"...those who eat the flesh of pigs and rats and other abominable things...."

[Pistos Ergon]

Isaiah 66, KJV
15 For, behold, the LORD will come with fire, and with his chariots like a whirlwind, to render his anger with fury, and his rebuke with flames of fire.
16 For by fire and by his sword will the LORD plead with all flesh: and the slain of the LORD shall be many.
17 They that sanctify themselves, and purify themselves in the gardens behind one tree in the midst, eating swine's flesh, and the abomination, and the mouse, shall be consumed together, saith the LORD.

NIV
17 "...those who eat the flesh of pigs and rats and other abominable things...."

Anyone care to comment on this passage?

 

[Chrissy]

Hi Pistos,

 

Notice that that Bible passage starts by placing it in a time frame, which is the second coming of Christ.

 

Most Christians believe that eating foods that were listed as "unclean" in the Old Testament... is a thing that is not forbidden today in New Testament times, but this passage proves this idea to be false. It tells us that those who are eating unclean foods even just before the second coming of Christ, such as pork will be destroyed... doesnt matter if you did it during old testament times or new.

 

Why? Because when God laid down the laws of health in the Old testament, these were laws that He knew were best for mankind. If pig meat could give you trichanosis in old testament times, it will still do the same thing now. This disease doesnt distinguish between a Gentile or a Jew, and old testament believer or a new. Swine are scavengers. It is amazing... people will eat a hog but not a buzzard. God made the hog to clean up garbage.

 

People tend to distort the Scriptures. For instance... I Timothy 44 says "Every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused." They take this to mean that now all of a sudden we can eat whatever we feel like eating... disregarding whether or not it is actually healthy for us. But verse 3 refers to meats "which God created to be received with thanksgiving". These meats were the clean meats listed in  Leviticus chapter 11 and Deuteronomy chapter 14. Verse 4 makes it clear that all creatures of God are good and not to be refused, provided they are among those created to "be received with thanksgiving" (the clean animals). Verse 5 tells us why these animals (or foods) are acceptable: they are "sanctified" by God's Word, which says they are clean, and by a prayer of blessing, which is offered before the meal.

 

Please note however that God will destroy people who "santificy themselves" while eating unclean foods (Isaiah 66:15-17) "For, behold, the LORD will come with fire, and with his chariots like a whirlwind, to render his anger with fury, and his rebuke with flames of fire.
 For by fire and by his sword will the LORD plead with all flesh: and the slain of the LORD shall be many. They that sanctify themselves, and purify themselves in the gardens behind one tree in the midst, eating swine's flesh, and the abomination, and the mouse, shall be consumed together, saith the LORD."

 

 

[Yekcidmij]

please read all of romans 14 Chrissy. Im not typing it all, im lazy.

v2..."One person has faith that he may eat all things, but he who is weak [in faith] eats vegetables only."

 

[rstrats]

Chrissy,

re: "It tells us that those who are eating unclean foods even just before the second coming of Christ, such as pork will be destroyed..."

Do you have any scripture that ever uses the term "unclean foods"?

 

[dmac5]

Acts 11

<SUP>5</SUP> I was in the city of Joppa praying: and in a trance I saw a vision, A certain vessel descend, as it had been a great sheet, let down from heaven by four corners; and it came even to me: <SUP>6</SUP> Upon the which when I had fastened mine eyes, I considered, and saw fourfooted beasts of the earth, and wild beasts, and creeping things, and fowls of the air. <SUP>7</SUP> And I heard a voice saying unto me, Arise, Peter; slay and eat. <SUP>8</SUP> But I said, Not so, Lord: for nothing common or unclean hath at any time entered into my mouth. <SUP>9</SUP> But the voice answered me again from heaven, What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common. <SUP>10</SUP> And this was done three times: and all were drawn up again into heaven.

 

[Pistos Ergon]

ACTS 10
This chapter gives the interesting account of the Gentile Cornelius, who prayed for the truth. God appeared to him and told him to send men to Joppa and to invite Peter to come and teach him (verses 3-6).

As the servants of Cornelius approached Joppa, Peter fell into a trance on the housetop and saw a sheet let down from heaven. In the sheet were all manner of beasts, creeping things, and fowls--moles, bats, buzzards, etc. A voice invited Peter to eat them, but he said, "Not so, Lord; for I have never eaten any thing that is common or unclean." Verse 14.

Some people contend that Christ cleansed all food when He was on earth, but if so, Peter knew nothing about it. He had spent three and one-half years with the Master and had listened to His instructions. Yet Peter had gathered no intimation that those unclean animals could be eaten. Peter did not know what the vision meant. Verse 17 says, "Now while Peter doubted in himself what this vision which he had seen should mean, behold, the men.., stood before the gate." He was pondering it. Again in verse 19, "While Peter thought on the vision, the Spirit said unto him, Behold, three men seek thee."

Apparently, on the way back to Cornelius' house the Lord answered Peter's ponderings and showed him the meaning of his vision. When he entered the house full of Gentile friends, Peter said, "Ye know how that it is an unlawful thing for a man that is a Jew to keep company, or come unto one of another nation; but God hath shewed me that I should not call any man common or unclean." Verse 28.

The meaning was now clear. Peter's vision had nothing to do with diet. It was a sign that the gospel was henceforth to be preached to the Gentiles.

 

[sbbqb7n16]

Well yeah the original post has a great explanation of an OT eating restriction. That's great... but what's better than that....

Mark*7:17 When he had left the crowd and entered the house, His disciples questioned Him about the parable.
Mark*7:18 And He *said to them, "Are you so lacking in understanding also? Do you not understand that whatever goes into the man from outside cannot defile him,
Mark*7:19 because it does not go into his heart, but into his stomach, and is eliminated?" (Thus He declared all foods clean.)
Mark*7:20 And He was saying, "That which proceeds out of the man, that is what defiles the man.
Mark*7:21 "For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed the evil thoughts, fornications, thefts, murders, adulteries,
Mark*7:22 deeds of coveting and wickedness, as well as deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride and foolishness.
Mark*7:23 "All these evil things proceed from within and defile the man."


On another note, I think it was awesome of God to forbid them to eat foods that their society wasn;t advanced enough to purify until they were able. My thoughts! Have a great day!

 

[Pistos Ergon]

Context - he was speaking about eating with ceremonially unwashed hands.

7.5
Then the Pharisees and scribes asked him, Why walk not thy disciples according to the tradition of the elders, but eat bread with unwashen hands?
7.6
He answered and said unto them, Well hath Esaias prophesied of you hypocrites, as it is written, This people honoureth me with their lips, but their heart is far from me.
7.7
Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.
7.8
For laying aside the commandment of God, ye hold the tradition of men, as the washing of pots and cups: and many other such like things ye do.
7.9
And he said unto them, Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition.

 

[Pistos Ergon]

Otherwise, you have many problems. One such problem would be that you have Jesus abolishing the law before He fulfills it.

Matt
5.17
Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.