Thursday, December 31, 2015

Kiss the Son of God?

"Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and ye perish from the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all they that put their trust in him." (Psalm 2: 2 KJV)

This is a very important passage of Scripture.  It is clearly a Messianic psalm, a prophecy of the career of the Messiah, who had been promised in the beginning in the protoevangelium (Gen. 3: 15).  There the character and mission of the Son of God, the eternal Logos, was first revealed to fallen man.  In that first prophecy, Christ is revealed as the Savior, and Destroyer of the Serpent, the glorious Victor, one who would also be man's Redeemer and Restorer.

This psalm is a proof of the inspiration of old testament prophets, who foretold of Messiah, receiving more and more revelation about this Messiah, who would mysteriously be both divine and human, as the time for the Messiah's appearance drew near.

This Psalm, though given to Israel, and for Israel's benefit, was nevertheless also for the whole world, for they are addressed particularly in this psalm. 

This psalm is crucial in discussions about the inspiration of Scripture, the character and career of Christ, and the destinies of the nations of men.  It involves not only discussions in Christology, and in discussions regarding Unitarianism and Trinitarianism, or in the nature of God, and in eschatology, but in the matter of salvation and damnation, or in soteriology.

Salvation is promised to those who "kiss" and "put their trust" in "the Son." Faith is placing trust. It is believing and receiving Christ and truth.

People traditionally kiss at weddings because kisses were used in ancient times to seal contracts, as people say "sealed with a kiss." In ancient Rome, for instance, people kissed to legally seal contracts. The rings of the kings were kissed to signify allegiance.

I cannot see how the Hardshells are in agreement with these verses of scripture.  They do not believe that the whole world is duty bound to give their entire allegiance to Christ. Nor do they believe that escape from perishing (as they who do not kiss Christ shall experience) is the result of trusting in God's Christ and Zion's king.  They do not believe it is the duty of all to do as they are commanded to do in this Psalm.  What say ye?



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