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The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah Vol 1 - Predestination

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distinction does not seem <strong>of</strong> quite so vital<br />

importance as it has appeared to some, who have<br />

used in regard to it <strong>the</strong> strongest language.' On <strong>the</strong><br />

o<strong>the</strong>r h<strong>and</strong> it must be admitted that <strong>the</strong> narrative, if<br />

naturally interpreted, suggests an outward <strong>and</strong> real<br />

event, not an inward trans-aption;' that <strong>the</strong>re is no<br />

o<strong>the</strong>r instance <strong>of</strong> ecstatic state or <strong>of</strong> vision<br />

recorded in <strong>the</strong> life <strong>of</strong> <strong>Jesus</strong>, <strong>and</strong> that (as Bishop<br />

EUicott has shown),' <strong>the</strong> special expressions used<br />

are all in accordance with <strong>the</strong> natural view. To this<br />

we add, that some <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> objections raised—<br />

notably that <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> impossibility <strong>of</strong> showing from<br />

one spot all <strong>the</strong> kingdoms <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> ^orld—cannot<br />

bear close investigation. For, no rational<br />

interpretation would insist on <strong>the</strong> absolute<br />

literality <strong>of</strong> this statement, any more than on that <strong>of</strong><br />

<strong>the</strong> survey <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> whole extent <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> l<strong>and</strong> <strong>of</strong> Israel<br />

by Moses txxiT. 1-8 from Pisgah.* * All <strong>the</strong><br />

requirements <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> narrative would be met by<br />

supposing <strong>Jesus</strong> to have been placed on a very<br />

high mountain, whence south, <strong>the</strong> l<strong>and</strong> <strong>of</strong> Judsea<br />

<strong>and</strong> far-<strong>of</strong>f Edom; east, <strong>the</strong> swelling plains<br />

towards Euphrates; north, snow-capped Lebanon;

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