Stand firm then, with belt of Truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the **GOSPEL OF PEACE**. in addition to all this, take up the shield of Faith, with which you can extinguish all the arrows of the Evil One. Take the helmet of Salvation and the **SWORD OF THE SPIRIT**, which is the **WORD OF GOD**!!
I Peter 2:20-23: If you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God. To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in His steps.... When they hurled their insults at Him, He did not retaliate; when He suffered, He made no threats. Instead He entrusted Himself to Him who judges Justly!
I Peter 3:8,9,11: Finally, all of you, be like minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble. **DO NOT REPAY EVIL FOR EVIL** or insult with insult. On the contrary, **REPAY EVIL WITH BLESSING**, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing. For... "They must turn from evil and do good; they **MUST SEEK PEACE AND PURSUE IT**!"
Romans 14:17-19: For the Kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, **PEACE** and joy in the Holy Spirit, because anyone who serves Christ in this way is pleasing to God an receives human approval. Let us therefore make every effort to do **WHAT LEADS TO PEACE**!
Hebrews 12:14 Make every effort **TO LIVE IN PEACE WITH EVERYONE**!
Matthew 5:43-45: Jesus says, "You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' {As per the OT}. But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven!"
Matthew 6:14,15: Jesus says, "If you forgive other people who sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, you Father will not forgive your sins!"
John 18:36: Jesus says, "My Kingdom is not of this world. If it were, My servants would fight to prevent My arrest. But now My Kingdom is from another place!"
Luke 23:33,34: When they came to the place of the Skull, they crucified Him there... Jesus said, "Father forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing!"
Romans 12:19-21: Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: "It is mine to avenge; I will repay," says the Lord. On the contrary: If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty give him something to drink. In doing this you will heap burning coals on his head. Do not be overcome by evil, but **OVERCOME EVIL WITH GOOD**!
I Peter 4:8-10: Above all, **LOVE** each other deeply, because **LOVE** covers over a multitude of sins. Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms!
Colossians 3:12-15: As God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on **LOVE**, which binds them all together in perfect unity! Let the **PEACE OF CHRIST** rule in your hearts. since of members of one body, you were **CALLED TO PEACE**!
Isaiah 9:6,7: For unto us a Child is born, to us a Son is given, and the government will be on His shoulders. And He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, and **PRINCE OF PEACE**. Of the greatness of His government and **PEACE** there will be no end!!
Matthew Henry’s comment on this verse is helpful: “Suffer any injury that can be borne, for the sake of peace, committing your concerns to the Lord’s keeping. And the sum of all is, that Christians must avoid disputing and striving. If any say, Flesh and blood cannot pass by such an affront, let them remember, that flesh and blood shall not inherit the kingdom of God; and those who act upon right principles will have most peace and comfort” (Concise Commentary, entry for Matthew 5:38)...
.Retaliation is what most people expect and how worldly people act. Turning the other cheek requires help from on high. Responding to hatred with love and ignoring personal slights display the supernatural power of the indwelling Holy Spirit and may afford the chance to share the gospel......
Jesus was, of course, the perfect example of turning the other cheek because He was silent before His accusers and did not call down revenge from heaven on those who crucified Him. Instead, He prayed, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing” (Luke 23:34).
The ubiquitous error of a lot of biblical interpretation for a biblical passage or verse almost always hinges on a failure to consider the fuller context in which the passage or verse is located.
End quote
That sums of Richard!
Richard quote:
If any of our commanders gives an order, the soldier has pledged to obey it – even if that order violates his Christian conscience like killing your enemies which is forbidden in God's Word or a strike that may also kill innocent civilians and children, the Christian soldier has pledged to carry out that order.
End quote
Oath or not, there are cases where people chose their God/religion over orders and commands. It is a choice. Desmond Doss is a prime example. He never carried a gun while serving in the military yet saved 75 souls!!
Your quote seems to suggest that Yeshua is not the same God (Everlasting Father) that came down out of heaven in the likeness of sinful flesh . But Yahuwah is not a liar and His Word says He is the same yesterday. today and forever...Yeshua is not schizophrenic. It is taken out of context or misconstrued. The Bible also says hate your mother, father, sister, brother, etc...
Your quote:
Actually you can easily find over 70 verses in the Old Testament to hate and kill your enemies. Whereas you can find over 40 verses which commands us to love and pray and feed our enemies and you can even find one verse which commands us to hate or kill your enemies!!
