Beloved in the Lord, brother Eliya
I say unto you, these are open forums and you may express any thought that dwells within your mind and heart as long as it adheres to
proper Orthodox etiquettes and it is void of all heresies or defamation of our holy clergymen – those whom rested in the Lord or serving amongst us
Hence, please I beg of you, don’t ask for my permission, I am nothing but a sinful servant of our God
As for your request for a debate on the topic of the Prophet Eliya, currently and for the next five days, I have no access to Arabic Typing capabilities
Note that, the most recent reply I added was “cut and paste” article that was written by Father Mishal Hadad
However, I have a steadfast fervent conviction which is derived in parts from the Gospel and Epistle readings of last Sunday
( I do encourage you to re-read them in case you've missed the Holy Liturgy)
In conclusion, I strongly believe that Jesus has completed the old covenant which was incomplete prior to His coming; thus I read, understand and adhere to the old testament in accordance to His teachings of the Word - not one Iota more or less
The Question that always intrigues me is: why some believers are adamant on debating issues that the Lord Himself have already settled and often accentuated in plain words? I ask
For example, here is what He said in regards to the topic at hand when He was questioned by the Holy deciples
يسوع المسيح يقول لنا في الإنجيل إن ايليا قد عاد بشخص يوحنا المعمدان:
« فإن شئتم أن تفهموا، فيوحنا هو ايليا المنتظر رجوعه » (متى 11/14).
وسأله تلاميذه: لماذا يقول الكتبة إنه يجب أن يأتي ايليا أولاً؟
فأجابهم: ايليا قد أتى ولكنّهم لم يعرفوه بل صنعوا به كلّ ما أرادوا.
ففهم التلاميذ أنه قد كلّمهم عن يوحنا المعمدان.
(متى 17/10–13؛ مرقس 9/11).
That is what the Lord Said…
Therefore, who am I to believe anything else??? I ask
Given that, the Forerunner Is Eliya, how did John rest in the Lord? Was he not decapitated, and tasted death? I ask
I have no further replies on the topic. As well as, I have no comments on the vague participation by sister Dima-h.
The aforementioned shall suffice
In Christ I shall remain
His faithful servant, a sinner
a brother in Christ
Sulieman