What likey happened to Yeshua (after passing/death)? Did his flesh/blood body get resurrected? The Easter message!

Bart makes some valid arguments which few believers seem to comprehend. I would agree with Bart that we have no contemporary evidence of the bodily resurrection of Yeshua/Jesus (that is historical). All we have are stories/theology in scripture. Were these stories based upon reality that really happened or were they based upon invented 'imagination' of the writers? My view is that the stories were invented by theological writers who desired the outcome (a bodily resurrection). In other words the stories are 'imaginary' inventions (fables). But what is plausible? Let's explore another idea which could be valid!

The history of our Messiah Yeshua (also called Jesus) is mostly a mystery as the history of his death was recorded decades AFTER his passing. Paul wrote around 50 A.D. and Mark's writing was around 70 A.D. Yeshua died around 31 to 33 A.D. The idea of a bodily resurrection (three days after his death) is portrayed in the writings of the Synoptic Gospels (also Paul's writings) but was this perception of the writers valid history or was it a made-up fable? My sense is that this is a theological fable which is based on a Jewish perception of reality. Jewish theology assumed this idea of a resurrection at the end of days!

The writers of the Gospels were not eye witness writers. Scholars now know that the writers were Greek speaking theologians who recorded the stories for their believers decades AFTER the events happened. In other words, the Gospel of Mark was written anonymously (unknown to a reader) but most probably it was a Greek speaking person. Same goes for Matthew, Luke, and John. Scholars now know that the writers were not the same as the 'labels' pasted as headings in the New Testament. The writers wrote in the third person and they did not identify themselves. 

This creates deceptions for a reader. We do not know WHO wrote the words that we read! What were the motives of the writer? We don't know! What was their theological ideology? Who were these writers if identified. The reader of the Gospels has no idea and scholars now think that this produces serious questions about the motive and the theology of these writers. I would agree. Knowing the writer is crucial to knowing what to believe and what is fable.

So what really happened in 31 or 33 A.D. at the crucifixion of Yeshua? It appears that the event did take place at Golgotha and it also appears the the individual being crucified was Yeshua/Jesus. He did get crucified and he did die. His body apparently was mangled and beaten up. A Roman soldier apparently thrust his SWORD directly into the stomach/lungs of Yeshua while on the tree. Would the God of the Jews (Yahweh) want to bring this mangled/beaten body back to life? Why? What is the purpose of resurrecting a dead/mangled/beaten up body? It makes no sense to me.

The reality, IMO, is that the 'spirit' of Yeshua must have been made 'virtual' (spiritual) immediately after his spirit left his body of flesh and blood. This, to me, is plausible and potentially valid. Yeshua 'appeared' to Mary Magdalene first (after his death). She apparently did not recognize him immediately. Why? Probably because he 'appeared' as a VIRTUAL body/person. Virtual means a body of spirit essence. He was alive in the virtual/spiritual realm and could 'appear' to his believers within their mind (consciousness). Isn't this plausible? It would be similar to a 'vision' experience.

The idea that Yeshua died for three days and then came back to normal life seems preposterous. Where was he for the three days? Why the need to die for three days? Did he resurrect himself as some pastors claim? My sense is that the logic of the Church is mostly preposterous when it comes to this issue. Who created this story for the marketplace? When was it created? Was it the Catholic Church in Rome? Was it some theologian in Egypt? Who thought up this story which is obviously based on pure 'imagination'. What is reality and what is fable?

My sense is that Yeshua did live AFTER his death.  Yeshua was a human being (a Jew) who had a body and spirit (soul) just like you and me. At the point of death (passing) his spirit was likely made 'virtual' by his God (the Father). In other words he was 'glorified' by the Father. That is my view. Yahweh intervened at the point of Yeshua's death and converted his human 'spirit' into a 'virtual' body. Virtual means a body of consciousness/spirit which can 'appear' real but is really non-physical. Why would God (the Father) want to bodily resurrect a mangled dead body which had no further PURPOSE? Where is the wisdom in this thinking? God is Spirit and he created each of us with an inner 'spirit' (also called our Soul).

The idea of a PHYSICAL (body) resurrection is a perception of the Jewish mind which was later applied to the experiences of Yeshua (decades later). The writings of Paul are questionable (for me) as Paul never knew the living Yeshua during his lifetime. Paul, however, was an educated Jew (tribe of Benjamin) who viewed reality as a material enterprise (much like most of our scientists today). He should have known better as the 'appearance' of the glorified Yeshua to Paul (on the Damascus Road) was obviously  a 'virtual' appearance (if this happened). He did not witness a bodily person on the Road to Damascus IMO. He witnessed the 'voice' of a spirit within his MIND (consciousness). This would be evidence of a 'virtual' experience!

My sense is that all the so-called 'appearances' of Yeshua AFTER his passing were 'virtual'. His 'appearance' to Peter was likely 'virtual'. His 'appearance to his brother James was likely 'virtual. My sense is that Father God (Yahweh) did not resurrect a mangled DEAD body to prove that a body resurrection occurred. This is very unlikely. We have no history of any flesh/blood bodies being resurrected after physical death. This story was obviously MADE UP by the writers IMO (all of which happened decades AFTER the passing of Yeshua). The reality of a 'virtual' body surviving death, however, is probable and likely. You and I will also become 'virtual' at our death (passing). All the prior dead bodies from planet Earth are likely living in 'virtual' form today! Where is God today? Is he living on our planet? Is he alive in the spiritual realm? Is he 'virtual'?

So where is this 'virtual' (spiritual) Kingdom? My sense is that this 'virtual' Kingdom of God is beyond the physical universe (separate from matter and our material universe). We can experience this Kingdom at our passing (death). The physical Kingdom of God, however, will still allow for physical bodies of flesh/blood. As of today, our Creator is ending man's rule on this planet and transitioning the planet to his physical Kingdom Age. Flesh and blood human beings will most likely live on this planet (with a new inner spirit) during this Kingdom Age. That is my perception. Those who PASS (die) prior to the Kingdom Age will enter the 'virtual' Kingdom of God (assuming God allows this).

So we end up with TWO Kingdom's to think about. The bodily (physical) Kingdom here on planet Earth (#1) and the virtual (spiritual) Kingdom (#2) which we enter after passing from this planet (our physical death). Since I am currently 80 years of age, I might not enter the physical Kingdom (#1). I will probably enter the 'virtual' Kingdom (#2) when my spirit passes. I call this the process of 'glorification'. My spirit gets 'glorified' and I continue to LIVE in a new spiritual REALM. I would be happy to also live into the physical Kingdom of God (here on the planet) if this is my destiny. The end of man's rule over planet Earth is coming soon (that is my perception). Many will enter the physical Kingdom if they live through the Tribulation.

So what are some of the FABLES of the Easter message that I reject:

1. Yeshua did not physically die and get buried for three days and then get resurrected bodily (not a reality IMO). In fact the time period from Friday's death to Sunday's new birth is less than three days. This is false reporting which our Church Age has promoted as reality. It's a fable to create followers of like mind. Ask Pope Francis to repent is my advice!

2. Yeshua's dead mangled body did not come back to life (after being dead for three days) as this is not reality IMO. What happened IMO is that his 'spirit' was converted to a VIRTUAL body (similar of his flesh/blood body) but it was 'virtual'. This happened IMMEDIATELY at the point of physical death IMO. This allowed Yeshua to 'appear' to select followers (virtually) AFTER his passing but within the mind (consciousness of the person). This 'appearance' (within one's consciousness) can confuse many as a 'virtual' image is similar to a physical image. A 'vision' is also a virtual experience.

3. Yeshua 'appeared' virtually to Paul, Peter, James, and Mary (and my sense to many others). This so-called 'appearance' was within the mind (consciousness) of the person. Much like our virtual DOLLAR today. Today, we live with many 'virtual' images (witness your smart phone screen) which many people ASSUME are physical images. Are you aware that our virtual DOLLAR is strictly an 'image' within our mind (consciousness)? It is not a physical object in space/time. Virtual reality is ubiquitous today!

4. The idea that Yeshua ascended bodily up to his Father God (Yahweh) is not realistic. This is fable IMO. We have zero evidence that the human body defies gravity and ascends into the clouds above. This is fable IMO. It is similar to what our RAPTURE preachers are pushing on the internet today. They assume that they (select believers) will ascend bodily UP into the CLOUDS and then they will acquire a virtual body of some type after entering the sky above. I find this scenario preposterous and not likely to happen. It's a fable to me. I witness this mindset in most of the prophecy presentations within Evangelical teachings today. Millions of deceived believers are waiting for this RAPTURE event!

5. The idea that Yeshua (now in a 'glorified' body next to the Father) will return to the Mount of Olives in Jerusalem and set up his Kingdom of Christians to rule this planet is also NOT realistic. This is a fable IMO. Christians have invented a scenario of end-times which is not valid IMO. God (the Father), however, will rule this planet (invisibly and transcendently) is my perception (not via a select Christian group of believers). God is a transcendent spirit who causes change within our consciousness (all happens invisibly and without observation). Any Messiah person should also NOT be viewed as GOD. This is another fable of Christianity. Christianity has invented this idea that a flesh/blood Jew is God Almighty (a pure fable)!

6. The role of a Messiah person is to present the WORD of our transcendent God (not to BE God). What Christianity has invented is a Messiah person who IS GOD (God in the flesh while here on this Earth). They have then invented Gospels (words) which support this worldview (now some 2,000 years old). Biblical scholars are now debunking much of this scripture as it conflicts with the Jewish/Hebrew writings (called the Torah/Tanakh). A Messiah person must FEAR God and then present the 'words' of God (not BE GOD). See Isaiah 2 and 11. 

7. Finally, the Easter message totally conflicts with the message (ministry) of the historical Yeshua (Jesus). This Jew from Nazareth desired the KINGDOM of his GOD. His GOD was Yahweh (we call him the Father). Yeshua did not view himself as God. He viewed his message (Gospel) as a promotion of God's earthly Kingdom. The writings of John in Revelation and the writings of Daniel (in the Old Testament) imply that the Kingdom of the Father is coming to planet Earth. This Kingdom is now emerging IMO. The real message of this Messiah person (Yeshua/Jesus) was to promote the Kingdom of his Father.

Think for yourself on all these issues of theology and philosophy. My view is derived from my research and study. I am happy to CHANGE my view when/if evidence presents a better or more realistic alternative. As of today, I find much FABLE within the theology of prior Christianity. The Church needs to repent IMO. Personally, I seek REALITY! Have a great Easter season and think on this idea that our prior Messiah is now 'glorified' and living virtually in the heavens (the spiritual realm). Yes, he is alive and well IMO.

I am: Donald B. Swenson, Economist/Philosopher, donaldswenson.blogspot.com.

http://kingdomecn.wordpress.com