The proper interpretation of Scriptures

  • Christian Chat is a moderated online Christian community allowing Christians around the world to fellowship with each other in real time chat via webcam, voice, and text, with the Christian Chat app. You can also start or participate in a Bible-based discussion here in the Christian Chat Forums, where members can also share with each other their own videos, pictures, or favorite Christian music.

    If you are a Christian and need encouragement and fellowship, we're here for you! If you are not a Christian but interested in knowing more about Jesus our Lord, you're also welcome! Want to know what the Bible says, and how you can apply it to your life? Join us!

    To make new Christian friends now around the world, click here to join Christian Chat.

trofimus

Senior Member
Aug 17, 2015
10,684
794
113
#1
"the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world."
Mt 4:8

Possibilities:

1. The Earth is flat and everybody is lying to us about globe.

2. It can be some high mountain in Israel, but it would show neither all kingdoms of the world, nor of the Roman Empire.

3. The inspiration of writers was about message, not about details (it was not any mountain, but the ancient author was unable to describe it better).

Any other possibility?
 

graceNpeace

Senior Member
Aug 12, 2016
2,180
107
63
#2
"the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world."
Mt 4:8

Possibilities:

1. The Earth is flat and everybody is lying to us about globe.

2. It can be some high mountain in Israel, but it would show neither all kingdoms of the world, nor of the Roman Empire.

3. The inspiration of writers was about message, not about details (it was not any mountain, but the ancient author was unable to describe it better).

Any other possibility?
There are plenty of mountains in that part of the world so that part is literal.
As for showing all the Kingdom's of the world that cannot be a literal statement - even if the earth was flat (which it isn't) no one could see for the distances required.

The word "showed" does not literally just have to mean Jesus had to see with His eyes.
The devil could have described what He was offering to Jesus.

Another very cogent possibility is that the devil, being the devil, and Jesus, been divine, that what was shown, and seen, was all in the spiritual realm and not literally discernible with one's eyes either.

Whatever the situation the devil tried to make a deal with Jesus that was never going to happen...
 

Shamah

Senior Member
Jan 6, 2018
2,735
692
113
#3
spiritually high moutian, as Zion is called the highest, it is not physically high (700M) but spiritually high. Also it is most likely that satan used visions to show the kingdoms kind of like a TV.
 

Lucy-Pevensie

Senior Member
Dec 20, 2017
9,261
5,618
113
#4
He saw it in the spirit. No physical eyesight required for this.
 

trofimus

Senior Member
Aug 17, 2015
10,684
794
113
#5
He saw it in the spirit. No physical eyesight required for this.
In such a case there was no taking him to a mountain required.

Also, what in the text indicates that it was just a vision?
 
Jan 6, 2018
1,796
154
63
#6

Lucy-Pevensie

Senior Member
Dec 20, 2017
9,261
5,618
113
#7
In such a case there was no taking him to a mountain required.

Also, what in the text indicates that it was just a vision?
I've never personally read it as a literal mountain but as a "mountain" in the sense the bible often uses the term it to represent a kingdom. In this case The Devil's "kingdom". The kingdom of "this world" The high place.
 
Jan 6, 2018
1,796
154
63
#9
My point is that you need to consider all harmony passages in the Gospel accounts to interpret Scripture properly.
 
Mar 28, 2016
15,954
1,528
113
#10
In such a case there was no taking him to a mountain required.

Also, what in the text indicates that it was just a vision?
I think High mountains represent a high authority .We do not wrestle against flesh and blood as that seen but do against spirits and principalities as that not seen.
 
Mar 28, 2016
15,954
1,528
113
#11
Lying spirits bring signs and lyingwonders. Wonders the faith issue or in another words false prophecy as a false source of faith

Jesus did not move one inch from where he was. The father of lies who has no form tried to puff up the fleshly mind of the Son of man .But Christ simply said three times... "as it is written ". In other words he would not fall the information or vision the father of lies was trying to bring into the Son of man mind. He is of one mind and always does whatsoever his soul pleases.

It is like hypnotism and the power of suggestion be careful of what kind and how information is introduced or sought after.

Christ as the Son of man provided a good example not to let anyone intrude into things not seen other than by the faith which comes by hearing God as it is written.

Colossians 2:18 Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshipping of angels, intruding into those things which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind,


I remember reading about Walter Martin a person who studied the cults of the world . He was interviewing a Christian who just had a evil experience. Having moved across country in the breakup of him and his girlfriend the man sought the help of a hypnotist on getting some closer or reconciliation . . The hypnotist asked him under hypnotism to go to His girlfriend’s apartment and knock . He said to him no answer and asked the man to enter in. He said she was writing a letter and the hypnotist asked what was the context? Turns out he received a dear John letter a few days later with the wording in the letter almost fitting to a T from what he saw under hypnotism .


Jesus saw a vision but gave it no authority or life. The devil did flee along with the vision
 

CS1

Well-known member
May 23, 2012
12,170
4,000
113
#12
"the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world."
Mt 4:8

Possibilities:

1. The Earth is flat and everybody is lying to us about globe.

2. It can be some high mountain in Israel, but it would show neither all kingdoms of the world, nor of the Roman Empire.

3. The inspiration of writers was about message, not about details (it was not any mountain, but the ancient author was unable to describe it better).

Any other possibility?
there are more than one Gospel that speaks of this account Luke Chapter 4 also does. each Gospel is a true account from a snap shot from the information they have received from eyes witnesses or were eyes witnesses themselves . they do have mountians there .
 

tourist

Senior Member
Mar 13, 2014
41,243
16,252
113
69
Tennessee
#13
there are more than one Gospel that speaks of this account Luke Chapter 4 also does. each Gospel is a true account from a snap shot from the information they have received from eyes witnesses or were eyes witnesses themselves . they do have mountians there .
My wife and I are currently in the middle of the book of Luke on our project of a complete bible reading from Genesis to Revelation.
 

tourist

Senior Member
Mar 13, 2014
41,243
16,252
113
69
Tennessee
#14
I've never personally read it as a literal mountain but as a "mountain" in the sense the bible often uses the term it to represent a kingdom. In this case The Devil's "kingdom". The kingdom of "this world" The high place.
I agree with your estimation. The 'mountain' could have been the moon for all that we know.
 

CS1

Well-known member
May 23, 2012
12,170
4,000
113
#15
My wife and I are currently in the middle of the book of Luke on our project of a complete bible reading from Genesis to Revelation.
Cool I just preached on Luke 4 yesterday " Unshackled "
 

trofimus

Senior Member
Aug 17, 2015
10,684
794
113
#16

trofimus

Senior Member
Aug 17, 2015
10,684
794
113
#17
I think High mountains represent a high authority .We do not wrestle against flesh and blood as that seen but do against spirits and principalities as that not seen.
Is there something in the text we can verify your view with?
 

notuptome

Senior Member
May 17, 2013
15,050
2,538
113
#18
Proper interpretation is achieved by comparing scripture with scripture.

For the cause of Christ
Roger
 

trofimus

Senior Member
Aug 17, 2015
10,684
794
113
#19
I've never personally read it as a literal mountain but as a "mountain" in the sense the bible often uses the term it to represent a kingdom. In this case The Devil's "kingdom". The kingdom of "this world" The high place.
Do you have some examples of using "mountain" as a symbol of earthly kingdoms?