A
Arandur
Guest
In my Scripture readings recently, a number of passages have been jumping out at me, concerning prophecy. I would honestly like to know how Mormons and other restorationist groups (that believe in new Prophets or new public Revelation beyond what Christ Jesus revealed, necessary for our salvation) interpret these passages in light of their beliefs.
I’ll bold some of the particular parts of these passages that leap out to me, and italicize some thoughts so it’s apparent why I am looking for interpretations, because it seems contrary to restorationist beliefs. Often I’ve tried to include extra verses just for convenience, so people can avoid thinking I’m yanking out of context. I haven’t included extra verses if I don’t think their might be objections.
Some of these are:
Jude 1:3-5
“Dearly beloved, taking all care to write unto you concerning your common salvation, I was under a necessity to write unto you: to beseech you to contend earnestly for the faith once delivered to the saints. [4] For certain men are secretly entered in, (who were written of long ago unto this judgment,) ungodly men, turning the grace of our Lord God into riotousness, and denying the only sovereign Ruler, and our Lord Jesus Christ. [5] I will therefore admonish you, though ye once knew all things, that Jesus, having saved the people out of the land of Egypt, did afterwards **destroy them **that believed not.”
Seems to indicate that, just as Christ died once for all, so he delivered the faith once for all, not to do so again whether himself (in the Americas) or by additional prophets, like Mohammed, various Protestants, J. Smith, etc. And that those who contended eventually are destroyed, as all their works fall apart (like every heresy that challenged the Catholic Church, but very unlike the enduring Church).
Matthew 11:13
“[13] For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John”
Hebrews 1:1-2
“[1] God, who, at sundry times and in divers manners, spoke in times past to the fathers by the prophets, last of all, [2] In these days** hath spoken **to us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the world.”
Seems this one is particularly clear, that while prophecy continues in its rebuking and exhortation and guidance fashions spoken of throughout Scripture, the distinctive sense of “prophets” inherent in the mission of the Prophets in providing public Revelation necessary for salvation was clearly concluded and completed in Christ.
Luke 24:44-49
“And he said to them: These are the words which I spoke to you, while I was yet with you, that all things must needs be fulfilled, which are written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me. [45] Then he opened their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures.
[46] And he said to them: Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise again from the dead, the third day: [47] And that penance and remission of sins should be preached in his name, unto all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. [48] And you are witnesses of these things. [49] And I send the promise of my Father upon you: but stay you in the city till you be endued with power from on high.”
Matthew 5:17-18
“[17] Do not think that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets. I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill. [18] For amen I say unto you, till heaven and earth pass, one jot, or one tittle shall not pass of the law, till all be fulfilled.”
*Looks like Jesus is talking about fulfilling, including the sense of completing, what had been given before, with no indication that anything beyond what he Revealed would need to go forth hence. Also gets into one of many passages indicating that Christ’s doctrines, those things he finally revealed, were not preached in some pre-Christian Christianity as the JST version of the bible makes out. *
I’ll bold some of the particular parts of these passages that leap out to me, and italicize some thoughts so it’s apparent why I am looking for interpretations, because it seems contrary to restorationist beliefs. Often I’ve tried to include extra verses just for convenience, so people can avoid thinking I’m yanking out of context. I haven’t included extra verses if I don’t think their might be objections.
Some of these are:
Jude 1:3-5
“Dearly beloved, taking all care to write unto you concerning your common salvation, I was under a necessity to write unto you: to beseech you to contend earnestly for the faith once delivered to the saints. [4] For certain men are secretly entered in, (who were written of long ago unto this judgment,) ungodly men, turning the grace of our Lord God into riotousness, and denying the only sovereign Ruler, and our Lord Jesus Christ. [5] I will therefore admonish you, though ye once knew all things, that Jesus, having saved the people out of the land of Egypt, did afterwards **destroy them **that believed not.”
Seems to indicate that, just as Christ died once for all, so he delivered the faith once for all, not to do so again whether himself (in the Americas) or by additional prophets, like Mohammed, various Protestants, J. Smith, etc. And that those who contended eventually are destroyed, as all their works fall apart (like every heresy that challenged the Catholic Church, but very unlike the enduring Church).
Matthew 11:13
“[13] For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John”
Hebrews 1:1-2
“[1] God, who, at sundry times and in divers manners, spoke in times past to the fathers by the prophets, last of all, [2] In these days** hath spoken **to us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the world.”
Seems this one is particularly clear, that while prophecy continues in its rebuking and exhortation and guidance fashions spoken of throughout Scripture, the distinctive sense of “prophets” inherent in the mission of the Prophets in providing public Revelation necessary for salvation was clearly concluded and completed in Christ.
Luke 24:44-49
“And he said to them: These are the words which I spoke to you, while I was yet with you, that all things must needs be fulfilled, which are written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me. [45] Then he opened their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures.
[46] And he said to them: Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise again from the dead, the third day: [47] And that penance and remission of sins should be preached in his name, unto all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. [48] And you are witnesses of these things. [49] And I send the promise of my Father upon you: but stay you in the city till you be endued with power from on high.”
Matthew 5:17-18
“[17] Do not think that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets. I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill. [18] For amen I say unto you, till heaven and earth pass, one jot, or one tittle shall not pass of the law, till all be fulfilled.”
*Looks like Jesus is talking about fulfilling, including the sense of completing, what had been given before, with no indication that anything beyond what he Revealed would need to go forth hence. Also gets into one of many passages indicating that Christ’s doctrines, those things he finally revealed, were not preached in some pre-Christian Christianity as the JST version of the bible makes out. *
