From 2Macc12:39 On the next day, as by that time it had become necessary, Judas and his men went to take up the bodies of the fallen and to bring them back to lie with their kinsmen in the sepulchres of their fathers. 40 Then under the tunic of every one of the dead they found sacred tokens of the idols of Jamnia, which the law forbids the Jews to wear. And it became clear to all that this was why these men had fallen. 41 So they all blessed the ways of the Lord, the righteous Judge, who reveals the things that are hidden; 42 and they turned to prayer, beseeching that the sin which had been committed might be wholly blotted out. And the noble Judas exhorted the people to keep themselves free from sin, for they had seen with their own eyes what had happened because of the sin of those who had fallen. 43 He also took up a collection, man by man, to the amount of two thousand drachmas of silver, and sent it to Jerusalem to provide for a sin offering. In doing this he acted very well and honorably, taking account of the resurrection. 44 For if he were not expecting that those who had fallen would rise again, it would have been superfluous and foolish to pray for the dead. 45 But if he was looking to the splendid reward that is laid up for those who fall asleep in godliness, it was a holy and pious thought. Therefore he made atonement for the dead, that they might be delivered from their sin.
I think one of the reasons Protestants are so stringent about removing them has to do with the above passage which speaks clearly of an afterlife of the soul and benefit of praying for the dead.
Hi!
I concur!
…though, we must take it one step deeper… it is not just the Protestants but the Jews as well; remember that that was one of the issues when Jesus was check by the religious Jews:
23 That day some **Sadducees – who deny that there is a resurrection **
– approached him and they put this question to him, 24 ‘Master, Moses said that if a man dies childless, his brother is to marry the widow, his sister-in-law to raise children for his brother. 25 Now we had a case involving seven brothers; the first married and then died without children, leaving his wife to his brother; 26 the same thing happened with the second and third and so on to the seventh, 27 and then last of all the woman herself died. 28 Now at the resurrection to which of those seven will she be wife, since she had been married to them all?’ 29 Jesus answered them, ‘You are wrong, because you understand neither the scriptures nor the power of God. 30 For at the resurrection men and women do not marry; no, they are like the angels in heaven. 31 And as for the resurrection of the dead, have you never read what God himself said to you: 32 I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob?*b] God is God, not of the dead, but of the living.’ 33 And his teaching made a deep impression on the people who heard it. (St. Matthew 22:23-33)
There has always been division amongst the Jews; this is clearly stated in Scriptures… yet, Scriptures makes this distinct remark: “Sadducees deny there is a resurrection.”
If we take a close look at the books that were included in the Church’s Canon and excluded in the Jewish Canon we will find that there are specific Revelations or Doctrinal Beliefs that are contrary to what is presented as Judaism.
Now, if a faction of the Jews is so vehemently opposed to the resurrection, is it beneficial for them to fight to include a book that blows their beliefs out of the water?
…and Jesus by claiming that He can take back His own Life from the dead, does that not put the nails on the coffin of the New Covenant Sacred Writings?
These Jews are the original “protestants.”
Maran atha!
Angel
