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What then, does the 'sword' represent? What is its significance? (for it still has significance)
2006-01-15 02:31:29 Posted by Mel ()
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Hi Mel, herad a wonderful message today about the H.S. So thought I would try to help you in your understanding of the word, "SWORD".
Paul here s talking about the State's function, which are to promote & reward good & punish & restrain evil, not restrain the person, but restrain evil. As in restrain evil by promoting good. Paul uses the word sword in 8:35 'danger of the sword' meaning in the verse, "who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall trouble or hardship or persecution or danger or sword?" = DEATH.
So in the passage you quoted it means the same, v4 For HE (The Governing Body), God's servant to do you good,. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword = DEATH for nothing. God's servant, acting on authority of God. So what we have here is the States authority to bring evildoers before the courts & bring the death penalty into play.
I believe that in some parts of USA you still have the death penalty. We in the UK do not, I sometimes think we still need the threat if not the actual carrying out of the penalty, for som henous crimes eg child rape, we had one here where the child was 12 weeks old. & his wife took pictures of it all going on. That deserves the death penaltty. But I digress.
Sword in this passage I think means death. Hope this can help.
Love in His Name Stuart
2006-01-15 09:42:16 Posted by Stuart (stuart@sadrankin.com)
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